My '77 K-30/V3500 Monster Truck Build

[Paulcpick]

Engineer, you seem to have a good grasp of what you are doing, and it's a very cool project. There is a Very Large community of Monster Truck people around who would love to see your progress. I hope this is not viewed as proselytizing, but the Monster Truck Fans, Drivers, Crew Members page, the Monster Trucks then and now page, and Monster Trucks Parts for sale are a good spot. Also the message board monstermayhem.org is a great resource if you don't like Facebook.

Anyway, I helped restore the old school Southern Sunshine monster truck, so seeing a new old school monster truck is exciting to me.
Are you planning on doing any kind of car crushing with it when your done?

[Engineer]

Thanks Paul. If I had more time I would be on those other boards, and Facebook. Don't be afraid to share this thread. And anybody is welcome to come in here and comment.

As far as the car crush I may try it one time just to say I have done it. No mud or serious use for this truck. If I get the urge to do that I'll junk another one together. Plenty of 1988+ iron to beat on. The 73~87(91) iron is getting too precious to risk bending.

Check back often. I have some more done to the truck and hopefully I can get the earlier pictures back in this thread soon. That all takes time. Right now I'm focused on getting the truck put together before winter so I can do the detail work during the cold weather months. I have to juggle work, cutting firewood, my younger son's fall college baseball season, add all of that with the fact that I'm not 20 anymore. Anyway, the heavy work is almost finished. Like I say check back often I'm sure you'll like my next update.

[Paulcpick]

If you need any advice, let me know, I've restored a couple of trucks and until recently made my living working in the industry, and anything I don't know, I know who to go to.
I'm going to be honest, I haven't looked through all the pages of the thread, but are you Boxing the frame or Fish Plating it or both?

Also, here's a few pictures of the truck I mentioned earlier...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GhtBVgKHJiY

[Engineer]

The frame is box tubing, all custom, not using any of the factory frame.. Didn't see the need for fish plating. Trying to keep the build light.

If you go back through the thread many of the pictures are missing. I'm trying to get that fixed. It just takes time. I'll try to get the pictures of the frame up so you can see how it is built.

[Paulcpick]

Reminds me alot of the "race trucks" that were still leaf sprung that started popping up after Bigfoot 8 debuted. Are you planning on Building a Roll cage that is attached to the frame?  I know its just a toy/show piece, but after being in and around the industry for as long as I have I would recommend doing it. It doesnt have to be a Feld Spec 2.00 OD Double Hoop  7 Point cage, but something. Not only are they a lifesaver when you need one, but they increase the structural integrity of your chassis Alot, in case you ever wanted to hammer on it lol.

Also, if you havnt read through it, Marty Garza(Overkill) has some Great Monster Tech articles online.
http://www.trucktoyzperformance.com/realm/monster_tech_index.htm
Plus. if you ever feel like beefing up your 5 tons, theres a couple of guys that make some bad 5 ton upgrades. Gearhart Eng.(Russ Gearhart, used to have Mudhog) and Adams Offroad Performance are the top 5 ton guys in the industry right now.

[Engineer]

All of those safety mods I would build into a second truck. This '77 will only be for parades and static display. Really don't see a situation where safety equipment like u-joint collars, blow proof bellhousing, scatter shields, etc. are necessary.

If I build a second truck it certainly would be a play toy. But then again I wouldn't limit myself on a second build to the "old school" technology. A second truck would be most likely a fiberglass body mega truck. Four link, coil overs and all.

[Engineer]

Who is ready for an update?

I know it has been a while since I posted last but I have been busy to the extreme.

Here is the progress.

In this picture you can see why I sandblasted and repainted all of my springs. Two are done, and two are waiting. That stuff was a pain to get off.



Then I went to work on the front axle.

Sandblasted:



Primer:

Knuckles, and tie rod can be seen in the back ground.





Paint:





Then I went after the frame. Had to move it around with my gooseneck trailer.



Sandblasted:



Primer:



Paint:



Again, I had to move it around with my trailer.



After the frame was painted and the paint on the axle had time to sufficiently degas I put the punkin back in:



I put the springs on the frame an then I set the frame on the front axle:





Next up was putting the knuckles back on. But first the knuckle boot, and boot retainer go on.





Then the knuckle goes on with the king pin caps holding it in place:



Then you put the retainer on with the original screws that have holes in them for saftey wire:



Add the saftey wire:



The other knuckle, and tie rod:



Next came this:

Using the factory Rockwell axle vent I fashioned a new vent tube that uses air brake tubing for the vent:



Another view:



Then these:





Along the way we added shocks:



This is one of the brackets I welded on earlier so I didn't have to mess up the paint. Brake line:



Then I went to work on the steering:





This is a good pic of the steering cylinders. I had hoped they would look like the shocks so that they would give the appearance of being matching steering stabilizers.



Another view:



All bolts, and nuts will eventually be painted black. If I have to go back into something I don't want to have painted the bolts and then scrub off the paint with a wrench.

Then it was time to give the rear axle the works:



Primered it, then painted the housing:



Masked off the differential and gave it the fog:





How about that gloss. And this is the rear axle:



Then I put the rear axle under the frame and added all of the accessories:



And finally I was able to find time to put the front axle back together.

This pic shows how I painted the spindle since it will be visible after the truck is put together. Nuts, studs, and lock washers will be painted later as well:



Then I added the hubs. All four hubs will be coming back off so I can sandblast them and paint them. I need to add more lug studs. Just wanted to get the frame rolling so I can mount the body.



And there is the rolling chassis:



I haven't touched the body of the truck in eons, however, I decided to get this installed before I set the cab 10' in the air. It is the windshield lock strip. I'm going with black so it will more closely resemble a 1991 V3500. My '77 originally came with a chrome lock strip.



Lots more to talk about but I'm tired. More to come later.

G'nite,
Engineer

[fitz]

  I always enjoy checking in on your build thread.  I don't post many comments because, well, I know nothing about building a monster truck. 
  Keep us updated. This is a fun one to watch.

[Captkaos]

Ditto

[LTZ C20]

Holy crapola! You have really don't alot of work since your last post, everything looks killer!

[outlaw70nova]

Awesome work Engineer!

[Don5]

Awesome work as usual. I get a little excited every time you post something. You have to be excited since you are seeing the results first hand. Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next round of pics.

[BBM3]

Engineer,

Amazing ground-up build.
Don't do you need shackles to compensate for the leaf springs wanting to lengthen when compressed?

EDIT:
Now that I think about it maybe shackles are on our stock suspensions to damp bouncing and improve ride and handling.

[Engineer]

Engineer,

Amazing ground-up build.
Don't do you need shackles to compensate for the leaf springs wanting to lengthen when compressed?

Yeah. There are shackles. You may not be able to see them because of the angle at which they are currently resting. Once I get the weight of the body and engine on it the shackles should cycle farther forward.

[Engineer]

Awesome work as usual. I get a little excited every time you post something. You have to be excited since you are seeing the results first hand. Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next round of pics.

This is a project 30 years in the making so yeah, I had to hide my giddy emotions from my wife as she helped set the frame on the front axle.