Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Oh yeah!!
Everyone in town will know it's me comin! Even more so since I'll be running the other two factory horns as well, so hopefully 3 horns is enough :lol:

Today I worked on separating the grille, grille support and rad support.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Here's some of the rust I'll be dealing with, not at all bad compared to how the rest of the truck was.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Shouldn't be a problem for you Nik.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Not at all! This has pretty much become the routine:lol:

Today I got a little time in the garage so I started cutting! Always seems like I find more rust once I go deeper, this was no exception. But it's nothing compared to what I've done in the past so it shouldn't at all be a problem. I'll start on making some patches tomorrow.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

After school I spent a couple hours on doing the rust repair first I welded this patch in place and smoothed it out.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Here is the finished product, the area where the bolt goes through to the frame was was triple layered 18 gauge, so that took a while to form.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Another pic, the next order of business is to sand and clean up the entire thing and then spray it black so it will be ready to install.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Got a little freetime today so I got the core support all cleaned up and painted, turned out pretty good. Tomorrow is the last day before spring vacation in my school district, the next two weeks I'll have off so I'll be getting some major things done on the truck:metal:

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Wish I could get two weeks off......from Anything at this point. lol! That much truck time would be sweet.....enjoy it man!

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Two solid weeks of truck time :metal:You should get a ton of work done. You'll be cruising in no time.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Thanks guys, it will be nice to have some time so I can get quite a bit knocked out all at once, of course I'll be doing lots of fishing as well:)



Today I got the core support bolted in and ran a few wires as well as cleaning up and attaching the horn relay and voltage regulator. Starting to look like a truck again!

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

I had been trying for a while without success to figure out some sort of mounting for the dash extension. I finally built some brackets that worked and mounted it up on the dash, the next step is to remove all the gauges and paint it.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Also been working on some of the smaller details, just today I got the battery tray cleaned, painted and installed plus I put in a new battery, and cleaned, painted and installed the voltage regulator and horn relay and both the factory horns.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

And now it finally has a face!

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Excellent progress! Getting the front end back on is a real milestone.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

:metal:

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Thank you, yes the front end is where the majority of the work is, once it's all finished it'll be a weight off my back.

:metal::chevy:

Well today was quite the day! Along with the above progress I also worked into the evening and managed to remove the rear end, it just didn't want to let go! The u-bolts had to be cut off. But other than that it all went smoothly.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Looking good Nik. Keep at it, spring's coming

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Thanks dale, I'm not super tight on the plan, as long as I get it on the road before summer starts I'll be fine.


Today I made some more progress on the rear end swap, I knew I had to figure out some way to hook up an e-brake since the cables from the 71 rear end mounted to the trailing arms differently and were too short. But to my surprise when I pulled the cables from the backing plates and compared them I found out they would swap over and snap right in, no modifications at all!

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Been struggling to get the u bolts out of the trailing arms, they are rusted right in. I've already tried heating up, soaking in penatrant oil and beating the crap out of them with a punch and sledgehammer and it didn't budge. I'm thinking I might have to take off my trailing arms and get the u bolts pressed out. Anyone have any other ideas?

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

I had the same problem on our 60. I just beat kept beating on them up and down and spraying with oil until they finally came out.
Have you tried tightening the nuts on the bolts? Might be able to spin them some.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

I tried to turn it using a socket and breaker bar with a 4' pole on it, just felt like the breaker bar was going to bend with all the force I was applying. Tomorrow I'm going to try using an air hammer.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

Took me awhile to, I used a LOT of heat and a big hammer with a punch. Wasn't long after that. lol When I put the new ones in I coated them with anti seize.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

That's what I've tried but with no such luck, good tip there on the anti-seize.


Today I tried the air hammer and that did the trick, I got both of them out on the drivers side, now I just need to finish the passengers side.

Re: Nik's 62 build
 

That's the way Nik Just keep beating on it until it gives up :metal: