Frankentruck

[cwcarpenter98]

It's all in the details, right?

I acquired another ash tray in a group of parts I picked up a couple months ago. It has a knob with Ash Tray engraved into it. We had a small paint brush and some white paint at the house, so I used that. It was a water based paint, so I was able to wipe off the spots I got paint on that didn't need paint. Turned out great and looks great next to the heater control knobs

[Paul Y]

Didn't realise that the picture on the left was during... Quite disappointed that this was not the final iteration....

Nice detailing!

P.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Paul Y

Didn't realise that the picture on the left was during... Quite disappointed that this was not the final iteration....

Nice detailing!

P.

I thought about leaving it like that for a second, but I like how it looks with all the letters painted. I only keep coins in there though, so maybe one day I'll have to make a custom knob that says coin tray

[cwcarpenter98]

I spent a couple hours today on blending in the patina. I used Dark Hunter Green from Rustoleum. It's a pretty darn close match to the paint on the fender which I believe is original paint.

I think I could sand on it some more to bring out more of the maroon, but for now, I'm pretty pleased with it. After final sanding with 2000 grit, I used some rubbing compound to take out the sanding marks

[SkinnyG]

I see your door bottom produced a bit of a crown like mine did too. Fun stuff, these aftermarket parts, eh?!

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

I see your door bottom produced a bit of a crown like mine did too. Fun stuff, these aftermarket parts, eh?!

Loads of fun
It produced that crown in the middle, pulled the corners in too much, and left a dip in the center of the new section. I'll have to work on both doors some more at the bottom, but for now, I can leave it as is and still drive the truck. I'm headed back to school this week anyways, so there won't be much rust repair that I'll be able to work on for the next several months

[cwcarpenter98]

Well I don't think I'll ever plan on doing this again. I think I'll be paying someone to install the windshield once I get to that point.

It was about a 5 hour battle for me, but I won and didn't break anything.

I really like the precision replacement parts seal. It fit perfectly without any trimming of the outer part. I did have to trim a bit off the lock strip, but that's ok.

I think the slider is what made it a little more difficult. The original window probably would have gone in real easy.

And yes, I did install the seal backwards so that the lock strip is on the inside. I think it's a cleaner look on the outside without the strip

[realvc]

Looks good to me too.

[cwcarpenter98]

The passenger side axle seal started leaking on the trailer, so I got both swapped out this morning. Had to cone home for a job interview yesterday, so might as well fix it while I'm home. I did not realize that the Dana 44 was not a c-clip axle. That was a different experience for me.

Now time to take Frankentruck and the trailer to a car show!

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

The passenger side axle seal started leaking on the trailer, so I got both swapped out this morning. Had to cone home for a job interview yesterday, so might as well fix it while I'm home. I did not realize that the Dana 44 was not a c-clip axle. That was a different experience for me.

Now time to take Frankentruck and the trailer to a car show!

Did you fix the front seal leak while you had the axles out?






,,.....///

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Did you fix the front seal leak while you had the axles out?






,,.....///

Funny thing is that I fixed the front seal a couple months back. The axle seals weren't leaking at that moment, but the passenger side started leaking a week or so after that. The Dana 44 is not a c-clip axle and has a drain plug, so technically, I didn't need to pop the rear cover off again. Didn't realize it wasn't a c-clip until I got a closer look at it and saw the splines on the spider gears at the end of the axle. Re-used the cover gasket since I had replaced that back when I did the pinion seal and didn't tear it this morning.

Happy to report there's no leaks after getting back home today!

[cwcarpenter98]

Drove up to Lake Lanier Olympic Park for a car show this afternoon after fixing the axle seals on the trailer. It was a good show, but it was HOT outside. Still had a good time with some of my C10 friends there though. Frankentruck and the trailer did great all afternoon even in the heat. The cooling system didn't get anywhere near the hot side of the gage even on the interstate.

