1965 LWB Stepside Build

[roll_the_dice]

Worked a little today between the raindrops. Mounted my headlight and fan relays...will finish them tomorrow rain permitting and connecting the headlights. I also installed my gauge cluster...Here is a pic of it....Looks so much better installed than sitting in our spare bedroom.

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My wife takes better photos than I do...so here are a few more...we had to see it at night with the gauge lights on.

[Johns 66]

Looks killer Andy....one day mine will grow up and be like yours....lol

[cwcarpenter98]

That's rad

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Looks killer Andy....one day mine will grow up and be like yours....lol

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

That's rad

Thanks! I love it.

Today between the raindrops, I wired the relays for the headlights, wired the lights and installed the grille. I forgot to take a couple of pictures unfortunately. My main goal with the wiring was to be able to remove the grille easily if necessary. I bought some weatherpack connectors and wired the light green low beam wire and tan high beam wire coming out of the radiator support to the grille. I also wired the headlight relay and electric fan relay to a Mega Fuse to alleviate more connections to the battery.

I will try to get some pictures of the wiring harness I made with the weatherpack tomorrow.

I still need to finish wiring the electric fan, but that should be straight forward.

Here are a few pictures.

[Johns 66]

Oh yeah...now shes a night rider

[roll_the_dice]

Loaded up the truck to take to the exhaust shop today...first time it has been away from home in 3 years...hope she makes new friends. Should have it back some time next week. Getting the following done:

New Exhaust
radio patch panel welded in
fitech EFI tuned
A/C charged

[Johns 66]

Awesome!!!Last time on a tow truck, cause I know you are gonna take the long way back to the house when you pick her up!!!!!

That pic with the American flag in it is priceless!!!!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Awesome!!!Last time on a tow truck, cause I know you are gonna take the long way back to the house when you pick her up!!!!!

That pic with the American flag in it is priceless!!!!

Thanks John...I thought the Flag pic was great too.

[roll_the_dice]

Painted my plywood for the bed the last 2 days... I cut it into 3 sections and painted it black. I do like the black though...Might only use 4 aluminum bed strips instead of all of them since it is temporary.
going to get it installed this weekend hopefully...should get the bed fender wells painted tomorrow with POR 15.

[roll_the_dice]

Trying to finish the bed while the truck is getting the exhaust put on and other tidbits...Got the underside of the bed rails/frame painted with KBS Rust Seal. Also blasted and painted the bed crossmembers and got them installed...since it will be a truck that is used as a truck, thought I would make life easier with these eye bolt tie downs.

[Johns 66]

Looks really good...the rust preventative will definitely help.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Looks really good...the rust preventative will definitely help.

I agree...it was crusty in some places before I sanded. Was not a fun paint job in some areas as I had to lay on the ground on a creeper to get to some places. Can't wait until I get a lift or an area where I could have turned the bed upside down...would have been so much easier.

[roll_the_dice]

Got the plywood bed finished...still need to clean the strips and bolt them down, but this is what it is going to look like. I also need to drill the holes for mounting to the frame...I am only using 4 strips since this is temporary. I put 3 coats of exterior paint on all 6 sides of each board. Not great pictures (too much glare).

[cwcarpenter98]

Looks great!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Looks great!

Thanks Christian!

Got the stainless strips cleaned and ready for install...now to drill a few holes in the plywood to install them. Look so much better...amazing what water and a brillo pad will do.

[Johns 66]

Looks really good Andy......Excited to see your bed back on your truck!!!!

[roll_the_dice]

Between raindrops I just about have my wood installed...need to drill a few more holes in the plywood and do some touchup painting where I scratched the wood...overall I think it is going to look pretty good and work until I get my better wood.

[Johns 66]

I have to say that really looks good...I like the contrast of the black, stainless and white bed sides.

[Arekusu]

Project is looking great! I always tell people a project takes at least 5 yeast to do right.

Alex

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Arekusu

Project is looking great! I always tell people a project takes at least 5 yeast to do right.

Alex

Thanks Alex! Love your truck!

Started working on my "new" 15x7 and 15x8 Corvette Rally Wheels. the two 15x8s are much rustier than the 15x7s for some reason. I have one wheel finished except for clear coat and about to begin on the second rear wheel. Here are some pictures so you can see what I started with and what it is going to look like finished.

The silver is from a 1965 Corvette Silver Pearl #WA3314 which matches my interior color.

[Arekusu]

Those wheels are going to look amazing!

[roll_the_dice]

Got all 4 wheels cleaned, painted and clear coated! I think they are going to look killer. Now to decide on the center cap. one or 2 of these are beat up. Not sure if I put the same style back on or go to something else. Will have beauty rings for sure...

Trying to decide between the last 2 pictures...

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Put my tailgate back on this morning...was tired of moving it around in my garage anytime I needed to do anything. New chains and rubber...reused the original trunions...just blasted them....need to put some white lithium grease on them, but I am ready for my truck to come home so I can put the bed on...hopefully this weekend.

If you remember the inside of my bed had DIY spray in bedliner which included the inside of the tailgate...so this is with all the bedliner removed and then clear coated over what was left underneath.

[cwcarpenter98]

Nice! Looks like a well used tailgate on the inside