Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

At this point I have reinstalled the cab on the frame. Here is the reason for cutting up the dash. This is a dash made by Bitc--n for a 48 Chevy car. I will modify it to fit my dash area, and make fill in pieces.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

The new dash is shorter that the pickup dash. I cut out everything, but the remaining end pieces that connect to the A pillar. I also cut the dash just under where the garnish molding goes (the blue piece). You can see where I welded in the new piece.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here I have made a piece to extend the round part out to the edge of original dash.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

This view shows the original dash on the ends with new upper piece and the angle iron installed. I had already installed the AC unit (Vintage Air), and also the wiper motor (Newport) before installing the center section.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here the center section is installed with column, and a general layout of where I want the gauges.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

This view shows how I finished up installing small pieces to blend the two, together. The piece below dash is another piece from Bitc--n for my AC duct.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

My new Classic Instrument gauges.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Holes cut for gauges, lower panel for AC duct and switches, and cover for the column.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Got the brake pedal hole cut and pedal installed.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Filled in the old gas filler on body.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Installed a third brake light in back of cab (light from Ron Francis).

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Well I just covered about 2 months of work, hope you enjoyed. I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter Holiday. Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Since I know I have all the right tools in my shop, I think you should just load up that pickup and bring it to me.;);):devil:

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Just kiddin Jim, I can only hope mine turns out as good as yours. But don't offer that to many times I may take you up on it.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

very nice work so far! Like all the smoothing you did!

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks for the kind words.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I was looking at *****in products and noticed they have two floor kits, one stock and the other for their firewall kit. Which one did you use? That dash is exactly what I have wanted to install in my truck and had almost given up on the idea until I saw yours. I've got to have one. Don

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Nice build: need any rain?:lol:

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Don, I used the one for the stock firewall. Part #751002 (at that time). The dash part #742120 and the lower panel part #371041. Bitc--n was going to make one for the 47-53 pickups, but I never saw it. I just decided to make the one for car work. If I can help with more info, let me know. Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

What's rain????? Oh, that wet stuff, no thanks. :lol:

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks Jim. Look forward to seeing more updates.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Well, since our Easter plans have changed, it will give me time to post some more pics. I had ordered a headlight kit from Hagan, it arrived and I decided to install it right away.

I cut the original lip down it the fender, as per instructions.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Made sure to have the correct bucket for each side.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Not a very good picture, but all welded in and the coverput in place. Outer part of bucket lined up real nice with the fender. Real simply install. A little filler work and it will be good to go.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Welded up the center of hood, and all the old holes for emblems.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I had removed all the hinges and installed all new pins and bushings. Reinstalled the doors in place to check for fit. Made a difference in not sagging, doors also closed better.

As a side note: A trick I learned a long time ago, is to drill a 1/8" hole thru the hinge and body panel, tap the hole for a #8 or #10/32 machine screw and install it. Now each time you reinstall the door, install the main bolts (to hold door up) align this small hole with the screw, then tighten the main bolts. Door will be in the same position each and everytime.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Showing the installation of the Lokar shifter. (can't remember, but I think its the 6" arm) The white tape is what I wanted for angle of my console.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 This is my first design, and just set in place.

Pic 2 After checking things out, I liked what I had, so I added additional pieces to hold shape. The machine screws on the side will attach to brackets welded to the floor.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

These are the angle brackets, that the console will attach too. They have also been drilled and tapped for side screws to attach.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 This is the front cover I bent to match the console, and cut hole for the shifter.

Pic 2 The back view shows that this will sit down inside the wood piece. The angle brackets have been drilled and tapped for machine screws.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Everything set in place. I will come back later to add radio, power window buttons and AC controls.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Need to take a short break, back in a few to post more pics.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

OK, I'm back, full belly and all. Since I now have a digital camera I went to take a couple pics of my hinges, so you can see the screws I was talking about.

Pic 1 is the bottom hinge
Pic 2 is the top hinge (here you can also see the finish work on the dash)

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Back on the pickup body. I have cut off the windshield header, and will cut off the 3" taped area for my chop.

Pic 2 Top piece that was removed.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I decided to make a cut thru the A pillar to just as it got to the body line (where stock windshield rubber goes). This allowed me to bend in the A pillar to align with the top piece. This way I was still able to maintain a nice round curve for the glass (part that's welded). Here I've clamped the top piece in place.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here my two pieces have been welded together and ground down, not to bad. Will do additional body work later. (Wanted to add, I welded small tabs inside the post and rosebud welded both sides and the back)

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here you can see the center strip in the windshield area, being held with a clamp.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I knew I wanted to remove the rectangular turn lights from the grill, so I ordered these from Watson's StreetWorks. I liked them being frenched and round to go with the headlights.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here it is welded in place in the fender.