Re: Previous owner '68
 

Then I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to design a handle that would work AND fit in the limited amount of space I had in the upper tailgate roll. I know now why the aftermarket has never done this.

As an added bonus, it works! Now I just have to finish the welding and clean it up.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

A pic of the outside of it. Once I do some work on it you shouldn't be able to tell it has been done.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Slick!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

The tailgate mods are very cool. Nice work.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Thanks guys, it wasn't something I would want to do again!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Great build...watching, and noticing that the grass ain't growing under your feet!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Well, I SHOULD be working on the bed floor but the weather isn't cooperating. It looks a bit better today so maybe...

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Cool build! You have both knowledge and skills and it shows!
You also have a sense of humor that most people can identify with.

I really like that bumper jack that was previously your Grandfathers,so great that you still have it and use it regularly. I too have some of my grandfathers tools, makes me think of him, fine reminders of days gone by…..

Keep up the great work, we are following along

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Thanks, Rg

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Whats the update today? With it being almost 70 degrees out.. Surely you been doing some wrenchin?

Re: Previous owner '68
 

The weather has been great the last 2 days. I did get some time in the shop despite having to take my wife's aunt to the dentist. I worked on the tailgate mostly trying weld up the areas I had to cut to get the latches in place.

Still needs filler work but I went ahead and sprayed some etching primer to help slow down the rust.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Then I got one more filler strip welded on to the bed. I bent them to 90 degrees so I will have a surface to bolt (or weld, haven't decided) the bedsides to. Every little thing that gets done is one thing I don't have to do!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Nice fab work on the tailgate!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Thanks!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Got the last filler strip on the bed floor today before the rain set in. Temperature dropped from 63 to 43 in an hour and the wind got so bad I had to quit welding. Still a bunch of rust holes to repair.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

If you don't have one of these you should get one.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Once the weather chased me inside I worked on my never-ending steering wheel project. Another 6 months or so of sanding, filling, and painting should get it looking okay.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

A rare photo of the early design of the 1968 rally wheel. Never made it into production. May be the world's only set that GM didn't crush.

Junk Bros., rare and vintage items, made while you wait.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Since it's colder than I care to work in I stayed in the shop today. Not much got done but I did take a good look at the trunions for the tailgate. Not good.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Found these flange bearings and made them fit. Had to weld nuts on the back sides, not an easy task.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Great Idea :metal:

Will you file flats on the inner race to hold it still ,
And make a Thin Wrench
While torquing/Tightening the bolt?

Re: Previous owner '68
 

ill take them....LOL they are coooool lookin

Re: Previous owner '68
 

No, I found that I could wedge a small flat blade into the access hole and it would hold it enough for me to tighten. I was going to drill a hole in the nut and then use a small pin punch but the screw driver worked so well I hated to jinx it!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

As far as I know they are the only set that exists!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I was joking about ...ill take them but I would if I could:devil:

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Roger, I enjoy watching your build and the constant progress you make. Well done.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Thanks, you're doing some great work on your truck.

You might enjoy this pic...

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Ouch, is that why you got the full face shield?

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Ha! Nope, that was a while back. Never fight a cactus.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

It's nice on the Peninsula and being able to be there and pop over to the city now and again would be pretty cool. I worked over there for about a year and saw lots of different license plates from different states - cars of people who were stationed there. Funny that I don't know if I've ever seen a local two-wheel drive Blazer, but I'm sure there are a few around here. If you don't mind me asking, how long were you in the Navy? If you'd prefer not to say, it's all good.

You're making good progress and I appreciate your take on things. Even mentioning the reality that sometimes we cuss at things that we say we enjoy doing :lol:

Re: Previous owner '68
 

It was a deep red colored 2wd squarebody, but it was on the base in 1991 so I'm sure it wasn't in the area for long. Bremerton had an auto hobby shop on base, I spent quite a bit of time there working on an '73 Trans Am.

I was in the Navy for 10 years, got out when Clinton was cutting back on the armed forces. I never regret joining the Navy and I never regret deciding to leave, I had changed and was ready for a different type of life.

I don't cuss much at all unless I'm in the shop!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

You're supposed to hug them....they need love too....;)

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Not from me they don't!

No pics today. Welding and grinding, all day long. I got the truck grinding blues...:waah:

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I got one of those blue shields and I love it, especially when I'm wire brushing!!!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Did a bunch of wire brushing today. Took a wire to the left cojone...

Re: Previous owner '68
 

safety first we all been there your gonna need more PPE before you do something even worse ....I didn't put my safety glasses on. tonight when I first started cutting some metal ....and stopped put them on .....

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I'm pretty safety conscious as far as p.p.e. goes, but I refuse to wear a cup while wire wheeling! May have to throw my coveralls on top of my usual grubby jeans though, those wires are shockers.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Man, and I thought it was bad pulling wires out of my arms! :lol:

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Finally got the rust patching to a point I felt that I could go ahead and treat the bed with some phosporic acid (Ospho). I know, old tech, but I'm old so there you go.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Once that had dried for 24 hours I wire brushed the residue off and painted it with Chassis Saver (like POR15, but not). The gloss really spot lighted the areas that need attention.