project dragons breath

[dragonwrecker]

ok this is a budget build for starters.it started life as a 67 long bed fleet side but has been converted to swb step side.i am a heavy equipment/truck mechanic by trade.so i get a few things to work with now and then as well.i just bagged the front and rear and set the cab and bed on to get an idea what it is going to look like fully deflated.the tire size will change etc.i have only been working on this project about a month.here are a few pics of where i started and am now

[dragonwrecker]

a little back story my first truck when i was 16 was a 67 shortbed stepside small window.i kept it till i was 28 and traded it for a s-10 with a 454 blown and tubed.i was regretting it as soon as on the way home.i have spent the last 12 years trying to find another one to no avail in a price range even close to what i would pay.this one will be built to exactly what i want.i dont care what it ends up costing it will not be up for sale.the color when ready will be the green on the 2010 camaros with black racing stripes on the hood.

[dragonwrecker]

engine and trans in place air bags at max lift in the rear and 75% in front takes 8lbs in the rear and65lbs in front to get to where i'm at..the tires currently are 30x9.50 just to give you an idea i plan to run 20s on back and 19s up front so close to run size i plan to use.this is just a complete mock up for now there will be a complete tear down for bodywork and frame cleaning and painting.also plan to rebuild the motor and trans





has a fat arse big thanks to my bro. had that little truck in the background for swapping the cab over

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice project!

[dragonwrecker]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice project!

thanks you know its alot of work but alot of fun as well.cant wait to get it finished with the synergy green paint but thats along way to go

[dragonwrecker]

well you get the idea

[Dieselwrencher]

Very cool! Keep up the great work!

[dragonwrecker]

:arggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i hate my ritcy f*cking neighbor the f*cker called code enforcement on me for a junk vehicle.i swear someone will get him some day. whatever happened to walking next door and talking to your neighbor first!my driveway looks a hell of alot better than alot of them here and its only temporary!we have no covenants here but we do have :a$$hat:.wish i had a bigger lot so i can build a shop but lake lots aren't very big.time to go buy a portable garage to "hide" it from the a$$hole when im not working on it.anyone know of a reasonable place to get one near jackson lake? vent over

[dragonwrecker]

a little progress.got the front end completely mounted took it for a test drive to see how well it handles.i was surprised how well it did.the air bags are isolated and have a master dump to drop in when parking etc.i do need to go with a bit stiffer rear shock to eliminate the small amount of "volley" i get in the rear on bumps.its not much but enough to notice it.i still have the stockers on it so should be an easy fix.i was going to buy a cowl hood but remembered i had an old fiberglass hood from a drag camaro from days gone by so a little trimming and i think i can mold it in nicely and even make it a functional hood.now if brothers will get my front and rear roll pans and inner fenders here i can get back to my bodywork. (after the 27th when my code enforcement visit is over ..) btw anyone have a tailgate and hardware they don't need?

[dragonwrecker]

well not much progress.my wifes TJ blew up so all my extra funds went to her a new ride.it;s amazing how that always happens.
however i did score a dash from one of the old graveyard trucks at my work.its from a c-60 and since i am running air bags it has the air gauge in it just right of the steering column.i dis-assembled them and re-worked and polished the glass. here is what i started with and ended up with.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice cluster restoration!

[71swb4x4]

NIce work on the cluster. Let's see some more pictures of the drawing!!

[spike38]

Originally Posted by dragonwrecker

.i dis-assembled them and re-worked and polished the glass. here is what i started with and ended up with.

Very nice restoration.


Spike

[dragonwrecker]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

NIce work on the cluster. Let's see some more pictures of the drawing!!

thats all there is on the drawing.first time i have sat down with a pencil and paper in about 20 years and damn i am rusty

[dragonwrecker]

thanks for the complements i have about 8 hrs in it.

[dragonwrecker]

had some spare time today and got a little done. i started on the right side rocker panel.got it out to find more rot.front lower a pillar needs replacing and the inner rocker as well.i new i would need to repair the edge of the floor boards on both sides.

heres a few pics of were i am with it













and for sh!ts and giggles i did a test fit to see how it looks :0)

[Dieselwrencher]

Yeah, that ol rust is a PITA for sure! Keep up the good work!