Plus Five

[mongocanfly]

Coming along nicely...as usual

[STOCKISH]

Amazing work as usual. Keep at it!

[oldman3]

Sweeeeeeet...Jim

[donandal]

Today I installed the headliner panels.

I put sound deadening and insulation on the roof skin
and on the back side of the headliner panel.

I also cut a small hole for the microphone for the
blue tooth up front just above the mirror.

The dome light is from a Subaru and is wired like new cars
to the door switch or manual on.

[solidaxel]

That turned out great, what material did you use for the headliner?

[donandal]

Thanks,

I made it with .060 thick 3003 aluminum.
I used an english wheel to curve it to match
the curve of the roof panel. It's slightly rounded
in both directions.

The front moldings at the visor area are also made
from the same aluminum. I rolled the profile to match
the look of the original headliner retainer... sort of.
Then I used the original retainer at the rear.

Kind of keeping a metal look to it.

[MIKESAD50]

Amazing work! Like this truck. Wish I had small amount of your talent.

[RockinKees]

WoW!
That's really nice!
Your eye for details is amazing!!

[donandal]

My son was home today so we mounted the doors.
No major issues, and no paint damage getting it all lined up.
Not too bad for a 1953 truck!

[jkeating1]

Originally Posted by donandal

Not too bad for a 1953 truck!

Especially one with 5" spliced into the doors!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Looks REALLY nice!

[Flysocal]

Very nice sir

[Nut Case]

Donandal

You concepts and execution is offffffffff! the charts, When I come on this site I look to for you updates. Strong Work!!

I would venture a guess you could earn a few BIG coins selling these quality trucks.

Thanks for sharing.

NC

[donandal]

Thanks guys,
Today I messed around with the doors.

I put sound deadening inside the door skins and then
started putting the hardware on the doors.
I put the handle and bearclaws on and put the striker plates on.
It closes very nice.

Also put in the vent windows and stainless window trim.

[dug224]

Door gaps are incredible! Well done. I have door gap envy...

[donandal]

quick shot of the vent window deflector...

[donandal]

I installed the roll up windows today. Kind of tricky to get
it in there but it's in with out scratching the glass.

The track along the vent window side is a bit snug fitting.
I wiped on a little silicone spray into the felt channel and
that helped quite a bit. It's still a little stiff rolling it up
and down, but I think it will break in OK.

The black rubber wedge trim slides in a channel in the door.
That was a pain to get installed.

I used 3M black weatherstrip adhesive on the felt strips along
the lower window trim and it worked great!

The vent window track lower bracket bolts to my door brace.
The stop also fastens to the brace.

[donandal]

some more photos,

[donandal]

finished the installation of the interior door latches
and handles.

I used bear claw latches and modified the trip mechanism
to accept the actuator rod following the channel in the door.

The flat rod they supplied worked great with the original
handle rod. I slotted the holes and this allows the handle
to travel to the original lock detente. That allows a little more
security preventing the door from being accidentally bumped
open.

[oldman3]

Congrats, ready for more great updates...Jim

[Nut Case]

Donandal

WOW! Again off the charts, great idea on the adjustable connection between the handle and the latch.

When you where fabbing the doors and cab, did you use a sacrificial rubber weather stripping between the cab and doors to get the door closing and latch all working well with each other and straight, level and plumb, getting that behind you before you get into paint?

I envy your skills and ideas!

Keep on keepin on

NC

[donandal]

Originally Posted by Nut Case

Donandal

WOW! Again off the charts, great idea on the adjustable connection between the handle and the latch.

When you where fabbing the doors and cab, did you use a sacrificial rubber weather stripping between the cab and doors to get the door closing and latch all working well with each other and straight, level and plumb, getting that behind you before you get into paint?

I envy your skills and ideas!

Keep on keepin on

NC

I used pieces of the old gasket to check the fit somewhat, but I expect
I'll still need to adjust the doors after I put the last weatherstrip
pieces on.

My old gaskets were reproduction ones that were torn up a bit when
I removed them, and they were 5 inches too short to really check the
entire fit.

Thanks

[solidaxel]

Good News, just like you planned it !!

I must have missed the break in procedure, where did you find it!

[mongocanfly]

Always makes you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside when it fires off for the first time...

[donandal]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Always makes you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside when it fires off for the first time...

Yes it does!

I had a real concern with the fuel lines since they were sort of a pain
and I had no experience. I very happy I had no fuel leaks.

Thanks