Finally....Da new rig..

[joeyf]

Looks nice. Just a heads up, on the ignition toggle cover I had a problem of it snapping close killing the truck. On hard hits to rocks and really bad washboard roads. Eventually just took the cover off.

 

[crash2]

Interesting. I have been using this brand for years now and never had one fail when mounted vertically which I would suspect if they were to fail they would be more susceptible to doing so.

 

[joeyf]

Ya, they should last forever. Didn't happen right away, took around a year before it started to happen. Figured it was because its the only one that gets used every time the truck is used.

 

[crash2]

Ya, they should last forever. Didn't happen right away, took around a year before it started to happen. Figured it was because its the only one that gets used every time the truck is used.

I buy in bluk and use them allot---no biggy if I gotta replace it every couple years...

 

[BUILTnotBOT]

You've probably answered this question earlier Mike but what welder are you using for all the aluminum work? I really like your approach on different parts and its making me itch to wanna do some myself....

 

[crash2]

I got the CK 200 by ck worldwide....

 

[crash2]

Onward and forward.... So the shifter mount and switch pod were made in such a way for a second reason... So started by bending and forming a small box looking thingy. My tig work is slowly getting better...

 

[crash2]

Next I made a support bracket and finished modifying the back of the shifter mount and switch pod.

I originally wanted to re-use my tuffy center console but there was no way to make it fit so I went another direction....

 

[crash2]

And with it mounted...

 

[crash2]

So I made a top with a hinge and 1/2 turn latch and now I have an arm rest and storage area. After done I sat and played with the shifter and switches and it feels really good ergonomically.

I plan on having a short padded top made to go onto the top of it...

 

[hlb3]

Looks great Mike. You are getting really good at that sheet metal work

 

[crash2]

Looks great Mike. You are getting really good at that sheet metal work

Thanks Les. Ya I am getting the hang of it for sure and even have some stuff lined up after my rig is done building storage type stuff..

 

[crash2]

So next I built this. I figured I could get a 10" sub in the area I wanted and I was right. My original intention was to mount the amps on the back wall but with having to swap to an electric air pump that took the room needed. I found the amps nicely fit on the new sub box. Its built out of 1/8" so that should help take the tinny noise out of it and its fully welded. On final setup I will be layering the inside with something like dynomatt.

 

[crash2]

As you can see its a snug fit but it fits quite well. I built the top in a slope so I would not worry about banging my elbow on it if it slid back off my armrest. I am also going to make some top covers for the amps to give them a little protection when towing for water spray back and also dust on the final setup of the rig.

That was the last big item in the passenger area with the only thing left was cup holders and something for my Ipod to sit on..

 

[crash2]

Again time to clean the shop and organize boxes...

 

[crash2]

Ok time to bring out more boxes and get the pedals done up...

 

[Clark]

looking great Mike! what size masters?

 

[crash2]

looking great Mike! what size masters?

Thanks Clark.. 7/8's is what scotty suggested...

 

[hlb3]

Thanks Les. Ya I am getting the hang of it for sure and even have some stuff lined up after my rig is done building storage type stuff..

Oh yeah? I might have to hit you up later on, my dad wants me to build him some kind of storage box for the back of his bed even though I keep telling him I suck at sheetmetal work. :)

 

[crash2]

Ok so I got the master and pedal mounts made up and tacked into place. I only had to change the pedal mount once and that was simply rolling it down a tad to accommodate for the rise/fall of the pedal rod.

 

[crash2]

I got the pedals roughly built and then necked them down. I do all my brake pedals in 3/8" material...

 

[crash2]

I got the mount burned in (have not burned in the pedal mount as of yet until I am 100% sure on my steering mount) and got the pedals finished up.

I won't be shocked if I have to rework the pedals after I get the rig drive able because its just hard to find where ya think you will be comfortable without driving it..

 

[crash2]

So next onto the gas pedal. for this I will be using all factory parts. The accel cable will be the oem for the 4.3 and the gas pedal I wanna say off a 3rd gen truck? I can't recall as it was in a box of stuff I had for some time but the pedal was removable from the base with plastic bushings. So I tossed the stock base on the pedal and made a new one then I made a riser for the pedal to mount to.

 

[crash2]

And the riser mounted on the inner panel...

 

[crash2]

Next I had to make something to hold the end of the cable. The first one I made was wrong but version 2 was on the money...

 

[crash2]

Got the cable ran thru the front panels and idle to wot-- I don't think I could have gotten it more spot on...

 

[crash2]

So the pedals are done. Like I stated earlier I won't be surprised if I have to tweek them a bit once the rig is done but they should hopefully be pretty close...

 

[Jokenring]

:cool:

 

[crash2]

So next I started what I am going to call the backbone panel and the reason behind that is its the panel that the hood and dash butt up against.

So I cut the panel and then worked on mounting it. Once that was done I trimmed the back of the hood.

 

[crash2]

So I needed some way to support the center of the hood at the backbone. This is what I came up with. Once that was all set and knew where the hood was going to sit I then cut the backbone down to the needed height...