We can rebuild it!

This vehicle came to my shop after not being serviced for a long time. It's written up for a new frame, new motor, and a transmission conversion.

Here's some boxes of new parts. This isn't even close to all of it.

First step is to unclip all the electric connections and drain the radiator.

The bottom of the engine and transmission.

Removed the old 700R trans. Will be replaced with a 180ps. Motor was locked up.

We use a plasma cutter to blast through the cement-coated aluminum cargo bed. We do this to get to a couple of body-mount bolts.

There's the little sumbitch right there.

Next I pull out all wires and set them to the side.

Rusted bumper bolts. I'm too old to wrestle these babies.

Cut the nut with a torch.

Brap-Brap the remaining part of the nut away with an air-chisel. ( that's an industry term).

I have an induction coil for heating up stubborn nuts.

After disconnecting a few more components the body can be lifted off of the damaged frame. Don't worry about a few Snap-crackle-pops as the body is raised.

Here she sits naked. These delivery trucks are the hardest working vehicles in showbiz. For 26 years this truck was used and abused. Now we will tear her down and build her back up.

Got her all set up and strapped down to a mid-rise lift. Not pictured : me dragging that heavy son-of-a-bitchin lift into place.

We'll just cut these pesky old leaf springs out of here.

Cut the brake cables and hose and roll the diff. out of there.

More fire. More cutting.

Now I remove the fuel tank. Of course it's frikkin full.

Rear of the frame stripped. Now on to the front end.

Rust and rot all over the rear of the frame did her in. Oh, the joys of living in the salt belt.

Stripped down the motor.

And now she's pretty much bare. I left on the old control arms avid coils. They will all be replaced.

Beautiful new frame. First step is to tap and thread all the holes, apply Copper anti-sieze where necessary, and grind paint away from spots that will be used as electrical grounds.

Oh baby. Nice shiny new red motor.

Just add parts! Now with the motor built I install the new transmission.

Other side of the 2.5 Iron Duke.

New control arms, shocks, coils, and other suspension components.

The steering set-up (gearbox, pump, tie-rods etc.) was in good shape so I reused that.

Almost ready for the body. Once the body mounts are in place I can lower it down.

Easy does it.

With the body back on I replace all the rear brake components. Once the wheels are back on you can't even tell I did anything to that truck at all. I do a lot of frame jobs but not usually with this many new parts. I was very happy with how this project turned out. Thanks for looking!

Cat Tax. This is Bosco. He didn't help at all.