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

Fantastic work Modge! What wall thickness for the 4130?

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

Whoa!
I never expected that!
Thank you for looking in!
I am just trying to build something that is comfortable & functional by today's standards.
I originally never expected it to be this nice!

Hey Gary!
Thanks for the compliment!
I am 99% sure that the tubing is 1-1/8" O.D x .088 wall thickness, but I haven't physically measured it.
I wanted it to be thin enough to be able to torsionally twist some...
Your thoughts?

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

Well... I think that it will be would be a good start. You can always go to .095 or .120 if it's not stiff enough. Tack it up good and go for a ride. If you really want to experiment you can get a can of stress coat and check to see how the shaft is reacting. Stress coat is a brittle coating that cracks when it it's stressed... so you can visually see whats happening when the shaft twists... kinda fun to check stuff out like that.

Haven't bought any recently. Here's a link to the info on how it works. And here's the company that sells it... If their still in business LOL.

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

Thanks a bunch man!
I appreciate the input!
I don't think that I will mind or care if it is too stiff, but I need some help.
I already scarred the insides of the wheel-tubs moving it in the yard...And I have over a half inch of clearance per side.
I want it to corner good.

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

Lookin good Boss,,,, Damn Good

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

That dark wood looks great! Where did you get that stain?

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

Thanks!
I really don't know where the stain was originally purchased.
My buddy bought it for a wood-working project a long time ago, and never used it. When I mentioned that I wanted to use black stain on the bedwood, he told me not to buy any until I tried this, and gave it to me.
I asked him about it again today, and he said that the store where he had bought it has long since went out of business.

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

Ok thanks. I looked on the Web and found mastercraft stain but not the black onxy. I will keep searching.

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

Small update...
I drew-up the anti-sway bar arms & sent the file to a buddy, and he cut them immediately!
I also whipped up some links in the lathe.
It looks like I have some welding to do this weekend!
A few pics!http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...909/76PaoK.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/Xb8vPJ.jpg

I will keep you all posted!

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

Nice work

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

Thanks Bomp!
You really need to start to work on the projects that you already have!
Just sayin! LOL!

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

I just took a look thru your thread. Wow, very impressive! Beautiful workmanship in every part of your truck.

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

I finished up my anti-sway bar this weekend...Well, kind-of.
It didn't seem stiff enough for me, so I ordered another piece of tubing.
A smaller diameter with a thicker wall so that I could insert it into the existing, and weld it on both ends, making the sway bar stiffer.
I bought a piece of 7/8" dia. x .187 wall to insert. On Saturday I welded it in, and it seems more like what I had originally expected.
Here are a few pics. Now I just need to remove & paint.

A pic with the truck aired-out.
Note: the sway-bar clears the driveshaft by less than 1/8" in the down position, and the arms clear the bed-wood by about the same.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/AUQOXT.jpg

Now a pic at ride-height.
NowI just need to remove & paint.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/AwaQdu.jpg

I decided that today was a good day to clean the old-girl up, as I think that it has been almost a year since the last bath...
Man, she looks sweet when clean!!!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/tE7jSe.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...911/4Sro3A.jpg

Just chillin' in the driveway...
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/EnpLh1.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/9CFEZO.jpg

That is all that I got....Overall, a decent weekend. LOL!

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

perfect...

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

Beautiful! Sits perfect!

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

Sweet is an understatement!

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

Nice work...
Getting close to being a driver

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

Thank you Clem!
I know that you are always on-board!

Thanks a bunch, but don't know what you mean!... LOL!!!
This is exactly what I had envisioned when I started this project!

Thanks a lot, I don't really know how to respond!!!

Close? I know it has already had a few stout workouts in the driveway! LOL!

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

I don't know what to say. I just sit and drool going from one pic to another and back again.
Flat out stinkin' Clean. I try to study every detail.
One day,,, One day I hope to be able to call shot gun,.

