'63 Long Fleet "Big Orange"

[Mike Bradbury]

It's been a year.... lets see some progress pics. I know you got 'em.

[botsdots]

Very funny... I need to keep my phone with me in the garage.

I had everything powdercoated black and installed the PB front end. RCD in El Cajon, CA hooked me up with the shocks. For anyone in the San Diego area, RCD will coordinate the purchase of their products through a local dealer as RCD can only wholesale. Good price and the guy at RCD drove them down to the dealer on his lunch. Great folks over there.

Here's a shot of the completed left side suspension. I'm running the McGaughy's drop spindles and 6-lug disc kit on Porterbuilt arms.


I ran into some clearance issues that may or may not be a problem... I'm going to swap out my rubber motor mounts for polyurethane and hope there's no interference. Worst case, I replace the headers?

[1963c-10]

Looking great.

[uber cool]

looking good, like the tip on oven cleaner , might try that. I've got a LWB 63 fleetside too, but in UK imported it from Oregon in Sept 14.

[botsdots]

Originally Posted by uber cool

looking good, like the tip on oven cleaner , might try that. I've got a LWB 63 fleetside too, but in UK imported it from Oregon in Sept 14.

Thanks uber. The only thing you have to be careful of with the oven cleaner is anything organic you don't want cleaned. Asphalt/Blacktop can be compromised by it... just be careful.

On that note, I actually used lye (drain cleaner) at first. Took a giant metal drum, added lye, put a fire under it and put the parts in it. That stuff is very caustic, an extreme base, so you have to be extremely careful. It did a good job of cleaning, but I was concerned about getting a burn from it, so I neutralized it and moved on to oven cleaner.

[botsdots]

Got a package (or 4) from Summit today. ... Pop quiz: which one is not like the other one?

Not to mention, the price went down 10% overnight....

[botsdots]

I picked up the "poor man's serpentine kit" which uses two 6-rib belts instead of one, but is significantly cheaper (March Performance P/N# 22061)

So I started pressing the P/S pump pulley on while loosely mounted...


And realized there is no way I'm going to be able to get this bolt in with it on the truck


So off it comes and I need some shorter bolts... hold that until tomorrow I guess.

This may be overkill, but I'm doing hydroboost


And I picked up a PSC remote reservoir, pump housing and bracket (PSC P/N# SR2545-10K, SR146H-6-10, MR18K)


Going to be a tight fit


Stock photo of bracket which DOES NOT fit. I might go back and order one of these, which I didn't see before. Their site is really hard to navigate.


And lastly, my next proximity issue

[botsdots]

I can't find 3/16 line separators anywhere, so I 3D modeled this guy. It's not going to be cheap for them to be fabricated, but might be worth it if I can make the financials work to produce a bunch and try to recoup some costs.

Left hole is recessed for a Hex Cap Screw, Right hole is tapped 4-48.


3x .188" half-holes. Two pieces get screwed together to make the separator.


I'm slightly concerned about getting to the underside to tighten the "other" screw. I'm trying to keep the cost down by making a bunch of a single part that are interchangeable.

[LostMy65]

Who is this?!!!!!
Nah, just kidding.
Life happens.

[88Stanger]

Welcome Back!!!

[botsdots]

And back we are. Moving from CA to TX, so brought the truck with me on the first trip. Fired up the old girl this week. Have a couple leaks in the fuel system and transmission cooler. Waiting for parts, but I should be on the road in a week!

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by botsdots

And back we are. Moving from CA to TX, so brought the truck with me on the first trip.

What part of Texas are you moving to ?

I live on a cul de sac with 5 houses on it. In the last year three of the houses have sold and all to California people moving in. Apparently there is a bit of an eastward migration trend happening.

[botsdots]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

What part of Texas are you moving to ?

I live on a cul de sac with 5 houses on it. In the last year three of the houses have sold and all to California people moving in. Apparently there is a bit of an eastward migration trend happening.

West of Houston. Wife grew up here, so back we are. I'm having to learn that people here are nice because they're nice, not because they're trying to stab you in the back.... it's sad, really.

My frame of mind and hobbies lend themselves more to this part of the country, so happy to be here.

The moving truck alone is $5k

[88Stanger]

Pray all safe travels for you and your family. Get settled in and start back up on that beautiful ride!!

[J Williams]

I might be a little biased of the year and color as well!! Love the truck man. Keep up the good work and I will definitely be following this build

[Low Elco]

I understand the big rental companies will literally pay you to take a truck back to CA. A guy here at work just did it. Wow. Good luck on the new start.

[The Rocknrod]

Nice to see progress in all stages.