47-55.1 Long Time Coming......

[Chopped53]

$75 per hour for all that detailed custom work and fabrication? Sounds like a bargain to me! With shop rates these days, you could easily double that number. Nice work.

[Blackie]

I read all the threads in here but rarely comment - I find them a valuable resource for both ideas and answers to problems - some of which I don't even know I am going to have yet ! I also like to document my own build threads on various forums as it serves as a useful databank to return to years later if needed to recall what I did and when/why plus when you sell the vehicle the new owner can use it as a reference - what master cylinder did he use ? etc.....

[dsraven]

nice work, and pretty quick too. I like how you have maximized your limited space. have you thought about using rivnuts in spaces where you may have trouble holding the retaining bolt/screw on the back side? just thinking of your home made panel above your pedals and how, in my case anyway, the fasteners would end up turning up top when doing up the self locking nut on the underside.
nice build, jealous how quickly your stuff comes together. I am always engineering the build as I go cuz nothing is stock. it's a frame swap and interior swap and extended cab and....

[gsinon]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

Glen: I can so relate to your feeling on your truck. They are great therapy, but can get frustrating.
I've had mine since 1972. Lots of road trips, towing ski boats, camping with my kids, hauling landscaping material for 3 homes. etc. But when I retired 3 years ago, it was due for some much needed love. The plan is to get it into good enough shape so my wife and I can take some road trips. I also got involved in a large car club here and these guys have been a great help. The best thing is if I run into a problem, some one is allways available to help out.

The great thing about this hobby is that most people can relate to the plight of how long and daunting these projects can be. I estimate that I will be driving it come spring time next year, and I am super excited about that.

Originally Posted by Hey Dude

I hear ya, and happy belated birthday ( oh to be 57 again ). I also farm out the upholstery, and some of the internals of the automatic transmissions and the cam bearings and valve guides of my engines. Everything else I do on my own. I think minimum wage is a good goal.. allthough if I had to count my "thinking time"... I might be less than half of minimum wage...

I have a great upholstery guy thats local and does amazing work. I can do engine work, but this one has a new create engine. And I definitely stay away from the voodoo that is transmissions.

Originally Posted by Chopped53

$75 per hour for all that detailed custom work and fabrication? Sounds like a bargain to me! With shop rates these days, you could easily double that number. Nice work.

This is a side hustle for me. Fun money to help build these for my pleasure. If I were trying to live on this money i would be charging more for an hourly rate. My friends get a good deal and I get to build and play with my toys without digging into my regular paycheck.

Originally Posted by Blackie

I read all the threads in here but rarely comment - I find them a valuable resource for both ideas and answers to problems - some of which I don't even know I am going to have yet ! I also like to document my own build threads on various forums as it serves as a useful databank to return to years later if needed to recall what I did and when/why plus when you sell the vehicle the new owner can use it as a reference - what master cylinder did he use ? etc.....

I am using a 1" bore master from Wilwood. I will be running manual brakes.

Originally Posted by dsraven

nice work, and pretty quick too. I like how you have maximized your limited space. have you thought about using rivnuts in spaces where you may have trouble holding the retaining bolt/screw on the back side? just thinking of your home made panel above your pedals and how, in my case anyway, the fasteners would end up turning up top when doing up the self locking nut on the underside.
nice build, jealous how quickly your stuff comes together. I am always engineering the build as I go cuz nothing is stock. it's a frame swap and interior swap and extended cab and....

I use rivnuts all the time. In the case of this bracket I have button head screws on the top facing down, and will likely apply a drop of an adhesive to keep them from spinning when/if I have to service it from underneath. The reason for not wanting rivnuts here is trying to keep the top of the bracket as smooth as possible for the use of additional wiring and such to again maximize the space. I'm always trying to think about wires chaffing and that type of thing.

On the topic of river-nuts, have you seen the pneumatic riv-nut gun? Makes installing a riv-nut one of the easiest and fastest thing you will ever do.

[dsraven]

I have used air operated riv nut guns before, big ones, for use on semi trailers etc. I know there are smaller ones too, like the pop rivet air operated ones and some that spin instead of pull.
check aircraft spruce for rivet tools and other hand dollies etc. astro tools has a version as well. there are also adapters for use with a drill

https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalo...u3PwoATOvBHA23

https://www.rivetnutusa.com/how-does...ert-tool-work/

https://atlasautoequipment.ca/3-8-ai...etric-and-sae/

[gsinon]

Originally Posted by dsraven

I have used air operated riv nut guns before, big ones, for use on semi trailers etc. I know there are smaller ones too, like the pop rivet air operated ones and some that spin instead of pull.
check aircraft spruce for rivet tools and other hand dollies etc. astro tools has a version as well. there are also adapters for use with a drill

https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalo...u3PwoATOvBHA23

https://www.rivetnutusa.com/how-does...ert-tool-work/

https://atlasautoequipment.ca/3-8-ai...etric-and-sae/

I found this one a while ago on Amazon, and I really like it. It comes with 3 different-sized quick-release heads for ease of use with different-sized nut-certs. For the $160 price tag I have found this to be a very useful tool and is one of my favorites.

The top button spins the nut cert on, and then press the bottom button and it spins out. I can install a nut cert in about 5 seconds with this

[nvrdone]

glenn: thanks for the dimensions on the filler cap location. Now when the fenders come back I can complete that part. I like the idea of the pick & hook set. I've generally used small phillips head screwdrivers to align panels. But you can never have too many tools! LOL. When I test fit the fender I used a 3/8" bolt and nut from the inside of the bed, hung the fender & put a nut on the inside. After I got 2 other bolts in, I went back and unscrewed the top nut and bolt. the other alternative is to have my wife help out. She's great at that knid of thing.