55.2-59 '59 4x4 Build

[PuzzleTruck]

More pics:

[jerry moss]

you're doing a great job so far, keep up the good work. the only thing i see that will be a problem for you is the hanger set up on the mufflers (maybe they are only temporary) they need support on the back end. i may be out of line by mentioning it and if you already have a fix figured out, I apologize, it's just that i've worked in a muffler shop almost 40 years and they will break without support out there.

[PuzzleTruck]

Originally Posted by jerry moss

you're doing a great job so far, keep up the good work. the only thing i see that will be a problem for you is the hanger set up on the mufflers (maybe they are only temporary) they need support on the back end. i may be out of line by mentioning it and if you already have a fix figured out, I apologize, it's just that i've worked in a muffler shop almost 40 years and they will break without support out there.

Hi Jerry, I appreciate the feedback! The back end of the mufflers have a mount with a threaded hole. They will attach to the step support when I get the bed and steps on the frame. I’m thinking ahead like you! Should be pretty sturdy then.

[PuzzleTruck]

Finally got the doors, front fenders and hood fit together.

[PuzzleTruck]

This past week was an eventful one. On Monday, the guy who's helping me prep for paint, put the fenders, inner fenders, and radiator support in the bed of his 2019 Tacoma and took them to his house. He didn't take them out right away, and that night his truck got stolen from in front of his house. Apparently he dropped his key, or may have left it in the console. (I don't like push-button start, because you don't have to physically take the key out to shut it off.) We were both devastated. He lost his truck, and means of working, and I lost the impossible to find fenders I had just spent the last month restoring.

The next day we didn't work on the truck, but the following day he showed up in my driveway in his truck with the fenders in the back! He explained that after he reported it stolen, police had his plate# and a cruiser got behind his truck, noticed an expired sticker and called it in. Lights went on and they trapped the thieves in a cul-de-sac after a short chase. What a relief to get everything back!!

After that, work continued as scheduled, albeit one day behind. He came over on Saturday to make up for it. We got the cab in 4 coats of high build primer and will begin blocking after a week cure time. I'm getting pretty exited, as the truck is really taking shape. I took the tires off the wheels to blast and repaint them. I will use the same white on the wheels, grill, and roof. Then it's on to wiring, finishing brake lines, shift linkage, etc.

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by PuzzleTruck

This past week was an eventful one. On Monday, the guy who's helping me prep for paint, put the fenders, inner fenders, and radiator support in the bed of his 2019 Tacoma and took them to his house. He didn't take them out right away, and that night his truck got stolen from in front of his house. Apparently he dropped his key, or may have left it in the console. (I don't like push-button start, because you don't have to physically take the key out to shut it off.) We were both devastated. He lost his truck, and means of working, and I lost the impossible to find fenders I had just spent the last month restoring.

The next day we didn't work on the truck, but the following day he showed up in my driveway in his truck with the fenders in the back! He explained that after he reported it stolen, police had his plate# and a cruiser got behind his truck, noticed an expired sticker and called it in. Lights went on and they trapped the thieves in a cul-de-sac after a short chase. What a relief to get everything back!!

After that, work continued as scheduled, albeit one day behind. He came over on Saturday to make up for it. We got the cab in 4 coats of high build primer and will begin blocking after a week cure time. I'm getting pretty exited, as the truck is really taking shape. I took the tires off the wheels to blast and repaint them. I will use the same white on the wheels, grill, and roof. Then it's on to wiring, finishing brake lines, shift linkage, etc.

Wow so happy to hear you got your panels back. That would nave been horrible to start over on those. Nice progress and how will you paint the cab? some type of scaffolding? Steve

[PuzzleTruck]

Thanks Steve. Yeah, huge relief after months of tracking them down and getting them straight, not to have to go through that again.

I have a plywood platform on the frame behind the cab and a wooden 4 foot ladder for getting the forward areas. Just finished spraying inside the cab, very close to original fawn color. Still need to do inside of doors, glove box and other trim, but it looks good finally getting some color on it!

[PuzzleTruck]

I painted the cab and some other parts and they came out pretty nice.

[PuzzleTruck]

One more showing dash.

[dsraven]

Nice. Cool color choice.

[Rickysnickers]

Looks really nice, well done!

[57FleetsideC4]

Looking really nice. Is that the original color? Steve

[PuzzleTruck]

I went with the original color inside and out. I really liked the Galway Green. It's close to a lot of other blue/green colors from the 50s, but I hadn't seen any exactly like it... until the car show I went to last week. LOL! One 63 truck was painted that color, but had no contrasting colors. Mine will have the ivory white top, grill, and wheels. The inside was easy to match with a Nissan color my painter friend had a pint of, and the dash is BMW dark metallic gray I had left over from another project, with a matte clear coat.

[PuzzleTruck]

It's been too hot to work outside lately, so I decided it's time to dive into the LS wiring harness. I hate wiring work, but it has to be done.

Last week I was in northern Nevada and saw a perfectly straight '54 Studebaker SB SS pickup. I used to own a red '55 that looked just like it. The owner asked if I was interested, but I had to decline.

[PuzzleTruck]

Pics: getting the bed together.

[PuzzleTruck]

Finally finished painting. Fenders look good.

[dsraven]

nice job. now to assemble without scratching. do you use the plastic washers under the fastener heads to save the paint?

[6DoF]

i always wanted a bathroom painted in that color ... but with a '57 chevy rear quarter on the wall!

[PuzzleTruck]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

i always wanted a bathroom painted in that color ... but with a '57 chevy rear quarter on the wall!

Haha 😂 Yes, it does remind me of my grandma’s bath fixtures. Very similar color.

DsRaven, no I didn’t know about plastic spacers, but I was careful not to spin the bolt heads where they show.

[PuzzleTruck]

Got a lot done since my last post. Windows are in, inner door panels and handles, weatherstripping, bed wood. Tailgate, rear lights and bumper. Seats and mounting brackets, steering column.

[PuzzleTruck]

Pics

[dsraven]

Nice work

[Rickysnickers]

Looking good.

[PuzzleTruck]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Getting there…

[jerry moss]

i see the rear exhaust support too