Re: pdx-sanity66
 

This is the rest of the previous post. Again, this is for my personal record and not meant to bore anybody.
*Bumpers and brackets
1. Front—stock chromed with original brackets restored
2. Rear-- 67-72 Chev, new chrome with new 67-72 brackets
Wiring
* American Autowire Classic Update completed wiring kit
1. Part #500560
2. I made an aluminum fuse box/fan controller mount and mounted the assembly on the driver’s side inner firewall
3. Oil sender, temp sender, alternator, tach sender, and distributor wiring complete.
4. Dual fan to relays to Dakota digital controller wiring complete
5. Battery, starter/solenoid wiring complete
6. Carb auto choke wiring completed
7. Front lights and horn done. Original hardware restored with new bulbs and relays
8. Rear lights done. Original hardware with new pigtails and and conversion to LED.
9. Fuel gauge sender wired.

Cab Body Work
* Stripped all parts from cab
* Replaced passenger side fresh-air box
* Replaced rusted out areas of the passenger side floor, kick panel, inner rocker, lower door pillar, and patched and re-installed stock outer rocker panel
* Replaced rusted out areas of the driver side floor, kick panel, inner rocker, lower door pillar, outer rocker panel
* Patched corners of floor where the gas pedal sits and the opposite side
* Cab bottom cleaned, stripped, prepped, and painted with epoxy primer and then U-lol Raptor Bed Liner.
* Upper door pillar seams and roof to windshield seams filled
* Welded and finished seams in door pillars and rockers
* Stripped, filled all unneeded holes, smoothed, and epoxy primed the firewall and then painted it with Eastwood’s 2K Ceramic Under Hood black urethane.
* Stripped, sanded and epoxy primed all interior surfaces. The ceiling and the back area painted with Eastwood Aluma-blast
* cleaned, prepped, dash for repaint
* Patched passenger side rear cab corner
* Seam sealed all floor areas.
* Lizardskin heat shield sprayed on floor, kick panels, and inner firewall
* Boom Mat spray sound deadener on upper inner firewall
* Rear half of the floor and halfway up the back of the cab painted with Upol Raptor bed liner
* New reproduction bed sides and front panel installed
* Inside of door openings media blasted and epoxy primed
* Doors stripped, inside bottoms patched and finished, epoxy primed
Bed
* New reproduction front panel epoxy primed
* New reproduction bed sides
* New reproduction rear cross sill epoxy primed
* Replacement original tailgate media blasted and epoxy primed
* 4 new cross sills and 1 media blasted and all 5 epoxy primed
* Bed kit ordered from Mar-k with white oak

Dashboard
* top of dash needs repaint
* Radio delete plate paint and install
* Heater control block off plate installed
* Polished/brushed stock aluminum gauge surround
* Custom black painted gauge panel
* Autometer gauges
* The Gauge panel wiring is complete with LED turn signal and bright lite indicators
* Painted glovebox door and parts and installed with new hardware
* Added a new glovebox light
* Installed gauge panel and completed wiring
* New headlight switch, ignition switch, and wiper switch installed
* Heater controls?
Exhaust
* Complete 2 ½” dual exhaust system from header flanges to in front of rear tires with Flowmaster mufflers

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Okay, back to what is going on now. I took the drivers door and fender off to finish the bottom of the door and give them both a coat of slick sand. I did a little more smoothing of both doors lower pillars and they are ready for another coat of epoxy. I also have a stripped bolt hole on the passenger lower hinge nuts It looks as though I can retap it like I did on the drivers side. Then reassemble the fenders and doors, hopefully for the last time until paint. As usual, I'm also working on a couple of other things. I have the roof pillars slick sanded and smoothed up. I have started prepping the roof for a coat of slick sand and finishing. The roof is in excellent shape. It was prepped and epoxy primed a while ago, so it is ready to seam seal and finish up. Then get the top painted at least so I can get the glass in.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Good to make a list like that, you'll be adding small stuff along the way but the it's good to do especially for planning and keeping up with purchasing.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I agree, I've kept most receipts except on consumables but I haven't looked at it in a while. The budget on this project went out the window a long time ago.

Just an update. I've got both of the door jams epoxied with just a couple of small spots that will need further attention. The driver door and fender have been removed and smoothed up. They didn't need much attention so I gave them one more coat of epoxy and sanded smooth. The pass. door and fender were sanded smooth after a coat of slick sand and only have a couple of very small spots that one more coat should easily take care of. So, both doors and both fenders are ready for slick sand. I am hoping to do both of the cowl extension and the cowl while I am at it. They only need some light sanding first. This is some pretty boring stuff right now but hopefully I'll have the doors and fenders and stuff back on the truck in about a week for the last time until I find a painter.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

This is a sentence we can all relate to!

