The old chassis takes a trip to its new home!

Ever since we stripped down the old truck and started rebuilding the truck on the new chassis, the old chassis has been used as a workbench for my Dad and I. Even though this has been convenient, we've realized several times that it would be even more convenient to have some space around the truck making it easier to work.. not to mention how nice it would be to be able to park the 4-runner in the garage again *grin*. Joe mentioned that he was interested in the old chassis and engine (a low mileage 327 with Corvette heads).. So we decided to load it up and head to Horvath Hotrods! :)

Zach had fun helping us prepare the old chassis for its road trip..

To hear a funny story on what happened to us on the way back from dropping off the chassis, click here :)

Bed work - wheel tub preparations

Yesterday we set out to mount the bed to the frame. In order to do this, we needed to cut a rough opening into the bed walls so the tires would have clearance. The 0penings will later be cleaned up and widened further when we receive the new wheel tubs and weld them into the bed.

Here are some of the pictures I took on my phone while Dad was using his torch to cut the wheel openings in the panels..

As you can see from the pictures... there were a lot of sparks and red hot steel... As a result of this... I appologize for not getting a picture of the small fire that emerged after the first panel was cut.. I was running to find something to put the fire out with. :-P

First fire on the truck.... "check". We probably should have moved the card board. LOL!

Engine Dressing

Today we received our new Tru Trac Serpentine Belt system from Billet Specialties.. The complete kit included most of the components we've needed for the engine. Its amazing what a dozen or so chrome parts can do for an engine.. Oooh! So Shiny!! :)

This is a picture of the Tru Trac system we purchased from Billet Specialties (through Doug Herbert).. I know.. Awesome right?

Opening the packages from Billet Specialties was better than Christmas! Way better.. New parts for the truck are so fun!

Here is a side view of the engine with the new components installed. Also you can see on top of the engine is our new Holley Street Avenger 770cfm carburetor we purchased from Ryan at Doug Herbert Performance Engines.

Here is Dad tightening the last bolts down on the engine.. This was a lot of fun.. See that smile? :)


This is the front left side of the engine.. The AC Compressor (top left), the serpentine belt tensioning pulley (bottom left), water pump and pulley (center right), and part of the crank shaft pulley (bottom right).


This is the right front side of the engine.. Here you can see the Alternator (top right), power steering pump and pulley (bottom right), and in the center of the engine is the water pump and pulley (bottom left of picture).


So here it is all finished!! All that was needed was to top off the carburetor with an Edelbrock air filter and Voila! Magnifico!