The photos below are what we saw.
As part
of this evolution of Thor, all of the current tool box mounting
would be removed. The rear boxes are riding on 2x2" tube
that spans the width of the frame.
The
front boxes were similarly mounted.
In addition
to removing the tool box mounting frames, the upper frame cross
member must be moved forward about two feet.
Our plan
was to harvest the mounting portion of the headboard and salvage
it as the intercooler and hydraulic pump mount.
Due to
colliding with a boulder in Baja, one of the mounting points was
welded in addition to being bolted. The welds needed to be
removed.
There
was more material in those welds than I recalled, but in the end
the grinder won.
The
boxes were big and awkward and heavy. The forklift was used
to support the boxes as they were dismounted.
The
forklift placed the boxes behind a U-500 being repaired.
Except
for a few welded-on mounts, Thor is fully naked.
The rear
frame U-bolts were loosened and the cross member mounting bolts
were removed. A hydraulic spreader was used to separate
the upper frame rails allowing the cross member to be moved
forward. The final resting spot is the 2 bolt holes above
the rear overload bumper.
Cross
member in final position.
The rear
mounting post for the now-defunct headboard was removed from the
front cross member.
Fire-proof
covers were put over critical plumbing before the rear pivot
mount was cut off with the plasma torch.
The
Lance was lifted to allow getting Thor below for a test-fit.
The red
areas on the upper frame rail were the mounting holes for the
rear cross member. The member was slid forward to allow
the region below the tank to descend between the upper frame
rails. The area underneath the black water tube will be
scalloped to provide clearance.
Up
front, the freshwater tank bubble will descend between the frame
rails. Alas, clearance for flanks of the tank will likely
be the final mounting height determinant.
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Photos and Text Copyright Bill Caid 2019 all rights
reserved.
For your enjoyment only, not for commercial use.