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

Slick absolutely Slick

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

Super nice man!

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

Thanks Chad!
I really appreciate that, buddy!
It was really great chatting with you the other night!

Dude!
I am not finished yet! Ian going to let it set a few days (or more) then D-A it with #1000 grit, and clear it again!
It was a simple wipe-on black stain that I applied twice....the can is at the shop, so I can't give details right now. I will get the info & fill you in when we talk next.

Thanks a lot!...I really like it!

Dude! Thanks for the comment!
Where ya been?...How ya been?

Greg, this is gonna look so sick when it is finished!

Thanks a lot man, I always appreciate the comments!


Here are a few more pics in better lighting, but with my crappy phone! LOL!

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

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

Most people would be happy with the way that it looks right now...and I should probably leave it alone. But, I want to try to make it look like it is too shiny & flat to be real!....I can't help myself!..I think I am insane.

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

It's Already Fantastic..Your going for the better reflection of your bike, let see if we can read what spark plugs your using.

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

That is some nice wood!

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

:jdp:

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

i have been checking in from time to time just not posting a lot, I been trying to help two of my buddys build their trucks, and trying to build a bigger shop, plus keep ole red road worthy which is a feat in itself, and trying to work a full time job...... I better shut up I`m stressing myself out :lol: IN OTHER WORDS LIFE IS GREAT! cant wait to see the wood in the bed its going to look awesome.

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

That wood is just WOW !!

I need to stick my bits together some time and get them prepped for fitting later.

Love the colour you have made them.

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

What are the details on the stain used?

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

Wood came out really nice!!

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

yes it was really good talking with you on the phone the other night!! got these mounted today, thank you once again!

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

Ha-Ha-Ha!
The finish is not flat enough for me yet!
Thanks a bunch though!

Thanks Karl!
It has been a lot of work so far!

Thanks again for the comment Don!

Thanks Flip!
I can't wait to see it all together either!
Not rushing though, as I am also working on getting the air management in before putting down the wood...ride-height sensors, air compressors, air tanks, valves, ECU, and a mass of wiring...Now I am stressing MYSELF out!!! LOL!

Thanks Rian!
How is the steering column coming along?

I will take some pics of the can of stain & post the info for you.

Thanks a lot, but not done yet!

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

Whoooooa!!!!
Looking really hot Chad!!!
I hope that the pieces met your expectations!
I like, A LOT!!!

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

What color stain did you use....and oak or pine? Looks great!!!

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

Hey guys!
Here is a pic of the stain tat I used for my bedwood!
The wood is Oak, and if you look back on my thread, you will see that I worked the wood from the rough-sawn state to this!!!
I put two coats on the exposed side, and let dry in between, and brushed the backside...
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/J46QkR.jpg

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

Been workin a bunch on my air management system lately.
Also I wanted to build some "bump-stops" for the front to keep my tires from contacting the inner fenders when, and if the system went down, or at an aired-out status...
These photos show my answer to a bump-stop for Portrerbuilt arms...
I ordered a set of Energy Suspension 9.9103G bump-stops and devised the shown mount to hold them in place.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/l9koMH.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...912/q3kuZ2.jpg

They are bolted through the bag-plate and sit on top of the crossmember.
Also I mounted my front & rear ride-height sensors for my Accuair E-Level system.

A few pics of what I came up with for the front...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...909/h0Pagq.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/hk31F7.jpg

And for the rear, this is what I did...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...908/JcLCwL.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/ltlZZf.jpg

Don't mind the rolled up cable...I want to make certain that everything works properly before customizing the harness.

And a few pics of her sitting on the new Bump-stops...
I will probably take another 3/4" out of the front...Just sayin!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/kITXPk.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/LvpfGx.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...911/jhjOPd.jpg

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

Looking at this whole series of pics you posted, I just shake my head, you guys really do go all the way.

Like the last pic above.

Looks like a prizefighter, but before the fight.

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

Rian,
Many thanks for your comments!
I really enjoy showcasing some of my skills through this build!
It is like therapy for me to concentrate and focus on a vision of what I want something to look like, and not divert.
Outside of the colors that I originally had in my mind, the rest of the build has been on par with what I had envisioned, but my quality level has surpassed what I had originally intended, (if that makes any sense)
I originally wanted something really nice, that I could drive daily. But what I have ended up with is something that I feel will be too nice...not complaining, but just wondering how I will keep it up???
My goals were to show-up my dad & his buddies efforts, which I am pretty sure has been executed, but now I am unsure about maintaining my truck's newness once finished.
I envy the ability for everyone to STOP at a moderate build level, and just drive their vehicle, but I feel that I am too anal in that dept. for that.
I don't think that I could ever execute a patina build...I wouldn't know where to stop. I am sure that after the first few stone-chips happen, that I will come to some sort of reality!
For me right now, it is all or nothing, which is how I ended-up here!
Thanks again Rian!

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

Mike, buddy, just reading your comments to rian makes me think of a philosophy that i have about every car and truck I've ever built...

build it the best you can, to the extreme. and then when you're finished, drive and enjoy but don't worry about it any more. it had its moment of being perfect. now, every chip, scratch and oh-no is part of the life and enjoyment of that ride. like buying a new car from the dealership... its only new once.

you are building a beautiful truck, better than most i've seen. please don't worry about it. DRIVE IT, enjoy it, be proud of what you've done and thrash it just for the fun of it... 2¢

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

Awesome results thus far… Better than New!!!:uhmk:
IMO Better than today's New!!! :metal:

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

Truck looks sweet!!! I like the way the bed wood came out.

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

bed wood looks real deep..kind of like the new Infiniti interiors! Nice work dude

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

Thanks for the insight Clem, I hear ya loud & clear!
it was great talking with you last night on the phone. The more that we talk, the more that I want to talk to you!
Don't sweat about being responsible for the seat materials that you suggest. I like your sense of taste...we will get through this, and I really appreciate the assistance!....I am sure that it will rock!


