The process broken down as to what we have planned for this project conversion:
1. Clean frame
2. Weld in air tank, battery trays, and compressor
3. Box frame and fill holes (How do you feel about learning to weld?)
4. Install steering rack
5. Wire up batteries, compressor, air lines, brake lines, fuel lines, and wiring harness
6. Mock-up engine block and tranny for cross member modification
7. Measure driveshaft for driveshaft (and order)
8. Disassemble entire frame and clean-up welds
9.. Disassemble rear axle
10. Send frame, control arms, spindles, rear axle, rear suspension pieces and sway bars to powder coating and send out brake calipers and hats for paint
11. Mock up motor with -AN fittings
12. Fit tanks, heat exchanger, overflow tank, etc with -AN fittings
13. Disassemble motor and send out peices for polishing
Frame final assembly
1. Set-up frame and inventory pieces
2. Press in new polyurethane bushings
3. Assemble axle
4. Assemble front and rear suspension
5. Install brake lines and air lines
6. Install tank, compressor, battery lines, and battery
7. Install fuel tank and lines
Motor final assembly
1. Inventory polished peices
2. Assess and order ARP studs for motor accessories
3. Assemble complete motor
4. Install clutch, slave cylinder, and transmission to motor
14. Install motor into chassis
15. Install drive shaft
16. Test air suspension
17. Install fuel system
18. Fab up exhaust and send to for polishing
19. Send rolling chassis to Street Heat for body assembly
Recieve truck back
Interior
1. Inventory interior pieces
2. Install stereo speakers and wiring
2. Install dynamat
3. Modify and install dash and head unit
4. Modify and install door panels
5. Install headliner, visors, carpet, seat belts and back wall
6. Fab up center console and sub box and send out for paint or upholestry
7. Install seats
8. Modify and install overhead console
9. Install bedrug
Engine bay
1. Install master cylinder
2. Install wiring harness
3. Install remote oil filters
4. Install radiator
5. Install resivior and intercooler tanks
6. Install power steering lines
7. Install A/C system
8. Install -AN lines9. Test fire?
This week we hit a low of -49 celsius (-51 fahrenheit) with plenty of snow!
The air tank will touch the ground with the air completely out of the bags. The bed will completly cover the exposed half of the air tank so no one will see.
The back end is on and we got rid of the factory end plates for the mounting of the bumper. We will have to of course weld it in with it being held in place with a few small welds.
The air tank is mounted in now and now we have to box in the frame around this area and then we have plenty of grinding ahead of us.
Bracket made for the Oasis compressor to fit in the middle of the frame. Haven't put the bottom plate in yet but the Oasis has 4 screw in points on the bottom. I am trying to figure out a way to clean up the compressor by either powdercoating it or chrome certain parts.
Tight fit between the Oasis bracket and the ports for the air bags.
As it will sit on the back. We just need to mount the bottom plate to complete the Oasis bracket. As you can see on the back brace we have it marked ready to remove two parts so that we can fit the batteries in place. The battery tray is on the bottom right (got these already made from summit racing)
Bye, bye spare tire (no turning back now!)
Extra support was need in order to keep the frame in one piece and not allowing it to warp
Marking all the spots that are going to be fabricated and all the holes will be filled so that it is all smooth.
New bar inserted for the mounting of the air tank.
Air tank in place and it fits quite snug.
Top view of the air tank with the four outlets
Side view
A view from below. I believe that it sticks out about 4", which is much better than the 8"