***ford F650 Project***

[79 HUSTLER]

Figured that I would post this in here as well as it will be easier to keep track of and it should be the ultimate tow vehicle.
Finally got time to work on the new tow rig. Gonna be alot of work to get it complete but it is coming along nice.
First pic. is stock straight from the factory to my house and started tearing it apart the first day. (12-24-05)
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...55ATT00008.jpg
Started with the rear suspension first, doing a 12" lift all the way around. Also after over a month searching everywhere for a dually bed I finally was able to find one at a dealership that was a brand new take off.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...55IMG_0077.JPG
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Well its a start for now. As soon as I can find a company that will make the front springs she will be drivable, nobody wants to make the springs now :yuk: . I will take the bed off next week and get that all painted then start shaving everything and have the truck repainted. I have started on making a new 180gal. gas tank so that the ones under the doors can be removed as well as the steps. Once everything is clear under the doors I will be making some steps simular to the Kodiaks but they will have two steps since I do not think that one is going to cut it.
The front differential should be here next month and as soon I a find a transfercase for the Allison I will be doing the 4x4 conversion. I will try to update as it is coming along if anyone is interested.
KELLY

[79 HUSTLER]

Well I finally got time to work on the truck again after 4 months or so of it just sitting. There is alot of work to go still but I am hoping by the end of this month I will be able to start rolling it around town a lil bit. There is alot involved in getting this thing to look right. I have taken off all the steps, taken off both full tanks and replumed the wiring and lines for the new tank. I need to take of the air tanks and mount them under the cab so that they will not be seen. I need to mount the batteries under there as well and rewire everything with longer cables (not liking that part). Got alot more stuff to do but this will keep me busy for a few.
Here are the following updates, I hope there is still some interest:
These first photo's are of the bed frame that I made. The bed sits about 10" off of the frame so I needed to make some type of support to go under the bed. I did not like the way that I had seen most done which is using some 2-3" bar in just a few places, so I made another frame made out of the same channel as the original frame and placed it on top of the original. This will be the home of my new 100 gallon polished stainless fuel cell, and will also house a large compartment for air line, impact, etc. for the dunes.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...55IMG_0353.JPG
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http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...55IMG_0361.JPG

[79 HUSTLER]

ow the fun really begins, tearing out the front end. I am getting ready to lift the front end, I did not have much luck with getting a set of springs made that I would be happy with so I figured I would try something else. Once everything is done later on down the road I will probably go to a four link setup with airbags but that is going to take some time and lots of work so that will wait. Everything on this truck is so damn big it is a pain to take of anything. Yesterday I spent most of the day cutting off rivets that hold most of the brackets. The front axle weighs about 1200pounds on my scale, so hard to move stuff to mock up all by myself in a little garage...
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...55IMG_1350.JPG
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***notice the nice steep driveway that I get to work on, definately makes it alot more fun...

[79 HUSTLER]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...55IMG_1357.JPG
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...55IMG_1358.JPG

[Lightning]

This is a really cool project....
What are you going to do to lift the front end? Have you contacted National Spring in San Diego / El Cajon. They will make springs for anything.....and should be able to take care of this project.

[wedge44]

You mean to tell me that Fag(an)git is not being supportive in your endeavors......and if he is be wary or be afraid

[79 HUSTLER]

You mean to tell me that Fag(an)git is not being supportive in your endeavors......and if he is be wary or be afraid
Yeah FAGan has been really supportive and helpful, everytime he leaves for work I raid his garage for tools. That is as close as he will ever get to touching this.

[79 HUSTLER]

This is a really cool project....
What are you going to do to lift the front end? Have you contacted National Spring in San Diego / El Cajon. They will make springs for anything.....and should be able to take care of this project.
I did contact them but they were unable to go as large as I wanted so I will be using the stock springs and just dropping the mounts down. Kind of long to explain so I will have some pics of it in the next few days.

[OldYeller]

WOW, what a project. Be great to see it when it is completed.

[cc322]

Simply STELLER I want a ride in that thing when It's done ..Great job so far. Keep us posted.