"Project Orangepeel" 52 A.D

[8man]

That access hole is a good idea. Are you going to cover it with a full door overlay or something?

[joedoh]

looks like a lot of access, i cant count how many times I have chewed my arm up reaching around in these doors. sorry if you mentioned it but what window kit is that?

[reaper71]

Robert, I will be reusing the panel I cut out to first cover the hole.
Then I will make full door panels to cover up the door.


Mark

[reaper71]

Russ, the window kit is from No Limit
I bought it from jimbo when we used a different kit for his back when me and Dad were building his 67.

The access hole makes a massive difference as far as ease of work space.


Mark

[8man]

Mark, if you don't mind, please show a "tutorial" on how you put the panel back in place. Thanks.

[reaper71]

Robert:
Here are a few shots I have of the panels in place.
I took 4 pieces of angle sheet metal and made tabs, these were welded to the 1x1 tube frame.
Then drilled holes in them for installing self tapping screws.

[reaper71]

Here are a few shots of my custom arm rests.
The top of them are made from 22gauge sheet metal and the mounts are 3/16 that I drilled holes to match the rest of the dress up pieces.
They get bolted to the doors via rivnuts that are installed in the door.


Mark

[8man]

Thanks Mark. Nice work as always.

[joedoh]

the armrests are suuuper cool!

on a related note I just realized I have a few S10 "oh crap" handles (normally mounted on the roof) that I can use for door pull/arm rests haha.

[reaper71]

Thanks Guys!

[gigamanx]

I have beaten and cut and scratched at this thing for a couple weeks haha. Now I see why you cut the access panel out of the front to install the fuel filler tube. I have beaten up my stake pocket so might just order a new one and make it a bolt in instead of spot weld.

[reaper71]

Hey Guys back with a update:

Pic 1. This is the start of my center console.

Pic 2. View from top. The ECU will be mounted under the removable floor panel of console.

Pic 3. The blue panel is going to be a dash for switches etc.

Pic 4. View from side. The notch locks it in place to the raised section behind seats.

Pic 5. Laying out A/C,start,headlights and wiper switches


Mark

[mongocanfly]

looks good Mark..!!

[big_dan]

New to this forum, but been building projects a LONG time - outstanding truck. Lots of clever, unique ideas here that a fella might have to "borrow"! Love both of your bumper designs especially.

Definitely following -

Dan

[joedoh]

neat idea!

as an aside, i see your stiffener and want to say i use bits of bed strips for everything too. one truck i used some stainless bed strips cut in half as carpet edge trim! haha


keep it up man!

[reaper71]

Thanks Greg!


Mark.

[reaper71]

Dan...Thank you very Much!
This is an amazing site for ideas and how to projects!

Mark

[reaper71]

Good Eye Russ!
The bed strip was used as stiffner and a mount to hold console in place.

Mark

[8man]

That is looking good. I like the thought put into it all.

[reaper71]

Thank you Robert!

[youngrodder]

Nice progress Mark...

Marc

[reaper71]

Thanks Marc!

[reaper71]

pic 1. These are some small mounts that will house magnets to hold the dash panel.

Pic 2. The mounts in place.

Pic 3. The dash with some of the switches installed.

Pic 4. This is the start of my lid.

Pic 5. The lid installed and I made strips to match the rest of interior accents.

Mark.

[8man]

Very cool idea. The magnets are great. Above the AC controls, is that a light or a push button switch?

[reaper71]

Thanks again Robert!

Yes it is a start push button.


Mark