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

words of wisdom from someone who knows, make sure you build a shop at least twice the size of your house because you will spend twice as much time in it than you will your house, install a bathroom and that will cut out the downtime running back and forth as well :lol:

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

Don't forget the shower!;)

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

I was going to put a shower in my shop. I live in the city limits, and was told if I did, it would zoned as " living quarters " The taxes and the permit would have tripled.

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

Thanks sooooo much!
I watch your build constantly....But the updates are not quick enough! LOL!

Thanks, you cannot even start to believe how this is killing me right now!

You are right!....Closer everyday!

Thanks Chad,
Big smokey burn-outs on the way!

We had a family Condo on the channel in Ludington...It would get so frigid there from the wind off the lake that it was unbearable. I am sure that it doesn't compare with AZ. at all!

Thanks man, took a long time to decide on the color!

Thanks!!!
I appreciate the comments!
We ALL need to see more of your build...Step it up a notch!...Please?



Flip,
I have been seriously considering bulldozing my current garage to build a bigger one, but because I live in the city, I am still limited on space...
My girlfriend is a super-successful real-estate agent, and she is keeping an eye open for something that will work out better for me!

Dude, If I build a new garage, the mud-room will surely include a shower!
When growing up, my parent's home had a bathroom with shower directly off the garage, it worked perfect from motocross to car-restoration! LOL!

Thanks for the comment.
I will surely look into all of the restrictions before building, but I live in such a high-rent area, with a lower valued home that it probably won't be an issue. LOL!

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

All you may have to do is get the HAZMAT shower curtains and the sign, then it isnt a shower for living space, but an emergency aid station.

That you happen to flush regularly with soap and shampoo....

Modges buddy, I feel your pain.
My truck aged 10 years on the trip and is only partially tented for the season.
Its like a stab in the chest every time I look at it.

Hopefully for both of us it will be a quick and light winter !!
Hope your Holidays are going well :metal:

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

any updates?

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

Flip!
You are killin me right now!
No progress since my project got moved to the "Cold Side" of the shop.
I am going stir-crazy right now, wishing that I could work on it!!!
Last Friday morning there were areas in the town where my truck is that reported as low as -22 degrees....
This morning when I left for work it was -5 deg, and at noon it was still -2 deg.
I have been searching all of my pics lately, hoping to find something that I forgot to post...
I am very impatiently waiting for a break in the weather!!!

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

O.K guys!
Well, I Kinda Found some Pics to post that may help me stay off from page #5 of this forum!!!
It may seem kind of lame, but I made a trick support/mount for my air-cleaner.
I had bought all of the tubing for the intake in pieces instead of just buying a cold-air kit, because I wanted it to be custom...
This didn't exactly turn out to be that hard. I looked at the truck closely to see what would work, then went online to figure out what I could buy, and presto!
With a little cutting & fitting, I feel that I have come up with a decent air intake set-up!...And at about 1/4 the price of a something that you could purchase, and then still need to retro-fit to make work.
The only part that I needed to fab myself was the support mount for the air-cleaner, which I welded to a piece of the aluminum tubing that I purchased from Summit, and polished. I used wiper-motor mounts to attach to the fender!...Those rusty-a$$ washers are gone, I just used those to mock it up!

First, a few pics of the support/mount that I built!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/byEYGN.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/kk8Dn9.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/XPnOuI.jpg

And here are a few pics of it all in place!!!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/KauES5.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/WdEiOi.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/IEuhNE.jpg

Sorry, but that is all that I've got right now!...Later Fellas!
I know that it all looks really close, but there is more than 1/2" clearance to the belt at the tightest spot!

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

Very clean install. Where did you buy your supplies?

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

looks slick across the board!

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

All of the parts are Spectre Performance components from Summit Racing.

Thanks a bunch!

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

man, this has been one sucky winter. i've seen the news enough to know you guys had it brutal, a bunch more than around here, but still sucky.

stay warm buddy... springs around the corner.
thanks for keeping the posts coming.

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

Thanks for the encouragement Clem!
Ahhhhhhhh!
The snow is finally melting!!!!
It was 45 degrees here today!
I went up to the parent's, popped the garage door, pulled off the cover, and reached in and turned the key and started the biotch!...It started effortlessly!
Fuel injection is a wonderful thing!
It won't be long now!!!

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

I know that many of you will have no idea what these photos are of, but some of you will figure it out quickly!
I have been going stir-crazy with all of the cold weather, and not being able to work on my truck, so I needed something to focus on to keep from going postal!
Here are a few pics of what is keeping me sane lately...until the weather breaks anyway!!!

Just cutting some small slots!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...903/fULkab.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/cyYgVL.jpg

Adding some small touches!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/DubQvo.jpg

And here are a few items that I have already finished....
Machined & scuffed with #320 grit.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...910/ZUHnmG.jpg

Polished vs. Raw!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/wAX4W1.jpg

Both Polished!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/YIvp7l.jpg

How do ya like me now, Chad???

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

I see a KURT vice that needs to be hit with some WD40..
Jk
LOL!
Nice work! Looking good...



:5150:

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

I can guarantee that it is the lighting & aluminum chips that make t look that way!!!
I didn't notice right-off, but have no idea why it looks like that in the pics! LOL!
Thanks, BTW!...I think LOL!

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

I don't know what those are but they're b!tchin'! You guys had the mega winter while we've had the mildest ever. Weird... Truck almost out of hibernation?

