My 50 roadster pickup build

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Yes I had the same feelings when I read his thread!
If you have the time you should follow what he has inspired in his Son!
He has picked up some very interesting traits with his build

Thanks so much for the kind words. We both appreciated everyone checking out the old builds and watching the new stuff (Mark's). I only wish I could work more with Mark but life has me sidelined for the moment. Mark will continue doing new stuff and I'll help when needed. Thanks again...Jim

[oldman3]

Hey Guys, A little late in getting started with some projects I want to do to the roadster.

1. Been wanting to install cruise control for years, finally broke down and bought a newer style all electric units (more on that later).
2. The seat in my truck is done in the old tweed material, and is showing dirt and wear from 11 yrs of use, so I'm having it redone in ultra leather to match the leather in the panels and floor.
3. About 2 yrs ago, I was pulling the truck into the basement and another frame was in front of where I park, anyhow I didn't stop soon enough, and knocked a large chip of paint out on the bumper, so I'll repair and repaint.

Now I have to do my projects in between Mark working on projects for paying customers, so some of this may drag out awhile, but will be done by early summer.

Here is a couple pics of the cruse unit. I bought it through Brandon Distributing, it's my by Smart Line. The complete unit including shipping cost me $249.00.

[oldman3]

Here's a couple pics of the seat removed ( you can see the two worst spots on the front) and the empty cab.

[Advanced Design]

This is going to be fun to tag along on! Wife says the interior on your truck is amazingly Nice, Jim.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

This is going to be fun to tag along on! Wife says the interior on your truck is amazingly Nice, Jim.

Thanks Doug, tell the wife thank you, and how is she doing, fine I hope...Jim

[oldman3]

Late friday afternoon I got out and started on the pickup.

Pic 1 removed the cover in front of radiator, etc.

Pic 2 This is where the new cruise unit actuator will be mounted. My son Mark came up with mounting it in this location. The cable will go thru the hole, where you see it now, then to carb. This should be the only thing seen when I'm done in the engine compartment.

Pic 3 This is the unit. I removed their mounting bracket and I'm making a new one so it will mount on radiator support frame.

More later...Jim

[ChuckDriver]

Nice upgrade!

[oldman3]

I had made my bracket on Friday, and painted in black. So I went to shop about 1:00 pm today to do some more work.

Pic 1 The unit, first bracket is theirs, the second one is mine. Mark did some welding on it for me to get the angle I needed.

My brother in law then came to the shop and for the next 2 to 3 hours I helped him trouble shoot why his heater in his blazer wasn't working. After changing motors, etc, it turned out to be a bad switch.

Pic 2 Unit mounted with new bracket to radiator frame. Electrical hook up will come up from the outside of inner fender and plug into unit. Will show pics when I get that far.

Pic 3 another view

Jim

[youngrodder]

Good progress Jim... This afternoon, I put my 48 up on the stands I made to do some minor fixes this winter. Your interior looks really good.

Marc

[Kim57]

Very nice upgrade.
Your truck sure is nice.
Kim

[Indian113]

Jim, are you going to use Marine Grade Pleather? By the way if you are getting tired of working on that old chevy I could take it off your hands. That way you could start another project. I know it's your baby you just keep making it Nicer !

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Jim, are you going to use Marine Grade Pleather? By the way if you are getting tired of working on that old chevy I could take it off your hands. That way you could start another project. I know it's your baby you just keep making it Nicer !

Thanks Ray, but I think I might hold on to it for awhile. I'm using Ultra leather, the same as what I have now. It holds up super nice, there's a test they do on real and faux leather and the Ultra leather is over 400,000 rubs, so it should be good...Jim

[oldman3]

Last post on here for today. I also removed all my access panels, so I could see how I wanted to run my electrical hook ups.

Pic 1 Where the yellow box is, will be the hole I use to run the wires down toward the drive shaft. Magnetic speed sensor will be mounted down there to pick up rotation and submit signal to unit. More details and pics when I get that far.

Pic 2 Where this yellow box is, I will send the wire thru panel to outside of inner fender and up to the actuator. More details and pics to follow.

