Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Wonder what they actually cost to produce.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Must not have been very much considering the retail pricing!

Another nothing much of a project over the last few days. I’ve never been much of a fan of the color red, and I’ve been getting pretty sick of so much in the cab:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/908/K5E7nc.jpg

I realized not many of the red items matched in color. The first thing to go was the metalflake plastic toggle switch extension on the exhaust switch. It may be replaced with a chrome version.

I haven’t really liked the shift knob all that much either as the red is too dark minimizing the metalflake, and the flake in the red is gold, which I also don’t care for all that much. Studying the red versus blue knob (with silver glitter) I realized how much prettier the blue knob appears (to me at least). (Possible correction - according to my wife - who isn't color blind - she thinks the glitter in both knobs is silver, and the red color of the knob makes is appear gold).

So the blue 4 speed knob went back in. If I can find another way to display the shift pattern, I’ll go back to the original non marked blue metalflake shift ball as it is more attractive yet having a higher content of evenly embedded glitter.

Next up was the glovebox emblem. The red paint was applied by brush as the masking seemed just too much work at the time. It came out nice, but always looked like a fender emblem to me because of the color.

After several scrubbings with wax and grease remover, followed by more cleanings with alcohol, I spent nearly 3 hours masking it off for spray paint. I gave it a dusting coat of Rustoleum Gloss Black Enamel, followed by 3 more heavy flow coats. The part was leveled and left to cook under the heat lamps for a few hours.

After de-masking and tape goo cleanup, the part turned out perfectly. From dead on it almost appears like a laser cut piece instead of a fender emblem:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/FtYINc.jpg

Here’s what has been accomplished so far:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/674/ak9nOu.jpg

I may replace the red steering wheel with a blue metalflake version, or go back to the black Mooneyes wheel I already have. The toggle switch safety covers may be swapped out for black or chrome items or I may just leave them red, being pretty much the standard color for safety covers. The last two pictures aren’t all that good, but it’s 15 degrees outside and 40 in the garage so I’m not all that enthusiastic about working harder on better shots at the moment!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Diggin' the changes… :metal:

73 yesterday, 40 in my shed today and 36 outside (where my project sits) so I put in an hour or so beginning the bent frame disassembly...:mm:

I vote for the blue steering wheel, due to the blue shift knob… just my $.02 worth...;)

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Glove box emblem looks 100% better, when you warm up would like to see a close up of the blue as I might need one.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Backed the truck out today and snapped a few more shots. Nothing very good as it was just starting to snow. I should have played around with the lens filters, but standing outside in 22 degree temperatures doesn’t inspire me to waste much time on the quality of my photography.

Here’s one showing the new beauty rings on the wheels mounting the snow tires. Had I taken it somewhere else with a clean background the shot would have looked pretty decent:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/UFNVvA.jpg

Not being able to sleep last night, I got up about 4 am and swapped in the black Mooneyes wheel. It feels more like my truck again, getting back to baseline with the black wheel and emblem, and the blue shift knob:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/Iwpi9F.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/911/ozEPnS.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/674/HAHpnY.jpg

I wrapped the red shift knob in a nice thick sock and placed it in the original Mooneyes box along with the red wheel. If I ever end up with something else and the wife gets the truck, the red parts will be going back in for sure!

Fyi I buy my knobs direct from Epco: http://www.epcoshiftknobs.com/ This way I avoid any dealer mark up and can have the exact size insert I want at no extra charge. Also there are several decent shots of the blue knob on pages 1 & 2 of this build thread.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

man the small changes to the interior is like watching a masterpiece get retouched.


not to gush but I like your driving videos and I am definitely a fan of the rallies.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

:agree:, :agree:, and :agree:
Could not have said it better, this version of awesome is... awesome

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the comments guys!

Okay here’s the last minor update to the interior for now. I previously had a red metalflake plastic extension on the toggle switch for the exhaust cutouts. It makes the switch easier to identify in the dark, and the extra leverage provides more precise control over the opening and closing cycle of the motors. The red plastic version never fit very well, and the color only came close to matching the red shift knob. So when the knob went so did the toggle extension.

A few days ago I picked up a chrome plated aluminum extension with a blue jewel on the end. It arrived today and attaches with a set screw that seems much more secure. I also like how it looks. Until something else strikes my fancy, I’m done making changes to the interior for now:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/b36Cxb.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/PnJHg8.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/q7oBMG.jpg

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

outadepark...

