My Unexpected '66 SWB-Fleet-Restomod Project!

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by Gary V

Well... I think that it will be would be a good start. You can always go to .095 or .120 if it's not stiff enough. Tack it up good and go for a ride. If you really want to experiment you can get a can of stress coat and check to see how the shaft is reacting. Stress coat is a brittle coating that cracks when it it's stressed... so you can visually see whats happening when the shaft twists... kinda fun to check stuff out like that.

Haven't bought any recently. Here's a link to the info on how it works. And here's the company that sells it... If their still in business LOL.

Thanks a bunch man!
I appreciate the input!
I don't think that I will mind or care if it is too stiff, but I need some help.
I already scarred the insides of the wheel-tubs moving it in the yard...And I have over a half inch of clearance per side.
I want it to corner good.

[Bomp]

Lookin good Boss,,,, Damn Good

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Lookin good Boss,,,, Damn Good

Thanks Bomp!
You really need to start to work on the projects that you already have!
Just sayin! LOL!

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

I just took a look thru your thread. Wow, very impressive! Beautiful workmanship in every part of your truck.

[Modges'66]

Small update...
I drew-up the anti-sway bar arms & sent the file to a buddy, and he cut them immediately!
I also whipped up some links in the lathe.
It looks like I have some welding to do this weekend!
A few pics!



I will keep you all posted!

[66-PMD-GMC]

Nice work

[Modges'66]

I finished up my anti-sway bar this weekend...Well, kind-of.
It didn't seem stiff enough for me, so I ordered another piece of tubing.
A smaller diameter with a thicker wall so that I could insert it into the existing, and weld it on both ends, making the sway bar stiffer.
I bought a piece of 7/8" dia. x .187 wall to insert. On Saturday I welded it in, and it seems more like what I had originally expected.
Here are a few pics. Now I just need to remove & paint.

A pic with the truck aired-out.
Note: the sway-bar clears the driveshaft by less than 1/8" in the down position, and the arms clear the bed-wood by about the same.


Now a pic at ride-height.
NowI just need to remove & paint.


I decided that today was a good day to clean the old-girl up, as I think that it has been almost a year since the last bath...
Man, she looks sweet when clean!!!





Just chillin' in the driveway...




That is all that I got....Overall, a decent weekend. LOL!

[clemdaddy]

perfect...

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Beautiful! Sits perfect!

[jlsanborn]

Sweet is an understatement!

[66-PMD-GMC]

Nice work...
Getting close to being a driver

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

perfect...

Thank you Clem!
I know that you are always on-board!

Originally Posted by Mikes66ChevyC10

Beautiful! Sits perfect!

Thanks a bunch, but don't know what you mean!... LOL!!!
This is exactly what I had envisioned when I started this project!

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Sweet is an understatement!

Thanks a lot, I don't really know how to respond!!!

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

Nice work.

Thank you, I am always trying my hardest!

Getting close to being a driver

Close? I know it has already had a few stout workouts in the driveway! LOL!

[Bomp]

I don't know what to say. I just sit and drool going from one pic to another and back again.
Flat out stinkin' Clean. I try to study every detail.
One day,,, One day I hope to be able to call shot gun,.

[Ta2Don]

Diggin' everything about your build...

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by Bomp

I don't know what to say. I just sit and drool going from one pic to another and back again.
Flat out stinkin' Clean. I try to study every detail.
One day,,, One day I hope to be able to call shot gun,.

This pic is for you Bomp!!!
A deliberate engine compartment pic...or two!!!

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Diggin' everything about your build...

Thanks again Don...Ya shoulda went for the LT!!
Just kiddin, but I coulda helped you long-distance...it would have been a challenge!

[Gary V]

Awesome job! Love everything about it!

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by Gary V

Awesome job! Love everything about it!

THANKS GARY!!!
I'm slowly getting a clearer view of the finish line!!!

[Modges'66]

Well guys,
I managed to finish up my rear anti-sway bar by fabbing-up some heavier brackets, and painting all of the pieces. Since that was all buttoned-up I moved to trying to finish the bed wood.
Due to not wanting to remove the bed to attach all of the strips, I made some stainless strips to go cross-car for the area over my gas tank, so that I could partially assemble the center 5 boards & strips outside of the vehicle. So now there are 3 strips under the wood for the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th row of strip bolts from tailgate. This allowed me to set the boards in like a sheet of plywood!
Now I can install the remaining strip bolts through their cross-members and install nuts from below.
I only had a few mishaps, I had to machine a pocket into the center board to clear the rear diff in the aired-out position, and I also trimmed the rear diff cover for added clearance. Upon trimming it, I ground through the rear brake line...WAS NOT HAPPY!....Was side-stepped by a few hours to bend a new stainless brake-line & bleed the system...But the wood looks great so far!





That is all for now!!!

[clemdaddy]

the reflection in that bed wood is mesmerizing… so very nice buddy.

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Nice job on the truck! What color is it?

Thanks a lot!
The colors are 2011 Corvette Jetstream Blue, and Mercedes Iridium Silver.
...They were current colors when I picked them. LOL!

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

the reflection in that bed wood is mesmerizing… so very nice buddy.

Thanks bud!
Narrowing down my list of things to do!
Hint, hint! LOL!!!!!

[62 Barnfind]

Nice job on the truck! What color is it?

[Bomp]

Ahhhh, thanks for the motor pics. lol
Too bad about the brake line getting the wrong end of a grinder but with you got it all fixed up quick like.
Im about ready to hop a jet and put your hood on.
Looks good, next a vid?

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Ahhhh, thanks for the motor pics. lol
Too bad about the brake line getting the wrong end of a grinder but with you got it all fixed up quick like.
Im about ready to hop a jet and put your hood on.
Looks good, next a vid?

I thought that you would enjoy those pics!!!
I wish that you would hop a jet to come over to help me put the hood on!
I can't do it alone!...Fact is, i don't want to be wrestling around it and the hood latch while adding A/C, and I do not want to do it twice.

[Bomp]

Originally Posted by Modges'66

I thought that you would enjoy those pics!!!
I wish that you would hop a jet to come over to help me put the hood on!
I can't do it alone!...Fact is, i don't want to be wrestling around it and the hood latch while adding A/C, and I do not want to do it twice.

Sound deadener and carpet are smokin' hot..........
If I had the funds I'd hop a jet and be there in a sec to help toss on the hood.
Lookin' really good.

[jlsanborn]

Top notch man!