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Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:09 am
by slospeed
Found a better picture

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:11 am
by Smog_guy
Thank you, Trevor, he IS good! Very good!
Here's a picture of my like-year Mopar grille. Cool!

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:02 pm
by rsr1957
Smog Guy - butchery is a craft, much more admirable than a common hacker. You appear to keep and reuse the pieces you "adjust" and I really appreciate that you recognize the value of leaving "good" trucks alone. Nothing wrong in this approach and many more vintage appearing vehicles to enjoy for us all. Many more useful due to their updated mechanics. More power to you and I hope it cools down a bit out there for you all - no matter how you measure it! :t0119:

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 3:06 pm
by Smog_guy
Thanks Nikki, Trevor and rsr1957!

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:31 pm
by Smog_guy
If I haven't said it lately, old IHC radiators are awesome. I know I'm tempting fate, but I suspect the ancient IHC radiator that's bolted in the D -2 front sheetmetal will be just fine after straightening some fins, relocating outlet and inlet and resizing for smaller hose diameters, and installing a pressure neck for a low-pressure cap. I'm going to take it to Miller's Radiator (my old boss) in Reedley, CA on Monday.
I don't know what you collect but I save old radiator fittings when I junk one out. Just a few swipes with a oxy-acetylene torch and things just fall off metal radiators.
Therefore I have a box hopefully that includes the right diameter outlets for the IHC radiator to adapt to Toyota Tacoma.

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:56 pm
by Smog_guy
So I have a list of modifications to do to the Tacoma and the D -2 front sheetmetal. The transformation from a bunch of parts to a realistic-looking D-2 is accomplished by many test-fittings of the front sheetmetal on the Tacoma frame.
I've already hacked out small portions of the louvered inner fender, removed a small portion of the massive crossmember behind the oil pan sump, and cut off the Tacoma frame horns.
I've also removed small pieces of inner fender to help clear brake lines, fuel lines, vapor lines, power steering lines.
It's obvious to me that the hand-crank holder-bracket that is welded to the lower radiator support has to go.
In addition, the power steering cooler loop is in conflict with the left front inner fender. I may elect to reroute the cooler loop this time.
It LOOKS LIKE I will achieve reasonable centering of front tires inside front fenders. It won't be perfect but I suspect may be closer to centered than stock alignment.

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:01 pm
by Smog_guy
Most old trucks (lots of cars, too) have a "diving board" slotted radiator support bracket that holds up the radiator support. Obviously, Tacoma does not use this system.
I'm going to attach a fabricated radiator support pad to this little crossmember to hold up front fenders, grille shell and heavy old radiator. I'm so lucky that I haven't had to section radiator support yet. It may still happen!
In that case, stock old IHC radiator won't fit.

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 11:50 am
by Smog_guy
IHC must've thought a lot of their radiators, too. Just look at the fender brackets in the way...they're bolted OVER the radiator.
There's a strut, too. That takes the stress of the "flapping" fenders off of the radiator core which couldn't stand the abuse for long.
As I've said before, the radiator support/ radiator/ front fenders on these old trucks and cars was QUITE the ASSEMBLY. These old frames were designed in many cases to flex a LOT. That means radiator support, front fenders, grille shell, hood, etc all had to be able to move and flex constantly yet return to their original position and shapes. No wonder these things can be squeak generators...
That is what's up with all the stress cracks and weirdly distorted metal on these assemblies. In my opinion C series is MUCH worse. Hard to find a straight front section on one of those beautiful old C series trucks.

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 12:13 pm
by Smog_guy
Say what you want about California--we're like a bowl of cereal (fruits, flakes and nuts), but stuff comes APART!
Cordless Snap-On impact and 1/2 inch impact socket rattled the fenders off and the radiator out of the assembly in NO TIME.
No screamed expletives, bloody fingers, tools thrown...yet!

Re: ACME Beer Truck

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:06 pm
by Smog_guy
I have to construct the "diving board" tongue that holds up the radiator support from underneath.
My sister, a sheet metal journeyman, shows up at my house about once a year or so and unloads metal that gets thrown away at construction sites.
These square plates I use to box frames. I'm going to use two of them stacked to construct the slotted plate under the radiator support.
They will bolt and later weld to the bottom of the front crossmember behind the sway bar.