The Rotten Mule (AKA: 'Mulo Podrido')

[Boyd]

Back in business! Welder extension cord showed up today. Not a bad deal for $30 on ebay. Just the twist-lok ends alone would have cost me $40 at Lowes.

I know what I'll be doing all weekend! (only appropriate that I use the "metal" smiley here, hehe)

[heeroyue2002]

Originally Posted by Boyd

Back in business! Welder extension cord showed up today. Not a bad deal for $30 on ebay. Just the twist-lok ends alone would have cost me $40 at Lowes.

I know what I'll be doing all weekend! (only appropriate that I use the "metal" smiley here, hehe)

oh, i had a couple of those earleir this year and i didnt know what they were for. i ended up scrapping them for the copper.

[Boyd]

Got a little done this afternoon. I braced the cab and then got out the cutting wheel. Still not done cutting, but it's a start. Hope I can stitch it back up!

[67cheby]

nice progress ...we expect to see it done by monday !! LOL

[gringoloco]

Lookin' good Any side shots of the wheel/tire combo? I like the idea of staggered sizes/heights...

[Boyd]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

nice progress ...we expect to see it done by monday !! LOL

Thanks....but as you can see, life got in the way. I'm in the paintless dent repair business and the off-the-chart hail season this year has had me working double-time for the last 3 months. It's been so bad that I've actually had to turn work away...which, if you know me, is unheard of. The good news is it's starting to slow down some, so I was able to get a little bit (emphasis on "little bit") of work done this weekend and tonight. Pics coming soon.

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Lookin' good Any side shots of the wheel/tire combo? I like the idea of staggered sizes/heights...

Unfortunately, I don't...honestly, the truck hasn't been out of the garage since I bolted the wheels/tires on months ago. I'll definitely post pics as soon as I get the metal work done and bed put back on.

[Boyd]

Ok, this won't look like much progress from where I left off, but believe me, it's about 5 hours of cutting, trimming, measuring, trimming some more, measuring again, grinding, etc, etc. As a reminder, here's a before shot of the floor -



Where I left it tonight. The replacement pan has been trimmed down to the final size and the cab floor is just about ready for me to drop in the replacement section and weld it in.




Here's a gratuitous scrap metal shot, just to prove I actually did do something!



And since floor pans are boring, here's a cool truck/garage shot.

[Boyd]

Also, I want to say thanks again to ebfabman for his great videos. I received them as a Father's Day present and I can honestly say they have been a huge help to me even in the short amount of time that I've had them. I definitely recommend them if you are considering tackling these type of repairs yourself.

Could I do this without the videos? Definitely. But I know that I'll be keeping this truck for a very long time and I don't want to "experiment" with it...I want the satisfaction of doing it right the first time and knowing that the repairs won't have to be redone at a later time.

[ratty 46]

Good little project ya got going on. Nice job so far. I'm in.

Ratty 46

[67cheby]

one of my best friends is a PDR guy from Jay OK, i understand...he has been filling up the bank ....CHA CHING..great year so far, keep plugging away, heck i am going on 8 years i can harrass anyone !!

[Boyd]

Well, I'm baaack!

As you can see, this project - and thread - took a major hiatus. I was "downsized" a couple of weeks after my previous post above and the truck took a backseat to life. I piddled on it every now and then, but it was hard for me to focus on it during some difficult times. But things are much better now.

Anyway, about 3 months ago I began a big push to complete the truck before summer was over and I'm proud to say, "Mission Accomplished"! I didn't document much of the work this time (to be honest, I sort of forgot about this thread!)

It still needs a seat cover and carpet, and a rear bumper, but all the bugs have been worked out of the drive train and wiring, it's a blast to drive.

[Boyd]

[oldblue1968chevy]

I cant even remember sub'b to this thread but truck looks great good job.

[Boyd]

The garage has changed a bunch, too.

[VA72C10]

Truck looks great...as does the garage! Very cool!

[cubber]

I started reading this, and noticed the date, and thought it was gonna terminate, and the reason it came back up was going to be because somebody dug it up and posted a "What happened to you" kind of deal. I was pleasantly surprised to see it was finished pics of the truck that awakened this thing! Way to follow through!! Your truck looks great (even if I am partial to stepsides). I lost my job this year, so I know how that is, but luckily I start a new one Monday. I hope you stick around, That's a great truck. I'll even overlook the fact that you're a Texan.......Haha, just kiddin', I lived in the Panhandle for some years, and am married to an Aggie who was raised in Houston. (she'd probably slap the fool out of me if she knew I said ANYTHING bad about the ol' Lone Star State).

[ratty 46]

Like cubber ... I thought this was a "lost" thread & someone was checking but figured - what the hay ... glad I did. Truck came out great - so far.

One thing, IMO, what looks a bit suspect is the low/rear mounted tank. Even with the bumper installed it reminds me of the pinto problem from so long ago. I know you had tried the other but consider relocating the filler for your own safety. all that frame structure around the tank would pay dividends should some texting fool hammer you in the back end!

Just my humble opinion. If I was closer I'd weld it up for you.



Paul

[Low Elco]

Love the truck and shop. Been bounced a few times myself, glad you made it back.

[knomadd]

Nice! Glad to see you finished it. The shop looks good too!

[BB72CHEVKT]

It turned out great. I am just down I20 a little a little ways and hope to see it in person one day.

[19GMC66]

Nice work man, truck is bad a$$!
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[1Bad 37]

Bump!
How did winter fare for you and the truck? Any new side projects? Love your garage...

[Boyd]

Timely bump! Other than driving it, I haven't done much with the rotten mule since finishing it, but I'm getting ready to start an interior re-do. I've been stockpiling parts over the winter and a little birdie told me that I can expect a new houndstooth seat cover from Southwest Classics for Father's Day. So I'll definitely be updating this thread when I start on it in a week or so.

I'll also be adding a hidden sound system with a "creative" speaker solution that I think most will get a kick out of.

Thanks for checking in. Stay tuned!

[CheyenneShop]

Glad your back at it - as I love your truck and the name!

Houndstooth - creative speakers!! We can't wait - C'mon - lets see it!!

[Boyd]

I'm on vacation this week so I started the interior makeover and sound system installation.

Here's what I started with, not bad, not good:



I pulled the seat and took it to an upholsterer this morning. He said I could pick it up tomorrow afternoon.

I pulled out the carpet, cleaned the floor, and sprayed two coats of Rustoleum Bed Liner. After that dried I installed 2 layers of aluminum faced sound deadener (aka, roof flashing from Lowe's ):



I then started running the wiring for the sound system:



The system will consist of a 400w 2ch amp that will power two 6.5" Kicker speakers mounted behind the seat (more on that in just a bit) along with a slim profile 8" 800w powered subwoofer that will mount under the seat. I won't be running a head unit, instead I'll plug my iPod into a Clarion EQS746 equalizer that I plan on mounting within arms reach under the seat.

Here are the components: