Not Another Rebuild Thread....

[Jmorales3181]

Nice video man! so I was reading your updates and was thinking my one year of my build should be coming up and sure enough I met up with the 18 wheeler to load up my truck on the flatbed a year ago today...:like you said time flies!!! Keep up the great work

[BOXER957]

Great video! I have to ask you now, when standing back and looking at what you've accomplished, did you ever think it would A: get that involved B: that YOU would have the skills to do such a fine job? Like I said before, it's really neat to read a build from beginning to end and watch how much confidence people gain as they learn and progress. That and the friends made while on the journey. Fantastic job I'm sure a lot of us will be stealing a mod or two off your build Keep up the good work, you'll get there

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by pdxhall

Great job, man! You've made a ton of progress and I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Well I am dead in the middle of my headlights project at this time, I wont start posting photos of that until I am closer to finishing it.
I sure do appreciate your taking a look at it! I should be in your neighborhood next summer with it behind the Tow Truck. Would sure enjoy a chance to share a pot of coffee and compare build notes with you Oregon guys !!

Originally Posted by Modges'66

WOW, Murph!
Some super-major improvements!!!
Quite an accomplishment!
Keep it up buddy, it looks great!

It has certainly been a journey, thanks for the comment!

Originally Posted by rmvlt1100

Sgt. I was just catching up on your build and I must say its looking great. I like the way you did the video of the progress. That was the first time I seen your seat, It looks very nice. Keep up the great work. Will be watching.

Thanks for taking a look, I bet you really enjoy the time you get to spend on yours too !!

Originally Posted by Bomp

Nice video documentation of the progress.
Keep on it hard core. Gotta see it next summer at Good Guys!

The way things are going, you may see me at your front door some time in June-July....
You know, if you are not too busy for a visit.....

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Loved the Vid! Drivin' by spring?

I could probably drive it now....new finish by date is set for St Pattys, Easter by the latest so I have time to get the Tow Truck prepped for the road trip home. Though I am contemplating waiting on a new front glass until I get it home since 1) I wont be driving it home / and 2) it will be A LOT cheaper to get it, and install it down there.
I am glad you like the vid man, I know you been keeping an eye on me for most of this build, I appreciate it !!

Originally Posted by piratexpress1369a

great vid as always ..hey do you have a really good shot of your floor mat ..its cool

I got the floor mat from the junk yard...I am abashed to admit I am a bit of a junk yard scrounger...
But nonetheless, here you go:

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Thanks for the video.
Great result and progress.

Thanks Mate !!

Originally Posted by Jmorales3181

Nice video man! so I was reading your updates and was thinking my one year of my build should be coming up and sure enough I met up with the 18 wheeler to load up my truck on the flatbed a year ago today...:like you said time flies!!! Keep up the great work

It goes faster than you think it should sometimes !!
You should do a before and after retrospect on yours as well.
I know for me it really gives me a shot of motivation to see what I started with and compare it to what is down in the garage right now.

Originally Posted by BOXER957

Great video! I have to ask you now, when standing back and looking at what you've accomplished, did you ever think it would A: get that involved B: that YOU would have the skills to do such a fine job? Like I said before, it's really neat to read a build from beginning to end and watch how much confidence people gain as they learn and progress. That and the friends made while on the journey. Fantastic job I'm sure a lot of us will be stealing a mod or two off your build Keep up the good work, you'll get there

A: No, it was really only supposed to be an engine swap and tranny add and some rattle can paint.
Frankly the only reason it went this far is because (literally) it was so easy to disassemble. The wife and I got going on it and we just tore it down so quick and easy (down to cab and frame in the first week) that it naturally evolved into a process of cleaning and painting all the parts....which then lent into making mods and "improvements".....which has of course become what it is today.

B: No.
Not in a million years would I think I would willingly tackle such a project and learn so much on my own.

And I think you are using the word and term "skills" a tad liberally in this case sir !!

[Low Elco]

Nope... Skills is a fine term. I enjoy these threads where you see the progression of a person and their skills and their life. It's about more than a truck, these things become a part of you for a reason. It's what's gotten Losh and Cloud 9 and Square Peg where they are. Please continue, Staff Sgt. The end of the @#%## frozen tunnel is in sight!

[BOXER957]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Nope... Skills is a fine term. I enjoy these threads where you see the progression of a person and their skills and their life. It's about more than a truck, these things become a part of you for a reason. It's what's gotten Losh and Cloud 9 and Square Peg where they are. Please continue, Staff Sgt. The end of the @#%## frozen tunnel is in sight!

Thank you Elco for seconding me on that term! Quality work takes skill, anybody with $30. can smear bondo.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Great job McMurphy! First question, how did I miss this build? Subscribed!
Second question, where'd you find a wife that loves the junkyard? Mine allows me "play time" and I thought that was lucky enough...now I'm re-thinking my measure

Seriously though that's a very fine looking truck. I'm doing herculiner on Cecilia on the entire underside and the floor too (just did the hump this week). that stuff is amazing.

Just don't get it in your whiskers

[jlsanborn]

Mad skills man and these ones come from experience, not book readin or tellin. Wait until you tear into the tow truck, you're gonna whip that thing into shape quick like! At some point in my automotive life I kinda decided that there ain't nothing I can't figure out. What I learned is that most of this stuff is easier than you'd think and it don't take a whole lotta tools to do it. The things you screw up are the things you learn good when you re-do it. Rock on Murph!

[piratexpress1369a]

thanks for the pic ..that is a cool find

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Nope... Skills is a fine term. I enjoy these threads where you see the progression of a person and their skills and their life. It's about more than a truck, these things become a part of you for a reason. It's what's gotten Losh and Cloud 9 and Square Peg where they are. Please continue, Staff Sgt. The end of the @#%## frozen tunnel is in sight!

You are too kind sir, but thanks ! Yeah, life is a growth process, or at least it should be. If not, then what is the point?

Originally Posted by FetchMeAPepsi

Great job McMurphy! First question, how did I miss this build? Subscribed!
Second question, where'd you find a wife that loves the junkyard? Mine allows me "play time" and I thought that was lucky enough...now I'm re-thinking my measure
Seriously though that's a very fine looking truck. I'm doing herculiner on Cecilia on the entire underside and the floor too (just did the hump this week). that stuff is amazing.
Just don't get it in your whiskers

Heh...I may have some pretty unconventional views on answering the wife question so stick with me here:
I have found that for real happiness it is better when dealing with other living creatures to take a patient, and acceptant stance. When I retire I am going to get a dog. I am going to sit with the litter and whichever of the puppies crawls into my lap and falls asleep is the one going home with me. My wife did a very similar thing with her cats. Quite literally the same thing happened with she and I... During my break in Military Service, I had ended my second marriage, and had sworn off the marital instuition when one day at work a repeat customer walked up and handed me her phone number.

So sadly I cannot claim any conscious responsiblity for the relationship bliss I now enjoy (we will be married 16 years this Christmas).
I tell my young troopers all the time, "Don't be in a hurry to get married. It is better to be lonely for a while, than make a horrible mistake. It is ok to work a little to make a marriage work, but you shouldn't have to work like an Egyptian slave for it."

Good luck with the Herculiner, I really found an appreciation for that stuff on this build. I only have the undersides of my rear fenders that I still want to do with it.

About time for an update on your truck, isn't it?

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Mad skills man and these ones come from experience, not book readin or tellin. Wait until you tear into the tow truck, you're gonna whip that thing into shape quick like! At some point in my automotive life I kinda decided that there ain't nothing I can't figure out. What I learned is that most of this stuff is easier than you'd think and it don't take a whole lotta tools to do it. The things you screw up are the things you learn good when you re-do it. Rock on Murph!

Dude....with attitude like that, we are going to be great neighbors!!
Too many instances on this build I have looked at something and decided that no matter what, I can make that work !!

Originally Posted by BOXER957

Thank you Elco for seconding me on that term! Quality work takes skill, anybody with $30. can smear bondo.

Well if the output of my current project is any indication, you guys may be right..... I just might have found some passable skills in this mess of a build!
Time will tell.

Originally Posted by piratexpress1369a

thanks for the pic ..that is a cool find

Yeah I got 3 of them that day, and two of the Jack ones from Nightmare Before Chrismas. Right now they are in the truck strictly for dust and dirt control along with a fitted sheet across the seat. My garage here is unnaturally filthy !!

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Heh...I may have some pretty unconventional views on answering the wife question so stick with me here:
I have found that for real happiness it is better when dealing with other living creatures to take a patient, and acceptant stance. When I retire I am going to get a dog. I am going to sit with the litter and whichever of the puppies crawls into my lap and falls asleep is the one going home with me. My wife did a very similar thing with her cats. Quite literally the same thing happened with she and I... During my break in Military Service, I had ended my second marriage, and had sworn off the marital instuition when one day at work a repeat customer walked up and handed me her phone number.

So sadly I cannot claim any conscious responsiblity for the relationship bliss I now enjoy (we will be married 16 years this Christmas).
I tell my young troopers all the time, "Don't be in a hurry to get married. It is better to be lonely for a while, than make a horrible mistake. It is ok to work a little to make a marriage work, but you shouldn't have to work like an Egyptian slave for it."

Good luck with the Herculiner, I really found an appreciation for that stuff on this build. I only have the undersides of my rear fenders that I still want to do with it.

About time for an update on your truck, isn't it?

Love the wife story! Mine chased me too till I caught her. I was clueless.

My build became a repair story a few weeks ago. I just finished rebuilding the SM 318. It's smooooooothhhh now.

Now I'm rebuilding the Rockwell T221 and the Dana 44.

http://6066gmcclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47321


I can't wait to see your wheelwells. I'm wondering how well it'll hold up on the road. I've seen Jeeps that were herculiner'ed all over and they seemed to like them.

