Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Well, I have started fitting-up the front sheet-metal in an effort to start making this thing look more like a truck!
Let me tell you, workin' with painted panels is slow-going!!! Attempting to get the inner fenders all set-up without messing-up the finish was a real challenge. I must have had them on & off 5 times before satisfied! Mainly because the radiator that I had originally mocked it up with wasn't the same as I ended up using, and I needed to cut holes for the power-steering hoses.....Add to that, the weather-strips at the firewall. What a pain! Some of the pics aren't that great, I took them with my phone... http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/12/l25t.jpg Check-out the weather-strips! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/833/7nj5.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/12/t4my.jpg I also started working on the grill!!! I needed to recover all of the headlamp buckets/adjusters from the original grill and build a new grill assembly. I sand-blasted the daylights out of them, painted them with Imron, & reassembled them using Stainless pop-rivets. http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/844/f838.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/547/8wz4.jpg The new grill in place, and lookin pretty tight!! Starting to look more like a truck!!!! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/801/acfw.jpg I am pretty Amped-up right now!!! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/34/o289.jpg |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Darn right thats tight!!!!
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
beautiful, don't know what else to say, attention to detail is where its at:metal : and don't skin the paint:lol:
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
:jdp: that's all I got…
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
that frontend looks awesome! how is the bed coming a long??
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Man Modges, that is really coming together :metal:
Looking really good there !! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
You're right about it being a PITA putting it back together. The last one I did I used lots of blue masking tape to protect all the edges while assembling it. :uhmk:
BTW, NICE JOB:metal: |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
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I am so excited to be putting finishing touches on some items! Quote:
I have said it several times before, I really only want to perform this exercise only if possible, so I am trying hard to do everything correct the first time! Quote:
I really appreciate your comments! Quote:
It is sitting in the spare stall of the barn totally ready for paint, but my painter has been really busy, and I really don't have a good way to transport it through the slush & snow, so i haven't pushed the subject. It seems that I have a lot to do without the box being an obstacle to work around right now. I gotta get my air-ride management, brake-lines, & exhaust figured out before I really need it, so I am really in no hurry at the moment. Quote:
Things aren't moving quite as fast as I want, but I am making progress, none the less! Quote:
Tape, towels, rags, & fingers, in order to protect every paint edge possible! What a job to try to protect all of the surfaces! Thanks for lookin-in & commenting on my build! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
I have been doing a lot of work on my doors lately.
I have managed to install all the side window glass, & also install the power window motors and get them adjusted properly. Then it came to wiring-up & installing the window switches... A person could only assume that when you purchase really nice billet power window switches, that you would also get an equally nice retention device to aid in the mounting of those said switches... Window Switches... http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/713/y9uj.jpg Super-Cheezy retention bracket... Notice the super-secure screw mounting, which allows for precise positioning of the screws, with no misalignment possible...NOT! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/849/8ike.jpg And my solution to this mess? I made a few retention rings that truly secure the switches, an do not allow them to just flop around it the opening that you had hoped for them to reside in! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/844/auka.jpg ...All of this kinda makes you wonder about the items that you never get to see on some of the cars at the shows. Well, at least I know that I don't need to worry about how my vehicle was put together! Here is a shot of the retaining ring on the switch... http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/43/w60o.jpg And finally a pic of the switch in the door panel! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/854/ohej.jpg |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Love the paint color and how everything is coming out on this! Its been awhile since I read through your thread. Keep up the great work!
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Truck's coming out really nice, love the switches. All this means it's getting really close to rolling down the road.
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
You know, you would be done with this by now if you were not always screwing around making switch backing plates.... sheesh !! :lol:
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
mighty fine craftsmanship there. assembly of beautiful parts to make bada$$ components is the best of times. keeper going...
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Looks awesome. Can't wait until I can put painted parts back together. I just removed that same weather stripping yesterday and through it in the trash. Love the blue!
Bret |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
nice backing plates for the switches! you attention to detail to make things work better, and fit right are perfect! NOW only if these aftermarket company could do the same, people would be a lil happier! keep it up, I'm waiting to see the rest of the frontend put on!!
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
I've had to take a serious break from Steiner cause that stinkin bar you've set is so high that I sprained my neck trying to keep an eye on it.
Damn your hi quality tricked out doo-dads for vertical window moving ability.:sexy: |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
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Your truck is looking pretty nice! Are you still in Michigan? If so, where abouts are you located? "Finished by the Power Tour" is a pretty aggressive plan. It looks to me like a lot of work, but I have no idea how much time that you can devote to it. Good luck! it will be so fun! Quote:
Yeah I really want for it to be drivable this summer...Although I really don't think that it will truly ever be done! Quote:
Every time that I turn around, I have some little roadblock challenging the progression of my build.....I'm just pacing myself, so that I don't get done before you do! LOL! Quote:
Sometimes I think that with my design/tooling background, that this type of work is what I do best! It feels so good to be at this stage of the build! On most days lately, I can work on it for hours and never really get dirty! But I clearly remember the steps taken to get to this point! Quote:
I cannot express how nice it feels to be putting things back together, instead of taking them apart!....This blue looks so much better in person than the pics reveal!!! Quote:
I always feel challenged to make things a little better than what you can just buy!... I am truly an a$$, it seems like I can find a problem with almost any purchased part! Quote:
S#!t like that makes me laugh so hard!!!! I am trying hard as hell to keep up with your pace! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Your building a 1 of a kind truck, some parts can be bought off the shelf, but few can be truly bolted on ready to go. Fit and finish is sweet, takes time and patience, Talent to blend all that into a very cool ride. ....
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
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I take that as a huge compliment! My philosophy has always been "if it is worth doing, it is worth doing right". I have no intention of looking back on this and saying "I wish that I woulda done that different" or, "maybe I coulda spent more time making sure that looked good". Believe me, sometimes I find myself thinking "why am I doing this? nobody will ever see it anyway!" ....But, then I also think about being able to point out all of the custom touches to others admiring at shows/cruises. Thanks for lookin at my build! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
I have decided to focus on the doors right now, and try to get them buttoned-up, so to speak.
One of the first things that I worked on in this build was the doors, and mocking-up of power windows....Right now, I wanted to get some kind of closure on something, so I have set out to do just that. I purchased these peep mirrors early on in the build, and decided to install them the other day. Somehow, the way I had originally envisioned their placement, and how they actually ended up were totally different. I had intended to mount them to the top part of the door frame, but because of the swing of the vent window, and how useless that they would be, I ended up mounting them in a similar position to where a stock mirror would be, only, the method of mounting them was somewhat unconventional, although I think it looks great! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/38/wt8z.jpg Here is a shot from behind looking forward... http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/856/szws.jpg And last, but not least, some shots of the mirror wired-up! BTW, the passenger side looks equally as nice! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/855/q4p8.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/547/ojdi.jpg That is all for now. More pics real soon! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
I love that mirror. Lookin good :metal:
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Very Nice!!!
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Very nice indeed!
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Looking good. Hey, you fire up that engine yet?
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Very Nice!
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Ahhhh, just sat down with my iPad and read your whole entire thread! I've got nothing real useful to say, other than the typical...you've done a really nice job with your truck! I'm getting ready to jump into my '65 and have enjoyed seeing the progress and the quality of work you've put into your work. Helps get me motivated and eager to start on my truck. Thanks for posting the pics and explaining things!
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Nice work on solving the window switch mounting issue...:metal:
Also diggin' the Peep Mirror placement! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
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I thought that the old-school styling, along with the new-school LED's really hit the spot! Quote:
Kalamazoo eh?...Gonna have to meet if I get to the show at the fairgrounds this summer! Hey, do you guys have any snow there?...or is it all here! Quote:
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Let's just say that I know that my power-steering works...lol! It kinda started by accident, but I need to break in the camshaft properly, and it is so cold outside that I couldn't open the garage doors for proper ventilation to let it run that long...So here it sets until warmer weather! Quote:
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I am always glad to help people out...to not make the same mistakes as me! Quote:
The window switch thing was something that I thought about a long time ago and forgot about until I went to install them, then realized that I couldn't live with it!...The peep mirror thing is something that I saw somewhere else and stole, not my idea but something that stuck in my head!...Don't even know where I saw it!!! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Well, I finally worked up to another item that I can cross-off the things-to-do list!!!
