Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

still a bargain for the new windshield, and I will tell you why.

first, the original connectors were rust stuck in place, so badly that I had to cut all my fresh welds right down the center to get the pieces out

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4663/...f5d49cd7_b.jpgIMG_8199 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/...053024e7_b.jpgIMG_8205 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4655/...3a3d1ce1_b.jpgIMG_8203 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

second, the butyl tape that came on the glass is way to thick, barring some magic I think tomorrow I am going to pick up some glass urethane and some shims and just put it in myself. my reasoning is, yes it makes future glass changes a pain but it will seal all the pinholes I am sure exist in the channel.


oh and I got the seat! rest assured it looks a lot better than this washed out picture. I wish the diamonds were puffier but I didnt specify when I dropped off, so my fault there.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4632/...9c8b8002_b.jpgIMG_8201 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

Seat looks good.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

I dig the seat!

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

Seat looks like a winner to me! I like the notch in the center for the shifter :)

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

thanks! the notch is where a cupholder goes, I am deciding if I want to put it back in (it had to be removed to recover the seat)

finished the windshield. thats all I have to say about that.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4712/...097f5dc9_c.jpgIMG_8259 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

still have to put the outer seal on but that will be super easy comparatively.

fixed the torn section of the firewall where the cowl rods attach, havent sanded it yet need to check it

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4609/...d4bc35e5_b.jpgIMG_8258 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

also welded up the last of the floor inside where it was just tacked.

time for steering, since the steering hole is over the valve cover I need a heim bearing.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4760/...7b5ac85f_b.jpgIMG_8260 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4711/...eebff402_b.jpgIMG_8261 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


have to decide where the double joint will go, top shaft or bottom. probably top.


I got a new car last week, was browsing craigslist new ads (does everyone do that? push enter on a blank search bar and it shows you new ads as they are listed) and I was literally the first to call within a minute of it listing. I have been looking for something nostalgic to drive, the saturn is nice but not really me, so I thought of maybe a nice 3rd gen camaro or even an older BMW.

I cant believe my luck though, its what aficionados call an M3/4/5, a 4dr, 5spd manual M3. only two years production and there were a lot more automatics made than manuals. It runs perfectly and the interior is mint. it needs the hood repainted (clear is peeling) but considering its 21 years old, its just my thing. I have been taking long drives in it, its addictive. 240hp doesnt sound like a lot but it is a 3200 lb car.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4669/...c70a1c6f_b.jpgIMG_8237 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4617/...e6718d85_b.jpgIMG_8240 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

My vote would still be for the 3rd gen, but I'm biased!

BMW looks clean.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

yeah I like the 3rd gens too but I owned a bunch of old BMWs back before all the hipsters started stancing them. this might be my perfect car.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

I got the steering column in and its a half inch inboard like I thought it would be, but its not really noticeable. I have to say, man, planning is nice but some things just work on dumb luck. the end of the column points right at the firewall opening, and moving the mounts in gave just enough room at the seat. the pedals are in exactly the right spot, the seat is in the right spot so even a jabba like me fits perfect. (the wrinkle on the corner is from being stored on its side, it will relax)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4764/...0379049e_b.jpg53903435651__00F3FF95-B2F2-4A50-83B6-5E7D8B59F402 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4767/...a1b694ef_b.jpgIMG_8262 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4708/...311539a4_b.jpgIMG_8272 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4659/...5d004233_b.jpgIMG_8271 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

popped the new steering wheel on for a look see, gives another two inches in the lap.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4745/...3f4a460b_b.jpgIMG_8275 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4761/...f080cec1_b.jpgIMG_8274 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

tomorrow I will sand the dash and paint it again, the first paint was just a quick shot to see the dings and dents. then its ready for the HVAC and wiring.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

When do you start the build thread to make it a convertible on an S10 frame with a cummins diesel? Just kidding :lol:

Would make a good forum thread...what do you drive when you can't drive the truck? I can appreciate the budget daily driver. Groceries don't care how you got them home ;)

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

I have the saturn for mpg and groceries! :lol: this is the extra, I will fix the paint on the hood and it will be the nice day fun drive car. maybe after a while even a track car but if values keep climbing, maybe not.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

lots going on, seems like every weekend. I was sick for a week, then suz was sick a week, it all adds up. not complaining, I will be honest I am enjoying taking drives in the M3 lately.

