To catch up on Episode 1 or Episode 2 of the Project SD126 Build, click the links.
Checking back in on the build progress, the team is getting even deeper into this truck and starting off the week with even more tear down. While last week had the cab and bed removed in preparation to shorten the frame down for the short bed conversion, this week the 6.7L Powerstroke, TorqShift transmission and transfer case are coming out so the crew can do the frame surgery to shorten the frame down and add the suspension mounts and fully weld them in for a clean, factory look with extra strength and more offroad performance once completed.
With the end goal to give this a factory-equipped, the frame cuts are going right along factory seams. Ultimately 16″ are getting cut out to convert over from SCLB to SCSB. Similarly the factory suspension mounts are being removed and ground down like they were never even there. In their place the team is working on new suspension mounts for the 4-link front and trailing arm rear, integrating the mounts right into the frame rails and welding them on for a factory appearance. Along with mounting the arms, mounts are also being added to correct steering and upgrade to FOX 2.5 coilovers, 3.0 external bypass shocks and 2.0 IFP bump stops. With careful measuring and plenty of CAD, these mounts are a perfect fit… ready for prep and paint over at Butler Body Shop in Coldwater, MI to give it a factory black look.
With the frame off at paint the build team continues to build components for this Super Duty. With the cab still on the hoist the team has a set of PRP Racing Enduro Recliner seats installed finished in black with orange trim and a SD126 embroidered into the seat back. Fitted around the seats the guys are building a custom console/roll bar to add style and function to this build.
Lastly this week, the team got started on building front 4-link arms and rear trailing arms for the build, stay tuned for a full rundown of these in an upcoming episode.
