41DegreesSouth Build Thread

[Billhilly]

Hey Tony,

Volcano was about 125 miles North of here. Wind was westerly so didn't even smell anything till the next night. More a burp (fart?) than an eruption. And this just in....."Scientists say there is still a 50/50 chance that Mount Tongariro could erupt - and it could be at any time." Seriously, just cut that out of the local rag! Idiots. But yeah, it had been quiet for hundred years. Stuff happens when you live on a tiny island on the edge of a couple of plates.
I actually saved this photo out of the paper the other night. Cause it happened at midnight no real photos.
What actually caught my eye as well was the westerly blowing over the mountain range to the south and how straight a line the cloud formed over the mountain range.
Oh, one last thing, that black shape on the upper edge of the white circle is Lake Taupo. Interesting thing about that is, even though it ain't stickin up like a volcano, it's the 'cone'(?) vent thing for what is one rather large volcano! Apparently 'they' say there is just as much chance that it will be the next one to go...

Truck pic's next..

[Billhilly]

So yeah, I make progress. Finally got the new bed landed down here in April. Because I felt bad shipping 'air' I filled the entire thing with 'stuff' I couldn't do without! Brought a set of Goodyear Duratrac's and Wheel Vintiques steel rims. And a bunch of other things!! Bed looks good but haven't got the paint off it yet. Tailgate will need straitening, waiting to paint the rims white and get the tires on.
As it currently sits I am up to final panel alignment stuff. Sounds like I'm getting somewhere but as with everyone in this position there are issues. Repro guards are generally ok but the right side is good from the top down to the body line then dives in over quarter of an inch. It will need 'opening up' I guess. Left side is more interesting. Over all contour is 'better' but the body line is quarter inch high! Some one with much more skill required to magic that down the required amount!
I have made progress finishing up the work on the inner guards. Longer shocks, RHD, auto linkage cable, all added to the mix! Came up ok though.

[Billhilly]

Around the engine bay I have wrapped up pulleys/brackets/belts, I think! Tranny cooler lines are done, as are heater lines and hot water to the propane converter. Lower steering column done with Borgenson bits, radiator hose joiners are next on the list. Must get the carb rebuilt, and do something with those rocker covers! Rolled it out to get some Vit D the other day.

[Billhilly]

Of course when I put the hood on for fit up, the hinge pivot's are worn! So that is another issue to sort. Cowl still needs to get the chop for RHD wipers, so plenty to do before panel is done ready for disassembly. Bed needs new wheel wells and front panel (which I have), but wondering about leaving the sides/floor bolted together and just paint stripping/cleaning instead of the complete dismantle sandblast deal. Never wanted a show truck.
And a little progress on your truck too?

[1985-GMC]

Good to hear your pretty far away from there, even though mot much happened. Everything looks great, I like how you modified the inners!

The hinges are worn on my 78 also and someday id like to rebuild them with some brass bushings somehow but wont happen anytime soon I guess i'll have plenty of time think about it.

Yeah Ive got a few things done on my GMC in the last couple of months, I just haven't updated the tread in a while. Im gonna try to finish up a few things tomorrow and maybe monday then I get up some pictures.

[Billhilly]

I found these guys http://www.hoodhingerepair.com/services.html and wondered if their replacement rivets were the way to go. Some pictures round of broken reproduction hinges. Who knows, just another job to do!

[1985-GMC]

Wow those look good, I wonder how much they charge for that.

[1985-GMC]

I found these too: http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/21945.html

[aussiejohn]

Originally Posted by Billhilly

Lower steering column done with Borgeson bits, radiator hose joiners are next on the list.

Billhilly,

Just found this post today and have read most every entry. I like it a lot. I have a '67 GMC pickup but intend to leave it stock for now. One thing I'd like to do is relocate the fusebox to the inside of the glove box for ease of inspection/replacement. The old bones groan when I have to go under the dash for anything!!! I'd like to contact the company that supplied your wiring loom and see if they'd make one for my application. Who are they?

BTW, I am the Australian distributor for the Borgeson product range and although I don't stock anywhere near the range of U joints that are available from the manufacturer, I do carry a few of the popular sizes if you need anything in the future. Look me up at www.pro-steer.com.au. I also have LHD integral power steering boxes for any of your mates who want to stay left hook.

Keep up the good work and,

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

[1985-GMC]

The guys at http://www.hoodhingerepair.com/services.html said they would rebuild 67-72 and 73-80 hood hinges in bare metal or primer for $125 plus shipping or in any color powder coat for another $75.

[Billhilly]

Yeah probably a fair price if you factor in all the time involved. If only I didn't live 20 light years away from your continent. I will ring them and see what the deal is for just buying some rivets.

[Moto Moto]

Very cool build.

[1985-GMC]

I finally got around to updating my thread, you asked so I figured I'd let you know. Idk if your subscribed to it or not.

