Project "My Happy Mess"

[litew8]

I have a runner up for the chrome trim - Aluminum Foil tape.
Thinnest I could find is 1.2 mil



Worth a try.

[litew8]

Random pics










Spot the Blue Jay




More horses




Since the horses bench seat cover won't fit, we did the next best thing.
My brother painted them on! Looks great!

[litew8]

Looks like a pheasant?






Spot the Robin.



One more time.




Interior pieces, before.








Painted. Turned out great!

[litew8]

Thanks Mike.

Welded exhaust up -






Door panels installed.

[litew8]

Not my pet or friend, little sumab!tch

[litew8]

Thanks Jim, now we can concentrate on these

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by litew8

Thanks Jim, now we can concentrate on these

Wow! you dropped some change on those pieces. I never noticed you hadn't done the bed restoration yet.

[litew8]

Yeah, two years ago! It was a necessary evil since the originals busted out with rust.
I figured buying new was the best option (less work etc...).
They've been hiding out back all this time. Wood floor and NOS rear wheel wells too.
Bedsides are the only pieces made in china. Everything else (less bumpers I think): ORIGINAL 1970's US metal.

[litew8]

Okay, we'll pretend there are no 'bad things' then.
So far we don't see any issues test fitting the sides.

[litew8]

A couple hours worth of work update.


The only snag we've run into so far. The front panel wouldn't lift up far enough to line up.
We concluded this to be a stamping error and adjusted as needed. It'll clean up later.
Also, spot welds on the top insides of the bedsides were hammered flat to help achieve proper clearance (upward from within).




Pass. side didn't need modified, other than hammering on the weld.




The new co-worker. He doesn't do much of anything




Heck yeah

[litew8]

Thanks

[litew8]

Pics from today. In a progressive order.








Spot the problem:




Zeus or Raiden






My brother's considering firing the new co-worker.






Nonconformity issue #3.




Nonconformity issue #4.

[litew8]

Truck abuse




Tailgate on.






Holes on the bedsides > front panel have been drilled out to correct the misalignment issues.
We're ready to mark and drill our perimeter and tub holes for the bed wood.
After that, tear it apart and finish up.

[litew8]

Improved heavy duty fix.








Lines. Shimmed the bed cross sill (driver's side corner) from frame to correct unevenness.




Bed wood all buttoned up. Needs no more attention



Driver's side bedside needed a little modification.
Top rail middle bend was too obtrusive. Broke the spot welds to relieve the pressure.
Done.

[Jahloha]

Holy cow! I am so pumped and motivated. I just finished the thread, your truck is an inspiration. Im excited to follow you through the end and get there someday for me too.

[litew8]

Thanks Couple hours a day adds up.

[67_C-30]

That bad boy is coming along nicely!

Originally Posted by litew8

Improved heavy duty fix.

Just a friendly note, and you may already know this, but if you leave the bolts like in the pic above, they will hit the cab when the truck flexes. I can't tell you how many trucks I've had that the factory bolt head on the top (the one that threads into the bedside), I always but a button head allen bolt in that one, and put the bolts with nut side in the bed. It doesn't look that great, but that is the way they came from the factory.

[litew8]

Thanks man! Yes, we are aware. He put them in that direction because it was easier at the time.
It's all disassembled now (as seen in the video). He'll be edging all the peices and then we'll reassemble for the last time and he'll finish painting.

[litew8]

Found a (rear shot) picture of my truck before starting restoration efforts. Funny thing (or not funny to privacy), this picture was taken by Google and I just happen to visit street view to find this sitting in my brother's driveway:

pre July 2011

[litew8]

[litew8]

[litew8]

These two still need finishing on top. Everything else shown is done.

[litew8]

Not sure why, and I'm wondering if these repro front inner fenders are really for my truck
We had to cut out a larger notch (outlined in red) so that the steering shaft would clear.
Don't care! It fits, now

[oldman3]

Hey Litew8, like the "new flat bed" look you have going...Jim

[litew8]

Front panel


Tailgate prep