Plus Five

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by donandal

Thank you,

Yeah,

There is a manual disconnect.

Battery is under the floor passenger side.

If you look at the last picture in post #64, at the bottom below the lower
Pivot arm there is a knurled knob. On that linkage there is also a pin that
can be pulled ( after you release spring tension by twisting the knob counterclockwise)
that will allow manual opening of the hood. It's a little
heavy, but my wife can do it easily by herself.

When you lift manually, once it goes over center weight wise, it will fall to
the full open position. The springs on the limit rods catch it smoothly.

I did spend a lot of time figuring the linkage geometry of that lift actuator.
My calculations were pretty close though, so it didn't need to be reworked
too much after I tried it with scrap materials.

Thanks for the info.
I was wondering, and what I said: really nice work!!

[69CST-V]

Incredible fab work... Like where you are taking it. Keep posting

[II_Slow]

Didn't know just how bad/crude my fab work was until I saw yours. Suddenly I'm feeling a little inadequate.....

[donandal]

I made the inner fenders from 18 gauge steel. The hood
frame closes against a strip of aluminum attached to
the fenders that will not be painted. A rubber weatherstrip
on the frame will seal it up.

I used a bracket at the firewall similar to the original Z channel
to space the inner fender about an inch away from the firewall.

[donandal]

I also made covers that go over the inside of the
A-arms. They cover up the A-arm pivot area and
will keep spray from coming in from the wheel well.

You can see some of them in these pictures.

[Chance48]

Beautiful clean work as usual man!

[donandal]

That covers most of the chassis and cab basics. The details
will be posted later in the finishing process.

This is how I finished the front end.

I tucked the bumper in a little closer to the fenders. It's
just a stock front bumper. the bumper and valance tilt
with the hood.

[donandal]

final look...

[donandal]

the rear is just a front bumper cut into two
sections. I used a stainless steel one so I could cut
it down and polish the edge. No chrome needed.

The center folds up for trailer hitch access. Stainless
steel spring pins hold it open or closed.

[donandal]

parts for the rear valance...

[donandal]

I made these filler pieces behind the fenders,

[donandal]

I also made new side panel filler pieces...

[donandal]

I made a little die to press out some extensions for the stake
pockets.

[donandal]

and capped off the ends...

[Iplumb]

Very Very Nice.
You are truly a craftsman.

Mike

[mongocanfly]

I've been watching this one..easy to tell this isn't your first one..very nice work and attention to details..

[torchlight]

Absolutely love the front bumper tuck! I appreciate the subtelty of it. Very custom, but it looks like it could have rolled off the factory line that way.

[youngrodder]

Great metal work. You make it look soooo easy.

Marc

[Advanced Design]

There are so many nice details in your build that are extremely well done. I like the stake pocket extensions, and the end caps, and the ... Thanks for showing all the details.

[69CST-V]

Very nice fab skills...Thanks for sharing.

[RockinKees]

Eye for detail is short said....

Would you be so kind showing how you did the hinges on the licenseplate, between the rear bumpers??

Thanks for sharing!!

[oldman3]

What can I say, just beautiful work...Jim

[donandal]

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Eye for detail is short said....

Would you be so kind showing how you did the hinges on the licenseplate, between the rear bumpers??

Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks

yeah,

I'll have to get some pictures of the hinge and latch pin setup.
I don't remember if I took any yet.

[donandal]

Thanks everyone,
I really appreciate all the comments.

[donandal]

So,
I think I've covered most of the rear bed,fenders etc.

I do want to mention MAR-K quality truck parts. I bought
all of my box parts from them, and they are excellent.
Service and shipping were great.

It saved so much time using their new parts I think it saved
me money as well! Great products!!!!!!

I planned a different type bed floor, so ordered my bedsides
without holes or angle strip welded in place.
They have options already in place to custom order your box
parts and mine came exactly as ordered.

I wanted something sturdy, maintenance free, and different.

I drew up a sketch of a flange and C-channel shape and had a local
sheet metal shop bend them up for me. I stayed shy just a little
from the sides, and installed a L-shaped bracket to tie it
together and fill the gaps.

It is .080 brushed stainless steel. I made recess and dimple dies
to mount the screws and bolts. There are a ton of bolts that hold it
together and hold it down to the frame cross members.

I'll peel the plastic wrap of later.