41DegreesSouth Build Thread

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Looking forward to the results!

Me too!

[1985-GMC]

Originally Posted by Billhilly

Yeah! Finally paint. And tomorrow colour! Who knew.

Awesome! I can't wait to see it! This is definitely one of my favorite builds, and actually one of maybe two or three that I have the subscription set to "instant email notification" haha. I think your attention to detail is the reason I like this one so much. Yours and mosesburb's... (I see you watching) lol

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Awesome! I can't wait to see it! This is definitely one of my favorite builds, and actually one of maybe two or three that I have the subscription set to "instant email notification" haha. I think your attention to detail is the reason I like this one so much. Yours and mosesburb's... (I see you watching) lol

Thanks! There are some exceptional builds around here. Mosesburb's is certainly one of them.
Had another good day. My friend who is a great panel beater/restoration guy came in and laid down the bog on the outer guards, front panel, and a little on the inner guards. The outer guards were pretty straight, not much bog in them. We then all sanded them down, etch primed any bare steel, then primed everything we were working on. Then top coated the under side of the bed. The first of the colour. I'm pretty happy with the colour. A loong story, but it's too late to change now! Another day should have the bed bits done.

[Billhilly]

Well, that took longer than I thought. Anyway at the end of painting week two, the entire bed is done (minus tailgate). Not perfect by any means, but you've got to draw the line somewhere. It's a work truck after all!
Day's are getting shorter, nights are getting colder. Gotta get it done.
The blue changes incredibly with the light. From light to dark. I like the darker end of the spectrum....

[DeadheadNM]

Nice progress!

[ryanroo]

very nice!

[1985-GMC]

Looks awesome!

[sharpmark]

nice colour choice and good progress.

[Billhilly]

Thanks guys!
I have been saving for a while to have the money to 'get it done', and didn't want to play the "paint prison' deal that you hear some people putting up with. Have already used alot of paint! Obviously alot more to be used!
Hood, tailgate and front guards next.

[Palf70Step]

That is a beautiful color. It is going to look great when it is back together.

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

That is a beautiful color. It is going to look great when it is back together.

Thanks! I had a colour picked out years ago, but had to make a last minute change....long story. It's growing on me. I'll do the roof/A and B pillars white.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Billhilly

Day's are getting shorter, nights are getting colder.

That sounds odd cause over here its just the opposite coming out of winter.

The color looks nice!

[ryanroo]

the toilet water is backwards down there too... haha

i am currently enjoying the sunny blue skies of the southern rockies springtime. im glad its not almost winter! my neighbors want to hear the sounds of redneckery and i cant give that to them with the heat on!

that paint looks really good!

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

my neighbors want to hear the sounds of redneckery and i cant give that to them with the heat on!

This, intrigues me....

Originally Posted by ryanroo

that paint looks really good!

Thanks, I'm liking it more by the day!

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by Billhilly

This, intrigues me....

i was using a router to machine aluminum in my garage last night. still chilly enough to have the heat on in the garage, had to keep the doors closed. i was sad i couldnt share the sweet song of 25,000rpm carbide spinning in 6061 with the whole cul-de-sac!

its my guess that they are all wondering when i'll move... HA

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

i was using a router to machine aluminum in my garage last night. still chilly enough to have the heat on in the garage, had to keep the doors closed. i was sad i couldnt share the sweet song of 25,000rpm carbide spinning in 6061 with the whole cul-de-sac!

Ahhh, starts to make a bit of sense now! I'm pretty lucky around here. Only one neighbour across the road I have to worry about.

[Billhilly]

Another paint day today. Replaced the bodgy patch on the antenna hole, got the front guards prepped, and then etch primed, and primed everything, then top coated the underside of the cowl and the inside of the guards. Tomorrow should be top coat on those three bits and the tailgate. Underside of hood is done, top will be done as a seperate run apparently.

[Billhilly]

Nine part and full paint days over the last three weeks. Yesterday finished the tailgate and front fenders. Another half day should finish the hood and cowl. That will leave just the doors and the cab. So well over half way I guess, but there is a list of final things that need doing on the cab before sandblasting. Really need to get them done over the next couple of weeks so we can get this wraped up. We'll see how we go!

[1985-GMC]

Nice progress!

[Palf70Step]

[Billhilly]

Thanks guys! Trying to keep at it! Working towards getting the doors finished and off for sand blasting. Installed the door motors. Just welded a small tab to the existing lever and bent up the connecting rod. With the motor bolted straight to the back edge of the door with a couple of 1/8" bolts, the pull is pretty much vertical out of the motor. Pretty clean and simple. Drilled door and A pillar for wiring. Only panel work required is where the original camper mirrors were bolted on. When the bolts were done up it pulled the panel quite a bit. Need to get the doors off, then cab dismantled and lifted off next.

[1985-GMC]

Very nice! I've never wanted it before but recently I've been contemplating putting power door locks in my trucks. It does come in pretty handy.

[ryanroo]

I agree. Never cared much for power doors, but I'm really considering windows and locks. More locks than windows. Looking good billhilly! Still digging that color!

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Very nice! I've never wanted it before but recently I've been contemplating putting power door locks in my trucks. It does come in pretty handy.

Thanks, yeah, it's part of a bigger plan (see below).

Originally Posted by ryanroo

I agree. Never cared much for power doors, but I'm really considering windows and locks. More locks than windows. Looking good billhilly! Still digging that color!

I'm now waiting to see all the painted pieces actually bolted together back on the truck. Still kind of hard to visualize the finished product. But thanks again!
I wasn't that stressed about power door locks, but when they failed on my DD I could see what a pain it was without them. Also, I'm going to make a half height topper (?)(or cap?) over the bed for my work tools, so in theory I will be able to put motors on the door latches on that and lock up the whole deal with one click. That was more of the driving force. Easiest to do it now, and just another item to slow down/complicate the build!
So the hood was finally done nearly ten days ago. Cowl is all bogged and ready for one last prime/paint. Work/life has over taken the last two weeks so hopefully this week will open up a little for me. We shall see!
Ryan, a couple of pic's below show the 'panels' I attached to the stock battery box's to give me more 'wiring' space. On the left hand one, beside the mega fuses is where I was going to mount all my relay's and figured something like your flush mount one's would make for an much tidier finish.
Rubbish photo's sorry, the upper box on the right hand side is an external regulator. I have a 150 amp Zena Welder there in place of the alternator. It can switch between being an alternator, and welder. The bottom box is the welding controller. Cause it's going to be my work truck I figured you never know when someone might need a small welding job done away from mains power. (I also got it for half price!). I also picked up a second hand Redi Line generator for real cheap. I'm going to mount it in the front corner of the bed for mains power for a small angle grinder/drill.

[ryanroo]

I totally dig the idea of a welder. i had that idea a few times, but in the end i decided it wasnt a necessary add on for my truck. i am dealing with confined space as it is anyhow and the reality of it is that i will probably just drive my truck and pull trailers once in a while. it wont ever be for serious work... haha i am already planning the 'for everyday use' build on my yellow truck so i dont have to drive the spiffy one everywhere if i dont want.

those relay holders are this

https://www.alliedelec.com/te-connec...1002/70199126/

they work with the normal 4 or 5 pin Bosch/Tyco relays. they do require a certain double crimp terminal to lock into the holder. they are linked in the lower part of that web page. they interlock so they can be mounted in a gang like i did, or they can be mounted individually.