wow, a regular cab with the baby bed and a diesel?!
sounds like a whole mess of fun there!

is that on a 1/2 ton frame or 3/4?

 

He's gonna use a 1/2 ton frame. Wants it light. His first goal is mileage. Then he wants to build it up. He's got probably 6 Duramaxs, and Allisons, just engines, and another 4 Duramax trucks. He gets good deals, lol

 

I got a chance to do some more work this afternoon. Got the front end together. Turns out the 2500HD bumper and grille are not enough to take up the gap from the larger radiator support. I'll have to make some spacers to move the bumper up.



Does the 2500HD grille normally stick out this much further than the headlights?



Also looking for tips on aligning body panels. I'm not happy with how the fenders, body, and hood line up, but I wasn't able to get them any closer than this. Anyone have pointers or tricks to getting everything to line up? When I was working on it I didn't feel like there was enough play in the panel positions to get them where I wanted, even with all of the bolts loose.

 

Yes, the chrome bar does stick out like that on the HD's. I just checked my own truck to make sure.

I don't think your hood/fender gaps looked to bad in those pics. Just need to move that front bumper a little bit and you're all set!

 

Thanks! Someone threw out the idea of loosening and centering the radiator support, I never checked that. It does seem possible based on how everything is currently lined up that it's shifted towards the passenger side a bit. I think I'll loosen everything back up this weekend and give that a shot.

 

you might also be at the edge of the bolt holes on the fenders. Might need to grind them just a little bigger. Awesome project man!

 

I've taken a burr bit on a pencil grinder (or dremel, or just a sharp drill bit) and elongate the body part mounting holes to get enough adjustment to get the gaps like you want. I know a buddy of mine (long time body man) does this and uses thick foam tape between the panels to keep a consistent gap, then he'll cinch everything down, and remove the tape. His gaps always look super even with that little trick.

 

I was able to get it pretty damn close today by moving the radiator support towards the driver's side a bit and elongating the holes like you mentioned. Good enough for me now, at least until I have it painted someday, then I'll let the body shop get it perfect

Took out the lift blocks. Here's the current stance. I like it...just need to get some nice wheels and get rid of those ugly corroded things that are on it now Also going to debadge it sometime soon when I feel up to it.

 

Dammit...I hate you!! That thing is so badass!!

Can I buy it off you!!

 

wow, you'd almost never tell it has a body lift
good job!