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

That's for sure, I've been hanging around for 10 yrs. or so and I've seen it more times than I can count. I love it.

well, I ordered my bed wood kit a couple of days ago from Mar-K and I'm really excited. I'm about to finish the body work on the front end as far as I'm going before turning it over to the professionals for prep ad paint, so The bed is the last to deal with. If I can get the bed I can get it set up to drill the holes and finish it. I got polished stainless strips and hardware and I'm going with white oak for the wood. I'll be doing some research on finishes very soon. I've got a bunch of small pieces and the center console structure are ready for paint. I'm using Eastwood's ceramic chassis black. I'v also got the tool box part ready for paint, also. I'm going for the hammered look so I'll be trying that first on the bottom of the box to see if I'm going to like it. I've also got the roof and side panels ready for a coat of sick sand along with the cowl vent and cowl extensions.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Oh cool, it's always exciting getting new parts and stuff to do. :)

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I love getting new parts but I'm not lacking for things to do. All of this primering and sanding is getting old but hopefully I'll be done with the cab by the time the bed stuff gets here. This is the time of year down here that the temp is just right for body work so I'm trying to get the cab done before the weather gets cooler. I just have a hard time figuring out how much should I do before leaving it to professionals to block out and paint. I'm hoping to get the roof masked off and sprayed with the final coat of slick sand, then prep and paint.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Oh heck YES!!! I like this!!!

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Thanks, my friend.
I'm getting ready to put the last coat of high build on the roof today. Everything is set up, I just have to give it one more wipe down with pre-prep and get down to spraying. The roof will be ready for paint prep after this and then get the windshield and rear glass installed FINALLY.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

This is and a few others are getting me excited to get back at mine, been a while, life happens..... anyways, thanks for the motivation!! Looking good sir!

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

So jealous. I want to be there now, but i have a couple other items i need to get done first. I have a 1969 C10 with an LS i built last couple years and i need to remove the PSI wiring harness and install the new Holly Terminator MAX system i bought first, get that running good then move forward on the 1966. I cannot really complain honestly, this is a good problem to have, but i am jealous of your progress, it is looking great my friend.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Excited to see the colors soon. Looking great. Prep always sucks but man it's sure worth it. I need to get out and get a bunch or parts cut and buffed for winter. lol

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Good luck on the '69. looking forward to seeing you back working on the '66.
Your paint work looks great TJ. I agree that good preparation is necessary. I am not going to paint the truck but I am looking for a painter right now. I know very little about putting down color and I've got enough invested in the truck to not risk messing it up.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I took a couple of days off on Sanity to do some chores and errands around our place. Sanity is back outside and I'm ready to get back at it. The passenger door is finished as far as I dare go and is back on the truck and aligned pretty well. I need to raise it up about 1/8". The pass. fender is ready to put back on, just waiting for the cowl extension. Both of the cowl extensions, the cowl, and the driver door and fender will get a little more epoxy on some small spots that I got over zealous and sanded to bare metal. They are all in the paint booth and will get sprayed today.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

The body parts are back together for the last time until paint. Both doors, fenders, cowl extensions, and cowl are on and most of the alignments done. I have a few small adjustments to the cowl extensions and the hood still needs some finish sanding and adjustment but it is together. The roof and side panels are ready for paint. The next thing to do is the bed. I need to take care of a couple of small dings in the tailgate.
I also got my bed kit delivered from Mar-K and I just had to open the boxes and take a look at the white oak. I love it. I got Sanity out and cleaned off the dust.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

It already looks good now, I can't wait to see it in final color :metal:

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

looking very sharp - nice to get everything lined up and squared away before paint - that light timber will look great in the bed...

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Yep I like the white oak the best. :)

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Looking Sexy there sir!! I hope to be back on the "66 soon. The "69 is almost wired up and ready to fire up. Then, on to the "66. But damn nice work here sir!

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Thanks Christian, I can't wait either. I, at least, need to get the roof painted white and the windshield and rear glass installed, then I can actually drive the truck more than just around the yard and get a front end alignment.
Thanks, I would have had a real problem if I didn't. I think the wood will work out nice down here in southern AZ.

I wanted something light and I fell in love with it. I hope it all works out. I have very little experience with wood finishing and I'm trying to decide on finish. Any recommendations are welcome.

I'm looking forward to you getting back on your 66.

I've got the alignment of the doors, cowl, cowl extensions, fenders and hood all aligned pretty good for now and I'm ready to spray some high build in the hood sides and front. I got my seam sealer delivered so I will prepping and spreading seam sealer on the roof channels today.
Then starts the bed wood install so I can measure and mark the holes I need to drill.
Oh, and I have been working on restoring my window crank assemblies. They had a lot of surface rust and some very light pitting on one of them. I soaked them in CLR and water
for about 3 days They came out great. I've got new rollers ordered fir them.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

On the wood, I made the mistake of not using a good sealer when I put new wood in. After about a year, the color dulled and just overall looked sad compared to what it was when fresh. I finally decided to pull the wood back out, sanded it down, and reapplied the same stain/sealer combo I had used before. The second time around, with about 2 years or so of sun damage, led to the color of the wood being darker. I actually like the darker color in my application. The stain I used was a pecan color.

