Project "49 No Buck$"

[deiinc]

cool build KB!!
I too plan on using a bench seat from a mid 90's Astro van in my 50... er eventually... can you share any tips, tricks, or pics on the install?

Thanks,
Roger

[hotrodjoe1952]

i love this whole thread, great work and very nice detail man.

[sixty8c10]

subscribing, awesome build

[kustombrad]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I've tried to cover every aspect of what I've done and make it it simple enough for most any car/truck nut! And not to sound like a bad guy, but to everyone who PMs me asking questions, READ the captions next to the pictures as I explain everything and tell what parts are from what. Thanks again!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by kustombrad

Thanks so much for the kind words! I've tried to cover every aspect of what I've done and make it it simple enough for most any car/truck nut! And not to sound like a bad guy, but to everyone who PMs me asking questions, READ the captions next to the pictures as I explain everything and tell what parts are from what. Thanks again!
Posted via Mobile Device

You've done a good job covering every aspect of what you have done, but you can never do enough for a car/truck nut.lol We are nuts. Great job on your page man.

[kustombrad]

I went out and took this to show my latest addition to the truck. I found it on EBAY and had to have it for the whole look! and yes it's freakin' raining! I'll be back at it in a couple weeks, so we can finish this thing up!

[daverod]

good ideas and good pictures.

[kustombrad]

Hey Guys, I'm back on it!!!! Sheesh, finally I can wrap this thing up! Finish cleaning up my garage tonight and it's game on! I'm dying to drive this thing and this is what I have to look at every day and I can't stand it anymore! First step is to fire up the motor and break in the cam, finish all that stuff in the engine compartment up and then do the interior! You guys are gonna LOVE the interior plans! Stay tuned!!!

[Rochlow]

Originally Posted by kustombrad

Hey Guys, I'm back on it!!!! Sheesh, finally I can wrap this thing up! Finish cleaning up my garage tonight and it's game on! I'm dying to drive this thing and this is what I have to look at every day and I can't stand it anymore! First step is to fire up the motor and break in the cam, finish all that stuff in the engine compartment up and then do the interior! You guys are gonna LOVE the interior plans! Stay tuned!!!

Best looking truck on this site!!! Wish I never got rid of my 53

[VA72C10]

sweet! Glad you're finishing it up!!!!

[chevyrestoguy]

It'll be awesome to see that thing finally in the garage. That old '47 Ford was growing roots! If there was any good thing that came out of it being stored outside for so long, it was the fact that the elements helped make the patina even better.

[kustombrad]

I'm pretty stoked I'm back on this thing! I do need a little help though. I need to find some hood emblems that have the "Thriftmaster" logo on them. I have these (not in too bad of shape) and wanted to see if anyone had some that weren't too pitted that they'd trade for.

[kustombrad]

I installed door weatherstrip this weekend and what a PAIN! Wow, was that fun! After cleaning up the jambs of the old glue with an old screwdriver and small wire brush, I rinsed it off with water and did a quick squirt of brake cleaner (be careful and dont get any on the rest of the truck) to make sure it was really clean Next I unrolled the rubber and lined the ends up then flipped it around to find the center and marked it with a sharpie . I then put the center mark at the center moulding screw , so my ends would be at the bottom and I could center them when I trimmed them. I took masking tape and taped up the outside leading edge of the door and also the backside of the fender lip (that way if I got any glue there, it would come right off) I used 3M Weatherstrip adhesive and after covering about a 3 ft. area on both the door AND the rubber, I let them get tacky (go do the other side while the first is drying) . After lining my mark back up I stuck the 2 together and used some 2" masking tape to hold it in place I took my time and worked my way around until it went all the way around then took a razor blade and made my ends butt together in the center/bottom of the door! It's kind of time consuming, but it looks pretty good and it's one more thing out of the way! After that was done I rebuilt my 750 Holley and took one more thing off the checklist.

