5 ton crew build

[CrappiePoint]

Hello everyone. Sorry I’ve been slow posting. I don’t take a lot of pictures. I spent a couple weeks working to cut the bed down three feet. I used the side panels as guides and cut out 1 full section (3ft) off the front of them. I then used the hinges as guides to set the distance for the floor and frame cuts. I used a 3 x 7 x 3 inch Z notch to maximize the weld of the frame. I am currently editing the bed video and will add a link soon. Let me know what y’all think!! OH! I also added the het tool box/step.

 

[ihavea65]

Cool! Glad to see this, as I am also going to stretch my cab. My problem, I'm not sure if you have this as well, is my cab is TAPERED front to back. It would be a lot easier if it was just a simple stretch, but no. I am not sure at this point if I will go with two extra doors, or just have the rear passengers climb over, under or between to get back there, climb through the window, who knows. They are just kids, anyway, nobody really cares about them, they are built proof, have no aches and pains, etc anyway, so they are lucky they get seats at all...hahaha.

BTW...I hope it's ok to just jump in the conversation(s). I know I haven't (yet) contributed much, but that will change soon. I have been very impressed with EVERYONE on this site. Many seem truly motivated to help. I haven't seen too much negative personalities, sarcasm, rudeness, etc even when semi warranted. Other sites, won't mention any names (Reddit) seems like the people feel smarter and superior the more they put down somebody less experienced, like myself.

Just doing google searches for information, brings me right back to Steel Solders.

 

[CrappiePoint]

Cool! Glad to see this, as I am also going to stretch my cab. My problem, I'm not sure if you have this as well, is my cab is TAPERED front to back. It would be a lot easier if it was just a simple stretch, but no. I am not sure at this point if I will go with two extra doors, or just have the rear passengers climb over, under or between to get back there, climb through the window, who knows. They are just kids, anyway, nobody really cares about them, they are built proof, have no aches and pains, etc anyway, so they are lucky they get seats at all...hahaha.

BTW...I hope it's ok to just jump in the conversation(s). I know I haven't (yet) contributed much, but that will change soon. I have been very impressed with EVERYONE on this site. Many seem truly motivated to help. I haven't seen too much negative personalities, sarcasm, rudeness, etc even when semi warranted. Other sites, won't mention any names (Reddit) seems like the people feel smarter and superior the more they put down somebody less experienced, like myself.

Just doing google searches for information, brings me right back to Steel Solders.

Hey there!! Yes that was a big deal to get the cab sorted out if you want to go to YouTube and look for 5ton crew cab build / Thelongway. There is a lot of how to.

 

[Jbulach]

Cool! Glad to see this, as I am also going to stretch my cab. My problem, I'm not sure if you have this as well, is my cab is TAPERED front to back. It would be a lot easier if it was just a simple stretch, but no. I am not sure at this point if I will go with two extra doors, or just have the rear passengers climb over, under or between to get back there, climb through the window, who knows. They are just kids, anyway, nobody really cares about them, they are built proof, have no aches and pains, etc anyway, so they are lucky they get seats at all...hahaha.

BTW...I hope it's ok to just jump in the conversation(s). I know I haven't (yet) contributed much, but that will change soon. I have been very impressed with EVERYONE on this site. Many seem truly motivated to help. I haven't seen too much negative personalities, sarcasm, rudeness, etc even when semi warranted. Other sites, won't mention any names (Reddit) seems like the people feel smarter and superior the more they put down somebody less experienced, like myself.

Just doing google searches for information, brings me right back to Steel Solders.

Assuming your working with an older truck with the narrower cab, IIRC the front of wider M939 series 5 ton truck cabs matches up fairly close to the rear of the older 2-1/2 and 5 ton truck cabs.

 

[CrappiePoint]

The cab is very tapered but it is easy to add on to the extension by splitting the donor cab and widening it but leaving the original taper up front. Easy is a relative term of course.

 

[ihavea65]

Assuming your working with an older truck with the narrower cab, IIRC the front of wider M939 series 5 ton truck cabs matches up fairly close to the rear of the older 2-1/2 and 5 ton truck cabs.

Yes mine is a '68 M54...

The cab is very tapered but it is easy to add on to the extension by splitting the donor cab and widening it but leaving the original taper up front. Easy is a relative term of course.

Yes! I thought before, as well, that it would have to start being parallel to the frame after I cut it and widen it. It would look OK. But If I am hearing it right, I can keep a relative taper front to back using a M939? Is that right? Since the bed will be (ultimately) enclosed, the wider rear of the M939 would also blend in to the enclosed portion even better. I'll make a pass-through. Either between the two back seats or the back of a bench seat could flip down, and be carpeted. This is where my dog Atom would lie when humans aren't using the back seats, the way i envision it.

 

[th3v3rn]

How's the build going? Not done but getting it out. Working on AC as it stopped working and natrowed it down to the switch not flipping the relay, and need to change out the fuel pickup tube.
Roof rack is the next big piece.

 

[Robo McDuff]

I like those crew cabs the best in combination with a 5th wheel. If my M51A2 dump truck would have a longer frame, I would consider it also ----- if I was living in the USA. No way you get this on the road in Europe unless you want to spent a lot of $$$ and time in bureaucracy.

 

[CrappiePoint]

How's the build going? Not done but getting it out. Working on AC as it stopped working and natrowed it down to the switch not flipping the relay, and need to change out the fuel pickup tube.
Roof rack is the next big piece.

Going good!! I got the top almost done. I had to learn how to TIG sheet metal

 

[CrappiePoint]

Lots of body work left!