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

x2!:mm:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Nice!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Kind of a gray rainy day today, that turned out to be a lot of fun. My oldest son treated me to a day at the indoor shooting range, so we took the truck out for a nice drive there and back. First time I've fired guns in about 11 years. Between the two of us we had 3x 9 mm's, 1x 45 acp, 1x 357 magnum, and a 22 auto. What a blast! Now if I can only get the gunpowder smell out of me and my clothes!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

super fun day / son/ truck ride / thing that go boom

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

:agree::metal:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

now that is a cool way to spend the day

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

MAN !!!!!

I do miss Africa !!

I used to like shooting my Vektor SP1 randomly on the range or on the farm.

Little beats a good day of shooting (And I am not even good at it.)

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

That's how I felt when we lived in Idaho. Living in a snow belt the winters weren't much fun, but with 11 acres of privacy there were numerous places to shoot, including right off the back porch. I did a lot more of it when it was so convenient.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Well I’m jumping into another feasibility study. This time dealing with the parking brake lever. Other than for nostalgia, I’ve never been a big fan of the stock hand brake in the truck. I’m even less happy with it since the addition of the deep tufted side panels, which required chopping off an inch or two from the end of the lever to keep from damaging the upholstery.

Back in 1969 Vietnam however, I became a fan of the hand brake used in virtually every military vehicle I can remember encountering. M38 Jeeps, M151 Fords, and military issue Jeep Wagoneer trucks all had them. Until recently I never knew anything about the history or production of the device, I just liked it because there was no release button, and parking brake cable tension could be adjusted while sitting in the cab by turning the handle cap. I thought it was such a clever design I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t standard in every domestic vehicle.

Here’s a bit of history on how it came into existence:

http://orschelnproducts.com/history-2/

In doing further research, I discovered it was also used in Dodge trucks for a number of years. Here’s one example. Although it appears functional, I certainly don’t care for the mounting angle:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/901/m5D5ED.jpg

Currently there are dozens of versions available on Ebay and various military surplus sites.

This design looks promising:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/Ao3uRB.jpg

So I’ll be doing some measuring to determine which model is easiest to adapt. I want it to mount in the factory orientation pointing left when released, and in alignment with the steering column when under tension. If I can make this work, and once fitted and all the details are worked out, I’ll either paint the mechanism high gloss black or go ahead and have it chromed to draw attention to it as a special feature.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

They came in mail trucks too.
They work great mounted on the floor pulling up too.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the tip. I also just discovered that GM used them in step vans as well!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Never one to waste time once I’ve made a decision, I ordered a new parking brake handle tonight. It looks nearly identical to the one used in the Dodge trucks and is designed for a GM step van:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/Sv3dEa.jpg

$37.93 brand new from Mill Supply:

https://www.millsupply.com/workhorse...36275&cs=1+133

After sizing the photo to known dimensions, it appears the handle is roughly 9.75” long, and the mounting portion is about 7.25” long. If I’m as clever as I think I am, I’m pretty sure I can install it close enough to the original mounting plate to fit the clevis in place with little modification. I might even be able to mount it a bit closer to the driver, which would be great for my lower back.

I guess we’ll see what happens when it arrives in 4-5 days.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

At my first duty station, my first assignment was the Lube Rack...:uhmk:
I was constantly seeing these levers on the Dodge trucks as well as the Step Vans...:mm:
Will be watching your adaptation...:metal:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

that is cool mark

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

definitely interesting

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

I use my OE e-brake handle for a foot rest on long drives, works good for me.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Hey Mark, I was trolling around ebay and happened upon these. Since you are interested in the "aviation" look I thought of you when I saw these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Gau...r#ht_354wt_705
Apparently there are several sizes and a couple of styles available.
By the way, I like the parking brake idea.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

I wish I had read your thread earlier, could hav saved you $30.
http://store.colemans.com/cart/emerg...dle-p-721.html

they have great prices on 3:08 gear rear axles also.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for all the comments guys.

I actually talked to my son about machining a set of those bomber bezels so I could actually install and remove the gauges from the front. He agreed to build them, but I didn’t think they’d look very authentic with chrome rimmed hot rod style gauges so the project was abandoned.

Thanks for the tip Blue666(2). I’d actually seen those and considered buying one but they have a $14.95 minimum order fee. I put 3 of them in the cart, and still had to find something else worth more than 5 cents! Shipping also calculated out to nearly $18 so they became far less interesting.

