Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Google rockauto discount . I've always found one for 5% off

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thanks for the heads up on this! I hadn't even considered Rock Auto, I keep looking at it on ACC and just couldn't pull the trigger for the price. New one is ordered and should make the cab super nice compared to the tired old vinyl floor cover.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Very minor update during the cold weather - but was made aware that one of my front side markers was out. Discovered the bulb socket was in bad shape, so I spliced in replacements,,

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

I finally got my instrument cluster and glovebox door finished and fitted.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

^ Excellent! Just can't beat curly maple.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thanks, it was a lot more work than I expected

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

WOW :metal: That is beautiful.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

My new armrest(s) / bench seat center console

It all started with a(nother) failed attempt to clean up my workshop. I actually like my things nice and shiny but my workshop is a total mess – alone the thought of it makes me want to sing the blues. Really embarrassing. I finally found the courage to go down to the basement and start to clean it up. But as usual, some idea was lurking in a dark dusty corner to jump right at me.

I came across some leftovers and scrap metal (stainless steel and aluminium) from other projects (it gives me always a hard time to throw something away, because “hey, this could be useful some day”). Turned out this was the right thought :). The only things I bought for the box are the straps to fasten it to the bench.

So, I always wanted an armrest for the bench seat (I’m tall and therefore have spider-like arms and legs). I was unable to find any armrest that would fit the probably longest shifter in the known universe (SM 465). When put in reverse, the shifter almost touches the bench seat.

Ok, I´m a “grow my own guy” anyway, so lets build an armrest / console real quick before cleaning up the shop. Well, to do this “real quick” is like saying “lets find the missing 10 mm nuts real quick”.

This is how it turned out (I made it from scratch, no plan or drawing. It grew in the process of the making):

Attachment 2259906 Attachment 2259914

It is self-opening due to a hydraulic lifter. And yes, there are no cup holders. They could be mounted to the sides but I really don’t need them.

You may wonder why there is a half round attached to the front – and why in the world anyone would have this laying around in the basement. Or you may have already guessed it that this box was made of an old ammo-can. So I just put it on the front “in memory”:). And I think the golden shine adds really nice to the box.

Attachment 2259907

The half round was just a leftover from a “project” I did a couple of years ago.

I am not a gun-nut but I am a reloader. One can only reload a cartridge so often, so I had the idea to make some Zippo-lighters and turn the otherwise useless brass into some fuel to help keeping the always thirsty throat of my truck wet. The Zippos looked like this:

Attachment 2259908

And just to make this story a little bit longer, I also made an elbow rest for the driver door. I’m accustomed to put my elbow on the window frame when the window is rolled down. But when the window is rolled up, there is no space to put my elbow on (remember: “spider-like limbs”:)). For me, this is a huge improvement in terms of comfort.

Attachment 2259911

I hope you enjoyed the reading and pictures a little.

Don’t forget to have yourself a great day.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thank you!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

That looks awesome! I think mine was a little easier route using veneer on a restored glovebox, but yours looks great with that maple! and also the dash!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

^ That quartersawn white oak is just yummy!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

That looks really nice! I was contemplating a burl instead of the flame maple.
I routed the back so it looks kinda stock

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Man! Nice work! My original idea for the bed was with wood from a friend who cut down a huge Myrtlewood tree on his Oregon coast tree farm. It had crazy flame patterns to the wood, and I thought that would be an incredibly unique wood to use. Unfortunately, he didn't kiln dry the boards properly and they shifted terribly. My friend who milled my bed wood was given it in payment, and he is using the same wood in smaller projects - like wood framed fishing nets and Japanese style lamps.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thank you

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

all are outstanding.........

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Nice.

Awaiting the next step, wood burning in the SPID.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Maple is tough, especially the highly figured stuff.

BTW, I like your "handle". :D

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Nice. All you need now is a hand-lettered SPID on parchement. You could degouppage it in place.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Dang! that gave me wood! gotta love some quarter sawn oak!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Actually I will get one from Jeff, that’s why I put a spot for it

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Discovered a new trick.

Rained like 2.5in yesterday then went to breakfast this morning while making a left water ran out of the mirror bracket.
Not sure if the old roof antenna leaks or the gap in the roof caulking is leaking as well.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Helped the wife replace the fuel pump on her daily driver this morning. I had to tow her home the other day when she failed to make it the one mile to her work the night before. All done & running good now. So now we're going to go get some lunch.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

I finally put the cab back on. Getting ready for C10 Nationals.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Great progress Hawkynz, looking good

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Got her back yesterday, after the transmission shop had her for three weeks. They built and installed a 700R4 to replace the original TH350, new transmission cooler, all new lines, new 2-piece drive shaft. It is indeed glorious having a 4th gear - so much better at highway speeds.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Not much to show but big day man. This has been what's approaching an 8 year project. I'm still waiting on bumpers, upholstery held hostage by a covid economy, hub caps, and the grilles I'll install after the A/C is charged. Beyond that I had one last thing I could possibly do, and that's install the windshield wipers.

I've only seen the truck with a battery say 20 minutes. Everything works so far, but then came what I was waiting for most, the washer pump.

