Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...

[likaroc13]

Nice score on the cluster! I want to eventually put one of those in mine too. Props on helping out the fellas across the pond as well.

[markeb01]

Outstanding all the way around. I'm also a firm believer in paying it forward. Much more enjoyable than short term profits.

[rusty76]

I agree^^^^^

[Ta2Don]

Thanx Guyz, and if anyone knows someone in need of a cluster with lights, I have one that I will GIVE someone… Cross-posting so it will be first come first serve…

[Grizz1963]

As requested by Ta2Don.

I hope it is helpful to some who need a new glovebox.

I have drawn up the outline of a self build/fold glovebox (cubby hole) that can be folded from 0.8mm sheet metal or ally, then riveted or tack welded to keep together. I made one as a trade for some side view mirrors last year.

I trust you guys can understand the measurements and destructions.

If you have various types of air on, fresh air pipes behind the dash, you may need to edit or nip the rear corner to make everything fit.

Shout if you need more info.

[Ta2Don]

Thanks Grizz… although my glovebox is a repop in good condition, I dig the idea of the metal one...

Today turns out to be the coldest day around here since last winter, and I skip outta work early because my daily driver's rear brakes on the Driver's side started making weird noises yesterday… so with the help of my neighbor who had a reared sitting in his yard (brakes and all), last year I was able to grab the axles for my DD off the same rearend… so after getting his okay, we grabbed some pliers and grabbed all the parts, and an hour later my DD is road-worthy once again… After explaining all that, here's a pic of what I experienced when I removed the brake drum...
Thankfully the wheel cylinder hadn't popped the pistons...

[Ta2Don]

Old man weather finally relented a bit...
Today was Sunny with the high getting to 64 or 65…too busy enjoying some truck time to get the correct high temp... 17 C for my mates in the UK...

Rolled the ratrod project out into the sunshine and rolled the bent frame in… See the 2 pics of the separate rails...
Borrowed a friend's Plasma Cutter and proceeded to do away with the exhaust pipes that were welded in place... then on to the rivets that were holding the trailing arms in place… then the cross member where the shocks bolt to and then the Track arm bracket…
Plasma Cutter sure makes short work of those rivets...

Enjoy the pics...

[Ta2Don]

More Pics from today...

[Ta2Don]

and a few more… Ratrod project snuck into a pic...

[dwcardfan]

Looks good!!! A few more good days like that and the frame will be ready for the cab.

[Grizz1963]

Floor needs a sweep Don


Weather looked good, we were around 3'C late afternoon.

I used a plasma cutter a few years ago to cut the centres out of some rims I was using the hoops from to widen some special centres......... Whoooooosssshhhh..! And the job was done.

Kept looking for more stuff to cut.

Retro's looks neat with motor in place.

[Ta2Don]

Thanx Guyz… Here's a pic of the rearend waiting in the wings… The front wheel on the straight frame snuck into this pic...

[clemdaddy]

gotta love nice weather... gotta love getting a lot of stuff done during nice weather. and you, my friend, got lots done.
except sweeping the floor...

keep at it bro, cold weathers coming soon enough.

[Ta2Don]

Thanks Clem… Floor has been swept ant least a half dozen times over the course of yesterday and today…

Today I started off performing some door surgery in order to help out my mate Rian over in the U.K. I cut out some patch panels that he is in need of...

Here are some pics...

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Thanks Clem… Floor has been swept ant least a half dozen times over the course of yesterday and today…

Today I started off performing some door surgery in order to help out my mate Rian over in the U.K. I cut out some patch panels that he is in need of...

Here are some pics...

Thank you very much Don, I really appreciate this, again.

Next up, Pack, Post, and Paypal.

[likaroc13]

Git'r done Don! Hoping to get back on mine before long. Enjoy that nice weather while you can.

