TrashE

Nice work on the bed sides. I did similar to keep body lines but didn't go as large. 40" tire doesn't really fit but allows a lower ride height. A lot of work!

Your truck looks really good, I like it a lot. I was originally going to do something similar on my bedsides but then just got excited and kept going

Here's a pretty terrible picture of my wheel/tire combo, I had them mounted a couple days ago. Raceline Raptors I bought used a few years back for cheap. I thought they might be a little too bling but they're not too bad, especially when paired with 40's.

I couldn't resist throwing them on real quick for some motivation.

Since I was waiting on some stuff to show up I went ahead and started on the front end. Everything is gone except the steering box and engine cross member, which I want to keep on for mock up.

Old 2wd IFS brackets cut off and frame ground smooth. Glad that parts over. Ready to start adding metal now.

​​​​​

Been trying out different springs and axle locations. Set the truck at ride height and now have the proper pinion angle written down.



Ended up settling on some stock chevy 52" springs with the overload removed. I might swap a spring or add one in later but it's the combo I liked the most, so it will work for now.



The premade Barnes leaf spring hangers made set up a little better. I moved them a few times as well.

With everything mocked up as good as it was going to get I double checked my measurements and got ready to remove the front cross member and finish everything up on the bench.

For the front cross member I went with some 3/16" thick 4x4 tube.



End caps are 1/4" and drilled to accept 5/8" hardware. The nuts will get welded to the back of the plate and be captured inside the tube.

Fab work is clean AF !

Thanks!

Blasted some holes in the 4x4 cross member.



Cleaned up the holes with some help from these guys. That big one can get sketchy if you're not paying attention.



After making the rear recovery points out of some 1" plate I decided to spend the 35 bucks and save some time on the front. I'm definitely getting a stick of 1x2 flat bar next time I'm at my metal supplier though.

Some of the main parts.



Trying to keep everything flat.



Starting to take shape now. The receiver tube and recovery points go through the 4x4 and will be welded on both sides.


​​​​​

Side gussets are 1/4" and tie into the recovery points.



Front gussets are 3/16" plate.
The large flat plate under the receiver is where the winch will live. This is the under side

Dope AF