Her Name is Frank

[Twisted Minis]

I'm guessing you didn't work at the Independent Cycle that built my old BMX bike. Lol.

This truck still has the stock mechanical fuel pump. It's also got a Weber, but the thing hardly runs.

[pumkin toy]

is it not getting enough fuel?  i am just wondering if i can use my stock mechanical pump if i build a fuel cell.    and no i didnt build BMX bikes lol   heres  where i worked, http://independentcycleinc.com/

[Twisted Minis]

Oh ya your truck should run fine on a stock fuel pump with any kind of tank, as long as it can pick the fuel up. This truck just runs poorly for some reason, not really because of the fuel cell or pump. It just sounds like it's not firing on all cylinders.

[boggerunner]

hey where are the updates? u been hybernating?  i need another fix of your sweet fab work.  im feending like a junkie over here.

[pumkin toy]

oh ok, that is good to know!  i will deffinately build a fuel cell at work. hopefully soon, i have to figure out my dimensions first. any tips for how to build them? or can i pretty much make it any shape or size?  (within rectangular shapes of course)

[Twisted Minis]

It doesn't necessarily even need to be rectangular. It can be a sphere if you want. I would say just put your pickups as close to the bottom as possible, and run a vent of some kind, and don't forget to pressure test it (and only use about 5 PSI).

As far as updates, I don't really have any. I've been waiting on the last payment for almost 2 weeks now, so I have stopped all progress on this truck. I learned my lesson with the cop car that's still sitting outside. I've started working on the '85 Toyota a bit, and only have this picture so far.



Which brings me to a question. Are 2WD and 4WD Toyota leaf packs the same? I have the stock rear leafs off the '85 if anyone wants them. I usually just scrap them, so if someone could use them I would rather them go to a good cause.

Also I made this set of drop blocks for a customer that ended up flaking and never picked them up.


He was very specific about what exactly he wanted, came to get them, then asked if I could do the whole lowering job. Made an appointment for the next day, and now he won't answer his phone. Live and learn.

[topar]

Hope you make them give you a non refundable deposit.

[Twisted Minis]

For small stuff, not really. But I wish I would have made him buy the blocks when he originally came to get them. Then he would have had a reason to come back. For the bigger jobs, I collect a decent deposit and go off of bi-weekly payments.

[MiniSimp]

I think the 2wd leaf pack is short one leaf compared to the 4wd pack, other than that, I think they are the same.

[crawlerdan]

I think the 2wd leaf pack is short one leaf compared to the 4wd pack, other than that, I think they are the same.

they are the same length, one leaf shy of the 4wds like mini said. but they have more arch to them, as they sit under the axle.

i had a set in the front of my 85, they flexed better then any other spring ive had. i recomend them
heres a pic on my 85 with 39s

[Twisted Minis]

Well if anyone wants them speak up. They have decent bushings in them, but I have poly ones too. They're free if anyone wants them in the next week, otherwise I need to scrap them.

[pumkin toy]

thanks for the tips Twisted Minis!

[Twisted Minis]

I started the front most cross member. Not much to it yet, but it's only about 1/3 of the way done. The rest of my vision for this should unfold tomorrow.

[Twisted Minis]

I got the cross member pretty much wrapped up tonight.



The ones on the bottom always look the best right?

[46&2]

Very nice! 

[pumkin toy]

looks great bro!!  makes me really miss TIG welding

[Bazzi]

you are the king.

I am woundering what tools you have in there?
do you tig weld most or all of your stuff?
what are you using for drilling these holes or do you cut them with mabe a plasma I am guessing a drill but those big drill bits are pricy....
also do you have a lathe?

I am just woundering what tools are the exsentials.
or mabe it´s better to ask. what is your favorite tool or the tool you wouldn´t be without.

one more thing for those fuel tanks are you using just standard steel and what thickness?

thanks and again you´re the king.

with regards Bazzi

[Twisted Minis]

Do you guys want to see a shop tour? I have pictures of all the big tools that I use here to get the job done. I can't say that there is one tool I wouldn't be without. At this point, I wouldn't want to be without any of the tools I have collected.