[Ta2Don]

After getting Rian's patch panels cut… I continued removing the required brackets and such from the bent frame, and split in two so I could move easier, then after one of the sweeping sessions... I rolled the straight frame in, removed the rear-end and leaf spring set-up… rolled that out into the woods in and amongst my junk pile… rolled the trailing arm set-up into the work area and removed all the un-needed hardware… all in preparation of installing the Chevy rear set-up… The main reason for the changeover is due to the fact that the 12 bolt rear-end axles have already been drilled and re-done to a 5 lug set up... I also removed the rear bumper that sports a Dealer's Name from Newport Arkansas...
Onto the pics...

[Ta2Don]

One more pic, just because I found it Cool… Gotta Love Plasma Cutters...

[Jeff La]

Good work Don, and yes plasma is fun LOL

[Ta2Don]

Not much truck time today, but I did manage a few minutes after taking the Boss…read Wife… out to lunch and for a bit of shopping...

Upon returning home, I promptly excused myself to the shed to sacrifice part of a pizza box for a template to drill the proper holes in the frame for the crossmember that holds the top shock mounts and Upper spring mounts for the rear springs… A small amount of forward motion nonetheless...
Tape Measure, Hammer, Marker, soapstone, Drill & Bit in hand and the fun began...

I haven't started my photobucket account yet so i am limited to 5 pics per post… Rian was asking me for links assuming I was using photobucket or some other pic sharing service… I had an imageshack acct but that went weird quick so I guess I'll attempt to join the rest of the cool kids and go to the bucket...

Here are a few pics of this adventure in swapping the rear set-up to the frame… The soapstone arrows in the last pic show the mounting holes I drilled and will be using, the other two were already in the frame… may fill, if needed, advice welcomed...

[Ta2Don]

Update on Post 1191 of my ongoing saga…

I ended up with an instrument cluster with warning lights that I offered up for the cost of the ride…

Had a guy respond within an hour, then dropped off the grid and refused to answer texts or calls… re-posted and a few days after another person responded… He hit my PayPal pretty quick and today I mailed him the cluster… Called him to let him know when to expect delivery and turns out that he was in St. Louis but originally from a town about a half hour away… He didn't need the cluster for a build but he collects Speedometers… He previously had one, but sold it with a 65 he had… After a short conversation he said he'd drop by and say hello sometime when he visits this area...

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Update on Post 1191 of my ongoing saga…

I ended up with an instrument cluster with warning lights that I offered up for the cost of the ride…

Had a guy respond within an hour, then dropped off the grid and refused to answer texts or calls… re-posted and a few days after another person responded… He hit my PayPal pretty quick and today I mailed him the cluster… Called him to let him know when to expect delivery and turns out that he was in St. Louis but originally from a town about a half hour away… He didn't need the cluster for a build but he collects Speedometers… He previously had one, but sold it with a 65 he had… After a short conversation he said he'd drop by and say hello sometime when he visits this area...

Small world.

And I thought collecting number plates was weird.....

[bj383ss]

X2 on Flickr Don. You can even upload the app on your phone and as soon as you take pictures it will upload them to your Flickr Photostream for you automatically. Then all you have to do is cut and paste the BBcode into your thread. Flickr is very easy and no bandwidth.

Bret

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

You might look into Flikr for your photo hosting as well. I have a Photobucket account but have been gradually moving my stuff to my Flikr account. I know Photobucket was going through some changes a while back, & things were becoming a hassle. However, I haven't paid much attention to them in a while. Not sure how they compare these days.

Thanks for the input...

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Small world.

And I thought collecting number plates was weird.....

Only thing weird is what others think... Thanks for the pics this morning mate!

Originally Posted by bj383ss

X2 on Flickr Don. You can even upload the app on your phone and as soon as you take pictures it will upload them to your Flickr Photostream for you automatically. Then all you have to do is cut and paste the BBcode into your thread. Flickr is very easy and no bandwidth.

Bret

Will be checking it out… and I hope Donnie can fix you up on the door pieces...

[TJ's Chevy]

Man brotha! You been busy! lol Good work! New frame is looking good!