Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

truck is looking really good but the reflection of a hotrod caught my eye. yours or a buddys? tell me about it?

nice gaps on the doors dude... diggin the colors together.

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

I haven't checked in on you build in a long time. Man, your body work is top notch and the paint looks exceptional.

I really dig the picture of the vent window with the reflection of the roadster, Too Cool!

I'll have to be better and watching for the rest of the way thru assembly!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Thanks to clem pointing it out, I had to pull me eyes off the AWESOME work of yours to spy the HotRod!!!:metal:

Your paint is just:jdp:

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Oh yeah, the first photo with the Hot Rod reflected in the wing window is awesome!

I will probably steal that idea for later and recreate it!

And yes, what Don said :agree:

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

It is my dad's Rat-Rod.
A '34 Chevy, with a pretty radical aluminum headed 350 sporting a tri-power, 9" Ford rear, and frt & rear discs!
Since I am doing most of the work on my truck at my parent's house, I always need to move it out of the barn to work on my shtuff!
I have moved that thing out of the garage well over a hundred times, and have never drove, or rode in it on the street!
My dad claims that it is scary-fast...Just one of his toys!

Thanks man!
I was going to take some pics of the gaps just for that reason!
mine look awesome, but I have seen so many posts of people welding them up to make them look good...Mine are all stock, and nice, what a bonus!

I thank you kindly for the comment, but these pics from my phone fail to show just how shiny that the silver paint really is!

Thanks a bunch Don!
Yeah, it is really unbelievable how many hours were spent to get to a quality level where I can step back & say... wow!
I find that I am just picky, and slow!!!


Murph!
I didn't even realize that my dad's Rat-Rod was even in the photo until after I had already posted the pic!!!
I am so familiar with it being parked next to my shtuff & moving it all of the time, that I don't even realize that it is present!
...Really, I was just tryin to one-up J-Mo on his "reflection shots"...Just kiddin!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Great color.
Beautiful work.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

looking good man, love the hotrod! I wish I had great door gaps, some people have all the luck, lol!!!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

wow!!!! paint and body lines look flawless!!! so nice man :metal::metal::metal::metal:

also nice way to sneek your hotrod into the pic!!!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Thanks for the comment!

Thanks Chad, I'll take the good luck on the door jambs, I am sure that I will have some bad luck mixed in somewhere else on this build!!!

Thanks a bunch, man!
A lot of elbow-grease, & patience spent to get it to this point...I am sure that you know what that is like!!!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

I decided that I would start working on installation of a steering column that I had picked-up a while ago. I had no idea of the mods that would be involved in making this thing fit!!!
I thought that this would be pretty cut, & dried!
I wanted to use a a stock style column with the "smart stick" to take care of the dimmer, cruise, & wiper switches, and of course get the tilt option.
It all turned out good...after relocating the ignition, & dimmer switches 4.5" further down the column, and chopping the crap out of the original column support bracket, and modifying a newer style bracket to support the larger diameter column.
Here are a few pics showing the column in place, and the modifications made.
I think that I will paint the column silver to match the dash, and of course get a sweet steering wheel for it!!!

http://imageshack.us/a/img208/7898/yphi.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img41/7358/57i0.jpg

A bit of tig welding going on right here!
http://imageshack.us/a/img163/8527/c1br.jpg

Relocation of the ignition, & dimmer switches.
http://imageshack.us/a/img841/5798/sbx2.jpg

And the chopped-up original support bracket, which wouldn't be complete
without the evidence of cutting it completely wrong the first time and welding it back together to cut it correctly!!!
http://imageshack.us/a/img585/4512/m2jf.jpg

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Cut it up only to weld it back together and cut again. I hear ya.
Great job on the install.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Yeah Bomp, I do it all the time!!!
The only real way to get things right is to do it at least twice!
Howdya think that I got to be sucha proficient welder?
If I posted pics of all the stuff that I f'ed-up, I would never get a chance to post any of the good pics!!!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Whoever said measure twice and cut once was not a welder!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

