My 50 roadster pickup build

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Thumbs up on the chrome!!....your gonna have to change your pic now ....

Yeah, need to get a good 3/4 front shot, and then change the avatar...Jim

[Indian113]

While your at it Jim, add a Little SMOKE to those REAR Tires!

[CG]

I seldom get over to this side of the board so just now checking out your build. I love the truck and the color is awesome. Nicely done all the way around!

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

While your at it Jim, add a Little SMOKE to those REAR Tires!

Ray, with the 2:73 rear axle and light weight at back, they don't make much smoke....Jim

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by CG

I seldom get over to this side of the board so just now checking out your build. I love the truck and the color is awesome. Nicely done all the way around!

CG, thank you so much, I'm honored that looking thru the 47-59 group, that you chose my build. Thanks again...Jim

[oldman3]

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my friends on this site.

[8man]

Merry Christmas to you and all the folks here as well.

[RockinKees]

Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

[OutlawDrifter]

Same to you and yours!

[Scott2]

Truck looks awesome - great to see you back on the road! Merry Christmas!

[Indian113]

Merry Christmas Jim! Tell your Family Hi and give Aggie a Hug From Eve and I

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Scott2

Truck looks awesome - great to see you back on the road! Merry Christmas!

Thanks Scott and Merry Christmas...Jim

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Merry Christmas Jim! Tell your Family Hi and give Aggie a Hug From Eve and I

Will do Ray, Merry Christmas to Eve and you. New Year just around the corner, time just keeps moving...Jim

[Advanced Design]

Merry Christmas Jim! It would have been a nice cruising day around here today.

[joedoh]

merry christmas jim and aggie!

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by joedoh

merry christmas jim and aggie!

Thanks joe, hope your families was a good one...Jim

[oldman3]

Hey fellows, haven't posted anything here since December. I've had the truck out at least twice each month, when weather was clear and roads dry. Truck is running great and I'm enjoying it once again. I did take a pic from early this month at the nursing home.

I'm going to be doing another door panel build for my friend Ed again. This time it's for his 52 pickup. When I have everything ready I will post a link to the thread. Hopefully it should only be a few days till I start posting info. Check back later...Jim

[RockinKees]

Nice Pic Jim!

Question, you have an EFI system right?
How’s that doing?
I’ve heard some stories overhere that they were not so good??

[8man]

Looking forward to the post

[joedoh]

great shot jim! dont be afraid to post some cruising shots for us too

[mongocanfly]

truck looks great out in the sun Jim...

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Nice Pic Jim!

Question, you have an EFI system right?
How’s that doing?
I’ve heard some stories overhere that they were not so good??

Kees, I installed the FiTech unit, after a few minutes reprograming some idle stuff and off throttle response time, mine has worked great. It runs so much better, starts fast, and is a joy to drive. Even my cruise control works better with the FiTech unit. Mark and I have installed 4 units on different cars, and everyone is happy with them.

I think some people have had problems, but you don't know how they did the install, etc. Maybe we were just lucky, but I truly think its just following everything correctly. One car I did we used the command center, instead of an in line pump. I don't care for the command center, but he hasn't had any problems..Jim

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by joedoh

great shot jim! dont be afraid to post some cruising shots for us too

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

truck looks great out in the sun Jim...

Thanks guys, will get some the next time I'm out (I was out again today 78 and sunny, but no camera)...Jim

[oldman3]

Well, guys and gals, I'm back again with some changes. Since we've put the truck back together, I've been driving it alot in April, and I've noticed little things that needed attention. One main concern was how it was riding in the rear, just ruff, etc. The last time I had NSRA check my truck, they said there was play in the Vibration damper u joint. So I bought new U joint and shaft to replace. Also at around 65 to 70 on my highway is a quick up/down hill (dip) in a couple spots, and I was hearing this grinding noise, when it made the transition. Needed to be checked out. I decided that it was time to replace my rear shocks. I wanted to again install QA1 adjustable shocks (pricey but they are nice). After talking with tech we finally found a short enough shock to work. All my parts came in this week and today, Mark said he would start on the truck. Mark had most of the work done, by the time I got back from the nursing home.

1. The grinding noise was the drive shaft hitting the rivet on the main crossmember. When we installed new motor mounts and trans mounts (earlier last year) they changed the height of driveshaft and put it closer to the crossmember. It was just barely hitting so, Mark cut down one rivets. He also re-routing my E-brake cable so the drive shaft won't hit it.

2. A bolt had come out of the power steering bracket just under the reservoir, so he replaced that.

3. He replace the old steering shaft unit with new stuff (see pics below).

4. He replace the rear shocks. The right rear shock was wore out, it had no resistance, right one still had gas in it (see pics below).

Took it out for a quick drive, and man what a difference. I have leaf springs in the rear and the new shocks made all the difference in the world. Well worth the cost for me. I set the adjustment for a soft compress and rebound, and it feels great. No more grinding in the highway dip, etc.
Mark did find a exhaust leak in my H pipe, will get new gasket and replace.

So for now my spring maintenace in done and I'm happy. Thanks son...Jim

P.S. I cleaned the front good when it was apart. The rear section now, needs to be cleaned (another day).

[joedoh]

man you are lucky to have a son like mark (he is pretty lucky to have a hot rod dad too, dont get me wrong). my girls wouldnt spit on my projects even if they were on fire.

those shocks have a great rating, I hear a lot of good about them.