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

Arizona skipped winter this year...

:-)

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

dude...
if you're making what i think you are... i need a complete set for that black dash on the utility bed. they would offset all that chrome and gloss black paint, perfectly.

let me know if and when bro...

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

those look sweet, I cant wait for them!!!

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

Hello guys!!!
The weather turned to be in the upper 40's & sunny today, so I stopped up to the parent's place to goof-around with my truck for a bit...
As it worked out, it seems as though it was "Steering Wheel Saturday".
Here are a few pics of what I accomplished!
Actually, the shift lever is a billet specialties piece that I have had in my DD Astro van for years, and I traded it out today with the stock one...After a polish job of course!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/GRZ4eE.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/naObm9.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/Hudwkz.jpg

This turned out soooo very nice, and I am so happy with the selection that I made!
Let me know what you guys think!!!

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

Lovely.

What column do you have fitted?

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

It is something that came with the pile of parts that I received with this project...The nearest that I can tell, it is from a '91 Sub, but I am not positive.
I am purely guessing from the wiper delay module & research that I performed in order to make it work.

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

Thanks man!
You will see what they are soon enough!

Good for you! LOL!

We'll need to look into that Clem!

Thanks buddy!

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

Gettin closer!!!

Just cutting more grooves....Very time consuming....
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...913/pZzbqg.jpg


Now I am starting to realize why I haven't made more of these. The are a real pain in the a$$!!!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/1qzYaC.jpg

Seperated them with the saw, & machined the sides
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/QVJhuH.jpg

And finally they look like something!
Machining is complete! Now I just need polish them!!!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...901/YrgLZ2.jpg

That's all I got!

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

Hey guys!
Today I had a chance to get a little time to polish the heater control knobs that I made. It took a lot longer to polish them than I thought it would, but they are finally done!!!
Here are a few pics
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/CCOaps.jpg

And paired-up with the ashtray handles...
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/9KqiaA.jpg

It looks as if I need to make another ashtray handle! LOL!
I will need to add this to my list of things to do!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/MhmM8s.jpg

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

those look great! another thing that would look awesome, is if you can do the Chevrolet for the glove box! the script for it would be the hard part I think, besides finding away to get it to hold down! unless you use 3 longer set screws Loctite them on the back of the aluminum piece to fit in the holes in the glove box, an get the rubber grommets that hold them in! but that's just my thinking, would be cool though!! or a 3m adhesive strip!!

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

Those look great. What would a set run?

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

Thanks Chad!
Yeah, it would be cool to do the Chevrolet script, but I think that it would be easier produced using a laser and made from brass, then soldering studs to the back to retain it...But I personally do not have spare time like that!!!

A lot! Ha-Ha-Ha!
I am not really interested in trying produce these for a profit! They take me way too long to make.
They are just something that I make when I am bored, and can't work on my truck...I started working on these when the weather here was sub-zero, and I was going stir-crazy!!

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

I get people in my shop once in a while asking what I'd want to do this and that and I'm like "with my jig-saw and file,... how about a million?"

Nice work man!

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

Thank you for the reply.

After getting what I was told is a '97 Astro Van column at an auto jumble yesterday, I looked at your initial install from page 20 of your build and reloaded the pics, amazing the progress you have made and continue to make.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

It will be great if I can get my £50.00 purchase to fit and work well in my truck.

Neat welding as well.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psuuv0ecll.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pspjtdfas0.jpg


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pscduunuvr.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pssketqpaa.jpg


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pswvldbwmh.jpg

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

budnik makes some of the highest quality billet stuff (aside from you apparently), and that steering wheel is a great match to the dash.

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

Thanks for the compliment!
I have been searching forever for a steering wheel that fit my tastes, and I am very happy with the quality of this piece...The nicest that I have seen so far!

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

Your doing some really nice work and your truck is looking great. Impressive is all I can say.

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

Thanks a lot!...It just isn't progressing as fast as I would like it to though!
But that is about to change.

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

Hello Guys!!
Things are starting to move forward again on my build!
After a long, cold, Michigan winter, the weather is finally starting to get nicer!
I had an opportunity yesterday to apply clear to the backside & edges of my bed-wood to seal it off, so I took advantage of it! Then as luck would have it, I had some spare time today, so I flipped them over and cleared the front of the boards!
I had planned on wet-sanding & rubbing the finish anyways, so I thought that I would clear it and let it sit a week, then sand it & spray an additional coat or two, then scuff, & buff it.
I ended up spraying 4 coats of clear, letting the first two tack-up well between coats, then sprayed the third & fourth pretty wet, as I wasn't very worried if it happened to run...
The pictures do not do the wood justice, but it turned out better than I thought it would.
Here are some pics!!!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...908/bhZ0Ei.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/opajH9.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/xrlUVZ.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...909/xeUrUY.jpg

I also ordered an Accuair e-level air management system this week from Travis @ ProPerformance, so hopefully I can get that installed before buttoning-up the bed-wood....Getting closer to the finish line!!!!!

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

WOW!! I was wanting to do a wood floor the same color you got on that last pic or with a grey tint, before I got ahold of the steel floor! but now you are making me want to go back to a wood floor! look's really good, I'm really jealous now, lol!!

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

i agree with chad...dude that looks rich. seeing the grain with that deep piled on clear, awesome. was that a black wash stain underneath? details please...

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

The dark looks good.

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

Absolutely beautiful :metal: