Dana 60 for the Dmax

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

what do you use to clean the frame before you paint?

I can't remember the name for sure. I got the info for it off of pirate4x4 forum. I bought it at Lowe's comes in a quart type can or in spray on I used it boths ways it worked AMAZING! They claim you can let it sit then power wash it off.

I was afraid that stuff would fly all over and get on my cab and I would have a spotted truck. I will find the name of it and post it up for ya.

That fuel tank....did you have to remove that large crossmember that holds the spare tire up or does it simply bolt up to it with straps?

I originally planned to just strap it up against that stamped steel crossmember you are talking about that holds the spare tire. After I got the tank and test fitted it up I feel it hangs a little to low.

After the rear spring brackets are welded on ( waiting on them atm) and the leafs are bolted to the axle and the truck can hold itself up. I will then take those huge ass stands out of the back. I plan to weld some temp cross peieces in front of that cross member and behind top and bottom. Then I plan to fab a new cross member out 1/4" wall 2"x2" tube. I plan to make it wider than the tank. Then have cross pieces to support the tank.

I will post up some pics for anyone thinking of doing the same thing so they can see how it turns out. Should be plenty of room for the rear pig to clear it even being it is a short bed.

I will see if I cant draw up a rough looking pic with paint of what I plan to make see what you guys think. Should be stronger than that stock cross member and allow the tank to move up about 4".

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

Ok here is a quote from the guy that used this stuff on pirate also a Youtube video of it being taken off with the powerwasher after the product was allowed to sit on the undercoating for an undetermined amount of time.

So after spending a few more hours with the plasma and the dripping undercoating, I was determined to find a solution to remove it before i started grinding... I found it baby

Jasco paint / epoxy stipper in a spray can..

Spray on, two beers later, remove with pressure washer or hose..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sazan91q0C4&feature=player_embedded

 

[Kutchey2]

Wow... That stuff looks awesome. I will definatly give that a try. Thanks again for looking that up for me! :thumb:

 

[RENODMAX]

Jasco works great for removing stuff like powdercoating. You could honestly buy a gallon of diesel (or ATF) for cheaper though and probably cover more real estate when it comes to removing frame wax.

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

Your welcome. I haven't tried diesel fuel to take it off. I did use 98% ethanol to take off the sticky stuff left behind from the door moldings and it worked really well.

 

[AWFUL]

I just had an axle swap from hell.

I'm still to pissed to post some pics.

Cut the cross member off, put in a messed up old steering box in, moved the axle back, 3 inches of travel in the shocks and the invoice was dated 2/20/12, it didn't go in the shop till 2/28/12.

Done in bozoland montana.

 

[AWFUL]

And how could I foreget, I've already been stuck twice, once with the horses, winch doesn't work and no front drive shaft.

 

[HotRodTractor]

Looks good - glad I'm not the only one in this area of the country installing a Triple X setup - but I sure don't plan on mine being down as long as yours. LOL

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

Yea I hear you on that. I waited 6 months for joints I had paid for already from Ballistic Fab. I wanted the rear 4 Linked as well my truck was the first 01-10 Duramax truck that Toby has built the rear truss and link brackets for.

So I have been giving him measurements after I bolt up and weld on what he sends me to be sure it is the way he wants it then he sends more stuff. My rear leaf springs got lost in the shuffle somewhere so he had to re order those today.

I have had nothing but terrible luck getting parts. If I was you I would get a huge pile of parts before I started doing anything to your truck. LoL! I think the entire country is on back order!

Post up your pics of your build. Side not be careful how you locate the front coilover brackets Toby will send that go where the upper control arms were. If you place them right in the pocket that is in the frame there like he says to do it really limits your intercooler piping. It's going to be a bear to get my aftermarket pipes back in!

 

[HotRodTractor]

Yea I hear you on that. I waited 6 months for joints I had paid for already from Ballistic Fab. I wanted the rear 4 Linked as well my truck was the first 01-10 Duramax truck that Toby has built the rear truss and link brackets for.

So I have been giving him measurements after I bolt up and weld on what he sends me to be sure it is the way he wants it then he sends more stuff. My rear leaf springs got lost in the shuffle somewhere so he had to re order those today.

I have had nothing but terrible luck getting parts. If I was you I would get a huge pile of parts before I started doing anything to your truck. LoL! I think the entire country is on back order!

Post up your pics of your build. Side not be careful how you locate the front coilover brackets Toby will send that go where the upper control arms were. If you place them right in the pocket that is in the frame there like he says to do it really limits your intercooler piping. It's going to be a bear to get my aftermarket pipes back in!

I have everything sitting here - its all waiting on me. I started in January removing parts and hope to have it drive-able (but not finished) by the end of the month.

My intercooler piping will be fine - but I am having to remake the downpipe for the compounds coming off the atmosphere charger as it wants to occupy the same space as the coil over bracket. So far everything has been fairly smooth, with only a couple minor hiccups along the way, but every project this custom has hiccups.

I'm a moderator on a Power Stroke site, and this is my tow vehicle - so my main build thread is taking place over there: http://powerstrokearmy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11749 I'll move some highlights over here in a new thread in the next couple of days.

I make it up to your area of Indiana from time to time going to Polk's (antique tractors) - I'm probably 180 miles or so from you in central Ohio.

Jason

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

Sweet! Yea I had the front done in a few months as well. But was short the forged ballistic joints to put any links on lol! I also had to weld all the brackets on my self since I stayed with a 78 D 60.

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

Here is the link to my thread on pirate.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=952418&highlight=triple+dmax+n

 

[AWFUL]

Good info, I might have to rig my rig for awhile till I get all the good parts.

Hooking up the drive line made me think I should rebuild the axle again, I just got a u-joint that fits the stock drive line to the axle.

What would you do about a new member and what steering box was that ?

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

Im not sure what member you are talking about Awful?

The steering box is from PSC. I shipped my factory box in and they make the changes to it and send it back. It has ports for the hydro assist steering and a 4 blind shaft to allow the use of the 6" drop pitman arm.

 

[AWFUL]

I ment new cross member under the engine.

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

I didn't put anything back in where the IFS cross member was at.

 

[AWFUL]

I thought I read that that crossmember is important, I cool with it being gone if you are.

I'll get those pics on here soon.

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

Some updated pic's of the build. Rear 2 piece shaft complete head to toe with 1410 u-joints. I have the rear spring hangers tacked up for now.

Want to be sure the shocks fit the way I have planned before I dial in the ride height anymore. Shocks will be here this week. Also putting on a lift pump finally.

Took measurements for all the tube for the rear fuel tank cross member today will be cutting those pieces and getting that built hopefully next weekend.

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

A few more pics

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

Some pics of work I have done in the last few weeks.

Added a new rear cross member to mount the cab chasis tank. It will also locate my shock tabs and help mount the new hitch. Slapped an AirdoggII lift pump on it finally. Finished plating the frame.

Lengthened the wires for the sending unit. Will be changing the tubular cross member over the rear axle to sqaure tube allowing room for my fill hose to run back to the fuel tank and allow for better routing of the air dog lines.

Also finished up a bracket/ bearing support for the sector shaft so I don't end up crushing the needle bearings in the gearbox or ripping it off the frame.