68 aka "Chained in Porterbuilt Prison"

[mcbassin]

Very interested in watching how you are gonna use that sweet floor shifter!

[jtp67-72]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very interested in watching how you are gonna use that sweet floor shifter!

Glad u brought that up cause I want yours and others opinions--this shifter originally came with the plate like this--
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330577808927...84.m1423.l2649

But the six speed shifter plate has a rubber boot in the round area U see in the plate above--I think would be totally cooler using the 6 speed boot and the auto shifter rather than the kind of MECHANICAL LOOKING plate above--Make every one go--"Is it 6 sp or auto"???
The console is in pics in post 45...here is a pic of complete with 6 spd shifter but ot a real good pic of plate........jim
http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-06-CHEVY-...item3f013f9ea2

[jbclassix]

Agree. The six speed boot looks way better, and less "late 90's early 2000's" design.

[ccracin]

Jim,

I can't believe I didn't see this over here! Awesome work man! I love the dash. I agree with you, the stock dash is what I like least about these trucks. The stock one was cut out of ours long ago! I'm subscribed. Keep it coming!
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[jtp67-72]

I'll let the cat of the bag-sort of----Instead of shaved handles-think of Ring Brothers Gen 1 handles !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jtp67-72]

Ok guys a little wkend report--2 cold to finish body work on dash so I took bed apart last week and finish 1 bedside today--Floor will be raised 10 inches-I am not a fan of notch covers so I will raise complete floor --Started on dr. side panel--Reverse mini tub-wood will set on top of angle-Little trick here-always plug weld angle to wall before cutting out below-that way no flexing on the side panel-That's 1x2 tubing between bedside and inner panel-all pieces touching outer bedside are done with 3m panel bond --Tub bolts in-will be 6-7 " wider than pic-That's one half-The tub will have a 1 1/4 flat bar welded all the way around lip INWARD so the bolts will be hidden.............jim

[jtp67-72]

More pics-Original look on pass side--how much tub reduced-Floor will look close to this................jim

[VA72C10]

Looking good! Like the inspiration picture

[jtp67-72]

Last truck---something's always give me a burr in my saddle about that pic and I want your opinion--Look at the center 2 boards and tell me it would not look better with a centered bed strip and then run the wide boards all the way out!! I've done the math and it still would look right at the outer edges--I know --I'm anal but it has always bothered me..............jim

[jlaird]

question for ya...I had previously thought the inner bedsides didn't need to be cut to clear the tires. So I guess my question is why are you doing what you're doing?LOL!

[jtp67-72]

Good question-gaining 1 1/2 " towards fender-I didn't have 2 but wheel will sit closer to lip and improve overall look-Don't like look if wheel is inset 2 far-Just a personal choice for me-But there is plenty of room without this mod especially with inboard bridge for bags--Check 1st pic and look how I trimmed the fender lip(roll) about 5/8" all the way around-like late model fenders.........Got 2 finish pass side and then off to blaster.......jim

[VA72C10]

I am totally like you on the width of the boards bothering me... I always planned to install equal sized boards unless I was doing an original restoration (and then it would be painted anyways )

[jtp67-72]

Look at that bed pic again-See how I widened tub to overreach the bed strip?? Didn't need that wide but felt it could not fall on strip--changing boards would eliminate this 2!!!..........jim

[67cheby]

looking GREAT !!

[jtp67-72]

It's been a while^^^^^ --where U been--Notch cover I suspect?? Love yours but I will leave that labor of love with U--lol-Im not crazy about shorty(depth) bed either but it works for me...let me see the new corner pieces when your done....jim

[67cheby]

You nailed it Been working on hinging it. What a pain
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[fishingjred73]

Nice work going on.....subscribed!

[jtp67-72]

Ok ,before I expose these pics need to acknowledge not my original idea--Va72c10 was way ahead of me-also 67Cheby on his notch cover--------well I was between coats of epoxy today and shaZam---this is done without welds-all panel epoxy-Cut new gate(whew!!!) installed 3 by 3/16 backing metal--flush fit script--now all left is lite body work--(actually started this last nite--epoxy needs 4 hrs min to set).............jim

[jtp67-72]

Don't know if I have the Kahonnees to cut a real good fender but here is another idea--Looks better in person.............jim

[jtp67-72]

One more weekend project done...........I have always had a pet-peave about the area under the bedroll-always rusts-cant paint well............ssssoooooo I shave the inside lip and cap the bottom............makes a nice finished look--This will need a little body work on the roll edge to be perfect---another panel bond project-with minimal welding.............jim

[shawno72]

That's a great idea, always feel rust in this area.
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[VA72C10]

I like the bedside mod. And the gate mod is cool! Much more subtle than my original idea

[n2billet]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

One more weekend project done...........I have always had a pet-peave about the area under the bedroll-always rusts-cant paint well............ssssoooooo I shave the inside lip and cap the bottom............makes a nice finished look--This will need a little body work on the roll edge to be perfect---another panel bond project-with minimal welding.............jim

I see how your tub bolts to the side of the bed (nutserts) but what are your plans for the very top?

[ilovnos]

Hey Jim--tailgate looks great. I think the fender would look pretty cool too.

[67cheby]

i love the tailgate,great work on the bedsides but , think it might be to much on the fenders ?? just my opinion