[chevy_man5]

Hey McMurphy, being in the medical field, isn't a repeat customer a bad thing? LOL Glad it is working though!!

Truck is looking awesome by the way!! Keep up the good work!!

[ddubbs]

Glad to see your plugging away. It's been awhile and I thought you had already left. After I get off this 7 day a week schedule I will have to catch up to you. Lol

[clemdaddy]

you're cool dude. loved the video.

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by FetchMeAPepsi

Love the wife story! Mine chased me too till I caught her. I was clueless.
My build became a repair story a few weeks ago. I just finished rebuilding the SM 318. It's smooooooothhhh now.
Now I'm rebuilding the Rockwell T221 and the Dana 44.
http://6066gmcclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47321
I can't wait to see your wheelwells. I'm wondering how well it'll hold up on the road. I've seen Jeeps that were herculiner'ed all over and they seemed to like them.

I look forward to seeing some photos in an update from you....always enjoyed your working kid krew !!

Originally Posted by chevy_man5

Hey McMurphy, being in the medical field, isn't a repeat customer a bad thing? LOL Glad it is working though!!
Truck is looking awesome by the way!! Keep up the good work!!

In the medical field yeah, repeat customers are not a good thing !!
At the time we met however, I was out of the Army (7 year break in service) and was working food service down town.

Originally Posted by ddubbs

Glad to see your plugging away. It's been awhile and I thought you had already left. After I get off this 7 day a week schedule I will have to catch up to you. Lol

How totally odd !!
I have been thinking of you a lot lately!!
Dude I would not bug out of town without letting you know, You are still getting this 85 Sierra shell when I know for sure I am done with it !!
(if you still want it...)

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

you're cool dude. loved the video.

I am not that cool man...but thanks for saying so. LOL
I really like how Tilly is coming along, though your taking on more and more projects it seems.
Good for business, so rock on !!

[Bean Counter]

What an incredible build! You are quite humble regarding your talents, skills, originality and perseverance! Really appreciate the pics and videos. They give posers like me both inspiration and, best of all, cool ideas to shamelessly steal and subvert! Thanks for sharing and GOD BLESS YOU for your service to our country!

[bj383ss]

McMurphy,

Fantastic build. I had to laugh when I saw post #1217. The label on the gauge cluster. Mine had some reminder labels as well with the same old school label maker. Mine says "check oil and water". And then another at the bottom that says "only use first gear for extreme loads"

Bret

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Bean Counter

What an incredible build! You are quite humble regarding your talents, skills, originality and perseverance! Really appreciate the pics and videos. They give posers like me both inspiration and, best of all, cool ideas to shamelessly steal and subvert! Thanks for sharing and GOD BLESS YOU for your service to our country!

Thanks Bean, it is an honor to server really.
As far as stealing and reimaging ideas goes, steal away man. I was just like you once, but just be warned that it gets addictive ~and~ time consuming, if not costly.
The fun part (for me) is learning how to do something, to tweak something, and know that I can look at anything and know that I can adapt it to work how I want it to... mostly.

I am working on something rather special at this time, so special I am on update lock down until it is done, so I can really pop the wow factor on you guys.

Originally Posted by bj383ss

McMurphy,
Fantastic build. I had to laugh when I saw post #1217. The label on the gauge cluster. Mine had some reminder labels as well with the same old school lable maker. Mine says "check oil and water". And then another at the bottom that says "only use first gear for extreme loads"
Bret

That old red lable was left over from when this was an Air Force service rig.
I am glad you like the build, stay tuned !!

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

I am working on something rather special at this time, so special I am on update lock down until it is done, so I can really pop the wow factor on you guys.

[johnlq6975]

I think it's cool you do good work

[Ta2Don]

Here's something to warm your garage Murph!!!

[McMurphy]

Very Pretty Don !! Yours, or do you know the owner?

[Ta2Don]

Neither, saw it online and thought of you and the frozen garage

Happy Wrenching!!!

[Low Elco]

I was gonna ask, Murph; It's Nov. 1, how many feet of snow do you have so far?

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Neither, saw it online and thought of you and the frozen garage
Happy Wrenching!!!

Ahh Ok thanks !!
I do love those Pontiacs, too bad GM decided to axe them and not Buick or Oldsmobile....

Originally Posted by Low Elco

I was gonna ask, Murph; It's Nov. 1, how many feet of snow do you have so far?

Our first day of snow this year was the 18th of Sept, but then the temps have been quite pleasent. Then yesterday it snowed all day so right now we have almost an inch of white dust all over.

Winter is coming I guess, but hopefully it is going to be a calm, and enjoyable one.
Wouldn't that be nice?

As far as the truck goes, I may have enough progress come Sunday night to toss you guys a bone.....

[rkn463]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Ahh Ok thanks !!
I do love those Pontiacs, too bad GM decided to axe them and not Buick or Oldsmobile....

They axed Olds in 2004, it broke my heart.