I took some time to accomplish a few things outdoors this past weekend, as the weather is still cooperating (in the upper 70's Murph!). I received my sound deadener, so I started installing it...Kinda time consuming, but I really want for this to be as enjoyable to drive as possible, so I am adding sound deadener to every surface that I can.
I bought Fatmat's 80mil thick super-stick product, and it seems to be pretty nice. It makes a heck of a difference on the areas that I have applied it to. I am going to wait to apply it to the floor until later, as I haven't figured out what I am doing for a seat, and don't want it to get messed-up during wiring & A/C instalation.

http://imageshack.us/a/img703/7051/ry7r.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img708/3708/oljt.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/1531/sjkl.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img850/877/19wl.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img17/2420/qkhj.jpg

And, the new routing for dome light wiring!
http://imageshack.us/a/img809/7054/u0px.jpg

Oh, I almost forgot to show just how shiny that the dash is after scuffing it slightly with #2000 grit & rubbing!

http://imageshack.us/a/img818/2057/tpwy.jpg
Thanks for lookin at my build, guys!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

I really like your steering column install....it is guys like you, doing stuff like this that constantly makes me think that if I like or want something for my build, then I can find a way to make it work.

Your dash looks amazing! You used 2,000 grit and polishing compound? Did you do any of that wet?

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Yeah Murph, I used soapy water with #2000 grit to take off any little imperfections, then wheeled it with this sweet little pneumatic buffer that I bought from Ingersol-Rand, It has like a 3" wheel (model #3129K)...Works awesome for small areas, I have a bigger pneumatic buffer that I use for larger areas!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Ha-Ha-Ha!
Toooooo funny,...but true!!!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

I cut it 3 times and it's still too short... where's my welder???:lol:

Seriously, that dash is Spot-On!!!:metal:

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Thanks for showing. Nice Nice Nice verrrrrrrry Nice!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Man, I keep needing to buy one of those 3" buffers-can't make myself cough up the coin. They are sweet. I LOVE the little mini DA sanders, too. Your stuff looks great!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Dash looks great!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

I can see that you know the drill too!
Thanks Don, I am too proud of the paint work thus far!

Thanks buddy, as you can probably tell, I like to show it off all that I can.
Honestly, the pics do NOT do justice, I am still in awe...

Dude!
I have both!...If you didn't know already, the right tools make the job easy!
My painter buddy ordered it for me without me knowing about it along with a paint order, and told me when it arrived that I wouldn't be disappointed...He was sooooo right!

Thanks a ton, I couldn't be much happier!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Check this out!
Did you ever feel that just when you were starting to get things under control, somebody drops something into your lap that suddenly changes ALL of your plans?



This happened to me today!
(I am soooo Bummed)




NOT!!!!



Look what just arrived at the shop!
I could hardly concentrate on work crap!
As soon as I was done with work, I was opening boxes like it was Christmas!!!
I just spent the past few hours de-burring everything, and contacting our powder-coat suppliers to see who has the best timing at the moment!

http://imageshack.us/a/img854/6538/t5xm.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img266/3935/qw6d.jpg

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Awesome! So, how long at the powder coater?

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

:metal::metal::metal:

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Powder coater said it would be ready on wednesday!

Thanks again Don!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Everything is coming together very nicely!!!!:metal:
What Re you doing for wheels? And how much of a drop are you going for?

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

J-mo,
Not lookin to lay rockers...
Gonna be more of a Pro-touring look!
I haven't decided for sure, but I think that I am leaning towards the Rushforth Rated-X wheels, with the brushed centers and polished lip.
20x8.5 fronts, and 22x10 rears.
I just wanna sit low & handle like a bi+ch!...tryin to figure out what rear sway bar to use...

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

I started making some room for the Porterbuilt pieces this past weekend.
I took out the rear shock crossmember. I decided to drill out the rivets, as opposed to torching off the heads & driving them out. I didn't want to burn the existing paint if at all possible. Things went surprisingly well, I learned quickly, that a sharp drill-bit is the key to this! I think that most drill-bits do not have the relief needed to cut fast at the point. I center-punched the rivets on center, then I re-sharpened a brand new 1/4" drill with better relief at the point (after struggling with it for what seemed like eternity) and then it cut like no other. I then drilled out those holes with a 7/16" drill to remove the rivet heads.
Then I took a dowel driver & knocked the rivet thru with a couple of blows with a hammer.
I thought that this would be a bigger job than this, based on the posts that I have seen!
2 hrs. start to finish! From picking which tools to use, to sweeping up my mess.
I am not saying that it is not hard work, but I thought that it would be more difficult than it was.