My parents joined a little later in the afternoon, so we went to a good BBQ joint afterwards. They had a sweet stepside tailgate bench there. Makes me want to build one of my own

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Funny thing is that I fixed the front seal a couple months back. The axle seals weren't leaking at that moment, but the passenger side started leaking a week or so after that. The Dana 44 is not a c-clip axle and has a drain plug, so technically, I didn't need to pop the rear cover off again. Didn't realize it wasn't a c-clip until I got a closer look at it and saw the splines on the spider gears at the end of the axle. Re-used the cover gasket since I had replaced that back when I did the pinion seal and didn't tear it this morning.

Happy to report there's no leaks after getting back home today!

Thanks Cool



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[cwcarpenter98]

Frankentruck is chilling at home, so I haven't been able to do any truck stuff this past week. I was browsing the ol Facebook Marketplace last night and found a 61 grille over in Macon. Quick trip this afternoon was made. I couldn't say no to it

[350TacoZilla]

I might be biased as a GMC guy but I really love the dual headlight front ends on these trucks.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

I might be biased as a GMC guy but I really love the dual headlight front ends on these trucks.

I love them too. Of course, now I'll need to track down the missing pieces to make a complete grille out of it. Might even have to clean it up and paint it since someone already sanded parts of it to bare metal. Once Frankentruck is "done" the next truck I'll be looking for will probably be a 61

[G&R's57GMC]

Just read through you build… good job !
I like your trailer build , looks good together .

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Just read through you build… good job !
I like your trailer build , looks good together .

Thank you! The trailer helps even more for that redneck, farm truck look

[cwcarpenter98]

Test.



I know, y'all have already seen these pictures, but hey, I figured out how to put the pics in with the text, so maybe I'll be inclined to take better and more pictures while I'm doing stuff



This seems to work pretty good.



Won't wreck my thread like Photobucket did to so many people because I'm hosting these via the site gallery

I'll be headed back home next weekend for fall break, so yes, I'll be doing some work on Frankentruck again. Got a few plans up my sleeve to try and get done in the 4 days I have to work on her. Catch y'all later

[cwcarpenter98]

Welp, I ordered some new parts today. Hopefully they'll show up before I head back home so I can do a slight modification on two of them before I head out of Milledgeville for fall break. Y'all be sure to tune in starting on Thursday evening. I've sure got a lot planned for the 4 days I have to work on the truck. We shall see how much I actually get done

[cwcarpenter98]

Got new upper and lower control arm shafts and u bolts for the lowers in today. 5 packages for 6 items All 3 sets of parts came from different locations, but out of the 3 sets, only 1 set was in the same package. No clue why, but at least they all showed up with nothing missing!

Discussed my plans with my dad, and with the impending weather, decided not to blow the front suspension apart this weekend so that I can still bring Frankentruck back to college next week. The caster mod will have to wait until Christmas break when I have no school to worry about and have the time to clean and paint the components I take off before I put them back on. Still going to be doing some other stuff I wanted to get done this weekend though. I'll keep y'all updated!

[cwcarpenter98]

Well, I've had these boxed up for almost 2 years in the back of the garage. I was waiting on the time to need new tires, and that time is finally here.
I really don't like the red though.

Dad bought a workbench from a neighbor that was moving, so it's current home is the middle of the garage Flat surfaces fill up with stuff real quick

Also found a rear frame section with the correct track bar mount to work with the 65-70 axle that I have. The current mount at the frame is more parallel to the axle because of the stand off that was used on the 63 and 64 axles. Eventually, I'll swap that out, but it's been that way for several years now and hasn't broken anything yet

[cwcarpenter98]

Had a family reunion this morning, so not too much time to work on the truck, but enough time to sling some paint in the front yard paint booth.
Let the back side dry overnight, and then I'll be shooting at least 3 coats of that fresh rattle can tomorrow. New tires are at the tire shop, just need to bring the wheels in on Monday

[cwcarpenter98]

More progress today.



The wheels are completely painted. It took 3 rattle cans, but not too shabby for the front yard paint booth.



She's a good, 10 footer, but that's fine by me.



What's in the box?



Oh yeah, those hubcaps I bought over a year ago.



New tires tomorrow!


Also, what do y'all think about a little less chrome and more of that fresh off the farm look?





I'm thinking yes on the West Coast Juniors

Yes, I'll be back tomorrow with pictures of Frankentruck wearing her new shoes

[The Rocknrod]

I dont know she looks good either way.