I used mild 16 gauge steel for the tank, and coated it with Kreems sealer. I would prefer to use stainless, but it wasn't in the budget for that truck.

[Bazzi]

show us the tools 

[pumkin toy]

I used mild 16 gauge steel for the tank, and coated it with Kreems sealer. I would prefer to use stainless, but it wasn't in the budget for that truck.

so what is Kreems sealer?    do you coat all the sheetmetal completely before welding the tank together?

[Twisted Minis]

No, you put do it after the tank is built. It comes with a few chemicals you wash around the inside of the tank to clean it and promote adhesion. Then the Kreems itself is a sealer, it's thick and red, and you put it inside the tank and roll it around until it coats everything, then you let it dry for about 24-48 hours before putting fuel inside. It's tedious. Por 15 also makes a Kit, but I can never find it locally, and I always seem to need the stuff immediately.

[Twisted Minis]

Here's my shop, starting with the exterior.



The newly acquired (huge) band saw.


Next is a Blackhawk air over hydraulic press, that I can't tell you how old it is. It's been in my family since I can remember. My uncle and grandfather both had it in their own shops.



Next is the random tool wall with peg board I hang stuff on. Also my new electric heater up in the right corner.


Here is the welding corner. My MIG and my TIG welders, as well as my TIG table and comfy chair.



My compact hydraulic tubing bender.


Next is the large work bench, the chop saw and air compressor, and my vintage Wilton vice.




Next we have the steel racks that are nailed into the support beams, and the storage area. On the Home Depot shelf there are two Ford 9" Axles, one Toyota axle, a Super Bell axle, a Ford 302, and a Chevy 250. All for future projects I keep acquiring.




Here is the 60s Benwil hoist. Back when stuff was made in the US. And also a 60's Milwaukee bumper jack that's been int he family for years as well. We nicknamed it R2.




Here is an old HeinWerner O-Boy jack. I've got two of these floating around. They've seen some abuse and just keep going. Also back when things where made in the good ole US. Then we have the Delta drill press with a custom switch panel. And last is the bolt storage bins.




Not shown is my small Parker plasma, that surprisingly gets the job done well. And as far as cutting those large holes, I use Blair Holcutters. They are like a precise hole saw that is shallow and meant only for plate. They are shallow to reduce the wondering that tall holesaws do. I have about $400 invested in my cutters, and about an equal amount in my dimple dies.

[pumkin toy]

you have some pretty good stuff in your shop!!  so where do you buy the Kreems sealer?  and about how much does it cost?

[Twisted Minis]

I buy it at Redwood Oil here. It's about $100 for a gallon, which is the smallest quantity they carry. Por 15 comes in pints and quarts. A quart does a pretty large tank, about 18-20 gallons or so.

[pumkin toy]

awesome!  thanks for the info!

[Bazzi]

nice shop... you are pretty well set up.  one day. I might get close to that

[Twisted Minis]

Built a gas tank mount. I had Drew do the rear cross member. I just drew out what I wanted and let him go at it, I like the way it turned out, and the tank tucks into it really well.



I added some gussets to the front cross member.


Also built a tank mount, and a compressor tray.






Everything was just sitting there for pictures, but when bolted down the compressors are straight with each other.

[MiniSimp]

What did you use for the driveshaft hoop? Pipe?

[Twisted Minis]

It's 5.5" .250 wall tube. I have it for making bag cups because it's about the same size as the top of the bags. And it's actually tube, not pipe. It's just rusty because I get it from an offbeat steel yard that keeps everything outside. I can't afford an entire stick of it and they are the only place that will sell it to me 5 feet at a time.

[BUDDERS]

So what are the plans for the bed itself?  Are you going to raise the floor of it or cut the floor out and make some braces like your truck?