56 task force on 80 1/2 ton frame pictures

[56hotrodred]

Thanks a lot Oldman and Geezer.

I am getting excited it has been a long 12 years since I started but I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Finally sent a bunch of stuff off the powder coat. I am powder coating the bumpers, grille and other pieces a silver colour, the same or real close to the ralley rims. I don't want to much chrome!

[Rickysnickers]

You've done a really nice job!!

[56hotrodred]

Thanks very much Ricky.

[Ronzo]

Any updates?
Ron in Lethbridge...

[56hotrodred]

Hey Ron in Lethbridge. Well a bit - the shop In Coaldale sent me a couple of pictures last night. The box should be ready for paint today or tomorrow.

I will see what photos I can send.

[56hotrodred]

Here are the latest updates.

You will note that I am having the shop paint the CHEVROLET letters on the tailgate silver the same colour as the rims, bumpers, headlight covers and grille. They will cover them with some "sticky letters/decals" I bought on-line and then paint the tailgate - then remove the decals.

I also had them fix up the steering column that I scratched up pretty bad when installing it. Thankfully they did not have to remove it again.

I also see that they installed the door handles that I gave them for mock-up but I have new handles with locks and keys ready to go in. I have my Tacoma loaded with stuff to go in when I get the word.

I am busy in shop removing all the stuff left laying around after my 12 year long build process. So much stuff that I may have to start selling extras!

One other note that I have not talked about but I have also been working on the oak boards for the box floor. I have rubbed Tung Oil on the boards and they look really good but that stuff takes a long time to dry. I am running a fan in the shop during the day to keep air moving and it seems to be helping. No rush on them though as I have a bit of work do on the rear differential and drive shaft when I get truck back.

Just got word that final paint on box in next day or so.

[71'tahoe]

Wow! What a beautiful truck! I just gleaned over the whole build. I really like everything you've done to the truck.

[56hotrodred]

Thanks very much 71'tahoe.

Its driving me nuts it being so close to coming home!

[56hotrodred]

Just thought I would add a couple of random pictures from the body shop that had not been previously shown.

One shows the final block sanding on the truck - the box...

The other the inside of the door.

Also a little bit of a gliche that I hope won't hold me up too long.

After looking at and trying to clean up the rear wrap around window I decided that it was not worth putting back in the truck.

Although I had it in another part of the shop it looks like it has weld splatter and a few deep scratches. Must have got it when it from previous owner.

So my body shop can't seem to get a rear wrap around window so I ordered one on-line. What a range of prices - from well over $400.00 to $175.00 - which is what I paid.

Unfortunately shipping is by truck freight only and it is about the same as the window itself!!!

So I talked to a nice lady, made the order, and then later this evening received a confirmation email - now saying it is not in stock and is backordered...

I have to wonder did she not know that it was not in stock when I was talking to her?

I am hoping it just going to drop ship or something and won't be too long. I don't expect them necessarily to stock this seldom ordered part. These are one of the big on-line guys that have not been my main source but I have used them several times in the past.

Maybe I'm just getting a bit impatient!!!

[56hotrodred]

Some more painting done today. The booth was full so there will be one more painting session tomorrow if all goes well.

[oldman3]

Looks good...Jim

[56hotrodred]

Hey thanks Jim.

[56hotrodred]

Heres the last of parts painted.

Now basically waiting for rear window to show up in Montana and I will go down and pick it up. Its currently somewhere north of Las Vegas and should be in Babb, Montana on Monday.

Then I will take it to the auto-body shop in Coaldale and hopefully then can get right on it.

My powder coating should also be done next week so could be a big week.

[rgunlock]

Wow, looks great and you must be so excited to get it re-assembled!

[56hotrodred]

Yup sure am! Pretty much bouncing off walls around here.

Spent the entire morning organizing and cleaning the shop in anticipation of the truck maybe coming home for re-assembly next week.

So much to do that I do not where to start.

The body shop will be putting all the glass in but then its up to me.

The last 10-15% of this build is left and is going to be the toughest in my opinion.

I will only have 2 months to work on it as we are going south a bit earlier this winter to build an Arizona Room on our park model.

I should be able to get it running but it won't be on the road.

[56hotrodred]

I brought the big rear window into the shop and one of the C-channel that scrrews onto the lower side window. Unfortunately I can't find the other one!!!

Dang it but after a 12 year build thats not too surprising. I tore my shop apart looking for the other but no luck. I think it got chucked with the broken side window years ago.

No biggy I have another one on the way and should be here early next week. As far as I could tell LMC is the only one to carry them.

So for this week the plan is to get the back window in - the front is already installed - put one of the side windows in now and the other when I bring the channel in.

Same day haul the truck home. Hopefully Thursday or Friday. Couple of three months late but better late than never!

All my powder coating should be done any day also.

Its going to get busy around here!!!

And I managed to take a quick picture of the truck in the shop mostly under plastic.

[rgunlock]

Looks dang good even under plastic!

[dug224]

Beautiful!!!

[joedoh]

gorgeous!

[56hotrodred]

Hey thanks a ton you guys.

My parts should be in Monday so may get it truck home Tuesday or Wednesday.

Talked to powder-coating people yesterday and they want to re-do one of the bumpers so that might also be ready mid-week.

[Purcell69]

The truck really looks beautiful. The color is fantastic! I love the stance too. Before I switched mine to 4wd, I had installed a Camaro front subframe and was trying to keep it sitting more like a truck and less like a lowrider. You nailed it! I should have just gone with a C10 frame swap. Keep up the good work!

-Joe

[56hotrodred]

Hey thanks very much Joe. I am pretty happy with it overall.

Looks like tomorrow morning I am going to be able to pick it up and bring it back home.

Went crazy around here today and cut all the grass I could - there's several acres of it - so I can go full bore on the truck once its home.

I have some pretty serious things to consider and complete like the final wiring, basically hooking up the ignition and power source to Ron Frances engine controller, pull rear differential yoke to upgrade it to a bigger size then measure for a new larger diameter driveshaft and then fill all fluids and prime engine & oil.

Tons of other little stuff but its getting real now!

More tomorrow I am sure with pictures!!!

[56hotrodred]

Well I got the truck home yesterday. Busy couple of days.

Next spring I am buying a new trailer - a car haul with a beavertail!!!

My straight car hauler is a bit of a pain.

Anyway heres some pictures. The light is all over the place so hard to tell real colour. The first pictures outside are probably the best.

[56hotrodred]

Heres a couple more pictures of my new valve covers on the engine. I bought these last year in the States for $100.00. Could'nt refuse that price and they are period correct for what I am trying to do.

So many little things to do. I already have about 5 little projects on the go!

[oldman3]

Looks great...Jim