My grandsons 68 stepper

[54belair]

Well, I finally retired after talking about it for a year or so AND Ive gotten a few things done on the build. My goal this coming year is to Finish it!!!

I just posted an update on "what have you done on your truck today" thread but thought Id do it here as well.

Over the last week or so: I cut and buffed most of the front clip including the grille, the lower valance, and both front fenders.
Then I installed the grille, valance, parking lights and inner fenders. Naturally none of it went this quickly---always seems to be one part or bolt or screw that we cant find or don't have. One example is after buffing the grille I installed the previous grille chrome trim. Looked ok when I took it off, but with the new paint it really looked shabby----so, new rings and clips.
I didn't have any issues with all that----but, when I installed the right front fender--the issues came up.
If you've read the build you may remember I had to cut out both A posts due to rust in the upper cowl area. We braced the cab well so nothing would shift---but Murphy still showed up. The A post was welded in below the lower hinge----In the exact spot where the fender brace comes the closest to the A post.

The solution was not to disturb the welded area on the A post, but to massage the inner fender brace. With the truck painted, solutions require some finesse. I opted to cut the area on the fender brace, gently beat it in and reweld some new metal in making what looks like a pocket in that area.

I soaked some rags in cold water and placed them between the inner and outer fender skin to absorb heat. The modification went very well, no damage to the fender skin and now the fender fits as it should have (on the lower end).

Im really anxious to see if I encounter the same issue on the driver side.

After all the initial fabricating, we did a test fit on the doors---but since I reused the same fenders I told myself "they came off-they will re fit" Mistake----should have test fit EVERYTHING.

So, where Im at now is the right side door is installed, the right fender is on (still have to finesse the door gap), its close, but I personally hate a funky looking door gap, so it will take some more time on that. Im looking for .18" top to bottom and current have .17-ish at the bottom and .195 ish at the top.

Ive taken pics of all this fun and Ill upload several before long.


So, with all that said----Thank you all for reading and waiting on this Loooooong drawn out build. And Merry Christmas, peace and prosperity to you all my friends.

[54belair]

I keep saying Picture to follow--then get busy or forget. Im going to update he build with several pics showing the current state (confusion??). Most recently Ive ben working on the front clip and getting gaps set---quite the job so far. As youll see, I have the pass. side on and complete(?)--not so much, I cant get the front door gap where I need it---so now the right front has to come back off so that I can get to the door hinges--to decrease the rear door gap so that I can get the front where I want it.
Anyway, Im going to show where its at before I tear it down again.

[54belair]

More pics of interior progress, and some general pics of the mess!!!

[54belair]

Just for the fun of it (or maybe to embarrass myself into organizing the shop some) Ill show some overall Mess pics.

The shop is big enough to store 4 cars Or work on One !! Anyway, the project is back moving again---with all the dis assembly , its going slow, but moving.

[54belair]

More pics for documentation---not any real story with these Except,, for those who like a story----its January---I turn the heat way low at nite and about 60 deg when Im working and Yesterday---I did see a fly!! He was moving slow-----but Spring Is coming!!!

[jlsanborn]

Looks great! Glad to see you back on it. Congrats on retiring too!!

[Seventy Two]

Very nice

[88Stanger]

Awesome build! We are close to the same place in builds, you are a bit ahead of me. I'm saving painting for later on parts I can and getting the inside the cab done. I really like the headliner. I was looking at getting one, are they made of good material?

[54belair]

88stanger:
It seems to be well made. I was worried that it might be flimsy and even sag, but I installed it in summer of 2014 (I think) and its still rigid. I had thought about double sided tape or a good contact adhesive---but then if you ever want/need to remove you have a real mess getting the adhesive off .
Im at the point now that I may be willing to accept something less perfect---to just get it done!!! Im starting on wiring now rather than finish the front clip--due to the fact that I don't want to hang the drivers door just yet (easier to work inside without it.)

[tucker69]

Hey there Belair54, I have been following along, congrats on retirement and the build, its looking real good... I feel you on settling for less than what you want in order to keep making progress. I am not a fan of red. but I got to say that color is "awesome". by the way where did you get your gages, are those just replacement faces?

[54belair]

Thanks, Man,,
I say Im willing to settle for less but-----Ive been on the internet most of the day looking for "Just the right hardware"! lol
The dash gauge cluster came from a place called "Edd's 67-72 chevy truck dashes". he's over in tenn. I really like the look of it, I bought it about two years ago for this build. I reaaly don't remember what it cost---it was in line price wise with most other dashes I found (and I like the white much better.) Im pretty sure he is a member here, but I think I bought the dash off of ebay.

[jlsanborn]

Fart smeller on leaving the door off for the under-dash business! That's how I'll do it, thanks!