Another search turned up the one I bought which looked like a far better fit (I’m hoping a near bolt-on), so I think I’ll be okay even without as many left over spare parts.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

While I’m waiting the parking brake mechanism to arrive on Tuesday, I started working on the adapter plate to mount the new assembly to the original column bracket. Here’s a close up of the stock setup in the truck now:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/912/eS216u.jpg

I extracted the mounting plate from a spare hand brake and bolted it up to the column bracket and marked the center line of the column:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/TkeAfe.jpg

Here’s a different angle highlighting the orientation of the plate to the cable clevis, and steering column:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/903/xhAeWK.jpg

Next came a paper template, adding more material for mounting the new hand brake assembly to the left of the column centerline:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/913/JknKA6.jpg

This was transferred to 1/8” aluminum (being all I had available), and sliced up into a working prototype:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/FRaJjE.jpg

After fitting it in place (no photo), I realized it might benefit from having a longer bolting surface available. This resulted in another template, two inches taller on the left side:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/912/gLEimF.jpg

This will allow any needed adjustment in fastening the hand brake mechanism to the bracket:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/911/WNOapJ.jpg

Any unneeded part of the bracket (and mounting rail on the hand brake) can be trimmed off once final fit is established:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/Uy012B.jpg

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

You are a busy guy.

Looking very good Mark.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

:agree:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

I seriously just spent the greater half of 1.5 weeks reading your 74 page build thread before and after work all and before I found yours I read McMurphys (which lead me here). All I can say is WOW! I love your truck through and through. and I wouldn't change a thing. I only to inspire to have my truck becoming a thing of beauty like yours. I damn near ended up book marking every page you did a modification on that would be sweet down the road for my truck. I would love to get a hold of you and pick your brain about some of the stuff you did to your truck. :metal:


Here is my build if you're at all interested. Not a forum and no words, just pictures LoL

1964 Chevy C10 Short Box

From Omaha Ne,

Mike

P.S. Now I am going to be bored before work HAHA

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

You did hit the mother lode here.

Marks thread and way of thinking has inspired many, including me.

There are a load of amazingly talented, helpful, friendly people on this board, but Mark has a way of sharing that makes every job he does, seem attainable to most of us.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

See, I think a big part of it is that outside of a few things, his truck is a budget build. Which coincides with your post, being attainable by others.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the comments and compliments guys. And Mike, welcome to the forum and thanks for taking the time to go through my build thread. I wish the internet and this forum had been around when I first started on my truck, it would have made some of it much easier. You should start a build thread on here as well as your picture page. Looks like you’ve accomplished a lot. I assume the elbow/skin photos are POR-15. We’ve all been there at least once! I’m thankful I didn’t have to do any patching as my welding skills wouldn’t have looked anywhere near as nice as yours. Funny how much our trucks looked alike at this stage:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/907/SNeK5B.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/eaucKy.jpg

What’s the story on the black truck in the background with the late model bed? I always thought those were a better design to go with our cabs than the 1955 version.

You’re absolutely correct about my truck being a budget build. I discovered years ago building and maintaining a vintage vehicle to show condition is beyond my income and enthusiasm. I’ve invested a lot of time and a bit of accumulated money in it because I’ve had it so long, but almost everything in it came out of the household budget. For most of the first 20 years of ownership justification was pretty easy because it was my primary daily driver so there were no car payments.

The only truly frivolous investment was the 4 speed transmission, and a large portion of that was paid for by a work bonus. Most of the rest came from extensive research followed by a lot of shopping around for least expensive pricing. It also really helps keep costs down if a person can do everything themselves. The only things I’ve ever farmed out were redrilling the rear axles (nice), having the gear set changed (excellent), and installing new rockers (a complete disaster).

The last couple of days I’ve been out in the garage working on the parking brake conversion. The new handbrake mechanism showed up yesterday, and is just about ready to bolt into the truck. It just requires final test fitting & adjustment. The nice part is that if it doesn’t work as projected, I can simply remove the new setup and bolt the chrome handle back in. Nothing on the truck has been altered.

In order to insure adequate strength, I sliced up a chunk of 1/8” steel to add one additional mounting hole, and add reinforcement to the 3/16” piece of aluminum used for the prototype adapter bracket. I lined them up with an 11/32” transfer punch, bolted the two plates together and match ground them for appearance as they are visible when installed:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/0s5MLU.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/VD6VAT.jpg

I need to fabricate a couple more spacers, and pick up a new/longer clevis pin for the cable connection. Once everything is mounted and adjusted, the whole thing will be pulled apart and sprayed with gloss black epoxy for now. Here’s the completed assembly in the at-rest position (nearly the same as the stock handle):

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/GaHvx7.jpg

And here it is in the under-tension position:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/Euof6g.jpg

It appears to be much easier to operate, as I don’t have so far to reach – which my lower back doesn’t tolerate very well. It ends up just to the left and below the steering column. I may or may not have the handle chromed later, depending on whether gloss black or chrome is an improvement near the chrome steering column.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

It isn't really all THAT interesting of a story on the truck. I've only owned it a few months. You'll need a little back history to get to the part of the black truck.

