Project truck dream 65"

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by rusty_67

Beauty, great choice with the white oak, and its always nice to have a little bit more local flavour on the truck! Might have to look into that if the stuff I've got doesn't work out.

I know just the guys to do it right the first time for you! True craftsman are getting hard to find bud and these guys are tops !

Let me know if you need a kit made,I can pass their number to you.

Cheers.

[Alan's Classic]

Great job on the bed!!
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[lenguini]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Great job on the bed!!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks Alan,appreciate the good words,your build has given me the inspiration I needed to carry on with mine !

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by lenguini

Thanks Alan,appreciate the good words,your build has given me the inspiration I needed to carry on with mine !

Posted via Mobile Device

[lenguini]

Seats came back from the upholstery shop yesterday.Another true craftsman here.Been lucky lately,hope the luck keeps up !

Here's a pic of what the seats looked like before and after.I had to pull the before pic from elsewhere as I never did take any when I bought them.Same colour etc.

I modified the frame's on both driver and passenger seats to eliminate the shoulder harness and headrests...,the holes were simply filled and covered.

I disassembled the seats entirely,used a vinyl die on all the plastic components modified the tracks,refinished all the steel in a trim black.

The center seat/console was modified with the elimination of the catch tray on top.I wanted a cleaner look to match the buckets...,again another choice I'm happy with.

I bought rod seat belts,and spent a morning digging around a local auto wrecker for some sleeves etc.I figured out what I needed for spacing and mounted off the original holes in behind the cover panel.

Now just so were clear,a year of decisions went buy before I decided on what style to have these covered.I feel good about the choice I made.

I'm thinking 20 or so "I'm not sure,Ill call you back" phone calls ? I'm sure that's close.....,I know I drove Elgin nuts !

A special thanks to Eglin at Capricorn Upholstery.Genius at work !

[Bomp]

Great job on thinking the seats through.
Really like the changes you made.

Inspired me to get to thinking about seats again,.

[gimmy 64]

almost look like the buddy bucket seats that came on the 70's trucks looks great

[chevyrestoguy]

Wow! I really like how the seats turned out. It's funny, because I was never a fan of those seats because of the integral belts and the headrests. But now, I finally have a chance to see how they should really look, and I like 'em! The removal of the belt section and the headrests was the right move.

Good call on the material and the color. Black is always a safe bet, and the sheen of the material is just right. It has a really classy, high-end look.

[Jmorales3181]

Wow bed and seats came out great!
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[lenguini]

Thanks for all the good words on my seats fellas,I appreciate the feedback !

Cheers,
Ed

[Low Elco]

Bed and seats look awesome!

[lenguini]

I'm uncertain which way to go on wood finish.I don't want to remove and refinish in a year or two and from what I have heard across the board...no epoxy,varnish.clearcoat finish will last in weather !

I have spent some time researching tung oil. Recoat every two years without removing the bed wood.I have no experience with this,so......

Lets get some feedback here folks on tested and proven finishes,this will be driven and in the weather not hiding in the garage when it rains etc.

[rusty_67]

Hey Ed,

Not sure this is tested and proven on truck beds, but I was suggested a product called Sikkens Cetol 1 & Cetol 23. 1 being the base coat and 23 the top. Its meant for Log homes and is supposed to have superior UV and weather resistance. Here is the link to the product, it is available at Home Hardware.

http://www.sikkens.ca/en/products/ex...es/Cetol1.aspx

Unfortunately it doesn't come in the colour I want so I am looking at their Cetol log and siding which is probably almost as good.

[lenguini]

Is anyone making a billet hinge for 60-66 trucks ? Saw this at a show today and hope to find !!
These are on 67-72 by ring brothers,not seeing them for mine

Thanks in advance.

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by rusty_67

Hey Ed,

Not sure this is tested and proven on truck beds, but I was suggested a product called Sikkens Cetol 1 & Cetol 23. 1 being the base coat and 23 the top. Its meant for Log homes and is supposed to have superior UV and weather resistance. Here is the link to the product, it is available at Home Hardware.

http://www.sikkens.ca/en/products/ex...es/Cetol1.aspx

Unfortunately it doesn't come in the colour I want so I am looking at their Cetol log and siding which is probably almost as good.

Thanks bud,I'll look into that product.Right now Im leaning toward auto clearcoat
or Teak oil.

I'm talking with an expert tonight....I'll let you know what he recommends.

Cheers,
Ed

[lenguini]

I have successfully mounted the a/c bulkhead for the condenser.Some thought went into this as it was a tight for room with the battery box sitting overhead and I wanted the lines and the backside of the fittings to be hidden as much as possible viewing this from the truck's front.

I'm running hard lines from the condenser to a bulkhead so I have a service point for future removal or repair .....,and and have previously found a way to hide those lines behind the grill.

[lenguini]

My Cam arrived at my buddies machine shop today.I should have a completed shortblock by the end of the month.It would have been sooner but decided to go with retrofit lifters and they are pricey!

Full roller all the way,less friction equals less fuel use.Custom grind to accept my X rod clearance,this Cam will be equivalent to the 12-423-8 Xtreme energy Comp cam

[lenguini]

The latest completed is the new hood release mechanism.I mounted the catch bracket and modified the release tab to clear the condenser mount.

I'm happy with the fit although there is a little stress on the passenger side of it..., so a little tighter of a bend at the bottom portion there should cure that.

Later the four original hood release holes will get welded shut.

[lenguini]

The rear bumper has been totally reworked.There was a piece missing that was cut out with a torch,why I have no idea.It was bent upward at the passenger side and In the center chains had been wrapped though and around to drag god knows what,so it was pinched badly.

I didn't think it could be saved,but after trying to find an original I figured we might as well give it a go. I'm glad we did !

The mounting bolts have been welded and smoothed as well as the licence plate bracket bolts.

I'm in the process of designing a trailer hitch that tucks behind the bumper.The hitch and ball are stepped so it will come out just under the bumper.So when I'm not pulling a trailer its hidden and now there's no need for a fold down plate!

Were fabricating up the two center bumper mount brackets and welding them directly into into the receiver for a strong and streamline system.

I will post pictures of this soon.

[lenguini]

Today I installed my new armrests.Spent hours making sure they were comfortable at my chosen height (after 6 different) and far enough back (after 4 different) so when the seat was moved as far forward as I ever would use,there wouldn't be any interference.

Had second thought about using them at all,but after they were mounted I was glad I did.

The door panels were reworked some time ago.I figured I get them into epoxy primer until I decided on paint ...,or covered to match the seats.

[Jeff La]

Nice progress

[lenguini]

Thank you for the good words fellas !

[lenguini]

I spent some time this weekend getting a few minor thing's completed.I was trying over the last couple days to find a rad cap that matched my overflow and washer caps.

Found one and ordered it today !

So here are some progress pics on the template for the Rad cap,not quite there 100% yet...but close. I will be using 16 or 18 gauge stainless once Im sure its right.

I also got my air horn temporarily mounted in place.I wanted to go up front behind the grill support but it was to tight for room.
Considering the lack of weather the truck will see,it will be ok here.I might cover the horn opening with some fine mesh screen to keep the road crap out.

[jhrusk]

truck is lookin nice

[Delmo]

Very nice work man.