[kustombrad]

Now this is a hose trick I learned years ago and even though I had an idea of what I needed, I figured I'd show it. Take a piece of welding rod and bend it to the shape of how you want your radiator hose to go. Take the wire to the parts store and match it up. Mine were pretty simple, but you get the idea Got the hoses at NAPA and used part#7240 UPPER and #7694 LOWER. Had to cut to fit and they worked perfect!

[kustombrad]

My friend Alex and myself went on another wrecking yard mission and scored some of these lights that are on early to late 90's Chevy pickups and mounted on the inside passenger side fender. Whats really cool is they roll out and are around 17'-18' long! I took a piece 5 1/2"x6" steel drilled some holes and mounted it to the back of the front part of the hood A little cleanup of the light and paint on the steel and it will be perfect!

[kustombrad]

Yeah! Fired up the motor today and got the cam broke in! Was so awesome to finally hear that thing run! It's not much, but I put a short video on Youtube just to give you an idea of how it sounds.

YouTube - ‪VID 20110530...

It sounds waaaaay better in person!

[VA72C10]

cool!!! And I love those lights....think they're the best under hood option!

[chevyrestoguy]

Yes, it was a good day yesterday. To hear it light off for the first time and run for the cam break in was a bit nerve racking (the longest 20 minutes you'll ever spend), but once the little issues were sorted out, it ran really nice. That little 350 suprised me in how quick it revs, and it really sounds good in person. The Magnaflows sound mellow at idle but come alive when you romp on it. I was really impressed by them as well. No Flowmasters for me!

[ratty 46]

Sounds great ... gotta feel good now.

Ratty 46

[fist5366]

how tall are your blocks in the back and how many springs do you have left. Im trying to figure out the cheapest way to lower my truck. I already have 3" blocks and there are a tottal of 5 leafs in the back. Have a mono leaf up front and getting ready to install a drop axle. Your build is amazing I enjoy checking it out.

[99 to Life]

engine sounds great, what carb you running?

also you can get repro thriftmaster emblems from classicparts.com

It would be great to find some originals, but if you really need them
it is nice to have the repro option. I once bought an original set off ebay and only to find out they were loadmasters, when they showed up. I guess I was seeing what I was thinking.

I'm def a fan of magnaflow from all the ones I have heard

[nebdrummer]

sounds real helthy!

love the truck.

[kustombrad]

I have 3" blocks with TCI rear springs. The carb is a 3310 750 Holley that I took the stock rear (non-adjustable) jet plate off and put a standard plate for jets. Now I can fine tune it and make it work good! Thanks for all the compliments guys, I really do appreciate them! It's getting closer to being a driver...

[kustombrad]

Seat Belts! I found some 3 point belts on Ebay for $80 and here's how I installed them. The first thing I did was drill a hole in the flat area between the quarter window and the door jamb. I went about halfway up (I sat in my Blazer and used that mount height from where I sit) and drilled my hole. Next I took the flat mounting plate they give you and drilled a hole in the end. The hole is to hook a piece of wire to and then lower it down from inside the top area (it fits perfect) until you see it in your drilled hole. It's a little work, but once you get the bolt about halfway in you can pull the wire out and tighten it up Now I used the back plate/rail area behind the seat to mount the retractable part of the seatbelt. Next I made a couple of mounts from 1 1/2" x .125" angle, drilled some holes and mounted these to the floor. I used another set of plates that I had (like I used in the door jamb) and used it under the floor to hold the bracket in place After I finish the carpet and seat, I'll paint the brackets and then it'll look finished.

[65Pickup]

Nice work and report, I've been wondering how these systems install. I thought the shoulder harness wouldn't look factory. Thanks for the insight, the install looks great, I'll be looking to add this come winter. Great project and teaching.

But could you show and explain a little more on positioning the shoulder plate. Is there a hole above to plug? I'm not visualizing it well. Thanks