Rusty, Recovry and Panzerwillie's Wrecker Builds

[rchalmers3]

Cab/chassis dually conversion finally done.

Maybe I missed it, but what did you end up deciding to do about stretching the frame, or will that be a future task?
rick

 

[Recovry4x4]

Interesting question that can now be answered with certainty. My research showed that you can obtain the extra 4" of wheelbase simply by flipping the leaf springs front to back. The problem with this was the overload leaves wouldn't line up with the pads. I considered the frame stretch as well but in the end decided not to. Another option was to lop 4" off the front of the bed but that put the wrecker bed mounts in an unworkable spot. Since I'm using different bed sides, I can adjust where the wheel opening lands. After all the measuring, I will lop off an inch from the front of the bed and adjusting the bedsides accordingly.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Lopped off the frame rails. Now test fitting the body.

 

[patracy]

I know you're into it pretty far, and this is a ford. But I like this.... (Waiting for more details on it, rear axle is a air lift, not sure if powered.)

 

[Recovry4x4]

For some reason, that doesn't appeal to me. I'd put it in the class of stacks on pickups, fat manboobs and chrome on MV's but it might be right for you. LOL

 

[patracy]

Well I'm kinda turned off now. The rear axle is a dummy axle, just for weight/looks/getting hung up. If it was a tandem rear setup, I'd like it. A shrinked down M35A2 tandem setup would be cool.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Have you ever seen Steve6x6x6 Ford? His has 3 live axles.

 

[patracy]

Yup, he should build a wrecker....

 

[Another Ahab]

I know you're into it pretty far, and this is a ford. But I like this.... (Waiting for more details on it, rear axle is a air lift, not sure if powered.)

View attachment 555325

So it's just to distribute load; that it?

 

[patracy]

Yeah, might help with towing something heavy, but that's it. Really screws up departure angles....

 

[Another Ahab]

Nice looking truck though; like those classic Fords.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Mocking up bedsides. The back will need to be chopped off and reworked. the side of the bed floor will have to be narrowed 2" per side. I think it will look good when complete.

 

[Another Ahab]

Mocking up bedsides. The back will need to be chopped off and reworked. the side of the bed floor will have to be narrowed 2" per side. I think it will look good when complete.

It's looking good as is. A little judicious prep and paint, and you're golden.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Kenny, why not fill in the space between the bedsides and the wrecker bed. It would make a shelf/work surface when not "hooked" to anything. Any pics from the rear?

 

[Recovry4x4]

I'll get a couple of pics in the AM of different angles. Narrowing the bed floor just a bit saves hours of fabwork. Also, from the front, the bed appears too wide.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I guess cutting width off the wrecker bed would be too much of a pita?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Cutting width off the wrecker bed is the plan. Should be a 30 minute ordeal.

 

[Another Ahab]

Cutting width off the wrecker bed is the plan. Should be a 30 minute ordeal.

Cut out a seam right down the middle?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Cut out a seam right down the middle?

No, I'm going to trim the outside edge of both sides. Saves me from having to remount all the wrecker equipment and subframe. The rain never did subside yesterday to get the pics. I won't be home in the daylight hours until Wed now. Work is such an inconvenience.

 

[Another Ahab]

No, I'm going to trim the outside edge of both sides. Saves me from having to remount all the wrecker equipment and subframe. The rain never did subside yesterday to get the pics. I won't be home in the daylight hours until Wed now. Work is such an inconvenience.