Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Google rockauto discount . I've always found one for 5% off

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thanks for the heads up on this! I hadn't even considered Rock Auto, I keep looking at it on ACC and just couldn't pull the trigger for the price. New one is ordered and should make the cab super nice compared to the tired old vinyl floor cover.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Very minor update during the cold weather - but was made aware that one of my front side markers was out. Discovered the bulb socket was in bad shape, so I spliced in replacements,,

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

I finally got my instrument cluster and glovebox door finished and fitted.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

^ Excellent! Just can't beat curly maple.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thanks, it was a lot more work than I expected

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

WOW :metal: That is beautiful.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

My new armrest(s) / bench seat center console

It all started with a(nother) failed attempt to clean up my workshop. I actually like my things nice and shiny but my workshop is a total mess – alone the thought of it makes me want to sing the blues. Really embarrassing. I finally found the courage to go down to the basement and start to clean it up. But as usual, some idea was lurking in a dark dusty corner to jump right at me.

I came across some leftovers and scrap metal (stainless steel and aluminium) from other projects (it gives me always a hard time to throw something away, because “hey, this could be useful some day”). Turned out this was the right thought :). The only things I bought for the box are the straps to fasten it to the bench.

So, I always wanted an armrest for the bench seat (I’m tall and therefore have spider-like arms and legs). I was unable to find any armrest that would fit the probably longest shifter in the known universe (SM 465). When put in reverse, the shifter almost touches the bench seat.

Ok, I´m a “grow my own guy” anyway, so lets build an armrest / console real quick before cleaning up the shop. Well, to do this “real quick” is like saying “lets find the missing 10 mm nuts real quick”.

This is how it turned out (I made it from scratch, no plan or drawing. It grew in the process of the making):

Attachment 2259906 Attachment 2259914

It is self-opening due to a hydraulic lifter. And yes, there are no cup holders. They could be mounted to the sides but I really don’t need them.

You may wonder why there is a half round attached to the front – and why in the world anyone would have this laying around in the basement. Or you may have already guessed it that this box was made of an old ammo-can. So I just put it on the front “in memory”:). And I think the golden shine adds really nice to the box.

Attachment 2259907

The half round was just a leftover from a “project” I did a couple of years ago.

I am not a gun-nut but I am a reloader. One can only reload a cartridge so often, so I had the idea to make some Zippo-lighters and turn the otherwise useless brass into some fuel to help keeping the always thirsty throat of my truck wet. The Zippos looked like this:

Attachment 2259908

And just to make this story a little bit longer, I also made an elbow rest for the driver door. I’m accustomed to put my elbow on the window frame when the window is rolled down. But when the window is rolled up, there is no space to put my elbow on (remember: “spider-like limbs”:)). For me, this is a huge improvement in terms of comfort.

Attachment 2259911

I hope you enjoyed the reading and pictures a little.

Don’t forget to have yourself a great day.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thank you!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

That looks awesome! I think mine was a little easier route using veneer on a restored glovebox, but yours looks great with that maple! and also the dash!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

^ That quartersawn white oak is just yummy!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

That looks really nice! I was contemplating a burl instead of the flame maple.
I routed the back so it looks kinda stock

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Man! Nice work! My original idea for the bed was with wood from a friend who cut down a huge Myrtlewood tree on his Oregon coast tree farm. It had crazy flame patterns to the wood, and I thought that would be an incredibly unique wood to use. Unfortunately, he didn't kiln dry the boards properly and they shifted terribly. My friend who milled my bed wood was given it in payment, and he is using the same wood in smaller projects - like wood framed fishing nets and Japanese style lamps.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thank you

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

all are outstanding.........

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Nice.

Awaiting the next step, wood burning in the SPID.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Maple is tough, especially the highly figured stuff.

BTW, I like your "handle". :D

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Nice. All you need now is a hand-lettered SPID on parchement. You could degouppage it in place.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Dang! that gave me wood! gotta love some quarter sawn oak!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Actually I will get one from Jeff, that’s why I put a spot for it

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Discovered a new trick.

Rained like 2.5in yesterday then went to breakfast this morning while making a left water ran out of the mirror bracket.
Not sure if the old roof antenna leaks or the gap in the roof caulking is leaking as well.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Helped the wife replace the fuel pump on her daily driver this morning. I had to tow her home the other day when she failed to make it the one mile to her work the night before. All done & running good now. So now we're going to go get some lunch.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

I finally put the cab back on. Getting ready for C10 Nationals.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Great progress Hawkynz, looking good

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Got her back yesterday, after the transmission shop had her for three weeks. They built and installed a 700R4 to replace the original TH350, new transmission cooler, all new lines, new 2-piece drive shaft. It is indeed glorious having a 4th gear - so much better at highway speeds.