M923 Bob

[hawaii5ton]

I bought a 5-ton truck with the plan to bob it. This is the truck the day I started.
It took me seven straight days to finish.

 

[rchalmers3]

Yeah, so whatsit look like now???

Rick

 

[hawaii5ton]

Day one and disassemble was fairly easy and straightforward. I have seen a lot of pictures on the old interweb here but no trucks like this in Hawaii, so I'll be learning as I go with no reference.

 

[hawaii5ton]

I bought a set of front springs complete with hangers, shackles, and all bolts from E-Bay (shipping to Hawaii from New Jersey cost as much as the springs).
You can see how much of the frame was cut off here.

 

[hawaii5ton]

View attachment 438357View attachment 438358I located the axle where the front tandem was so I could just bolt the driveshaft on and the air lines would reach.
I also cut the exhaust off and removed the spare tire carrier to move the bed forward.

 

[hawaii5ton]

This is me cutting the bed with a saw.
3ft 3in was removed from center then welded back together.

 

[hawaii5ton]

After relocating all the body mounts I bolted the bed back on.

 

[hawaii5ton]

Ran the exhaust under body, believe it or not there is still almost ten inches of clearance between muffler and tire.
Ran 5" exhaust from cab back and used a stack muffler because it was only 9" diameter. Also I made a turn out through and behind mudflap hanger and painted whole thing with flat black 2000' header paint.

 

[hawaii5ton]

I forgot my camera when I shortened the bed sides and jump seats but here's the finished truck.
Done on the fourth of July and had her maiden voyage in the evening parade.
I had a blast building it and think it turned out great.

 

[C Big]

Great job!!!!!!!

 

[aheilmann68]

very nice

 

[bigboy44]

Great Job, I like it. Can you tell me the turning radius, how it drives compared to the duel axels, and fuel MPG. Thanks

 

[hawaii5ton]

This truck drives great, I have parked it in a single parking stall with no problem. The turn radius is considerably tighter, I would compare to my quad cab pick-up. I can turn around in a cul-de-sac without doing a three point. Not sure about fuel mileage I've only had it done two days now.

 

[goldneagle]

Very nice job. Looks stock.

 

[hawaii5ton]

Finally got a chance to repair and install the top, I think it looks better with it on.
Here's a couple pics. I just pop riveted the plastic strip to the top with washer backers and painted them to blend in.
No modification to truck, just the top. I couldn't get anyone to sew it on, so this works.

 

[bigboy44]

Looks great, keep the pics coming and let me know about fuel MPG when you get to drive it for a while. Thanks

 

[zout]

Most excellent work - that looks great.

 

[madcroc1]

Looks great. Where did you get the springs for the rear bob job ?

 

[marchplumber]

Nice job. It looks really good, and I for one tend not to go the "bob" way.

God bless,
Tony

 

[madcroc1]

I see that you cut a middle section out of the bed. can you tell me what the length is of your bed after the shrink job ?
Also how much did you remove of the frame rails ?