I still have to pick a spot for the module (brain) that all the wires tie into. I will be using a dash mount control switch, more later.

Hopefully I can get some time tomorrow to get a little more done...Jim

[oldman3]

Got out to the shop for a little while late today. No much done, but progress.

Pic 1 I had opted for the dash mount control, instead of the column mount, less work for me. Here it is mounted in the lower dash panel. Should work out great for use, it's on drivers side, once everything is finally mounted I will take additional pics.

having trouble posting pics, site to busy I guess, will post more as I can...Jim

[oldman3]

Try again.

Pic 1 Drilled hole in side panel, installed grommet for wires to run up front.

Pic 2 Here it is coming out of panel to backside of inner fender, will be secured better once everything is final. (man it's dirty under here)

[Advanced Design]

Jim, Great positioning of the actuator...up front hidden away..and tidy wire routing hidden away too. Nice.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Jim, Great positioning of the actuator...up front hidden away..and tidy wire routing hidden away too. Nice.

Thanks Doug...Jim

[Indian113]

Thanks for the update, it will interesting to see how you get along with the unit. I'd like to do the same thing to the wifes 64 someday.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Thanks for the update, it will interesting to see how you get along with the unit. I'd like to do the same thing to the wifes 64 someday.

Thanks Ray, as soon as I can check it out, I'll let you know how well it works...Jim

[shadow1967]

Nice build and to see your still make adjustment to a nice ride is nicer. And seeing somebody enjoying there built ride is envious.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by shadow1967

Nice build and to see your still make adjustment to a nice ride is nicer. And seeing somebody enjoying there built ride is envious.

Thank you for the compliments, and the old saying "their never done" seems we always want to change something. I've been kicked out of the shop since early last week. Had a 66 Chevelle come in for some work, so it'll be awhile before I finish up the install on the cruise unit...Jim

[oldman3]

Well, I'm back with a very small update. Able to get back in the shop today and finish up the wiring for the cruise unit. I have a Ron Francis wiring unit, so it made it real easy to hook up the wires. Cut to length, install fitting, back off screw install wire and tighten down. Not that it makes that much to look at, but heres all the wires in place, can you guess which ones I added. The other item to mention is my leather came in last week, and I took that and my seat to the upholstery guy, said he would get started on it this week. Speaking of upholstery a friend of mine wants me to redo his door panels on his 48 F@rd coupe, I made up a sample for him to look at. I'll post those pics next...Jim

[oldman3]

Here's my sample I made up. We have not decided on his design yet, this is just so he can visually see what I'm talking about. When I get ready to do his panels, I will let you guys know about the thread and you can check it out.

OK sample pics.

1. This is how it looks.

2. I left the center section unattached, so he can see how it's done.

3. To make up the piece it's 1/8" lauan, then 1/8" closed cell foam (vinyl top foam) and then the leather.

When I do his I'll show more detail for you guys and gals....Jim

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Well, I'm back with a very small update. Able to get back in the shop today and finish up the wiring for the cruise unit. I have a Ron Francis wiring unit, so it made it real easy to hook up the wires. Cut to length, install fitting, back off screw install wire and tighten down. Not that it makes that much to look at, but heres all the wires in place, can you guess which ones I added. The other item to mention is my leather came in last week, and I took that and my seat to the upholstery guy, said he would get started on it this week. Speaking of upholstery a friend of mine wants me to redo his door panels on his 48 F@rd coupe, I made up a sample for him to look at. I'll post those pics next...Jim

anyway to get a better pic of that fuse panel please so that we can read it

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Gregski

anyway to get a better pic of that fuse panel please so that we can read it

Greg, tried to get a better pic, but it won't focus correct

Pic 1 Out of focus

Pic 2 This is how the Ron Francis panel looks

Pic 3 This is the print out for the panel

Pic 4 This is American Auto Wire panel print out.

Both are great kits, I started using Ron Francis back in the 70's it was the best then, for single run wires.

Mark and I know use American Auto Wire, because we like the single run wires and it is cheaper that Ron Francis

Hope this helps...Jim