anyway, taking care of some work I had been putting off. I buttoned up the front end, shocks, cotter pins, calipers, pads. I mentioned way back that the guy had replaced the upper control arms (complete) and lower balljoints but didnt put cotter pins in. well it turns out he didnt take the old ones out. I didnt know it was possible but he got the castle nuts off without taking the cotter pins out, so they were jammed in the holes. it only took a couple hours to get them out. ridiculous. no pictures, but the front is done.

painted the artilleries, was on the fence between cream and black and I think black fits the fallen angel better.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4721/...7214bc94_b.jpgIMG_8348-1 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4761/...46480038_b.jpgIMG_8353 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I got "chevrolet" script decals for the smoothie caps, they should look great.


got the shortbed tacked. those $6 butt weld clamps work great, I highly recommend.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4741/...73b179ca_b.jpgIMG_8354 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4741/...a634aed5_b.jpgIMG_8355 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

the tailgate is giving me a quandry, I am thinking of leaving it as-is, but I will probably just cut off the rusted top (its upside down in the picture) and weld on some muffler pipe as a repair.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/...96628ab3_b.jpgIMG_8356 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I also got the seat mount lined out and the floor seam sealed. next is battery and wiring.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

your moving right along...i used those panel clamps on my bed shortening job and they worked great...except where I had my gap pulled together to tight and had trouble gettin it outta the gap after i tacked it up...wound up breaking 2...but they did the job...

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

We've had that garbage floating around our house too. Glad to see you making progress. I've been focusing on turning the FX2 into "my" DD. Need to get back in the bed of the '49 and button that project up.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

I keep seeing that GMC up by you and wanting to call, but need to finish this one before I worry about anything else.

so in that same vein.... hahahahahaha. I always start looking for a new donor truck when there is about a month to go, that way I can rest a second and start tearing up again. I saw an ad on craigslist for an 03 longbed and figured what the heck, right? I love the 03 as a donor because its got the LU3 engine (best series of the 4.3) and the 0411 PCM (fastest PCM of the era, best program too). the ad said collision damage, and I sure dont care about that. It also said it ran really good but that wasnt true, we got it to start, it had been sitting about 6 months, but if you tried to give it any gas it backfired immediately. he said he thought it was the cat and had cut it off, but I knew it had nothing to do with the cat. Here is the idle video, it idled so smoothly, but you couldnt even give it a gentle prod on the gas.

click to play
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4752/...e47bd508_z.jpgIMG_8249 (1) by Joe Doh, on Flickr

It was about 14 degrees so I told him I would come back with a cap and rotor when it warmed up, if it was still available. today was really nice, in the high 40s, so I called, the truck was still there. I dug around the shop and found a new cap, but no rotor, so I grabbed some sandpaper and figured I could clean the rotor up enough with the new cap.

hubris, friends. hubris. I took the cap loose and this is what I found.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4618/...35e46ba8_b.jpgIMG_8264 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

so I had to run from BFE to the nearest parts store which was actually right around the corner for a 9 dollar rotor. It worked. perfect running, well almost. the trans was a little sticky which I attributed to sitting and if the truck were a hip hop artist its name would be MC Loudas****. but other than that, I made an offer, he took it, and threw in the toolboxes and an extra set of swirlies. woop woop.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4664/...6338c15a_b.jpgIMG_8265 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4709/...3417d2d5_b.jpgIMG_8266 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


he was super nice, I was happy with the deal and I think he was too, especially since it ran really well again, seemed like that made a difference for him.

I have some work done on Hannah too but I am on a different computer getting some interior light pictures for another board member, so I will probably update Hannah tomorrow.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

Wow, lining up the next one already!

