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.