I installed new door panel seals, and also installed my door panels & handles!!! They look sweet, work sweet, and most importantly are complete! ....One small step closer to the finish line!! Check these pics out! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/128...90/34/pyzx.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/128...0/855/jice.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/128...0/833/crp4.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/128...0/585/rxax.jpg I hope that these pics will tide you guys over for a few days!!!! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Awesome job on the doors man!!
They do look really really sweet... I often wish I had your resources, though with unlimited resources, and my boundless imagination, I guess I would run out of lifetime to get something done. Looks good buddy :metal: |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Love the way they came out, door handles are awesome :metal:
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
parts is parts and you make the beautiful ones. love the handles and switch bezels.
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Blew through your build top to bottom. WOW! You do some excellent work and also do a great job of presenting it here. I love the color scheme and the tasteful mods throughout. Wheels?????
Props dude! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Nicely done. The door handles look great with those switches.
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
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"My resources amount to: Me, & how am I gonna get this accomplished? The only difference is I have a couple of nicer tools, but for the most part, I don't work at the shop because after a 10+ hour work day, I am still at work. I haven't even started to show all of the capabilities that my "work" has, because everyone would be wondering why I am doing it old-school?... The fact is, i would rather do it all myself, than to line somebody up to do it for me! I am no different than anybody else, I want to do this myself, without any outside help! Quote:
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Give me a break, Your stuff ALL looks incredible too! We just may specialize in different areas! Quote:
I cannot lie, I learn something every time that I work on something, and I like to post items about things that I struggled with, so that others can learn from them! Wheels?...Wheels & tires are gonna be a huge-ticket item, so I am waiting to verify critical dimensions on these until I am positive of sizes. Quote:
I am trying to keep a cool billet theme going with all of the trim pieces! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
O.K. guys!
I was starting to mount my front fenders and was having the normal problems with alignment. I assumed that i would have some issues, but, doesn't everyone? I had purchased this really nice bolt kit from Totally Stainless...or so I had thought. It seems that the heads of the bolts are non-concentric with the treaded portion, causing them to scar the paint on my fenders upon installation...Truly nothing that I enjoy watching! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/546/0zh3.jpg So, my cure to this issue was to approach it from a different direction for the visible screws! I decided to fabricate some aluminum washers, and use flat-head screws...My vision was for the washer to remain stationary while the screw turned until tight, and NOT mark up the paint. All worked perfectly! The pic below shows some of the washers that I made. It only took 1-1/2 hours for me to fab a dozen of them. Enough to do both fenders across the top, and the radiator filler panels, across the front. http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/716/39gs.jpg Now a few pics of the washers/screws installed....Not very good pics, but I think that you can get the idea! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/198/y7cc.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/801/dwdf.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/546/ef0z.jpg Now i have my fenders all installed & aligned...As far as I know! Here are a few lousy pics of them. And again, I am sure that you can get the idea! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/580/vrxd.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/822/nce1.jpg Hey Murph! How are these for sealed-seams? I gotta lot of time into these, and I am happy with the way that they turned-out! http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/843/oixv.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/62/fajs.jpg Thanks a lot for lookin everybody! |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Thanks for sharing! All that is looking awesome man. It's the perfect blue!
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Sombeaaatch, Machined washers.
Throw me a couple a dozen if ya got'em. dang dude. bar set even higher. moon running into bar. |
Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
the aluminum washers are cool, I just bought about 20 of them of ebay, I know when they get here i'll have to get different countersink allen head bolts for them, I think! do you remember the size bolts you used??
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Re: My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!
Your sealed seams look great man !! :metal:
I could only hope mine turn out near as nice, and yes, very time consuming !! Wife and I took off for Anchorage this weekend, a 6.5 hour drive, and indulged in fine dining, some skiing, and rare night life. Was great and much needed fun away from this place. I should have gotten down today and worked on mine, but there is still unpacking to do from the weekend and tending the wife as she licks her wounds..... Your washers look fantastic too, nicely done ! :thumbs: I have been polishing my stock fender bolts, but I like your set up better. |
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