Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

That's a gorgeous truck, inside and out. And I want your super clean garage too.:metal:

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I was able to remount my heater core after having had removed it, sanded all the rust and spray painted it. Not planning to hook it up to the radiator at this time; was more to block the heat coming through the firewall rather than provide heat.

Got started on installing new windlace on passenger side. This is unbearably difficult. I started at the rear of the door at the bottom and made it up to the top corner, but the corner and the top have proven to be a greater challenge, especially since I'm trying to not mess up the new cardboard headliner I just installed.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

best thing I found for installing wind lace is dawn dish washing soap ( or any liquid soap)
Just a few drops in the channel makes the seal slide right in. also using the handle end of a plastic fork or knife helps push the seal into the channel

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Thanks for the great tip!

Looking good. Is that a fuel line right below where you are welding? Be careful!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Waiting to get in to the Street Machine Nationals early this morning...

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Look at that perfect stance - both wheel arches right on top of the whitewalls!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Man I love your truck, how’s the front dropped axle and springs holding up?

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

it was so hot today that I couldn't work in the garage. once it cooled off I started tacking the the patch panels. im still at it. I set my phone to go off every 30 minutes and I go out and run a few tacks. its about 60% welded. I didn't get to making the top patch panel yet. I did discover that when the shop "smoothed" my firewall they just piled a ton of bondo over everything. at last that what it seems like. I was cleaning the metal around the area to be welded and the bondo was thick. stupid professionals.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Don't feel too bad, here's some "pink lead" I've found in a couple of cars I've built:

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Went to drive the Beast yesterday and the in tank fuel pump decided no to work about 1 1/2 miles from home....

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

A couple hours of heavy rain this morning at the Street Machine Nationals, once the storm passed it turned out to be a really nice day. Folks had a lot of interest in the truck, tons of nice comments too...

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

^^^ BUMMER ^^^

Took my truck for a quick joy ride now that I have the seats back in it. I was very pleased that even on a 90* summer day the temp gauge never goes over 150 degrees (160* thermostat). Yes, that's a little cool but it's better than the alternative. For reliable cooling you just can't beat the time-tested combination of stock-style radiator and belt-driven mechanical fan.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

that does make me feel better. mine isn't nearly that bad.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

spent some time in the garage today. made the upper patch and welded it in. I also welded all of the un used bolt holes in the fire wall. I started some grinding with a grinder and then went back and filled some pin holes. I have one hole left that I need to weld up tomorrow and then its all clean up. ive got to go get some 80 and 120grit disks tomorrow its still not pretty at the moment but im happy with how its coming out. at this rate I will be charging the system some time this week.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I sort of got something done on the truck today. I tack welded the hood together, got the inner structure tack welded as well. The hood OPENED! OMG I am not kidding, I got a little verclempt, the damn hood opened and closed. I installed the latch and all and it works! I did it so I could trailer it to Idaho with that at least working, and it happened.

I also installed the grill and the front and rear bumper so I wouldn't have to carry them in the moving van, it also gave me a little fire, I dig seeing it like that, it moved me forward for sure.

I then did a bunch of cleaning of the back yard. Right now, I am beat, not joking, no "beat" like I always say, no, this really is BEAT.

Got to get to bed.

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

it was so hot yesterday that I barley did anything. it was 99 degrees and 98% humidity. I welded up the last hole and called it a day. the next 2 days will be grinding and metal work on the patches. im really happy with how its coming out.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Congrats Brian...Jim

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Brian, while I'm a big fan of the original looks of the venerable AD trucks, your chopped cab and front clip looks great. It works and it works, great job, carry on.
Dave

P.S. I imagine you're gonna mount the seats low to compensate, kinda like a Cheech and Chong cruiser, LOL.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I simply sectioned the seat riser down a few inches and lower the seat back a few inches so it's not in the rear window. Then I will make foam pads that are thinner than the originals.

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Congrats Brian, that is a huge step forward.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

LOLOLOL, I have never seen anyone beat the bondo thickness I did on my truck when I chopped it when I was 16. I warped the roof so bad across the center that I put TWO GALLONS of bondo before even touching it with sand paper! LOLOL I measured it years later with a deep C clamp vice grip and at the thickest point it was an inch and a half!

