Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Started clear coating the inside of the bed...got the head cleared. I think it is going to look pretty good with some of the green showing.

Also a few pics of the wheels. The beauty rings are in rough shape, but I can clean up the wheels and get beauty rings...or something...

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Love it!!!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Those are some nice rallys. They'll look good on your truck. Nice progress.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks! I am thinking of using push through caps like forestb did on his...I really love that look, but will probably use these first to see how I like them before I try something else.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

So I am clear coating the inside of the bed. I have the head done and the drivers side finished. I hope to get the passenger side finished today.

Here are a few pics and a question...Do I leave the old fender bolts in as they are...which matches the rest of the bed of the truck or do I swap them out for new stainless hardware?

I am torn...I think the SS would look good and stand out with the patina look of the sides or do I keep the old patina bolts? I am swapping out the head bolts to SS since the old ones sheared off when removing them.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

If the header panel already has stainless, and you like the look of it, go ahead and do stainless on the rest of them. Brushed stainless would look the best in my opinion

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

You are right, I don't think polished SS would look right. I know all SS bolts are not created equally...so I just don't want them to rust.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

You could always clear coat the bolts to help protect the brushed finish a bit more. Not sure if that would take away some of the brushed look though

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I say paint them huggar orange...:lol::lol::lol:
Seems like lots of folks think huggar orange is for everything, engines, bodies....so why not bolts...LOL

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

HAHAHAHAHA

Funny you mention it. I picked up some OEM bumpers last year to paint white...and they were painted orange. Not sure if it is hugger orange, but orange. Now they came off a beautiful orange truck, so they were appropriate...but orange is one of my favorite colors, so ... that led me to my orange dually. haha

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

OK, I am clear coating the hood today or tomorrow...I have it in my paint booth (garage) and have sanded it down to get ready. Just need to wipe it down and clear it.

So here is todays question...since I am so close to finishing the truck, do I:

A) put the bed on the truck with no wood
B) put plywood in the truck bed (temporarily)
C) wait until my new wood is ready to install

I am leaning towards option B so I can drive the truck sooner than later, but will be slightly more work.

Anyway, here are a few pics of the finished clear coated inside of the bed...I haven't gotten a good picture yet to show the shine...too much shade (never enough when I am working).

I'm also going to paint the inside of the fenders and underside of the bed with POR 15 just to be on the safe side.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Option D would be to use some scrap pieces of wood that are the same height as the actual wood so that the bed is still bolted solid around the flanges, you just won't have any wood in the rest of it

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Yeah just put some 3/4 wood so its mounted solid and you can repalce it with the boards once ready.....Thats what Im gonna go since its easier to move without the wood in it.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I think I am going to put a sheet of 4x8 plywood in the bed and bolt it down. I may not even worry about the 1" gap at the head...since long bed is 97". Or I may use a piece of metal at the head to take up the gap...guess I'll figure it out this weekend. :)

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Got my hood clear coated today...should install it this weekend! I need to wet sand and polish it in s a coupe of areas....one sag/run in the clear, but nothing I can't fix with sanding and polish.

I cleared it about 2 years ago, but didn't like how it turned out...so I sanded off the old clear. I tried finding some green paint, but zero green on the hood...sad. However, this time was much better, in my garage with a fan blowing out. Here are a few pics of the freshly cleared hood.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Great Job Andy...really looks good my friend

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Ooooooooh, shiiiiinyyyyy

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Show truck...lol

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Well, no matter what anyone say's - it's better than I could do. :metal:

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

For sure fore sure....I had primer that cracked so I knew it was time to let the real folks do it

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks guys...I appreciate it. I enjoy painting...it relaxes me for some reason.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Installed the hood this morning. My wife, son, and I got it on and mostly adjusted...then my friend Carl stopped by and we finished adjusting it. Here are some pictures of it after install. I am sure my wife has some as we were installing it. Looks great to me, but also looks weird. It is the first time the hood has been on in 3 years....crazy!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Love it, lools really good..So glad for you

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

You know, you take things apart months/years ago and then when it is time to go back together...it's a head scratcher! For the life of me I could not remember how the headlights and buckets went back in...but after staring at it long enough I finally remembered!! It seems like the simple things take the longest.

Waiting on a few things to come in today to finish wiring the lights, then install the grille. Taking the truck Thursday to get exhaust, my dash radio patch panel welded in, and my A/C checked and charged. While it is in the shop, I hope to finish the plywood bed so when she comes home, I can mount the bed and drive! Any other cosmetic work I want to do will be a work in progress as I drive the truck.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Lol...I know the feeling, you should have seen me last night putting on the new rear brakes...Thank God for Randy