Rotor had seen better days. Amazing it started. Nice diagnostics too...reminds us to check basics.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

Definitely got all the good out of that one! It's amazing to me how some routine maintenance items get completely overlooked.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

tires mounted, look great!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4664/...597dc43a_b.jpgIMG_8359 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4719/...a366bfc3_b.jpg54051522560__6562BCC7-5DA9-4CC3-8C61-AD082E0ACDA9 by Joe Doh, on Flickr



steering done too, well except a squirt of paint. I had another doofy moment, when I looked up how to use a support bearing it had a parts list and on the list was a double u joint, sort of like a double carden joint, so I ordered it from borgeson. I installed it all and cut the DD shaft to fit, and the side with the double joint wallered around like a broken leg. I thought, oh! I have the double joint on the wrong side of the support bearing, I will just switch it to the othe...

wait a minute. the double joint was the problem. I would have needed a second support bearing on the second shaft. so I ordered a single joint and everything works like it should. reading later, the double joint is for when you need more than 35 degrees of angle on the shaft, which I dont.

all the shafts are drilled for the set screws and its done.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4609/...b54e8470_b.jpgIMG_8270 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I even used the factory rubber firewall seal for the shaft,, neat way to close it out.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4799/...7954bf9c_b.jpgIMG_8276 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

then I got the eastwood tubing bender and the factory power steering line yielded to my ministrations. it was upside down and bent the wrong direction, but this worked out perfect. waste not want not. need to get the return hose from the parts store, the original is a bit short.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4754/...a7e5dc0b_b.jpg54145728266__400BBF19-0389-4013-B255-AC5F8D9D3E4F by Joe Doh, on Flickr


today I finished the dash too. shaved the light switch hole and fixed a little damage. its not perfect but the only flaws are only visible because its so black and shiny. I was pretty floored how nice this came out for a rattle job. it will match the steering wheel perfectly.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4670/...ed0297e0_b.jpgIMG_8294 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

Nice progress compadre!

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

Dash looks good.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

thanks! I may cut and buff it haha

the battery tray I had in the back yard was trash, it would have taken more work to fix than to just make a new one. so I made a new one.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4628/...3dc519e2_b.jpgIMG_8306 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

fits!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4795/...906741e7_b.jpgIMG_8307 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

you can still add oil, albeit after pulling the battery, but that will be easy enough.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4759/...f8ed3e26_b.jpgIMG_8309 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

in a perfect world I would put the battery somewhere else but this will work.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

I really like reading the different build threads. You really can pick up lots of little tips. Your truck is looking awesome, saw the pic from when you bought it.. you've come a long way. Did the farmer have a title for this thing?

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

no, but the affidavit coupled with old registration made it not a big deal to get one. I do registration before building in case there are any difficulties. you have to do your homework!

here she is as a well/boom truck, front end in the shed.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4494/...95fac69b_b.jpg

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

I flipped the valve covers side to side and that worked ok till I put the air cleaner on. I cut the air cleaner snorkel (and stove pipe valve to fit and maybe I will just put on a nice shiny one.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/...ce95c02d_b.jpgIMG_8334 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4708/...96db0675_b.jpgIMG_8335 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

bolted the battery box in and fixed all the plug wires (they had come off whilst cherry picking. hooked up everything on the firewall and bobs your uncle.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/...7dbbafda_b.jpgIMG_8336 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

trial fit of the pedals, with my wife as a helper. seat is permanent now, slides back and forth like a champ

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4658/...3498e999_b.jpgIMG_8323 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4799/...229ea8b6_b.jpgIMG_8322 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

waste not want not. flipped the section of the floor with the shifter hole with some creative measuring.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4621/...a293ffcc_b.jpgIMG_8337 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4785/...3e7118af_b.jpgIMG_8338-1 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4652/...130f80da_b.jpgIMG_8340 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

gas pedal needed some wrangling (re-angling)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4742/...893105ff_b.jpgIMG_8339 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

more to come!

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

got the floor lined out and some of it actually bolted in. I had to be careful of the fuel lines but a little precision sledgehammering (isnt that a bit like saying bulldozer gardening?) and it gave me the 1/4" and the inch buffer I was looking for.

you know how great that shifter hole worked out? the factory S10 foam around the shift tower fits! go figure!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4652/...30e68a16_b.jpgIMG_8358-1 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

and another shot with the gas pedal hooked up to the TBI, with just enough room under it for the jute and the carpet! woop woop!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4610/...f5f2be69_b.jpgIMG_8360 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

here is the shot that was missing yesterday, musta missed a dot comma. today you can see the core support rods are installed and tight though

