Pics per request for Panel lovers

[69panel]

I received a request by PM to put up more pictures of my panel truck.


Here are two photoshows of my '69 panel. The first is before lettering:

http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/HF8TA8er

After lettering:
http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/dq2Pj2Dr

Dial up beware...big files.

[CG]

That is a nice panel. I didnt realize it was bagged. Now I understand what you were talking about in the PM.

Someday I hope to have mine as nice as yours.

[1LoC10]

wow, that is real nice... good job

[Long Roof]

Looks fantastic !!

[pritch]

Now I have something to shoot for, but you've set the bar pretty high. If my '68 is ever half that nice, I'll be a happy guy.

[Frizzle Fry]

One of the nicest panels out there

[72cheyennesuper20]

Nice panel.

[wagonhoe]

Nice truck! Is that a Caprice wagon in the driveway? I have a '92 also. Tell me more about the compressor you used for the airbags. I would like to have a belt driven pump on my '69 burb similar to that setup.

[Ironhead]

Nice work...

[69panel]

Originally Posted by wagonhoe

Nice truck! Is that a Caprice wagon in the driveway? I have a '92 also. Tell me more about the compressor you used for the airbags. I would like to have a belt driven pump on my '69 burb similar to that setup.

Yea, that's my '94 wagon

The compressor:
I made some brackets and mounted a Chrysler V-2 A/C compressor with the expansion valve removed. I put a small cartridge filter on the intake side. I put 12 volts via a switch to engage the A/C clutch when I want it pumping air. I chose the Chrysler A/C compressor because it has a crankcase and doesn't require oil in the freon to lube it like the newer compressors do. It really gets it done quickly. I can fill the reservoir tanks in minutes from dead empty.

[72LoBurb]

Awesome panel!

Where did you find the info on running the Chrysler a/c compressor for the bags? Interesting....very interesting. I may have to look into a set-up like that, when I get around to baggin' my 'burb.

[69panel]

Originally Posted by 72LoBurb

Awesome panel!

Where did you find the info on running the Chrysler a/c compressor for the bags?

I thought of using the Chrysler V-2 after reading a post on a "Rock Crawler" forum I stumbled on while searching for something else on Google. The post described a guy using an A/C compressor off of a Ford/ York A/C system. He was using it to re-air up his tires in the field. I guess rock crawlers lower their tire pressure to increase traction but need to add air for the drive home. Anyway I also found that there were some kits available to add on a York style compressor to Ford Broncos and Jeeps but the kits were ridiculously expensive and nothing for a Chevrolet. I had a Chrysler V-2 already and I started thinking about it and conferred with an old friend who was a #1 line mechanic for a Dodge dealership until he retired and we came to the conclusion that it should work great. It does work killer. I put an air chuck under the hood and keep one of those yellow cheap coiled hoses in the panel so I can pump up my tires or any one's tires. I can shunt the solenoid air valves if they screw up and pump the bags manually should I need to. I had to do that once and it was a life saver or should I say a tow saver. I can hook it up after washing my engine and blow dry the engine compartment. I suppose I could have used a York but the V-2 looks cooler than the blocky York.

[72LoBurb]

Thanks for the info... I may hit you up in the not-too-distant future, for a little more detail on your system, if that's ok.
A quick trip to one of the self serve "recyclers" should net me an a/c compressor rather cheap; besides, it's time for a little rootin' around to find "hidden treasure", anyways.

[69panel]

Originally Posted by 72LoBurb

Thanks for the info... I may hit you up in the not-too-distant future, for a little more detail on your system, if that's ok.

Sure, I'm up for trying to help you but...making the bracket is the key and my set up is probably different from yours. Try to get all of the Mopar mounting brackets off of the motor when you pick up your compressor it will make it easier to mount. I'm not sure it's explainable...it's one of those things you'd have to see in person. Luckily my R-134 compressor came with a double groove pully clutch so all I had to do was align one groove of that double pully
with the V-2 compressor to drive it while the other groove drives my A/C.
I litterally used two by four wood scraps stacked up to hold the V-2 in position with good pully alignment while I measured to fabricate pieces and locate bolt holes on the face of the block or cylinder head to attach it with. You will understand when you pick one up...that puppy is heavy. I really could have used a hand but I had no one to help.

[72 sub]

Thats one nice panel! Is that you supplying the background tunes to the slideshow?

[PanelDeland]

I would like to see more interior shots.I assume the rear walls are covered with something but it looks like the floor is stockish.
The truck looks great.I really like that blue.Someone(maybe you) did some over the top bodywork on it.

[69panel]

Originally Posted by 72 sub

That's one nice panel! Is that you supplying the background tunes to the slideshow?

No, I would have liked to have played the background music but I can't figure out to do it. The tune is taken from a selection of tunes the
Photoshow offers. I've even tried adding artists I like as the background music but again the program will not allow it.

[69panel]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

I would like to see more interior shots. I assume the rear walls are covered with something but it looks like the floor is stockish.
The truck looks great. I really like that blue. Someone(maybe you) did some over the top bodywork on it.

The paint is base/clear the original color.

The floor is stock and there is no rot...I hope to get around to at least refinishing it one day.

The interior is Mahogany paneling stained a reddish cherry color and the urethaned.

Thanks for the compliment on the body work...That's three and a half years worth of body and mechanical work and a month and a half of guidecoat blocking. Another few weeks of color sanding and buffing after painting. I still have some of the roof to go. As I worked on it it seemed to get bigger and bigger. It really is a lot of real estate to cover. It's like color sanding two regular vehicles.

I wish I had a before picture of it but you'll just have to take my word for it when I say it was rough with lots of rust below the beltline. I had to fabricate a lot of patch panels all the way round the vehicle. Partial floor pans and the bottom of both door jams. The top jam on the passenger side. Rocker panels, inner and outer, below the front doors. The rear barn doors took two sets of doors to make two good ones and several patch panels on the rear door jams. Patch panels on the cowling and firewall...hidden but never the less rotten and full of sand, dirt and leaves where it's supposed to drain.

I thought I'd never get through it...I burned out and had to walk away several times. Then I'd see a Trucking magazine or a TV show build and get inspired to go back at it. I've kept up with how much I've spent and it's a huge amount of money but spread over time it's not so bad. I learned that next time I'll buy one in better condition to start on.

The satisfaction I guess is having done it all myself.

[robb67]

Thanks for the pic's. that's really an awesome "finished" project you have there.

[Longhorn Man]

I'm gonna have to subscribe to this one.... i like the compressor idea. brilliant!