Check your local laws. Here in Vegas, I got away w/ running a open blower for all most 3 years. 871 on a 383 in my 83 Camaro. I cut the hood, just left a 2 inch strip and finished the inner edges. Everytime I got pulled over about it, I reached down grabbed the hood release, went around to the front of the car, un did the catch and lifted the "hood". I got tickets signed off. Met the criteria, stock latch, stock hinges, operated like a hood w/ just a big freaking hole. I kept the blower jacket w/ the straps in the hatch, just in case the cop was being a dick.

Laws stipulate a hood of some kind. The size of the hole in it is undefined. As long as it functions as a hood.

You could go that way as well. Since we live in the southwest, only problem was keeping the engine clean. Oh and the dust killed my air cleaners really fast. Plus w/ your skills it would be easy to weld and finish it like nothing happened, if you decide you don't like it

 

man i see cars around her all the time driving without hoods... muscle cars, ricers, junkyard beaters. i don't think they care around here.

if the front inner sheetmetal comes out like i'm hoping... i won't want to run a hood

 

got my link x member fabbed and welded in.







tranny sits pretty high, thats why the x-membe is so tall.



this is the bracket i made to hold the axle right were i want it.



and the 2" tube bungs for the lowers from suicidedoors

 

sex

 

i got the lower links built. i'm waiting to finish weld them since i'm low on gas, and want to get everything tacked up first. the upper bar is just there to double check that instant center is where my 1/4 scale drawing said it should be.



i couldn't find any directions for welding in the bungs on the SD website, so i drilled 2, 5/8" holes per side for a plug weld, and i'm leaving the bung 1/4" out to weld it as well.



these will be the start of my front link tabs







the bag will be right about here

 

so its a combination of a butt weld and a plug weld? you buttplugged your truck????

 

WOW, you have been busy. Remember, I got dibs on the whole truck if and when you get tired of her.

 

actually it's a plug weld and a fillet weld

i'll keep that in mind joe

 

awesome work man!! its going to be one cool truck when its done.

 

Man I always want to go work on my truck after you update, but then I remember i'm broke and cant weld for ****... Curse you Bernie! lol

 

thanks guys.

ashton i like how ya added the details to your hilux in the sig!!! lol

 

Haha thanks I figured i'd go ahead and make it look right.

 

picked up 40' of 1 1/4'x.120 wall round tube today, as well as 2 sheets of 4x8' 16 ga. steel and trailer fenders..

 

how much does that cost up there? down here thats an easy 2 grand.

 

the fenders and steel???

the fenders were $18 a piece, the 16 ga. sheet was $44 a piece, and the tubing was a little under a dollar a foot.

 

here is an update.

i cut these out with my 4 1/2" water jet



and tacked up the beginning of the upper wishbone to check that it will operate smoothly. there will be a couple more pieces added once i get the tubing bent for it.

 

Work looks ****y as usual Bernie. I'd be embarassed to drive that piece...

 

are u lying....wtf...i bought 33 by 10inch tubs like those for 75 bucks a piece down here in hawaii...and that 16ga sheetmetal is not 44bucks its like 300 somthing and the tubing for my whole SFBD frame is over 800 bucks......i hate living expensises in hawaii....

 

truck looks good man !!!

 

Hey Im going to chandler the weekend of april 10th.... Love to stop by and see your truck. Maybe drop you a 20 for that bumper if ya still have it.