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Brian your truck is coming along nicely and looks pretty cool. I'm curious though, why are you trailering to Idaho? Moving, or is it getting some special work done there?

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Moving there.

Brian:metal:

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Love those bell bottoms! -Bob

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Ok its been awhile since i checked in, life and work hasn't left much truck time. Usually get a few hrs once a week or so. Getting bed and rear fenders somewhere near acceptable has taken most of the time. Got the bed and hood in 2k urethane finally and color on the under side of the hood. Reassembled the bed and installed and put the hood on, have never seen it with the hood on, came to me as a semi basket case. Trying to align the hood i found the core support wont move to the drivers side far enough to let the hood sit where it needs to be so gaps are kinda ok. Contemplating how best to modify core support mounts to get it where i want it, need about another 1/8 inch, thinking of just die grinding the hole in the core support so the bolt will still hit the captured nut. Other choice is modifying the cage on the captured nut so the nut will move over a bit more. A small leak in a brake line put me back on jack stands to tighten a couple fittings, think i got it. A couple pics.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

The other end

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

SVR it's looking good!!!


I got my new in tank fuel pump installed and got my bed wood put back together!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I was reminded today what this bracket is for. I have had this hood apart for a few years, I got it tacked together and opening and closing but the center was low hitting the top of the cowl. As I was cleaning up in the garage today I came across this bracket and remembered, OH YEAH, that will raise the hood. I put it on and it sure as heck did raise it, too much. I got back in there and loosened it up putting a washer for shim at each of the four outer bolts, wham, it fits beautiful now!

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

So I have been climbing up into the engine compartment by sliding under the front crossmember on my belly then climbing up on top of the axle to work on the hood. Oh what fun for this 60 year old doing this! :lol: So once or twice, not a big deal, when I am on my 10th time oh yeah baby fun fun fun.

So I thought this was just too easy, I need to make it a little more difficult so yesterday I installed the grille and front bumper just to make it a little more of a challenge. :devil:

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Don't laugh, I've seen professional body shops do the same thing. Do you still have the same roof in the truck today?

Today I made a trip into town for some matching black vinyl to cover my door cards. Picked up some DAP Weldwood Contact Adhesive spray too.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Mine had the same disease. (I have an aftermarket core support, which might be the problem.) I notched the pads that the core support sits on with a die grinder. I don't even remember having cage nuts, so they must have disappeared years ago.

It's looking great! Every minute that you spend on fitment now will save you 10 cuss words at final assembly!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Nope, sold that cab about 30 years ago when I tore the truck apart. Sure wish I hadn't done that, I could be driving it all these years. :(

This time I gas welded it as well but with the 45 years experience it came out a LOT better, almost zero warpage. A skim coat of filler and she will be done.

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

finished my frame shortening today. Now onto IRS

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

looking good my friend!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I got one door panel finished today. Just cheap vinyl glued over cardboard. I punched holes for the door pulls; arm rests are too expensive so I'll probably just use some pull straps.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Got the door hinges sand blasted.

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Took my truck to a vintage trailer rally over the weekend. There were 148 trailers and some cool tow rigs including this ‘51 Suburban

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Really cool! Was that at Champoeg Park? Do you have any more pics?

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

That rally was at Pioneer park in Brownsville, it’s called Rally on the river. I didn’t take many photos but there were some amazing trailers there including this Airfloat that was built not restored by a man in his 80s. It had wood inlay everywhere. The owner of the 36 foot Spartan had trouble with the reflection melting his tent and outdoor rug.

There are quite a few trailer rallies in Oregon and most have an “open house” where the public can come see all the trailers. I think the All American Rally in Brooks and this rally in Brownsville are the largest.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Never done this before, I am paying someone to prime my parts. I am just burnt out, moving, packing, crazy burnt out and this took a LOT of weight off me. Just the bed, the brand new bed so it's a sand and prime. But it takes a bunch of time with the detail sanding needed and just work, this took a lot of weight off me that I really needed. I am watching them across the lot in the paint shop right now.

Brian:metal: