Cab Work and Alignment on Chassis

Today we took the chassis to Horvath Hotrods in Spanish Fork to check out the progress on the cab. Horvath has had the cab for a few weeks now and have sand blasted it and installed the new cab floor and firewall. We figured they could do the job easier than we can since they have a lift to be able to rotate the cab at the right angles to make the welds.

So we loaded the chassis onto the trailer and headed to Spanish Fork!

Zach is a pro at supervising projects now. He checks the straps and looks for anything out of place. He loves hanging out with the guys.

When we got to Horvath, we unloaded the chassis and rolled it over to where the Cab was.

This is where the fun started.. We were able to lower the cab onto the chassis to see how it would look and to fit it to make sure it would bolt onto the chassis.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a lift in your garage? Awesome.

As the cab was coming down onto the chassis we were busy checking clearances, making sure it was ligned up.. and starting to realize.. this is really happening! We're rebuilding a truck!

As you probably noticed from this picture we picked up a new firewall that is a much cleaner style than the original. Its nice gauge steel and should last a long time!

Check it out! Looks like a truck again huh!

Dad, Dave, and Dustin all smiling about how happy we are to finally get to this moment. Thunderpig will live again!!!

Only problem is that the firewall appears to be a little tight.. see how the recessed piece in the middle doesn't quite clear the heads of the engine? Not good. We think the firewall maker may have sent us a firewall for a small block engine, and not a big block engine.. Which means we need to get them on the phone ASAP to have them send us the correct firewall.. Bummer since its already welded in and looks amazing.. If this is indeed the wrong firewall we'll need to cut this firewall out and weld in a different one.. If this is the only firewall for our truck then we'll have to modify the existing firewall to make it fit. Uuugh.

Only 21 inches of clearance.. We need about 4 more inches on both sides to have a comfortable distance from the cab and engine.

Minor set back.. Hopefully we'll get this one figured out soon so we can get the cab on and start working on the wiring and fuel lines.