Network
Tonneau Cover Modification & 3rd Member-
The tubes exiting the back window on a SFI 25.2 Chassis Classification for a truck are not required to be a certain size tubing, so we chose 1 1/2″ due to the over abundance of it in our arsenal. You can add some key placement tubes elsewhere to actually eliminate the need for tubing out the back window on a 25.2 Classification chassis on a truck. We already had holes in our tonneau cover so we opted to use rear tubes. There is a 1 5/8 ” tube on the rear chassis to accept these rear window bars. We will also have tubes connecting that tube to the lower level of the rear chassis back around the upper shock mount area. This should distribute the load through the upper part of the chassis as well.
We had to make some minor adjustments to the tonneau cover to make it completely removable. The oval hole stainless trim pieces were cut in half where there would be 3 mounting holes on one side and 5 on the other. I then bolted the slot piece that was cut out of the tonneau cover to the end hole on the 3 hole piece of the stainless trim. This will hold our slotted cover pieces in place for cosmetic purposes. Note that tape was added to the surface of the tonneau cover to prevent chipping while slots were cut out. See more on next page…
A test fit of the cover proves our measurements to be correct!
With the Stainless trim rings on and slotted pieces in place it looks far from offensive. I will paint the cut edges of the slotted pieces so they aren’t so defined.
Unfortunately, I was unable to use my Moser axles. Upon dis-assembly I noticed My pinion wasn’t centered when the old housing was originally cut to length. From the frying pan into the fire…I decided to go with a aluminum center section to save some weight, and realized upon dis-assembly that modifications had been made to the housing of the 3rd member to clear ring & Pinion. Not feeling safe about clearancing the aluminum case, I decided to put mine back together only to find the adjusters that allow you to set lash were EGG SHAPED and would no longer move properly! I have exploded many drive-train parts through it, and I guess its time was up! So, I purchased a new Strange Pro N Case and re-used spool, Ring & Pinion, got all new bearings and re-assembled. The Strange N Case is Nodular Iron, so to prevent future rust, it was painted the Chassis Grey. I also replace my yoke with a Strange Billet Yoke. And of course new Strange 33 Spline axles will be ordered.
:)
