404 face lift

[Jones]

I like the 411s but am just too big to fit; so I figured I'd just turn my 404 into one.
I shortened the frame from the back which entailed shortening the drive shaft and torque tube, moving the spring perches forward and just cutting off the excess frame rails.
Here's the truck after shortening. Next is to shorten the bed even more to give me a place to mount the spare tire vertically between cab and bed.
I'm also making some sheet metal for the cab to give it a more squared off look, a la 411.
More as I progress.

DSC00184 hosted at ImgBB

Image DSC00184 hosted on ImgBB

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DSC00188 hosted at ImgBB

Image DSC00188 hosted on ImgBB

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DSC00190 hosted at ImgBB

Image DSC00190 hosted on ImgBB

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[Jones]

Sheet metal done.
Next is to convert over to 12 vdc from the ex-military 24 volt system. That might be OK for authentic but try finding a 24 vdc electrical component at the rural general store you're stopped at. This thing is far from original but I'm building for function, not "factory".
A mopar alternator and firewall mounted solid state regulator replaces the 46# generator an cigar box sized voltage regulator for the charging system.
Just rerouting the battery-to-battery jumper from series to parallel gives me 12 vdc.
MB starter off a 300 sel drops right in.
New wiring bumper to bumper; to get rid of the typically Teutonic redundancy-- why would I need a indicator on the dash telling me when my license plate light is illuminated? Or a separate fuse for each and every light bulb.
Refacing the dash with a sheet metal panel so I can mount SW gauges and senders to keep track of things.
Electric Viair 450P-RV air compressor for on-board / on-demand air; instead of the horsepower eating mechanical pump. Glad hands and air reservoir are strictly for looks now.
Warning stickers for the doors and a little pine tree shaped air freshener seem oddly appropriate.

 

[Jones]

"Period" photos in B&W.

Winch cable now gone in favor of synthetic rope. I'm milling my own hawse fairlead to use with the rope instead of the roller fairlead.
Third picture shows machining the winch side of the fairlead out of 1"X 4" bar stock. Raised rectangle fits through the bumper/winch bracket.
The opening gets the corners rounded and polished on both winch and front sides to prevert chafing the rope.

The hood lettering is mine and I figured out how to do 3D metal emblems (not 3D plastic printer stuff) which opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.
Not too bad for a first attempt.