My first build

[dirthalr]

Here is the start of my king hauler build. It's going to be quite the learning experience since I don't know much about these. The only thing I'm ok with is the trucks, since I've had diesel runing thru my veins since I was a kid.


Jimmy

[Diesel Demond]

looks good man gotta start somewhere. took me about 3 years before i got my truck the way i wanted!

[dmess62]

good start to the work area and truck

[dabears]

looks like a great start!!! Like your work are as well!

[dirthalr]

Been waiting for parts, so in the mean time I made some monster exhaust.

[Christo]

That's the first time I've ever seen a work area built for a truck build. Nicely done

[Espeefan]

Welcome to the forum! Good to see another Wisconsin member. It's about time we had some guys showing up from my state.

Off to a great start, I see! Your work area looks a lot nicer then mine, that's for sure, and congrats on the King Hauler.

[dirthalr]

thanks everyone

[dirthalr]

So I got a few parts in, and converted the single headlights to dual heads lights. Little more massaging of the fit and I'll have it.




thanks for looking
Jimmy

[Dairyland Trucker]

It is nice to see a fellow cheesehead on here, you have a good start on this build...

[dirthalr]

Yep been awhile. Got new frame rails and added 3 inches, then I remade the monster exhaust. Wasn't 100% with the look and size of the copper pipe, so I went with some stainless and flush mount elbows. Made a front bumper with blind mounting, and made a drop visor out of stainless. Got some breathers from PMD. Need to figure out what to do for lights for the rear, maybe by then the weather will be warmer so paint can be in the future.

[Espeefan]

Looking good Jimmy! Got any more info on the stacks? Flush mount elbows? The visor sure turned out nice. How thick of metal did you use?

[dirthalr]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Looking good Jimmy! Got any more info on the stacks? Flush mount elbows? The visor sure turned out nice. How thick of metal did you use?

Thanks Nate

The visor is 18 gauge or .050". The elbows don't have a hub or bell on them like copper. I believe they are called weldable elbows. The half in copper was 1/2" id. almost 5/8" od. The stainless is 1/2" od. I took a piece of aluminum about 4" long and turned it down so it fit snug inside the stainless. Then I let it hang out of the stainless 1/2" or so, and inserted the elbow, drilled through the elbow and tapped the aluminum using a 2mmx3mm screw to hold elbow to shaft. And by having 3.5" aluminum inside the stainless that let me drill and tap 3mm holes to fasten to truck. I was afraid that the stainless would be to thin to tap. You can kinda see my stainless/aluminum connector. Plus all I need to do is polish, not send the copper out for chrome. I did end face the exhaust pipes in the lathe so the joints where tight.
Hope that helps.
Jimmy

[BRICKNICK]

She's looking great, you'll get her where you want her eventually. I'm going on three years and my first truck is just about there, and the second one is getting some progress.

[Petedrivinman]

nice looking truck and exhaust,what color are you painting her

[Espeefan]

Good thinking Jimmy. I didn't know such elbows existed for stainless tube. Had I know that, I might have thought about giving that a try instead of copper tube.

[dirthalr]

Originally Posted by Petedrivinman

nice looking truck and exhaust,what color are you painting her

I'm thinking florescent brown.....lol. Not sure on color yet.

[dirthalr]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Good thinking Jimmy. I didn't know such elbows existed for stainless tube. Had I know that, I might have thought about giving that a try instead of copper tube.

Thanks Nate

[dirthalr]

Originally Posted by BRICKNICK

She's looking great, you'll get her where you want her eventually. I'm going on three years and my first truck is just about there, and the second one is getting some progress.

Thanks

[Bigrigger]

Are those headlight bezels the ones from PMD? The build is certainly coming along quickly!