Thanks yet again Don!!!!
I always enjoy you lookin in!

Thanks Travis!
Not done yet! Gonna DA with #1000 grit & spray clear again, then sand & buff!
I gotta have something to keep me busy while I wait on the PB compressor brkts. LOL!

I wanted the wood to look similar to the original did once that the tar had worn off, but shiny!
Not sure that I accomplished this, but I like it just the same!
My dad has really light colored wood in his truck, but I wanted something different.
Thanks for the compliment!

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

I had a little bit of time to work the truck this weekend, so I mounted the valve unit & ECU.
Don't mind the coiled-up grey & yellow wires, the grey one is for the pressure sensor, and the yellow one signals the compressor relay for the compressors.
I am still waiting on the PB compressor brackets, so I will finish the wiring once that I have the compressors & tanks mounted to the frame.
The hose with the Tee in is is to temporarily feed the valve through a shreader fitting to keep it aired up until I have the compressors and tanks mounted & wired.
Here are a few pics of the air management so far!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...633/RmCwvU.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...913/YkkfI9.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/aD1PkT.jpg

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

PM sent on stain..

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

your pm inbox is full!

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

Well guys! It has been a bit, but I spent a great part of this weekend on the truck!
I received my Porterbuilt compressor brackets on Wednesday, painted them on Thursday, and started installing them on Friday!
Once installed, I started to work on the final wiring & plumbing in order to complete this system.
This took way longer than I had planned, as I wanted it to look perfect...which I may have fell way-short on BTW, but it looks good to me.
I think that I spent more time planning on where everything would go, and how it would look, than actually mounting it. Also I have never before installed an air-ride system on anything, and wondered if I was doing it correctly!
The most rewarding thing was attaching the final power wire to the battery and seeing no sparks!
At this point, I was eager to start the system calibration program & see what this thing could do! The process went flawlessly!!!
I gotta tell you though, this Accuair e-Level system is really awesome! It went through it's diagnostic program, and set-up the factory ride heights, (which I tweaked a little) but this thing is so simple to use!
I had a little "buyer's remorse" at first, but that has long since passed!!!!
It may have been more complicated to install, but WELL worth the effort!
Here are a few new pics of the set-up.

First, the wiring for the compressors.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...633/nQz1jE.jpg

Passenger side compressor & tank.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/9Y4TWM.jpg


Driver's side compressor & tank.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/IydsMh.jpg

Valve & ECU all hooked-up.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/FDrjxN.jpg

And an overview pic...LOL!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/KJBO5k.jpg



Don't mind all of the little pieces of masking-tape...I had plugged all of the holes when we painted the interior silver to stop the over-spray...I just never took them off. LOL!
I will now be focussing on finishing-up my bed-wood!!!!

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

Nice job!

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

She's looking really good Mike. Bit anxious to see her on the ground and doing some vertical maneuvers. I'm sure you are too...

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

Looks great.

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

Love this truck. You are doing a great job with it. Awesome!

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

:metal::metal::metal::metal:

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

Been a while since I visited truck turned out stellar love the wheel's. .. Where did the filler neck come from?

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

Thanks man!

Clem,
This system works so slick!
I am so glad on my decision to go with it!

Thanks Greg!

Thanks again for the comment!

Thanks again for looking in Strodder!

Thanks man!
I think that I got the filler neck from Speedway...It is a pretty trick piece.

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

Well guys, it has been a while since I have posted anything new up, but here are a few small but significant milestones of what I accomplished this weekend.
Last weekend I ended up D-A sanding all of the bedwood with #800 grit and spraying it with several more coats of clear. Then during this week I wet-sanded the imperfections with #1500 grit, then wet-sanded the entire surface again with the D-A with #3000 grit, then buffed it.
It looks pretty great!
This weekend I managed to get some of it installed, but I am leaving the center open while I figure out what I am going to do for a rear anti-sway bar, and finalize the fuel filler...
Here are some pics!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/dd7OBn.jpg

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

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/KkcQU7.jpg

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

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/7JZZ8z.jpg

Also, I painted & cleared what I think are the final pieces to the truck...The heater control, radio-delete panel, and defroster vents,
I think that the dash looks pretty stellar!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/ovgPp3.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/NgIsT1.jpg

That is all that I've got for now!!!

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

super sweet...

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

Dash and bed look great!!!!

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

Thanks Clem!
Didn't know that you were watchin!...LOL!

Thanks a lot!
Workin real hard to get this finished up!
Want to cruise this thing!!!

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

So, amongst other things, I started to mock-up my rear anti-sway bar to work with the Porterbuilt set-up.
I bought some 4130 DOM tubing, spherical rod-ends, weld-on tabs for the axles, and this is what I have come up with.
I am going to add tabs for the links to the rear of my axle, and pointed downward at about a 45 degree angle because of the minimum distance between rod ends.
I have run the suspension up & down throughout travel to make sure that this will work properly.
The pics show a cardboard template for the arm that I will have Laser-cut from 3/8" material and tig-weld to the tube...I will also be adding a plug to the I.D. of the tubing in the area where the arm is welded to support the tube from kinking when flexed
Here are some pics!
This first pic is aired-out.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/RO6Vfp.jpg
This pic is at ride-height.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/z9ZpBO.jpg
And this pic is fully-aired.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/NB2S8x.jpg
More pics to come as I get it implemented,,,

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

What a spectacularly beautiful truck. The details, engineering, execution, color selections are all immaculate. And that bed wood is too beautiful for words. I could never live with something like that. I'd go berserk at the first scratch! The results of your efforts look like a six figure professional shop build.