Center punching of the rivets.
http://imageshack.us/a/img62/2162/quyp.jpg

Drilling with a 1/4" drill.
http://imageshack.us/a/img18/1050/6hoh.jpg

Re-drilling with a 7/16" bit.
http://imageshack.us/a/img46/3644/25gx.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/9513/7x7q.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img109/6310/3zrf.jpg

Crossmember outa there!
http://imageshack.us/a/img853/9743/uoqc.jpg

Ready for bussiness!
http://imageshack.us/a/img7/3244/2u06.jpg

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Nice Job!!! And yep dull drill bits are not fun...

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Thanks Don,
I know, but when you have a bit that is sharpened correct, it is amazing how fast it will cut!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

I received my stuff back from powder-coat, so I started hackin & drillin!
I really want to get all of the suspension work completed before putting the cab & the rest of the body on....I have been waiting patiently for way to long for this stuff, so now it is game-on!!!!
some of these pics are not the greatest, but I think that you will get the idea.
I finally got a chance to put the plasma-cutter to really GOOD use this week!

http://imageshack.us/a/img18/2969/ac9t.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img94/843/s3pg.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/1767/edy3.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img46/61/zr62.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img5/7877/x38d.jpg

I also had a little bit of time to work on the front tonight!

http://imageshack.us/a/img96/7048/fc4x.jpg

Pretty amazing how different that the OLD looks from the NEW!

http://imageshack.us/a/img18/9466/fu08.jpg

I cannot begin to tell you guys how happy that I am right now!
I can hardly wait to set this thing on the ground to see the difference!!!!!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

This thread is most entertaining, and educational... Not to mention I feel the excitement mentioned. Every chance you get you should tell your painter how good he is..and yes, i know your finger prints are slowly growing back into place. Nice truck !!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Looking Great!!!:metal:

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

man that looks fantastic. your build took a giant leap right there.
push on brother, push on.

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

wow, modges! that it looking really good, I wish I would have bought a few thing from porterbuilt! what are to going to do about filling your gas tank??

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Looking great man!!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Thanks for lookin in!
I try to show descriptive images with the work that I am doing to try to give photo references to others!..My buddy Tom knows that he is good, he has a proven procedure in a somewhat primitive spray-booth (his barn)...he does side jobs all of the time, and knows what works!

Thanks again Don!

Thanks Clem, I have been waiting for this point in my build since the day that I bought it!!!...No lie!

Thanks Chad,
Early on I was gonna graft-in a fuel door, but got so caught-up in the body work that I had the bed sides all block sanded before I realized it, and didn't want to take a step backwards...So I guess that I will put a filler in the bed-floor....Heck, I am not even sure that I will use the tank that I have yet.

Thanks Jmo, I am getting more excited each and every day!!!

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Look, my frame is showing!...In broad daylight!!!!
I had a great weekend!
I got my porterbuilt stuff all installed, along with my new front sway-bar and I couldn't be happier!...although I am sore, and sick of drilling holes, burnt forearms from hot chips, and extremely tired, it was all worth it!!!
I am more excited about this accomplishment than anything else that I have done this week!! LOL!
Check it out!!!

http://imageshack.us/a/img547/2654/r3xk.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img853/7701/lrfm.jpg

Cab prepped & ready to set on the frame


http://imageshack.us/a/img571/9884/70mn.jpg

Oh, And I cut out the crossmember for my exhaust!

http://imageshack.us/a/img14/8172/9d37.jpg

The cab in it's final resting place

http://imageshack.us/a/img545/154/hqhf.jpg

A view from the back!!

http://imageshack.us/a/img24/5359/74h6.jpg

Wow! I am geeked!!!

http://imageshack.us/a/img833/111/le12.jpg

Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
 

Dude, way to gooooooooooo!!

High Fivin' as you read this!!!