Project Re-Gen: 1985 D350 Headed to SEMA '15!!

[Taquache]

The cab has had the transmission tunnel and firewall cut out to be re shaped for the little lift of the motor and the NV5600 swap. They will be cleaned up in shape and form some also to present cleaner.

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All of the media blasting was done by a local company that has a sweet mobile unit to blast at your location saving a lot of time and effort.

 

[Taquache]

Making fast progress. So how is the will the adapter plate from the steering rack to TRE going to be reinforced? Surly such a great fabricator wouldn't have a piece of sheet metal connecting the two putting such odd forces on that critical of a component.

Are you referring to this piece?

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It will be reinforced but it is also 3/8" plate, not sheetmetal. The back side will have additional 3/8" plate reinforcement.

 

[Taquache]

Humberto has partnered with Classic Instruments to provide instrumentation for the dash in his Dodge. He didn't care for round gauges on a truck that is almost entirely squared off from headlights to body shape so he tracked down gauges that were also square in shape.

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He will also be using a nice adjustable universal sending unit in the fuel tank, also from Classic Instruments.

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[Taquache]

That leads me to being able to reveal the interior rendering!!

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I'm really digging solid red interiors!

 

[Taquache]

Mishimoto has also stepped up as a partner for this build with a very nice looking 2nd gen style intercooler and a nice shiny aluminum radiator!

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[Taquache]

And in case you missed it, here is a mention of the build in the August issue of Street Trucks Magazine.

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[AEdelheit]

Are you referring to this piece?



It will be reinforced but it is also 3/8" plate, not sheetmetal. The back side will have additional 3/8" plate reinforcement.

If it came in a sheet its still sheet metal, just curious as that seems quite interesting and a lot of force being put on that steering rack, cant wait to see it all done.

 

[Taquache]

If it came in a sheet its still sheet metal, just curious as that seems quite interesting and a lot of force being put on that steering rack, cant wait to see it all done.

I'll be sure to post plenty of pictures once it's finalized.

 

[Taquache]

Update Time!

Humberto has been busy. The truck being prepared and for paint and will be headed to the booth soon.

Here is what has been going on:

Boxing of the frame is near completing and tubular supports have been installed.

The frame was not fully boxed to allow for some flex and to keep "crumple zones" should they be needed. It was strengthened substantially but designed to allow for some movement as it has from the factory.

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The mounting bracket shown here is for the carrier bearing.

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Transmission cross member is removable:
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It's too bad this work of metal art will be hidden!

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For those who doubt that the truck will have a trailer hooked to it:

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[Taquache]

He has also started framing in the Mishimoto intercooler and radiator which will utilize dual electric fans.

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[Taquache]

And on to the interior.

A custom trans tunnel was built to adequately clear the NV5600 that is replacing the old Getrag 5spd.

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[RWherley]

If they tow with this truck those electric fans will not be enough and there will be over heating issues, we tried a set up like that on an 04 3500, they came off 2 weeks later cause they could not keep up with the cooling needs.

 

[AH64ID]

Duplicate post...

 

[AH64ID]

If they tow with this truck those electric fans will not be enough and there will be over heating issues, we tried a set up like that on an 04 3500, they came off 2 weeks later cause they could not keep up with the cooling needs.

I was thinking the same thing. Typically a beefy GN hitch and electric fans don't belong on the same rig.

 

[Taquache]

If they tow with this truck those electric fans will not be enough and there will be over heating issues, we tried a set up like that on an 04 3500, they came off 2 weeks later cause they could not keep up with the cooling needs.

I was thinking the same thing. Typically a beefy GN hitch and electric fans don't belong on the same rig.

The truck will not be permanently attached to a trailer and the terrain here is mostly flat.

The truck will also has a much better aluminum radiator as compared with the stock unit to improve cooling ability.

Any issues that arise will be addressed as some hiccups are to be expected.

 

[AH64ID]

The truck will also has a much better aluminum radiator as compared with the stock unit to improve cooling ability.

I don't believe the electric fan setups have a radiator issue, rather there is an airflow issue.

It does look great!

 

[Taquache]

I don't believe the electric fan setups have a radiator issue, rather there is an airflow issue.

It does look great!

I'm not either, but a more efficient radiator will require less CFM to cool. This radiator is a healthy upgrade over the stock unit.

I'm also not finding the stock CFM numbers off a 1st gen fan which pales in comparison to a 3rd gen.

While these are a different brand, Flex-a-lite does not recommend their electric fans when towing over 18k, under 18k they say everything will be fine.

Time will tell if this setup will need altering.

 

[Taquache]

Here are a few more updates for you guys:

Firewall is 100% one off:

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Hood hinges are off a 1st gen Camaro from Billet Specialties, this is for clearance and attractiveness. The underhood of this truck will be just as clean as the exterior.

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Other parts of the body are just about ready for paint and the drivetrain is being rebuilt and freshened up.

 

[Wayne M.]

No doubt Humberto is a incredible fabricator. IMHO SEMA is all about breaking the rules, blazing trails, and showcasing new stuff. While the build is impeccable, and the engineering seems to be 90% +, it's a lot of the same 'ol same 'ol.

What this truck needs is the new Cummins ISV 5.0L V8, and a small automated manual transmission package combined with some sort of Uconnect style infotainment setup. Then it will be something nobody else can come near. Staying tuned......

 

[Taquache]

No doubt Humberto is a incredible fabricator. IMHO SEMA is all about breaking the rules, blazing trails, and showcasing new stuff. While the build is impeccable, and the engineering seems to be 90% +, it's a lot of the same 'ol same 'ol.

What this truck needs is the new Cummins ISV 5.0L V8, and a small automated manual transmission package combined with some sort of Uconnect style infotainment setup. Then it will be something nobody else can come near. Staying tuned......

SEMA is not the only purpose for this truck, it is Humberto's dream truck that will not live in a shop only to be torn down once a year for new paint and new bolt on aftermarket parts for the next SEMA show. It will be driven and used as a truck to showcase his abilities as a fabricator and to promote his shop, being 100% functional.

While at SEMA it will be displaying new aftermarket parts such as air over hydraulic brakes, the gauge setup, interior materials, and Mishimoto parts.

What you proposed would be cool and interesting to see but would take longer than his time frame and more than his budget to create a fully functional, daily drivable truck.