I previously owned a 1964 Chevelle 4 door. I acquired it from eBay from some jackwagon down in Boca Raton Florida. He lied about everything about the car. Every project was 3/4 done. It had 20" Lexani rims on it and 3 of the 5 studs were bent to fit the wheels, some only had 2 studs. The brakes were non existent. It had a straight 6 that was 'supposedly running'. When we got the car home the radiator was bone dry and there was no keys. It cost me 700$ to ship it up here and ANOTHER 300 dollars to just winch it onto the semi trailer! Being only 18 I didn't know what to do and I honestly didn't care as I had my first very own "hotrod". Costed us another 1500$ to get it running. I sold the rims for 600$. Oh and the headliner was immaculate! I spent the better half of 10 years slowly building it up. I was never going to get rid of the car UNTIL I started working at a body shop and an old timer was interested in looking at it. He took one look at it and said that entire car is bondo! He was 100% right. The entire back piece between the rear window and the trunk was fabricated with bondo, literally it was about 3/4" - 1" filled! The bottom half of the doors were all bondo as well. I lost every single interest I had in the vehicle! Her name was Christine, yes from the movie.

"George LeBay: Her name's Christine.
Arnie Cunningham: I like that.
George LeBay: My asshole brother bought her back in September '57. That's when you got your new model year, in September. Brand-new, she was. She had the smell of a brand-new car. That's just about the finest smell in the world, 'cept maybe for pu**y."

Because just like Arnie, I brought her back to life.

I could NOT get rid of this car for more than 'free' to save my life! No one wanted a 4 door.

Well longer story made short, I was just looking through Facebook when someone had this ugly looking truck available. I threw the trade offer out there and I'll be damned the guy wanted to look at it. I know why he wanted the Chevelle, he was 17 year old and didn't know any better, but he was dead set on having it so we traded straight across.

He made away with better parts as the Chevelle had new everything (except for body work). New 4.11 posi rear end, driveshaft, rebuilt th350, freshly rebuilt engine, brand spankin' new champion radiator with aluminum shroud. basically the entire drivetrain, master cylinder, new power steering conversion kit, completely rebuilt brakes, and brand new tires.

All in all, I made away with a truck that a lot of people are after and in my mind that was okay because if I ever did want to sell/trade I'll have better chances of getting money or something in return. Now the kid can hopefully add to my legacy on the car and fix her up.

Leroy has an original 327 from a grain truck painted that god awful neon green, it is a long bed turned into a short bed. I don't know the year bed it has on it. It is amazing what a simple crap paint job will do for a vehicle. I never got anyt thumbs up or waves or any looks while i was driving it the way it was before. My friend for my birthday bought plasti dip and we plasti dipped Leroy. Now I get all sorts of looks and thumbs up. The truck was a little better off floor wise then the one I am doing a frame off on.

Here are a few pictures of the Chevelle and as we now call him Grandpa Leroy.

Mike

Sorry for my short little story on your thread. And about the build thread, with how many pictures I have and how long it has been since I started, I wouldn't even know where to begin to make a decent build thread.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Oh and about your parking brake. I recently started at the post office and in their mail delivery trucks they have a parking brake that looks very close to this. When I am at work today I will take a few pictures for ya.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Too bad about the Chevelle. I had a 67 four door and had the same issue. Nobody wanted it, including me! And it was a cherry original California government car. I built it up over five years, and shortly after acquiring an SS hood it was destroyed by a drunk running a red light!

I had the same problem with my build thread. I already owned the truck for years, so I did a short update to that point and then kept going from there. Good luck on your build!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

The parking brake was final fitted and adjusted, the cable mounting bracket was lowered to better align with the new system, and the entire assembly installed which operated perfectly. It was then removed and torn apart for paint.

All the parts were washed with wax and grease remover several times, in between stripping, sanding, and acid primer applied on the bare metal parts. The final step was two coats of Rustoleum Appliance Gloss Black Epoxy. Here are all the parts in paint. The color is off as I took the shot without flash under the heat lamps:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/Kk46vV.jpg

The color is actually a deep rich black. This snap is with flash showing the true color:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/BO9blN.jpg

And this is a close up of the operating handle. It really came out nice:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/GuBBjt.jpg

I’ve seen a lot of these parking brakes over the years, but never one that was this shiny! I’m leaving everything under the lights all night as the temps are supposed to drop into the 20’s. Hopefully the paint will be cured well enough by tomorrow for reassembly and final installation.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

What are you spraying everything with? Rattle can, spray gun?