Starting 1966 Factory Short Bed Build, Bagged, 383 Stroker and Muncie M20 4-Speed

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Hmm, I'm thinking CB antenna or a light of some sort for those two holes

I would agree... Just frustrating for me to fix.. lol

[88Stanger]

Big brown truck delivered my Vintage Air kit. Interesting how that much $$ can be in what looks like such small boxes... lol
Going out to do more body work... oh yippiiieee
lol

[88Stanger]

Pics of body work... filled in the holes with weld and now just getting straight... lol straighter... lol

Got the final piece for the March Serp. belt system in... the AC Pump. now get belts..

[roll_the_dice]

Looking good! It's amazing how much I think they look like engines with the belt system in place. I remember when I put mine on...I said to myself...now that looks like an engine!

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Looking good! It's amazing how much I think they look like engines with the belt system in place. I remember when I put mine on...I said to myself...now that looks like an engine!

So very true. I have chased many a V-Belt flying off under hard acceleration or just jumping on it... i know you can make them work, but i just prefer a good serp. belt system. This one from March was not bad, under $600.00 well actually with the covers to match, under $800.00. - Sorry about all the dust...

[88Stanger]

I have been looking for a rear corner panel for behind the seats. I remember that Jason Vannatta with Vannatta Fabrication makes the ones I liked, with or without speakers. I have been buying some stuff from him before he really had the business going and not it is going great! He is really a good guy with some great fab. parts, so maybe jump over to his site and take a look at what he has.
Here are the panels.

[SCOTI]

He does make some nice stuff.

[88Stanger]

question:
I am going to be running air bags. with that said, i want to place the tank and pump in the bed. So, i am trying to see if there is a way to temp. air up the bags? Maybe use like a bike tire valve or ? put air in each bag? run lines back to near the bed area and use these valves? I have no idea, any help? Ideas?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

question:
I am going to be running air bags. with that said, i want to place the tank and pump in the bed. So, i am trying to see if there is a way to temp. air up the bags? Maybe use like a bike tire valve or ? put air in each bag? run lines back to near the bed area and use these valves? I have no idea, any help? Ideas?

Just 'T' the lines together (front & rear). On the 3rd leg of the 'T' put a short fill line w/a schrader fill valve on it then you fill them just like you'd air up a tire.

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Just 'T' the lines together (front & rear). On the 3rd leg of the 'T' put a short fill line w/a schrader fill valve on it then you fill them just like you'd air up a tire.

Thank you sir!!!! I really appreciate the help here. as simple as it seems, i just want to make sure. I have the complete bed on order now, but just want to make sure i check everything, air leaks, set up and such.
Really appreciate your time to respond.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

Thank you sir!!!! I really appreciate the help here. as simple as it seems, i just want to make sure. I have the complete bed on order now, but just want to make sure i check everything, air leaks, set up and such.
Really appreciate your time to respond.

No problem. I install my fittings into their respective parts first & then use the schrader set-up to test for leakage. I like to submerge bags & tanks under water for the testing. You only need ~25psi for the leak test.

Once you know your good there, it helps keep your scope for leak chasing to the remaining fittings. The 'T' set-up works good for adjusting the suspension during the build. I also have 'stands' built that are used under the frame rails so that if the air is purged from the system, the truck drops to 'ride height' & remains there. Mine are 4" tall @ the front cab mount; 5" @ the rears so just build the stands to the ride height designed for your application.

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

No problem. I install my fittings into their respective parts first & then use the schrader set-up to test for leakage. I like to submerge bags & tanks under water for the testing. You only need ~25psi for the leak test.

Once you know your good there, it helps keep your scope for leak chasing to the remaining fittings. The 'T' set-up works good for adjusting the suspension during the build. I also have 'stands' built that are used under the frame rails so that if the air is purged from the system, the truck drops to 'ride height' & remains there. Mine are 4" tall @ the front cab mount; 5" @ the rears so just build the stands to the ride height designed for your application.