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

Diggin' everything about your build...:metal:

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

This pic is for you Bomp!!!
A deliberate engine compartment pic...or two!!!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/mHbfVJ.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/NpMurQ.jpg


Thanks again Don...Ya shoulda went for the LT!!
Just kiddin, but I coulda helped you long-distance...it would have been a challenge!

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

Awesome job! Love everything about it!

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

THANKS GARY!!!
I'm slowly getting a clearer view of the finish line!!!

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

Well guys,
I managed to finish up my rear anti-sway bar by fabbing-up some heavier brackets, and painting all of the pieces. Since that was all buttoned-up I moved to trying to finish the bed wood.
Due to not wanting to remove the bed to attach all of the strips, I made some stainless strips to go cross-car for the area over my gas tank, so that I could partially assemble the center 5 boards & strips outside of the vehicle. So now there are 3 strips under the wood for the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th row of strip bolts from tailgate. This allowed me to set the boards in like a sheet of plywood!
Now I can install the remaining strip bolts through their cross-members and install nuts from below.
I only had a few mishaps, I had to machine a pocket into the center board to clear the rear diff in the aired-out position, and I also trimmed the rear diff cover for added clearance. Upon trimming it, I ground through the rear brake line...WAS NOT HAPPY!....Was side-stepped by a few hours to bend a new stainless brake-line & bleed the system...But the wood looks great so far!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/XaS71N.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/AFmKdb.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...909/yKlEAG.jpg

That is all for now!!!

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

Nice job on the truck! What color is it?

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

the reflection in that bed wood is mesmerizing… so very nice buddy.

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

Thanks a lot!
The colors are 2011 Corvette Jetstream Blue, and Mercedes Iridium Silver.
...They were current colors when I picked them. LOL!

Thanks bud!
Narrowing down my list of things to do!
Hint, hint! LOL!!!!!

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

Ahhhh, thanks for the motor pics. lol :smoke:
Too bad about the brake line getting the wrong end of a grinder but with you got it all fixed up quick like.
Im about ready to hop a jet and put your hood on.
Looks good, next a vid?

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

I thought that you would enjoy those pics!!!
I wish that you would hop a jet to come over to help me put the hood on!
I can't do it alone!...Fact is, i don't want to be wrestling around it and the hood latch while adding A/C, and I do not want to do it twice.

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

During the past week I managed to get the bed wood all situated...What a PITA!
I had to counterbore some if the nuts from the back-side to keep from hitting the frame, but it is all good now...
Today I finished-up my sound-deadener so that I will be ready for the carpet & seat!!!
The carpet is ordered (from stockinteriors.com) and the seat is being upholstered currently.
CANNOT WAIT TO SEE IT ALL TOGETHER.........Clem?...LOL!!!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/gCHFmO.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/3q0HXf.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/04SB9x.jpg

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

wow, looks like a real pro job. How much material did it take?

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

That looks awesome!

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

Absolutely awesome work Modges !!
All the envy is mine.

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

Beautiful job man!

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

Nice job. :metal::metal::metal::metal:

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

Thanks a lot!
It took all of my patience to make something that will never be seen look good!
Kinda stupid really. LOL!

Thanks man!

Murph!
Is this one of your random posts, or are you back?
Regardless, thank you dude!!!

it may sound insincere, but thanks for the comment!!!

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

Hey guys!
I have been slackin on updates so here are a few...
I received the material samples for my seat, so I matched them to carpet samples that I had already acquired, and ordered my carpet...(I can't wait to see the seat)
My carpet arrived, so I started the install...(did I mention that I can't wait to see the seat?)
I will be ordering some additional carpet & floor-mats to finish-up all of the visible areas, but this is what it looks like so far.

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

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

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...908/1XaeK3.jpg

Did I say that I can't wait to see the seat????...Clem? Are you there? LOL!

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

Very cool. I truly appreciate a show truck. It takes so much dedication to complete a build to the level you have. Congratulations! :clap:

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

How many sq feet of sound deadner did you use?

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

Where did you source the carpet from? Looks awesome!