Mr. T's truck - 49 3100 on an S10 frame

[skymangs]

The grill had all 6 bolts broken off, so they required drilling and tapping. Starting to shape up really nicely!

[oldman3]

Chris, looks good. Don't know what happen but I didn't receive e-mail on your post, and it wasn't highlighted in the build section. I was just ready to send a message to check on the build. Anyhow, check with you this weekend...Jim

[skymangs]

Jim, that happens to me sometimes too... just gremlins.

Lots of progress on the truck. It should be finished tomorrow. Just need to install the seat, hang the doors, fabricate some front bumper brackets, wire the taillights, and top off the fluids.

Below pics are of the lower column cover I put together for this one. Since it's a stock S10 column, all the wiring runs outside the column along the bottom. Looks stupid, so I built this thing to hide it.

[skymangs]

Love that UPs guy, he left me presents while we were in Branson this weekend. Autometer's Old Tyme series electronic speedo and tach. Made some new plates to mount them behind the factory bezels, and did some wiring magic, tada!

[skymangs]

Tailgate had some issues too. I picked it up to start mocking it up in order to weld in the rear bed sill (long story, it's a 41-46 rear sill, so it's a couple inches too short) and the end cap fell off. Apparently someone had tried to bolt it back together many moons ago, and it finally gave way. Took a little time to repair it the right way.

[skymangs]

Here's the finished dashboard and the rear sill/tailgate installed

[skymangs]

Last one... hood's on for the final time, she runs, all the gauges work properly, everything's tight and double checked... I'm expecting the nose will drop some when the bumper weight is added and I flex the suspension a little bit.

Should be ready to go home to her owner for a lifetime of enjoyment this mid week!

[oldman3]

Man, you got that together in short order, nice job, Mr. T should be happy...Jim

[skymangs]

Thanks Jim, I am pleased with it. I expect the owner will be too!

[alaska gasser]

I like your steering column cover. I've been trying to decide what I want to do with mine.

[skymangs]

Thanks alaska gasser, on my own trucks I use an aftermarket column that runs the wires through the inside that way they aren't visable. $160 well spent!

[918733]

Will tou be reproducing any of those steering colum covers? that is a good idea

[xpickup]

skymangs, Looks great. The owner should be happy with it. I like the lower column cover, it finishes it off great.


Shannon

[rambler]

you do not waste any time.. I leave your shop around 6ish,, and you get all that work done ! I am feeling pretty lazy right now.. BTW>. heading to late model auto with the yoke, they say they have one that should match..

[skymangs]

918733; Thanks, I saved my templates so I can make it again if needed.

xpickup; The owners been watching this thread and my fb page, he's really excited about it.

rambler; Thanks buddy, I'm glad that Late Model had the yoke.

Updates... Truck is finished. Just need to pick up some 1/2" bumper bolts tomorrow and bleed the brakes. The owner will be doing the door panels, etc. at a later date. Here's some pics.

[skymangs]

Here's what I did to mount the front bumper. I basically cut off the rear 8 inches of the bumper bracket, mocked it up where I wanted it, then re-welded the bracket farther outboard. I used 3/16 plate to truss the weld to the original curve of the bracket so no strength was lost. Then I drilled new 1/2" holes in the S10 frame.

[skymangs]

Here's the bumper mocked up, and my 9 year old cutting the old brackets off... got to start them young!

[oldman3]

Chris, tell the young one he's doing a hell of a, scratch that, heck of a job...Jim

[skymangs]

Thanks Jim, he loves being out in the shop!

Here's todays pics. These are the final ones for this project. It goes home to it's owner on Thursday.

Here's that bumper finished up and on the truck.

[skymangs]

Couple of small holes in the lower door.

[skymangs]

And one torch hole in the middle of the wind line of the drivers side inner door... That was a PITA!

[skymangs]

Here's the parking brake cover I made. simple, and hides the guts

[skymangs]

A tale of two hood latch panels... The owner gave me two. the better one has large chunks torched out of each end, a torch hole in the top, and a tear in the safety catch. The other one is rusty as hell. So I used what I could from the rusty one to provide the missing patches for the better one.

[skymangs]

The other side... all in all, it came out pretty good for what I started with!

[skymangs]

Finished panel installed... Well that's it for this one. It should be available for viewing at the Mid-West All truck Nats this year. Look for my booth!

Next project is a 64 Impala SS, so won't be posting it here, my 49 will be showing some more progress here shortly.