1965 LWB Stepside Build

[Johns 66]

Looking Good!!!!!

[LostMy65]

Glad to see you back at it.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Glad to see you back at it.

Thanks! Me too!

Got my old shocks off yesterday and the new ones arrived last night, so going to change those out today. Finished painting the underside of the frame yesterday. Going to install the new Boyd Welding gas tank today or tomorrow. Then I will have to figure out the fuel lines for EFI. So I will probably be asking questions!

[Johns 66]

Slow and steady wins the race, at least you know that when you finish one thing it is done.....Cant wait to see the pics!!!

[roll_the_dice]

If slow and steady wins the race, then I should win a gold medal! haha

Installed rear shocks...Looks much better. I didn't realize how bad the old ones were until I compared the new to the old ones.

I couldn't find the torque specs...does anyone have them?

[The Rocknrod]

Not sure about the specs since the torque is so high on the shocks, couple of pages:
http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com...que_specs.html

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Not sure about the specs since the torque is so high on the shocks, couple of pages:
http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com...que_specs.html

Awesome! Thanks...I saw the specs for the front, but the lower end seemed not to be enough. According to the sheet for the rear 150 top and 110 for the lower. Much appreciated!

[roll_the_dice]

I can't afford to get body work or paint right now...and I am fine with that. I love how the truck looks. I hate the term "rat rod", however, I have been sanding off some of the dead paint and clear coating on top. Today I sanded and cleared the hood. I still need to wet sand and polish, but looks so much better than it did before I started. I have done both fenders and both side cowls. So I still need to do the bed and the cab.

I also started restoring the gauge cluster today. I used my blast cabinet for the first time! My air compressor is woefully underpowered, but that just means it takes longer...but worked good for what I needed. I blasted the gauge bezel and the housing (clear coated the rear) and will paint the inside green tomorrow. I will powder coat the bezel tomorrow/this week.

[Johns 66]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I can't afford to get body work or paint right now...and I am fine with that. I love how the truck looks. I hate the term "rat rod", however, I have been sanding off some of the dead paint and clear coating on top. Today I sanded and cleared the hood. I still need to wet sand and polish, but looks so much better than it did before I started. I have done both fenders and both side cowls. So I still need to do the bed and the cab.

I also started restoring the gauge cluster today. I used my blast cabinet for the first time! My air compressor is woefully underpowered, but that just means it takes longer...but worked good for what I needed. I blasted the gauge bezel and the housing (clear coated the rear) and will paint the inside green tomorrow. I will powder coat the bezel tomorrow/this week.

Andy this looks Great!!!!

I will say that most do not have an unlimited budget and have to do this in stages,,,but that's part of the fun.....

[LostMy65]

I think anyway you can preserve what you have is a positive.
Looking good!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Andy this looks Great!!!!

I will say that most do not have an unlimited budget and have to do this in stages,,,but that's part of the fun.....

Thanks...I enjoy the paint work...I have never done anything like this "restoration" before...so I am learning as I go and enjoying all of it.

Originally Posted by LostMy65

I think anyway you can preserve what you have is a positive.
Looking good!

Thanks, much appreciated. I agree...as much as I can save the better! I am going to paint the underside of the hood in 503 Light green, since that was the original color of the truck...

[Johns 66]

I think that is part of the fun...learning new things and abilities. I shot Cato an email today about my interior as soon as I hear back from him Ill let you know.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

I think that is part of the fun...learning new things and abilities. I shot Cato an email today about my interior as soon as I hear back from him Ill let you know.

You are 100% correct. I have always watched car shows, but never really worked on many especially not this extensive. I learn how to do whatever I am working on and do it...then go and learn the next task.

Working on my gauge cluster today...painting and clear coating the freshly blasted parts. Still need to do the 2nd coat.

[Johns 66]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

You are 100% correct. I have always watched car shows, but never really worked on many especially not this extensive. I learn how to do whatever I am working on and do it...then go and learn the next task.

Working on my gauge cluster today...painting and clear coating the freshly blasted parts. Still need to do the 2nd coat.

Dude...this looks sick...I may have to send you mine to do..lol

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Dude...this looks sick...I may have to send you mine to do..lol

Thanks...I am sure we could work something out. haha Have you seen the pricing of some of the refurbished clusters on ebay? I saw one for over $1000! Crazy stuff.

Since this is my first effort I am sure it won't be as good looking as some that do them all the time, but I am enjoying the process. Hopefully will get it put back together in the next week or so.

Didn't get much done today, but I did powder coat the gauge cluster bezel satin black. I also powder coated a hood spring. I am not 100% happy with the bezel so I am going to blast it and do it again...can't see it in the pic, but it has a few rough spots in the corners. I just laid the powder on a little thick in those areas somehow.

[roll_the_dice]

Got the gauge bezel redone today. Even though you can't see it in the pictures, this one looks so much better....primarily in the lower corners. Also powder coated the radiator support bracket. Things are starting to take shape. Hopefully I will get the gauge cluster finished this weekend.

[roll_the_dice]

Mostly finished my gauge cluster tonight. I just need to repaint/powder coat the intermediate plate. Looks pretty good IMO though. I used the sunpro tach and took the chrome bezel off to make it fit better. Will take better pictures when I finish it.

[cwcarpenter98]

Dadgum, that is looking sweet!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Dadgum, that is looking sweet!

Thanks! Could not have done without the best DIY I have found to date from @theastronaut here

[roll_the_dice]

Finally finished my gauge cluster. I ended up powder coating the outer bezel and the face plate. The hardest part was getting the old paint off the face place since the aluminum is too thin to blast.

[Johns 66]

Dude...That looks GREAT!!!!

[roll_the_dice]

Thanks John, I appreciate it. When you want to redo yours let me know...

[LostMy65]

Very nice!

[roll_the_dice]

Work and the holidays have kept me busy lately and away from the truck. My truck was originally Light Green #503. In paying homage to the originality of the truck, I am going to paint some items under the hood in the original color. I am going to do the firewall, air cleaner, master cylinder, underside of hood and some other odds and ends. I started painting the air cleaner today. I loved the look of the old batwing air cleaners...so I bought one last year.

This is the bottom portion of the air cleaner in #503. Still need to clear coat it. Debating whether I need high heat clear or not. Will post more as I paint more of the parts.

[roll_the_dice]

I have determined I like painting...going to upstate NY for Christmas...best part is I am going to "learn" how to weld and my wife's Uncle has a full shop at his house with a full sized paint booth...so I am going to try to get some pointers and pick his brain on painting.

Anyway, here is the top of the batwing air cleaner. Will get it cleared tomorrow or when I get back after Christmas. I think it will give the engine bay a nice pop of color.