What Did You Do With Your Truck Today ?

[Hot Rod Todd]

Hi Im Todd & Im down in New Zealand.

About 7 days back, I bought a 48 Pick up with a 54 grill in it. Truck is "certified" which means that its modifications are legal for use on our roads. We have a very comprehensive manual on how to modify vehicles down here, put together by volunteers from the NZ Hot Rod Assn, and our Government approved it so as long as we stay within those parameters, we can modify stuff without issues or hassles.

So the truck I bought is legal with a 250 cube 6 cylinder engine, a Toyota 5 speed and XJ6 Jaguar steering, and suspension all round. But it looks a bit ordinary and needs some love. The truck is about 600 miles from here so was collected by a hot rodding friend who will go over it and ensure its good for the drive home in due course.

Our list of "needs" to make the truck a nice daily driver include

grommets for the new wiring loom so wires dont get damaged
new front bumper
lap & shoulder seatbelts
new steering wheel
new heater
realign the hood
rolled pan in the rear
towbar to get fitted
rubber mount the Jag rear end and lower back of truck to compensate for the taller tyres
Fit two speed wipers
Fit burstproof locks
Fit sound deadener in cab
Fit 15*8 & 15*6 chromies and whitewalls which I have from another unfinished project

And when that list is done (give it a month or so)
then its time to fit a SBC and 700R4.

So yesterday I delivered my old 700R4 out to the transmission guy & hes going thru it and I will have it back for the weekend so I can send it up to the guy who has the truck

And today I tracked down an old 350 I have sitting upcountry and arranged to have it rebuilt, by the end of March.

So all the first list will be done in 5 weeks and the changeover of engine & box will happen in May and I can drive it home with its new certification in June and then start on upgrading the upholstery, and maybe change the flat black paint to something a little nicer. (possibly gloss black as the cab is pretty straight)

Will put up some pikkys in a week or two when the new tyres are on it as its a bit plain in matt black with black painted Jaguar rims on it.