My own build thread

[zippeay]

The old man cruised over and helped me put the windshield in. The new vent window seals should be here tomorrow. I really hope these fit better...

[Bomp]

Really diggin that color combo

[zippeay]

Thanks Bomp!

Last night I started to replace the side windows with new glass and noticed the "U" channel was in really bad shape. I tried finding some steel channel at the local steel supply but everything they had was much larger than I could use. Luckily I had some window channel sitting in the corner from another project.
I ended up having to cut off some pieces to make it work but after a little grinding and welding I have some nice new window channels.
I'm not sure if these are galvanized or aluminised channels but they welded up nice and are a lot stronger than the originals.
It's hard to tell form the pictures but here they are.

You can see the old channel at the top and new one is below it. The old one had big rust holes and was barely holding together.


Here's the finished channel, I painted it but I didn't take pictures of it painted.

[Ta2Don]

Getting' Excited as you draw closer and closer to ROLLIN' down the road!!!

[zippeay]

Yes sir! I'm in a mission to get this done. I've been working hard to get this all wrapped up. Hopefully I can keep going like this but it's a lot of work for 1 person but I'll get it.

[zippeay]

I got my new Steele rubber vent window seals. Much better quality but holy crap are they difficult to put in... Hopefully I can install everything tonight.

[NEWFISHER]

Keep at it, looking good!

[zippeay]

Here's an update, I've been staying busy just haven't been posting much.

As most of you know I'm changing over to an auto trans and the original brake pedal is too close. So I cut the clutch pedal off and welded it in place of the brake pedal.

You can see that it moves the medal over about 2"s






All done, I hope... Hahaha

[zippeay]

Grrr... My phone is being dumb and won't let me paste links...
Here is the pedal installed


And I got the steering column in.


I'm having a few one off pieces made, hopefully they turn out like I'm thinking but I'll keep that a secret until I finish the truck.

It's coming along, slow as usual but it's getting there.

[Bomp]

You're doing way better than I am. I probably missed it but what is your column out of? or is that a factory tilt?

[zippeay]

It's an early 70s chevy van w/tilt. I'm trying to get there. Every time I think I'm done spending money I need 10 more things... I can't wait to drive it though. Thank you!

[zippeay]

Been doing lots of small things that aren't too exciting but it's getting very close. I ordered the drive line yesterday finally...
Cleaned up all the knobs and controls and painted all of the control pieces. The A/C vent piece was broke in several places and I ended up fixing them with fiberglass filler. I wasn't sure if I would hold but it's stronger than the original plastic! Now I just have to paint it. I'm still not sure if I'm going to have the vent pieces re chromed or I may just paint them the gold color.

[zippeay]

Not sure why my phone only lets me post 1-2 pics now but here is the last one.



I started trying to figuring out the wiring yesterday. Since I'm electrically stupid my old man is going to come help with that later this week. Hopefully I can get the majority of everything else done so we can try and start this thing in the next few weeks!!!! I really hope everything goes smooth with this motor.

[zippeay]

I ordered new door handles and they came in last night. They actually look pretty decent. I took my original door locks out but they were very dull and scratched up. I have done some metal polishing in the past and still have all the stuff to do it. So I polished up the locks and here's the difference. Turned out pretty nice!


I installed both door handles and the mirror. One of the door striker rods was worn down so much it would open the door. So I ended up welding a few tacs on the end to build it up and it works great now.


I'm going tonight to see if I can find some paint that I can use on the A/C vent balls because the chrome was pretty messed up. I may end up just painting them the gold color as well as the housing. I just can't see spending 200 bucks to rechrome them.

[Ta2Don]

Top Notch Work!

[zippeay]

Thanks Don!

[McMurphy]

Your repair of that AC vent panel is top shelf man!! It looks really professionally done in the photos !!

You have me wishing you had done a bit of a How To series on it...

[zippeay]

Thanks Sir! I actually was going to do a how to but I wasn't sure how well this would hold together and once I started working I forgot to take pics. I've been working every night on this till 10-11 and getting up at 5 to go to work... I just want to finish it so I can drive it finally... Haha

[markeb01]

Amazing what attention to detail can make. The fiberglass repair and polished door buttons look fantastic. I wish I had thought about polishing those buttons the last time I had my handles off. That will have to go on the to-do list.

There is just so much cool stuff in your build I had to go to the beginning and spent the entire afternoon catching up. I don’t know where to start with the compliments – welding, fabrication, attention to detail, etc. I think the best part of your build is the “never quit” attitude. I’ve seen a lot of projects grind to a halt or go bye-bye when they take too long and other life priorities take over.

Black is my favorite paint color, and all of my personal cars have been black. Regardless, the color combination and hand finishing of your paint job is as beautiful as the best I’ve ever seen, and something I would be proud to own.

Kudos on the entire build!

[zippeay]

Thank you! Having people appreciate what I do is the greatest compliment ever! I have been through a lot during this build in my personal life and honestly as time consuming and expensive as this was and I'm so proud to say I built it. I've built other cars in the past but this is by far the most extensive I've ever done.

There are a lot of things I would do different but that's part of building things. You live, learn, and grow as a builder and a person. Having people appreciate them "like you" make it even better.

That being said, I haven't driven this thing yet so who knows, it might all fall apart going out the drive way... Haha!

If one person learned something from this build thread then that's all that matters to me. I tried to make this a "budget build" but I obviously dumped that idea a long time ago. Now I'm just trying to build the nicest thing I know how.

[McMurphy]

I tried to make this a "budget build" but I obviously dumped that idea a long time ago. Now I'm just trying to build the nicest thing I know how.

That is me to the letter...

[zippeay]

Someone got some custom wood pieces made! More to come on this

[chad64chevy]

man you have got a lot done, I have been looking for that ac vent for a while! I heard someone talking about trying to use 67-72 ac vent balls and center one, not sure if it worked or not! the wood engraving is awesome, are you just going to clear it, an how are you going to attach it??

[zippeay]

Thanks! I'm still not sure on the vent balls. I haven't had time to go see what the paint store has but if they don't have anything chrome I'm going to paint them gold. I'll come up with something.
The wood piece isn't the actual piece, the guy I had make this made it slightly too big. So that piece is now on my desk .
But the new piece will be treated, the guy is going to stain it a little and I'm going to clear it when I repaint my hood. There are 3 holes where the plastic piece was, I'm not sure if that is original but I thought about glueing dowels or I may just use some thin double back tape.
Here is a pic of the the glovebox door installed. I just wanted to see how it looked.

[Bigru]

Awesome work Bruh!!