Just got my kit i ordered that has these fittings and 20' of extra hose. So i will be installing these this weekend. I am not sure how much will get done this weekend. I have a big day coming up .... the big 50 mark is reached on the 11th, so .... lol

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

Just got my kit i ordered that has these fittings and 20' of extra hose. So i will be installing these this weekend. I am not sure how much will get done this weekend. I have a big day coming up .... the big 50 mark is reached on the 11th, so .... lol

Nothin to it. The 'day' comes & goes just like others. I hung out w/friends & nobody even knew (except me ).

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Nothin to it. The 'day' comes & goes just like others. I hung out w/friends & nobody even knew (except me ).

LOL, ya my friends know all about and they like to remind me about it. The young ones i tell them i am just that much closer to retire, the older, i say the same thing highlighting that i am not there yet.

May 3-7 my "Older Brother" and my very close friend are all going to vegas. Biden 100 day mark is April 30, so hopefully we are mask free!!

On the truck front, i am doing the body work on the cab so it can go to primer and final body work then to paint.... finally. I will build a spray booth in my shop with plastic drapes, filters and box fan. Never done this but 1st for everything. I was planning to do plastic on the floor, but any recommendations from anyone on the booth idea(s)?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

LOL, ya my friends know all about and they like to remind me about it. The young ones i tell them i am just that much closer to retire, the older, i say the same thing highlighting that i am not there yet.

May 3-7 my "Older Brother" and my very close friend are all going to vegas. Biden 100 day mark is April 30, so hopefully we are mask free!!

On the truck front, i am doing the body work on the cab so it can go to primer and final body work then to paint.... finally. I will build a spray booth in my shop with plastic drapes, filters and box fan. Never done this but 1st for everything. I was planning to do plastic on the floor, but any recommendations from anyone on the booth idea(s)?

Plastic on the floor helps w/over-spray covering the floor (important if you don't want your floor looking multi colored like a shop floor). But, building your tent so you have the ability to rinse/wet the floor before the start of spraying helps w/dust management which is a crucial part for the DIY @ home guy that doesn't have a legit booth. Plastic might inhibit the pre-spray regimen unless it's kept taught. Pick your poison.

[SkinnyG]

I like to lay down enough paint, that when I finish sanding out all the defects, I still have paint.

[cwcarpenter98]

Finnegan's garage on youtube posted a video earlier this week of how they made a driveway paint booth

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

I like to lay down enough paint, that when I finish sanding out all the defects, I still have paint.

sounds like a great idea... but i am shooting a matte red. might look at matte clear though.

[88Stanger]

some updates of the truck, not much to see, just body work going on. Almost ready for primer....

[88Stanger]

got the block off panels for AC, not sure how i want to to them.

[88Stanger]

Also, so i want to block out as much if not all the water going into the cowl panel, so i bought the no vent panel, not bad honestly.

[Paul Y]

Really nice progress.

As for painting, not done a complete car (or truck) but done firewalls and the odd panel. Only tips I can give you are.

Cover everything you don’t want paint on

Sweep the floor. Wet it down and sweep it again.

Do a “dry run”. Hard to explain but practice how you are going to paint before putting any paint in the gun.

Wear the right protective equipment for the paint you are using.

Judging by the rest of the truck you will do fine.

P.

[88Stanger]

Update: Just got my bed sides and rest of bed stuff from LMC and Classic Industries. Damn, i have alot of work to do!! lol

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

Also, so i want to block out as much if not all the water going into the cowl panel, so i bought the no vent panel, not bad honestly.

Did the no vent panel fit well? I have been eyeing that same piece for a while. I haven't checked in for a while...great progress!

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Did the no vent panel fit well? I have been eyeing that same piece for a while. I haven't checked in for a while...great progress!

Thank you sir. I was actually impressed how well it does fit so far, kinda shocked really. I was prepared to do some work to it, but so far it is a good fit. As you can see, i have no fenders or hood on... so that fitment i am unsure about, but overall i was impressed.