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4742/...e190734d_b.jpgIMG_8362 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I used a highly scientific method of determining if the cab was square on the chassis and then to see if the support rods were centered.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4608/...fae68a2e_b.jpgIMG_8359 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


more hammering got the windshield hinges loose, I have been soaking them for a couple weeks now.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4786/...d5a72ac1_b.jpgIMG_8363 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

here is another ironic problem. I only had 14 ET bulge seat lug nuts on the shelf, I like using the ET for the extra thread length when bolting on spacers. I have the 2.5 spacers here now and the 1" for the front will be here in the morning, so I ordered some more ET nuts so they would all be here at the same time. but with a plan for installing the artillery wheels tomorrow (I need to get the current wheelset on that 03 I just got, its tires are terrible swimmers and cant hold their breath very long) I thought I would put the 2.5 rear spacers on tonight.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4781/...137a6849_b.jpgIMG_8364 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

welp. crud. part of me wants to drill out the holes so the ET set fits, but I also have some tall thread open nuts and the other part of me says people install these all the time without ET nuts. I guess I will decide in the morning.

on another note, its been almost 2 months since our 21 year old cat wandered off presumably into the sunset but more likely into a foxes maw. we said we would wait a while to get another cat but our good friends momma cat had another litter and there is a pair that stick together, a slinky black one with serious claws and an orange tabby just like our old guy. we visited a couple times to gauge the temperament, and it will be a few weeks before they could go anywhere anyway, but I think my wife made up her mind.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4622/...f7c44015_b.jpgIMG_7582 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

thats the old cat tree from the last kitten we had, my daughters cat that moved when she did.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

That was some good problem solving with the transmission shifter hole reversal. Moving right along.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

thanks doug!

finished up the floor panels today, patched the holes and gave a coat of undercoat. I want these to be removable because its a standard trans and if it ever needs a clutch it can be done from the top.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4785/...7c7a6355_b.jpgIMG_8411 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4796/...620d72bf_b.jpgIMG_8414 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

while I was in there I took care of something else that was bugging me, I had measured from the front cab mounts to the frame and it was a perfect 4", but the drivers side looked a bit low when standing in front. I had already taken care of the s10 lean, so with the floor out and able to measure to the floor from the front window corners, I instead found the drivers side was indeed low 1/4". since the "hay was in the barn", the mounts burned in and done, I made a simple spacer of two pieces of 18th using my circle guides, and it was done. installed it and measured again, but the measurement wasnt as satisfying as standing in front and seeing the cab level finally. these things were hand built after all, some variation to be expected.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4802/...9ea55e9d_b.jpgIMG_8416 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4796/...2a4bf6aa_b.jpgIMG_8417 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


painted the air cleaner

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4785/...2b3f72ea_b.jpgIMG_8421 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

finished welding everything I could reach on the bed and flipped it over.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4793/...28b4759d_b.jpgIMG_8423 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4788/...9f023e83_b.jpgIMG_8420 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

those little clamps from cardboard freight worked perfectly.


I did more, but of little consequence, moving battery cables and painting the bare steel parts under the hood, finished the rad mount. I will show more tomorrow.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

Looking good! I need to get a set of those guides for my plasma.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

they are awesome as long as you can get smooth with them. I got mine from 911 motorsports on ebay. I think they would work better a little thicker, I drug right off the one I use all the time and had to make a new one out of some 1/8th. maybe I will tack a few washers to the bottom, I think an air gap would work perfect because slag from the pierce always ends up stuck to the guide

I thought I took more pictures today but I didnt. I got everything tucked and taped and out of the way for the front end install, brake lines clipped and even found some bare wires that had been rubbing and fixed them. The negative battery cable did not reach the battery box but I just pulled the bolt and star washer from where it mounted the cable low on the block and moved it up to an empty hole in the head. waste not want not!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4781/...252a5330_z.jpgIMG_8425 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


then I fixed the rusted portions of the cab that would be under the fenders and would let water pour into the interior if left unfixed. nothing fancy, just some sheetmetal and screws that tie the repair to the strength of the body mount area. finished up with a liberal coat of some undercoating to seal inside and out. then came time to put the front end on.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4772/...a20de387_b.jpgIMG_8433 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4795/...d12459c6_b.jpgIMG_8436 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4782/...47f3d005_b.jpgIMG_8434 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


I know it looks like tons of room for a mechanical fan, but it would have cut the lower rad hose in half so I am using an electric.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4784/...4e440a75_b.jpgIMG_8435 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I ordered an upper rad hose doohickey that lets me install a temp probe after seeing guys talking about on on the main forum. I was down to make my own but I didnt have any stainless, didnt have any way to swedge the ends, and dont have any stainless wire for the welder anyway. it was 9 bucks, comes tapped for a 1/8NPT, I hope the project gods will forgive me not making one of my own.


