Steve's 81 Toyota "angelo" build

[sixstringsteve]

I got my front hangers mounted the other day. The hardest part was making sure they were both even front to back. I don't want my truck driving sideways instead of straight.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Tonight I worked on extending the rear of the frame and mounting my rear shackle tubes. I'm no engineer, so hopefully this works. I only needed to extend it about 4-6 inches (if that). I mainly wanted to beef up the rear part to make sure it had enough support for the shackle hangers.

A piece of 2x3 fits in the first part, then it hits the inside tabs. I had to cut it to clear those.

Here's the stock rear part of the frame:

Here's my idea:

It fits really well. And there are holes on the other side to rosette weld as well.

After I welded that up, I decided to plate it just to be safe.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Then I added the rear shackle tubes.

and cleaned it up and painted it while I could still get in there easily.

The wheelbase sits right at 113 inches, just what I wanted.

I still have to brace the back of the frame extension and cut off the excess, but the tough part is done.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'll be wrenching all night tonight if anyone wants to swing by and shoot the breeze.

 

[Cherokeester]

I would if I lived closer, looks like a lot of work! Motivates me to get on with my CJ7 frame swap, er, maybe just sit back with a cold lemonade, hmmm.....

 

[SAMI]

Hold on a minute... Did I hear you say double cab? I will be extremely stoked to see that phase of the project be completed.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I wish you were closer too mark.

 

[864runner]

I might swing by and check out those wheels if I have the time. Wanna PM me your adress?

 

[sixstringsteve]

Hold on a minute... Did I hear you say double cab? I will be extremely stoked to see that phase of the project be completed.

Yes sir, you heard correctly. It's a year or two out, so who knows what it will look like. Plus i need Rick to work out all the kinks first on his I just want this thing driving for now.

It may be too depressing to do a double cab. I can't even fill my passenger seat, let alone 2 more seats. Nobody wants to ride along with me. Maybe once I have kids I'll have some takers.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Got it off jackstands. I sure hope these rear springs sag more once they're installed.

 

[skippy]

once you get a bed and a tank full of fuel on there they will come down

 

[sixstringsteve]

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping. Plus the springs should settle a bit. It should be perfect. I placed the shackles so they'll be at about a 35-40 degree angle with the springs totally flat.

Thanks for the reassurance skippy.

 

[lewis]

You probably already know this but I always set up the shackles by having no weight on them just hanging there and setting them a 90 degrees to the frame. With running a a 5.5" or 6" shackle or so its best to have them lean forward towards the cab just a bit so the angle is 85 degrees or so. Don't want to go to far though because they may invert when they are flexed out and the axle is dropped which brings that shackle even a little more less than 90 degrees. I have seen some invert before and its a pain. Mine still lay too far back on my truck since the shackle is too long for the weight and the soft springs. And that frame extension looks pretty good. Sounds like you need a new wife and or friends if no one is riding with you that or a stick of deodorant.

 

[sixstringsteve]

It sounds like that would be a pain. I've never seen an inverted shackle before. I think these will do perfect when they're settled in. That's a good formula to follow though, thanks for the tip Lewis.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Hey, it's a miracle, I'm done before midnight tonight.

Man, I hardly got anything done tonight. Oh well, I'm learning and learning takes a long time for me.

Finished up the rear of the frame. I think I went overboard on the gusstes, but I want to make sure I can attach a tow strap without worrying about my frame coming apart. I also want to be able to use a hi-lift with confidence, though it'd have to be a HUGE high lift.

It was a lot of work for an extra 2" of wheelbase, but it was worth it. Plus it'll be fun having a different wheelbase than a regular longbed.

Gotta love the little lincoln 110 welder I've been using. That thing is a champ. This entire build will be with that little guy. I love it.

Getting ready for paint:

Fresh paint.

Too bad this won't even be visible in the end. Oh well, at least I'll know I did it right.

 

[sixstringsteve]

next up for tomorrow and saturday:

1) clean the garage
2) get rid of that dented sheet metal on the back of the cab and replace it with some fresh sheet metal. I guess the PO didn't like the hump in the back wall and decided to take a hammer to it.
3) If time permits (it never does), I'll either figure out a way to mount the bigger gas tank, or I'll start tubbing the front fender/firewall area.

Then I have to take a week or two off to work on my thesis.

 

[Marsh99]

I dont know if you have settled on a color for paint but I talked to my local home depot and they said I could order any colors off rustoleums spray cans though then by the case... I am rethinking from my lime green now but here is there site http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=97

 

[sixstringsteve]

Dude, aren't you getting married today? And you've still got time to post on my thread? Right on!

Good to know about HD. I'm using wildflower blue (satin). I love the color, and I love that it's flat with no gloss. We'll see how the truck looks with it.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I bought a W-56 and top-shift tcase today, so that's going in soon. Just need to get a HD clutch from Marlin, then it'll all go in. I will probably need help pulling my tranny, so if anyone's around tomorrow afternoon and has nothing better to do, I'd love some help.

 

[864runner]

I can swing by today, been busy the last couple nights. what time were you thinking?