To finish it off the second time, I used a generous helping of Spar Urethane. That sealed the wood up nicely, and after a year of sitting in GA weather, I haven't noticed any change in the color of the wood

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I am planning on spar urethane on mine. I've been researching on brands and quality of products but I haven't really decided which one yet. It will be a clear. I want to keep it as naturally colored as possible. I'm hoping this will help with our southern Arizona sun. What brand spar did you use?

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I don't remember, but I had some leftover. The can is in the basement, so I'll check later today and edit this reply with the answer

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

It's been about 3 weeks since I last posted but things have been moving along. ai have been working on aligning all the gaps to a reasonable point that I know now that it's all working together. A couple of very slight adjustments to the driver door but I just don't want to remove the fender and cowl extension at this point. I have also seam sealed the roof channels which is something I had almost forgot about. My thinking the roof was ready for paint was incorrect. Now it's ready for paint. The hood and cowl were the most difficult to get aligned. The center couple of feet of the hood to cowl was too close when I got everything else aligned. I finally decided that the cowl was twisted and just kind of off. I vaguely remember when I was taking the truck apart that the cowl seemed a little tweaked. I just couldn't get it right, so I took the one off of the C60. It is in very good shape so a last minute change is to get it stripped, primered, and installed. It fits way better than the old one.
I've also been working on the tailgate and getting the bed aligned. I'll try to post a little more frequently and show more of my progress.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I used Epiphanes (epifanis) on my wood, a Dutch marine finish. It's not cheap and much work. But I expect it will be worth it?

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I've looked at the Epiphanes and it's on the list. It's great to see someone that has used it. Question: How many coats did you apply and does it change the color of the wood?

I'm going to try and get Sanity cleaned up a bit before proceeding and then it's time to work on the bed and get the holes marked for drilling.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Looking good. Getting very close now.

I use the Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane mainly because its available at the local hardware store. 6 coats on top 4 on bottom, with 180 sanding in between.
The thing that got the best results was to apply with a foam brush.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I think it was eight coats at least. It makes the wood slightly darker. I got the wood from Mar-K though. Cab reflections in this pic.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Your bed looks fantastic. The min-wax gets pretty high ratings so I might try it. I was thinking about 6-8 coats so that id good to here. I bought the complete bed kit with the optional white oak.

I've been putting off doing some media blasting. I enjoy the blasting, but I hate setting up and cleaning up afterwards. I have a few parts that I accumulated and I'm needing a few of them now. I have the cowl and front grill from my C60 done. Today I hope to finish up the inside door panels and a bit more on the rear inner fenders. I was busy cleaning up last night, so I'll post up some pics later.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Here's the cowl and C60 bumper all clean and pretty. I still can't believe how nice these are. just 2 small dings on the grill. I'm running low on media so I'm going to get some more today. I've got the 2 inner fenders about half done and I haven't started on the 2 inside door panels. I hope to get done shopping and do more blasting this afternoon. The last is my tailgate that I'm working on.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I got all of the media blasting done which also includes the inside door panels and the rear wheel tubs. I got all that mess cleaned up and then yesterday I got some epoxy sprayed on everything. I think they all turned out great. The next thing is to install the cowl and the rear wheel tubs. with the wheel tubs done I can start installing the bed wood to mark the holes that need to be drilled. I am also going to start work on adding the "CHEVROLET" to the grill.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I have finished prepping the roof for paint and I am looking for somebody locally to paint it. Then I can get the windshield and rear window installed. I really need to get this done so I can drive Sanity and get the front end aligned and test out the mechanicals. I would REALLY like to drive the truck a little before committing to paint the rest of truck. Does anybody know a painter in the Tucson area that I could contact?

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

PM'd you on Tucson painters.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Thanks for the leads, I'll check them out

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I decided it was time to put my gear shift knob back on. I set it up earlier but it wasn't working good and the nut I glued in came off. I had drilled a hole in the bottom and then filed it out to the size of nut I needed. This time I used a flare nut and epoxied it in. I also added some green eyes out of a couple of faceted beads. Wicked!

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Here are a few pics on what's been going on around here.
dash with gear shift installed
rear inner fenders temporarily installed for marking bolt holes in the bed wood.
I got the windshield wiper motor ready to install.
I'm also working on the restoration of my steering wheel. It has been completely stripped and the cracks have been ground out and is ready for filling the cracks today.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Nice looking gauge panel on that dash.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

Thanks. I'm very happy with the results, so far. I can't wait until I finish the deluxe wheel restoration and get it on the truck.
Here are a few pics of the steering wheel work. These show the two main cracks on both arms of the wheel that have been opened up and ready for filling and a few of the smaller cracks. I removed the 4 chrome goodies on the wheel end there are small cracks on the back side of the wheel that will need attention. I have opened up the cracks and started filling with JB epoxy putty.

Re: pdx-sanity66
 

I've got all of the cracks opened up, filled, and sanded on the wheel. Today I plan on spraying with plastic adhesion promotor and epoxy primed. I am also going to test the wiper motor and install it if it tests out ok.