[54belair]

Ive spent some time finding and buying the connectors I need for the new wiring harness. While I was close(!) I decided it was time to install the accelerator pedal. I had decided some time ago to go with the hanging pedal like on the 71-72 rather than the floor mounted older style.
I had bought the adapter plate for mounting the new style pedal some time ago (now I had to find it), but I didn't care for the throttle "cable" instead of the old style "rod", and I wasn't fond of still another hole in the firewall.

So, while Im waiting on wiring components I decided to marry the two accelerator brackets. I measured the length I wanted, marked both pedal arms for the cut and started whacking.
To make sure the pedal stayed in the correct orientation with the arm while I welded them back together, I slotted both cut rod ends and inserted a pc of sheet metal in the cuts. Then with the rotational placement correct all I had to do was use a magnet while I welded to insure axial straightness.

Before welding the two ends I beveled them quite a bit and built the bevel back with weld. After welding it took some time grinding and filing the rod smooth. Primered and painted the rod to match. Now all I have to do is remove the actual pedal, stick it thru the hole and bolt it up.

I took a few pics along the way----- Im currently waiting on my new glasses--and Im using $2.00 wal mart readers--so the focus wasn't the best. Hopefully you can get the gist of what I did. Start to finish--including paint---bout 1 1/2 hours.

[jlsanborn]

Besides the additional firewall hole, are there any other reasons you prefer the rod v.s. the cable? If you like the rod better, why the hanging pedal?

I have yet to go down this path but I will here soon (soon, ha!). I had first planned on staying stock, then thought about the conversion. Just wondering why you are going hybrid.

[54belair]

Its just personal preference. I like the look of the hanging pedal and actually there is a little diff. in the feel. The floor mount feels more rigid (which it is). As far as the throttle rod as opposed to the cable---just preference again. I like the feel with the rod. Take a modified and threaded rod, add heim joints at both ends and there is no slop, just instant throttle response. Now even I am asking----"why do you need solid response out of a mild engine"?? Just preference!!!!

The down side to doing this is----you have to have both pedals to cut up.

[54belair]

Just a quick update. Just about have the wiring finished. I have the speaker wires to hook up, figure out the heat and A/C wiring and a couple wires under the dash yet.
I remember once defending the EZ wire harness that I used----I don't know, not sure Ill go this again. It has everything that I need but for some reason Ive had to fight this one. I used the same universal harness in the past and had zero issues-----Maybe Im just getting old!!!
Anyway, progress is being made and the weather is warming up (maybe just temporarily) But,,, Ill take any progress and warm weather I can get.!!!

[54belair]

Thought Id put up a rendering of the project-------files might be too large, we'll see. Well, guess it worked--background is the airbrushed glove box door.

[davischevy]

Beautiful!

[54belair]

Now all I have to do is make sure the truck is as nice as the rendering!!!!!

[davischevy]

You can do it.

[Green67Stepper]

that rendering looks awesome.

[tucker69]

Builds looking great, the kid will be super excited to get it.. Heck if his is not... I will take it.. ha ha. Keep up the good work... Casey

[54belair]

No new pictures to show yet but I have been working on it a few hours a day generally.

Just doing the hundreds of little things.

finished the wiring (still have to tidy up)
re-attach ductwork knocked off during wiring!
replaced rear brakes and wheel cyl.
determined rear wheel bngs were bad (will pull axles and replace when I replace the carrier, rear gears and posi.

ordered and installed washer bottle, bracket and tubing



The most frustrating part is the waiting on parts. I keep saying that I have everything on hand to finish-----then it seems like every evening I come in with a list of "little things" I need------things I need tomorrow before I can finish what Im working on today.
Gotta love it-----or Cry!!!!

[54belair]

Here it is May--and Ive been off on other projects. Acquired a chevelle and had to make a few changes for cruise nites, so once again the truck has suffered. Ive gotten the wiring under control (still have some engine bay stuff to wire). Slowly but surely Im getting the interior finished. Seems like Im doing everything in reverse order--since I have to continuously take it apart to add the next thing!! I have a little dress up to do under the dash yet. I have the new carpet, layed it out in the sun to get the shipping wrinkles out.
Im going to pull off the interior this week so that I can finish doing whatever needs doing to the underside---Im going to try and persuade the relatives to give me a hand setting the bed on the truck this weekend.
My grandson has been after me to install the new wheels for at least 2 years. I brought them in from storage last month and piled them on the rear frame---so today, it was time. He was here and they needed to be moved. After we were finished he said "this is the most fun Ive ever had" (silly boy---life has some surprises for him!!!)

[54belair]

Today I managed to commondere some extra hands so we could get the bed back on. After a few years sitting at diff. places in the shop Its starting to come together and almost looks like a truck again.