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by aussiejohn

Billhilly,

Just found this post today and have read most every entry. I like it a lot. I have a '67 GMC pickup but intend to leave it stock for now. One thing I'd like to do is relocate the fusebox to the inside of the glove box for ease of inspection/replacement. The old bones groan when I have to go under the dash for anything!!! I'd like to contact the company that supplied your wiring loom and see if they'd make one for my application. Who are they?

BTW, I am the Australian distributor for the Borgeson product range and although I don't stock anywhere near the range of U joints that are available from the manufacturer, I do carry a few of the popular sizes if you need anything in the future. Look me up at www.pro-steer.com.au. I also have LHD integral power steering boxes for any of your mates who want to stay left hook.

Keep up the good work and,

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

Hey John, Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Thanks for the compliments. The firm I worked with was American Auto Wire http://www.americanautowire.com/ I talked to their guys in R&D. Let me know how you get on. If I need any more Borgeson bits I'll be sure to look you up!

Originally Posted by Moto Moto

Very cool build.

Thanks! I've got a feeling you might be finished before me....

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

I finally got around to updating my thread, you asked so I figured I'd let you know. Idk if your subscribed to it or not.

Jealous! A painted cab! Looks good.

[Billhilly]

I'm looking for excuse's as to why I haven't updated this build in over eighteen months.... Life huh. About the time of the last post here I got quite ill. Been a battle back to full health but am definitely winning now. Work has been good too. So I am determined to get back on track here.
I am still picking away at the last of the 'chassis' work, and now need to push on with final panel alignment, and then dismantle for final cab work and paint prep.
I had bought air bags for air bag assist in the rear end years ago, but they were to limiting in travel to be used. I then started reading about a company selling a 'bucket' that the bottom of the bag could sit in in normal condition's, but just lift out of when the rear end articulated. I then saw a guy just using a pad (for the bottom mount) successfully so copied him! Should work fine.

[Billhilly]

As I had said earlier, when I bought the bed in, I filled it with rims and tyres. Wheel Vintiques 16X8 rims, and 285 75 16 Goodyear Duratrac's. Painted the rims a couple of weeks ago and got the tyres put on a few days ago. The front right hand (repro) guard was a good line from the top down to the body line but then tipped in about 7mm. So I cut the guard support and pulled it out and welded it back up. You can kinda see in the third photo the improvement.

[Billhilly]

The hood had a small amount of rust and the tailgate needed some minor panel work. I have a good friend who builds hot rods and does restoration work, so I got them both sand blasted and took them up to him. But not before spending a few hours straightening my 'yeah it's straight' tailgate I had bought! Fun times, but came out good. And with the hood off I could finally get around to dismantling the worn out hinges. Sand blasted them, welded up the slogged out holes, then zinc plated them. Next is paint and reassembly with all new rivets. I'll let you know how I go!

[swamp rat]

Glad your feelin better! Welcome back Billhilly!

[Billhilly]

So that's where I stand as of this afternoon. I have to go look at my hood this week. It has some pitting on the outside and feels very 'thin'. You push down on it with your hand and it deflects very easily. I am going to take my new hood brace pads up and see what that does to it.
I'm want to paint the truck myself but am wondering if I might pay my friend to do the final body work/filler work. I've done all the major rust in the cab. I'm hoping the bedsides will need minimal work, and the doors are pretty clean too. I'm not stressed about being able to say 'I did it all myself', and I just wonder with my 'no experience at all' experience in modern body fillers whether it would be smart money. Would move the whole project on as well if the turn around time at my friends shop was reasonable. I know I could learn/be taught how and what to use.....will have to talk to him about $$. That may decide it!!
Anywho, get the hood/tailgate back, and then do final panel alignment. Fully dismantle bed and decide how carried away to get with the sandblasting. Finish grill work/bull bar etc, then get front clip off, and then get at finishing up the cab. Something like that anyway! I certainly need to be more deliberate this winter. My little girls are now 16 and 18! If I don't get at it they'll both be gone before its done!
Part of the reason for posting here is to keep me more motivated.
Oh, could one of the mods move this thread over to the 4X4 section please? Really need to be over there...

[Billhilly]

Thanks Swamp!!

[Palf70Step]

Glad you are back at it and doing better!

[mjensen]

Good to see you back at it!!! The progress is looking great!

[Billhilly]

Thank you guys! Can't believe there is so many worn out parts on this truck! Little bit closer to driving with every bit fixed huh. I must show a better attitude this winter....

[sharpmark]

hi-found your other thread and replied to it and then found this one--very interesting!
you certainly had your work cut out and good on ya for seeing it thru-alot of people chuck in the towel and sell their projects.
looking forward to seeing the finished truck
mark

[Billhilly]

Very interesting all right. It's very interesting how complicated I can make things! I too am looking forward to seeing it finished! My teenage daughters are well over 'it'll be done by Christmas'! My youngest is much blunter now, so 'which' Christmas! Smart kid.