The truck finally came back from the frame shop. Parked right next to me was this. I swear he was just taunting me! LOL

But back to important matters. Not only did they line up the two halves and splice it together but they also took out a 1/4" diamond shape noticed in the new section. Nothing left to that part but the worrying. Now that we have a real frame, things started falling in place faster.

• New brake lines could be run, bled and completed
  
• Rear wiring back to the tail end re-established
  
• Drive line completed
  
• Gas tank mounted and ready
  

Well, it wasn't that easy. Turns out the driveshaft was STILL an inch too long. I did all the math and thought it was because the lowering shortened the hypotenuse between transmission and rear end. Although it helped, it wasn't enough. The only thing we can figure is that this is not the original drive shaft. So we sent it out to get shortened and rebalanced. THEN we completed the drive line.

And ... the gas tank isn't really on anymore. We hadn't actually had it inspected so that has to happen first. Plus I never bought that gas tank sending unit. But we did weld in some mounting points so we know it fits where it needs to go. Couple of screws and "bob's your uncle" we have a running vehicle that also stops.

And .. I am going to replace the front springs with the set I got from TIm so it doesn't look like a 70's street racer.

And ... well, there is always more. The important thing at this point is that the list of things yet to do is approachable.

I appreciate everyone's advice and help with this. It makes all the difference.

Mike

Gallery for the frame build ...

UPDATE: Springs on! Did a mock with the bed up on the frame loosely.