Project truck dream 65"

[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]

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.

[lenguini]

Thank you for the good words fellas !

[lenguini]

A Friday to remember,my new intake showed up.Air gap Performer with Endurashine...easy to keep clean and pennies more than a black powdercoated one...not so easy to keep clean.Not such a tough decision is it !

Kraft dinner again until next paycheck.

[lenguini]

Installed the hardlines today from the a/c condenser to the bulkhead at the Rad support.

The lines tucked in nicely behind the grill as planned,the #8 line looks great with nice flowing bends however the #6 line may have to be redone as it has a rather tight bend off the condenser fitting and the bends are a little ugly.

I have heard from a/c people tight bends could be a potential freeze point if the flow is not 100%.You can see this in the last 2 pics where the condenser fitting meets the hardline .Any opinions on this bend will be appreciated.

[McMurphy]

Man this is really looking good!
The two people that leap to mind when it comes to bending lines is Markb and whomever does them for Dino...
Maybe one of them will chime in on this for you.
Me personally I would whack it out of there, and redo it. Sometimes my second or third try comes out far better than expected, regardless of what a PITA it is do something over....

Not sure if this is helpful, but it is a comment

[lenguini]

My hood came off this morn.Welding in a panel to accept the new hood release mechanism. Figured I post a before shot of the original front brace setup less the old hand release assembly.

Its not the best pic I could have taken of my hood underside,so I found another on the internet that shows all the brace holes much better.

So all holes(there are many) in the front rear and center hood braces are being welded and smoothed as well.

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Man this is really looking good!
The two people that leap to mind when it comes to bending lines is Markb and whomever does them for Dino...
Maybe one of them will chime in on this for you.
Me personally I would whack it out of there, and redo it. Sometimes my second or third try comes out far better than expected, regardless of what a PITA it is do something over....

Not sure if this is helpful, but it is a comment

Thanks Michael,I'm feeling that It should be redone as well.I didn't post better pics of that particular line as it looks pretty bad.Even though its well hidden,its gonna bug me.

[Mack B]

This may be difficult to explain with words, but if you take a crescent wrench and adjust it to the diameter of the hard line, then work it up and down around that bend, you may be able to open the flat spot back up. It still won't be pretty, but it shouldn't cause a restriction. Very nice project! Your doing some outstanding work!
Posted via Mobile Device

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Mack B

This may be difficult to explain with words, but if you take a crescent wrench and adjust it to the diameter of the hard line, then work it up and down around that bend, you may be able to open the flat spot back up. It still won't be pretty, but it shouldn't cause a restriction. Very nice project! Your doing some outstanding work!
Posted via Mobile Device

I would love to see a video on how to do that !!

[lenguini]

Around 1:00 this afternoon my bud Kevin showed and we started on my invisible trailer hitch setup.

Alot of thought went into this as I'm building a fill panel between the box and bumper which will also support my new licence plate mount.I also wanted the hitch to be part of the bumper mount and not be seen from behind.Everything is tucked up neatly behind the bumper.

If all our calculations are correct,anyone who rearend's me over 5 mph will turn his/her car into an accordion ! See example pic !

Everything is tacked into its final position less the tubing for the ball assembly,back up to Kevin's shop for finish welding.Some trimming on the side mounts...and then off for paint.

The unit will now safely pull 4000lbs.

[Jeff La]

Originally Posted by lenguini

Thanks Michael,I'm feeling that It should be redone as well.I didn't post better pics of that particular line as it looks pretty bad.Even though its well hidden,its gonna bug me.

I take a pair of vice grips and squeeze it on the side a little at a time and it will open back up and not affect the bend.

[BOXER957]

Fantastic job as you already know! Love the gas filler! As far as the wood goes I'm not sure how it will look on oak but I used to put Linseed oil on any and all woodwork on boats. The wood is always teak so has a reddish/brown look to it but they are in the ocean exposed to salt spray daily and the stuff is AWSOME. I'm contemplating using teak for my floor when the time comes....all depends on how the rest of the truck turns out.... my cab is about as bad as yours was so it does give me hope. Can I interest your bodyman/welder in an all expense paid working vacation to Cape Cod Ma. ohhh for a month or two? Seriously, Great Job! Rock on and I'll stay tuned

[BOXER957]

Also wanted to ask you how do you fit? I'm 6'4" and it's tight, I saw somewhere something about raising the seat height?

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by BOXER957

Also wanted to ask you how do you fit? I'm 6'4" and it's tight, I saw somewhere something about raising the seat height?

Ill mention the offer to my bodyman...you never know !

Yes,raising the seat height 2 inches with the Silverado seats made all the difference for room.I still have a couple inches of head room and am able to stretch my legs out to the firewall.You may want to consider mounting after market pedals as I did.

The original plan was to re-engineer the firewall and move it out into the engine bay 3 inches which would have been a real p.i.t.a.,so I opted for this.

Cheers,
Ed.