:metal:not a drop. Clicked that dude say a dozen times or so, nothin. Heck I bought the truck in 1989 and it's never worked. But I knew the pump was operable years ago, after I cleaned her out and tore this thing down.

So I thought, what happens if I prime the system by blowing into washer bottle's hose with my lungs. Wholly cow, hit the pump and struck water. Another dozen pumps later and hallelujah.

I also finished the assembly guide I've worked on for this entire ride. Really happy about that. I spent more time on that than actually building the truck.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Added a reverse light switch from Hurst to my Muncie M22. Now I can see when I back up at night:metal:

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Cool. I haven't had working Schwishers in a couple decades on any of my rigs. I just splash water on the windshield, turn on the wipers and splash more water till it's clean.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

What was the rough price to have a shop do all of that for ya?

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

3900. Top end shop, great reputation = not cheap.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Thanks!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Rec’d these caps today. Props to CHEVMN for restoring them. His father is a board member.

I need to choose tires yet, leaning to 235-75-15, not sure about 235-70-15. I like the look of the current prifile, but oh snap, those are 255-70 on 6” wheels for temporary, YIKES! Using this as a gauge, strikes me 235-75 and 255-70 have similar profiles. 4/2.5 drop suspension. Picture is of existing 255-70, input appreciated.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...0r15-235-75r15

Oh, boy, my truck is finally running today too. Someone else dialed in the carb, same guy who rebuilt it. That was a long haul. The hick-ups were the transmission was rebuilt twice, and lesson learned for radiator.

I also dog-proofed my truck space today, built that friggin wall. He’s a rambunctious German Shepard, stuff gets knocked around sometimes, plus it's just a good idea due storage considerations. The extra lumber was I started too close to the door, so some 2x3. Now the door just opens all the way, I took every pinch of space I could. Think I’ll throw some foam on the "center" post, but there is 8-9” play. I just made a post of my work table:lol:it's a heavy unit. Bummer I can't rightly pop the hood without moving it, but on the bright side all three of my vehicles have a garage space again, and the truck is secluded.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Looks good, caps will really set it off.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Removed the pan off my T400 transmission since it’s hanging off the engine lift right now.
Changed the filter, and getting ready to install the new crossmember I bought a couple weeks ago from Overkill Customs, out of Red Deer. (Running exhaust up in the frame)
New B&M 3200 stall, and switching to Type F fluid.
...not spending a bunch on this transmission, as I doubt it will last very long behind the new engine. (Spent way too much this last winter.)

Picking up a lot of stuff tomorrow from the border. (Parts and pieces I’ve ordered as far back as December)

Super excited!!!

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

I went over to my buddy, Dennis' place and we had a couple of steaks, canned beans and a baked potato each.
Then, when we came to, we rebuilt my '71 GMC Jimmy's 350's Carter AFB [9635-S]. Since I got YOM Plates, I don't have to tune up [and dial down the carb and timing] for Emissions testing every year.
We were always changing out metering rods and jets to pass in June. Right at the peak of the hot dry season. Then there was the long lines at the ADEQ Facility. Went to a 4-core radiator just for that. If your coolant pukes, you flunk for the day. Fix it and come back.
Anyway, it had been a while since we rebuilt that 600 CFM carb. I got a fresh EDL1477 re-carb kit on the way out. $54 bucks. Inside the fuel bowl was stained pink. Possibly from rust and the red dye in Sta-Bil, which I use to preserve pump gas. The Accelerator pump gasket had been shot for a long time. Varnish on the flapperators, etc.
I treat my AFB [Federal Mogul vintage] like an Edselbrock 1405. We broke it open and cleaned all the little bits with spray carb cleaner. Then we reassembled it with all the little bits and new gaskets back on.
After the carb was back together, we re-mounted it on the SBC, and fired it up. We then checked the timing and reset it to 12* advance. It had gone retarded.
Dennis dialed in the Performance Series Carter AFB, [Vacuum up to 17'' Hg @ 700 RPM, 180*F H2O = Nominal] and it sure is good to throttle up again.
[Usually, we'd do the BBQ after the tune-up, but Dennis was hungry early, I guess. He was the cook.]
Sorry no pix.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

hi Tony,truck looks great and progress being made.all good.hubcaps look good,in my opinion,they really sharpen up the looks of these trucks.i was talking to those same folks about a set of hubcaps for my truck but in the end,i did my own.very nice truck,you've done a great job on it.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

just like Christmas when you get to make a run to the border for parts.i know the feeling.i'm ordering up a bunch of stuff now for my latest project,to be shipped to my address in Maine and i'll pick it all up in May when we're returning from Ohio visiting a friend sick with cancer.the wrong reason for a trip to Ohio but a chance to get some parts on the way home.Take care.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Giving my truck bed its yearly waxing with micro crystalline wax (suggested by my friend who finished it for me. Using a bit of glass cleaner first to remove any shop dust. It has 14 coats of Epiphanes marine varnish on the wood.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

beautiful work,looking very nice.

Re: What did you do to your truck today.The 3rd chapter
 

Magazine pretty, nice job.
I could almost see myself with that shine.