I hoped to have the front clip DONE today but it will have to take an extra day because I didnt clearance for the steering box when I was bumping the air director with my 5lb persuader. so the front has to come off briefly again in the morning.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

awsome work ,

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

Starting to look like a pickup again!

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

I got the front end off this morning and tapped around on the air director. I didnt want to cut it up like I did on fenix so I mounted the cab 1" higher and used a mallet to reshape the area without cutting it.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/817/2...bfa019b8_b.jpgIMG_8456 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

after doing that, the front end almost fell into the right position. no issues at all, everything lined up perfectly.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/811/4...cfe2c181_z.jpgIMG_8455-1 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4784/...76cb5782_b.jpgIMG_8453-1 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4784/...16844a8e_b.jpgIMG_8454-1 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

yes I need to drill out the broken bolts, not a priority yet. the front clip is lined up left to right correctly, and the drivers side headlight is 3/8" higher than the passenger side, wonder what that is from? oh right, the cab spacer haha.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/802/4...e049416f_b.jpgIMG_8457 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

pardon my vice grip mount for the core support, and the electrical tape rad mount. just trial fitting. worked out great.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/810/2...198b22ba_b.jpgIMG_8458 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4779/...928b69b2_b.jpgIMG_8459 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/816/4...74dd799b_b.jpgIMG_8460 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/807/2...86853a83_b.jpgIMG_8461 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


remember that I have a complete grille to replace this one, although I am partial to the look of this one and maybe I will just put it back together, I have the spare parts needed.

more to come! eating a late lunch.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

front clip is mounted permanently, I had a return fitting on the steering box causing the return line to have a slight kink in it. normally a little bit of kink is just enough but I am not dating the truck. it was after 4 on friday so the hyspeco was closed and ordering a fitting would have taken till tuesday at least, so I cut it with a hack saw and gave it about 45 degrees. it doesnt leak, and with the return hose on it looks great.

I used an old trick to mount the front clip with screws so I could accurately drill the mounts and it was rock solid with just tacks and the screw. once I got the bolts in it was great.

bled the brakes. old cardboard freight bleeder still kicking it.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4788/...d91296a9_b.jpgIMG_8725 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


I want the filler to be easier than it has been, normally I tuck it right up against the bed side but without some kind of slip fitting its really hard to install especially when the fenders and running boards are installed. I decided I would make an oblong hole in the bed side and let it poke through naturally, easy enough to get in the right spot on the bed side and seal it with a grommet. I eyeballed it and cut and welded it... before I noticed the bed floor had shifted probably when I was bleeding the brakes. well, I already knew how to do it the first time right?

pretty, but two inches too long
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/816/4...9bbb992b_b.jpgIMG_8723 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/791/4...145c57b6_b.jpgIMG_8724 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

mucho bueno

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4774/...e890b240_b.jpgIMG_8726 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


incidentally, I thought I would show how I kept the gas fumes away from my exuberant grinding and welding. I stuffed paper towels in the tank tube and then thought, sheesh thats not very safe either, I just made a fuse. so the paper towels sealed the fumes and the shifter boot protected the towels.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/4...3907a7a4_b.jpgIMG_8722 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I ordered the correct front spacers but need the truck on the ground, so tomorrow I will mount the running boards and the bed. I am alomost out of welding gas though, so maybe a field trip.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

The comment in first paragraph gave me a good chuckle! Needed that.

Gas fumes? Back seat driving here... there is gas in the tank?

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

looking good....
I learned my lesson the hard way on gas ...I had 5gal blow up in my face once..something I wouldn't wish on anybody....
so now any welding I do on a truck the gas tank is pulled and taken outta the shop...

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

there is gas in the tank, I keep the fluid systems of the donor sealed and complete as possible. brakes, coolant, transmission fluid. When I do the filler neck (or move the engine back) is the only time the fuel system is open to air.


gas fumes are heavier than air, they "pool" and crawl along the concrete. this is why an open container of gas is the best deterrent to spiders because they suffocate in the fumes.

I had both garage doors open, a carpet fan making positive pressure through the basement door, a sealed fan blowing on the floor out the garage doors (this also vented the bad fumes from the galvanized filler neck), the vent line clamped, and the tank fill neck plugged with paper towels and then covered against an accidental spark. I am only in a 20x20 and would have pushed the truck out for the work but the wheels are off in front. it was a risk for sure, but a calculated risk.

if I ever have the system open for any length of time the tank goes outside and gets rinsed. fumes are more dangerous than the liquid!

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

now comes the times when I need more hands. without any forethought at all, I had all daughters. not only do they abhor giving any help on rusty trucks but they also stopped bringing their boyfriends around because they disappear into the garage with me at the first ring of a hammer on steel, like catholics to a church bell, slavering to grind and weld and just talk shop. sometimes the boyfriends still come around as just regular guys, one guy I consider a true son-in-law makes the 60 mile trek to help when he can, without any promise beyond a hot sandwich and a cold pop. I am almost a complete teetotaler lately, a man can have only so many vices and I already have a wife and a truck.

so I do the running boards and bed installs with my adopted sons (floor jacks). everything lined up really well but 77 years had taken their toll on the running board mounts.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/4...18dbd83b_b.jpgIMG_8729 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4794/...a3ae544b_b.jpgIMG_8730 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/799/2...bb786947_b.jpgIMG_8732 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4771/...2b1aaf79_b.jpgIMG_8733 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


those holes are where the mounts you cant see are. I whipped up some 1x2 mounts and tacked the bolts in the right spot.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/819/4...d7c52da3_b.jpg54327441893__4B93E526-95F8-4F60-BDE8-28F8B4C58861 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

then it was a simple matter of trimming the factory running board mounts (that I thoughtfully chopped off the old frame) and welding them to the frame. I had to make sure to get the bed aprons in the right spot and level, on the last truck I put the bed on first and it was a nightmare trying to get the running boards to line up with the cab and the bed. this should be easier. at the current depth I will only lose a 1/2 inch out of the bed depth

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4786/...2137a8ed_b.jpgIMG_8736 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I got the drivers side done and bolted. I took a break between sides and drilled out the bulb holders on the clearance lights. The s10 harness has a 10w slave corner light bulb that only lights when the parking lights are on and flashes opposite the turn signal bulb, I figure that will be just the right look on the roof.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4778/...1bd03dde_b.jpgIMG_8516 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

on the last truck 2" spacers were too much on the front, but I found the set I had on the shelf and tried em out, knowing the wheels had different backspacing and the tires were a tiny bit narrower (215 instead of 225). whaddaya know, they fit. you can see I jacked the wheel up to check the clearance.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4780/...03dccc8f_b.jpgIMG_8739 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4785/...1e8a8ce7_b.jpgIMG_8740 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4781/...fae1200d_b.jpgIMG_8741 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

its spring break so my youngest is home all week but I am still managing to get things done in fits and spurts between chasing her around the house like a dinosaur and backyard swing sessions. I have been considering my next project and I think I will go boring with just a 49 GMC 100 shortbed and save the neat new idea I have been hinting about for the fall build schedule.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

There is nothing boring about a '49 GMC....:lol:

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

ha! dont misunderstand. I am a little disappointed in myself and maybe lashing out, I have everything except a drivers door here to make a 49 shortbed, a pretty nice one actually, the floor isnt gone like most and the bed is super nice too. I would need a lot of parts I dont already have to pull off my new idea and I am being a big old wuss, which isnt really like me. :lol:

but I also want to have the shop up this summer, and some other stuff too like visiting the oldest girl in phoenix.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

I've got a sister in Mesa, don't visit in the summer! My nephew knows all the good car spots, and where to dig. He also has ties to a good desert salvage yard.

Re: 1941 1/2 ton project Hannah
 

no joke! my wife lived there a few years before we were married and I have been there for work a lot. when you cant swim because the pool is too hot, its too hot.

we were thinking around thanksgiving maybe.