1973 Series 88" rebuild from B.C. *pics*

Hello all, been working on my old Series III. Bought it about a year and a half ago and been fiddling with it now and then, have too many projects so they progress slowly at times.

I picked it up running and driving but barely in both cases!



Check out more pre-op pics here

Had/Has the usual rot in the rear frame and cross member as well as the outriggers. No brakes, hydraulic or emergency. Suspension shot. Floorboards poorly patched. You know the type!

Started off by gettin the pesky body out of the way for the frame repairs.





Then I put the rear axle back over the leafs as the PO attempted to lift it to remedy the wore out leafs... Then I got what was left of the cross member off.



I removed the rear frame brackets, exhaust hangers, and spring hangers, made a cardboard template from what was left of the frame rails and rebuilt the back 1.5-2 feet of frame with sheet metal (16ga if I remember correctly). Unfortunately I lost that set of pictures to a virus so you will have to use your imagination there.

*imagine*

Then I tackled the front outriggers as they were a little light..

Cut a couple of these out.


After folding it around a piece of angle iron using violence and loud grunting, Not exact but close enough for this guy.




Found another ventilation hole!




Little bit of primer.


And some shiny marine enamel to keep it pretty.


After that it sat for the rest of the summer, between work and play it just wasnt in the cards.

Now back at it I tackled the rear cross member. I went with 10ga for some extra beef.

Got it drawn out.






The filler pieces on the sides will get welded in once it is attached to the frame so I can get in there with the welder.


Last test fit, sun is gettin low, air is gettin cold so enough for today.


Now that I have reached this point could someone please get me a measurement? I need the width of the rear cross member side to side across the top. and width in between the tail gate brackets. I think I got it close but there isnt a heck of a lot left of my old one to go by so my current measurements are a little vague...

I am also thinking about ditching the drop bracket and trailer ball mount in favour of a 2" receiver hitch incorporated in to the rear cross member, part of the reason I stepped up to 10ga. Maybe though I should I keep it original looking, thoughts?

Let me know if there is any interest and I will keep this thread updated, the other forum I was posting on is kinda light on traffic so helpful info and encouragement is few and far between.

Thanks for reading this far! :nospamhere:
Scott

Good work, an inspiration!

Not sure what you mean by the second measurement - if you mark up on a picture what you want measuring I'll get it for you

D

Here is what I have gotten done recently.



The 1x1x.133 square tube is to support the rail from being pinched by the front bumper bolts, a little heavy duty but it was all I have on hand, using the same stuff for the rear cross member bolts.


All mocked up, you can see where I cut under the top of the frame rail so I could hammer it down and have the new frame thickness the same top to bottom so the bumper will fit the same as original.


Just a couple holes to drill now and it is done.


Picked up some more steel I had bent up and decided to tackle the front bumper.



Used a friends plasma cutter to cut the radius and notched the edge with a zip cut.



Used a rubber mallet to get it bent around as far as I could then pulled it in the last bit with pliers and tacked it in place.



There it is with both ends welded up and trimmed. Nice and straight!



Next was the crank hole recycled from the old bumper, took a lot of hammering to get all four edges straight so it would match up well.



Bit-o-grindage and all is well!



I cut the mounts off the old bumper, have to finish straightening them out and once the other front frame horn is done I will mock it up and weld them on so everything will line up properly.

Also got the PTO holes and hitch bolt holes cut out of the rear cross member with the plasma cutter so it is ready for final assembly soon.

Cant wait to be finished the frame on this thing!

Here is the start of my rear body braces, dont think these ones will rot out very soon!



Scott