[10Canyon53]

Well, as it often does, life got in the way again. Both of my daughters' cars broke down at the same time. The passenger side upper ball joint on my youngest daughter's '97 Grand Marquis came loose from the steering knuckle due to a bent and stripped bolt. Not a major repair once I was able to find a replacement bolt, but while it was down my older daughter's '00 Chrysler Sebring broke down along side a busy toll road during rush hour. I had to take my Suburban and trailer along with my wife driving the Canyon so that I could use the winch on the Canyon to pull the car up on the trailer. I bought a winch for the trailer several months ago but had not yet gotten around to installing it. Well, this week I got around to installing it. Timing actually worked out well because instead of buying a trailer tongue tool box like I was planning, I repurposed the tool box I had just removed from the Canyon.

The winch is powered by a battery in the tool box but it plugs into an Anderson plug I have installed in the rear bumper of my Suburban so that the Suburban's charging system charges the winch battery. Using the repurposed tool box gave me plenty of room for my straps, chains and binders.
The issue with the Sebring is fuel related, I have a fuel pump on order for it.
On the truck build, I had to order some 2-1/2" x 1-1/2" angle iron that should arrive Wednesday. Once it does I can get started on that again.

 

[10Canyon53]

Ok, I have a lot of progress to report. The angle iron I ordered arrived so I started building the base for the rack.

Got it cut and positioned then tack welded it before pulling it off to finish weld it.

As I am a self-taught very much amateur welder using a flux core welder from Harbor Freight, the welds were ugly...
but nothing a grinder couldn't fix.

Next, I cut the legs on the ladder rack I picked up on Craigslist so it would fit. It originally came off an F150.

It was time to fire up the tractor and lift the rack into position.

Uh-oh, the bracket on the front crossbar was hitting the top of the snorkel. Easy fix, just loosened the bolts and slid the crossbar back.

I temporarily placed the toolboxes in order to get the legs on the rack adjusted where I wanted them.

Time to weld the legs to the base rail. I left the base rails long until I was finished welding the legs on.

Then, more grinding to make my welds look pretty.....ok, pretty is a stretch...not as ugly.

I didn't get a pic, but I also welded L brackets on the inside of the front legs to strengthen the connection to the base.
And the rack is on, but not fastened to the truck yet. Next up, toolbox installation.

 

[WV NATIVE]

Ok, I have a lot of progress to report.

Looks great! 👍🏻

I’ve been busy as well.

 

[10Canyon53]

Here is how the truck looked this morning before I started the toolbox installation.

Got the toolboxes placed and bolted to the uprights.

Drilled through the bottom of the toolboxes, the base rails and the sides of the truck bed to install bolts.

Got the nuts and washers on the bolts.....

And my wife torqued them down.

With 5 grade 8 bolts holding each toolbox to the bed and 6 grade 8 bolts connecting each toolbox to the uprights, that assembly is not going anywhere.

Here is how it looks as of tonight.

Next up, rooftop tent and 270 degree awning installation....

 

[10Canyon53]

I’ve been busy as well.

Do tell!

 

[WV NATIVE]

Do tell!

I just started a Colorado camping truck project I’ve had on the back burner for a long time. I don’t want to mess up your thread with my dumb stuff.

Your progress is impressive.

 

[10Canyon53]

I just started a Colorado camping truck project I’ve had on the back burner for a long time. I don’t want to mess up your thread with my dumb stuff.

I don't mind a little thread hijacking for a good cause. It's either that or you are going to have to start your own thread now. 😁

 

[Unfettered]

Nice build so far!!

 

[DigEm]

Looking good. How are you going to compensate for the extra weight on the back of the truck to keep it from making it sag in the rear?

 

[10Canyon53]

Looking good. How are you going to compensate for the extra weight on the back of the truck to keep it from making it sag in the rear?

I replaced my factory bump stops with these Timbren helper springs years ago.

 

[WV NATIVE]

I don't mind a little thread hijacking for a good cause. It's either that or you are going to have to start your own thread now. 😁

I started my solid axle swap this past week. I’d been collecting parts for years and talking about it but I never had the time. I made the time.

 

[10Canyon53]

I started my solid axle swap this past week. I’d been collecting parts for years and talking about it but I never had the time. I made the time. View attachment 344536

Nice! What axle are you using? How do you expect those leaf springs to ride compared to the torsion bars? I suspect DigEm would appreciate you posting pics and details on that project.
I understand having to make the time. I have several projects on hold while I work on my build. My wife and I decided to bump it to the top of the priority list so that we can get out there instead of just dreaming about being out there.

 

[WV NATIVE]

Nice! What axle are you using? How do you expect those leaf springs to ride compared to the torsion bars? I suspect DigEm would appreciate you posting pics and details on that project.
I understand having to make the time. I have several projects on hold while I work on my build. My wife and I decided to bump it to the top of the priority list so that we can get out there instead of just dreaming about being out there.

I’m using a HD Dana 44 out of a J20. I’m sure the ride quality will not be as good but the upgrade in durability is definitely worth it. I’m sick and tired of replacing ifs components.

I decided to seriously over build everything so it will hopefully be ultra reliable and tough enough to handle years of WV exploration.

 

[DigEm]

I replaced my factory bump stops with these Timbren helper springs years ago.
View attachment 344535

It appears those would have to drop down 1 to 1.5 inches before they contact the axle. So that will change the center of gravity from the front to rear stand point. You certainly do not want the axle riding against those all the time. Just my opinion though.

 

[DigEm]

I’m using a HD Dana 44 out of a J20. I’m sure the ride quality will not be as good but the upgrade in durability is definitely worth it. I’m sick and tired of replacing ifs components.

I decided to seriously over build everything so it will hopefully be ultra reliable and tough enough to handle years of WV exploration.

Nice choice in the axle. I am negotiating for a Wrangler TJ Rubicon front D 44 axle center section to re tube. There are none of those J20 front axles anywhere near me. That would obviously be my first choice. I am hoping to have my rear axle back next week. It had some pinion issues. So back to the shop it went.

 

[DigEm]

I’m using a HD Dana 44 out of a J20. I’m sure the ride quality will not be as good but the upgrade in durability is definitely worth it. I’m sick and tired of replacing ifs components.

I decided to seriously over build everything so it will hopefully be ultra reliable and tough enough to handle years of WV exploration.

What size tires are those you are running?

 

[10Canyon53]

It appears those would have to drop down 1 to 1.5 inches before they contact the axle. So that will change the center of gravity from the front to rear stand point. You certainly do not want the axle riding against those all the time. Just my opinion though.

It's definitely a firmer ride when the helper springs are engaged, but it keeps the back from sagging much. I will have to see how it goes. I do plan on replacing the rear springs when I install the lift. If needed I can beef them up at that point. This is the reason I installed the Timbren kit a few years back:

Ultimately the Canyon was not heavy enough to comfortably control the trailer despite it being within the rated towing capacity. I upgraded my tow vehicle to this:

Despite having the same size engine, the Suburban handled the trailer much better. Ironically, I only kept the camper a couple of years but still have both the Canyon and the Suburban.

 

[WV NATIVE]

What size tires are those you are running?

255/80r17

 

[DigEm]

255/80r17

Nice. That is basically 10.5 wide and 33 tall. Good size for all around use.

 

[WV NATIVE]

Ultimately the Canyon was not heavy enough to comfortably control the trailer despite it being within the rated towing capacity.

Agreed. These little trucks aren’t tow vehicles. I tow small utility trailers and my tiny camper but that’s as much weight as I’d want to tow.