69 Custom 30 wrecker restoration

[Tinkermc]

still looki good

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice job on getting the oil problem fixed.... Good to hear that its movin under its own power now...

[coops714x4]

GLAD to hear you got the oil pressure problem fixed, I ALWAYS do all the assembly work myself. Bob I think thats the first time I have seen someone paint the air cleaner to match the truck!! its different. can't wait to see the work on the bed, Its been way to hot (100-113) to paint, mine is all primed and sanded just waiting for paint. I will be starting on the bed asap once we get color on the truck. keep up the good work.
Coop

[bobs409]

Oh that air cleaner. It's still waiting for me to paint it satin black. Maybe now I will get the chance.

[RINC]

Hey Bob !

How big was your grin while driving around the yard ?

[aussie67c10]

I really like your project its pretty cool , i have never seen one before

[jbwolfe]

Man I just saw this thread and read through all the pages. lookin great! Keep up the good work! I'll be following the thread for sure. I really need to start working more on my truck...

[midniteblues]

Hey bob,just read your entire thread I didnt realize you had one.
all this time been wondering how the new floor worked out for you
truly amazing work you have done and I'm sure ol vic would be proud.

We were up at the pottsville cruize this weekend with the camaro an the kid's 67 shortie and boy what a bummer after we got there we found out that they actually dont cruize anymore just another car show although cool too see nice cars there was a amazing rolls royce there.

but I guess alot of the kids(and some adults) ruined it. but it was fun.
4-5 years ago a buddie an I went up in the camaro's with some old tire's on the backs just too have some fun well needles to say my buddie ended up paying for that fun and i guess we contributed to the loss of the cruise

sorry too all we have punished for our acts of reckless driving

great job on the wrecker keep up the great work!

[RatRod68]

Yes! Another person sees the light in these old trucks!! Mines a wedge, so its a little different, but looks like the cab is in same condition. I was really debating buying the floor panel, but after seeing this, its a definite. For those in the area around Bowling Green, KY, Southern KY Classics offers these for around $400 bucks. I'm pretty sure you can pick up the parts at their shop.

bob, what a great job so far buddy. What transmission is that? I have the same one in what looks to be about the same condition of nasty grime, but I have a feeling mine is in need of a rebuild. I'll definitely be following along!

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

Hey bob,just read your entire thread I didnt realize you had one.
all this time been wondering how the new floor worked out for you
truly amazing work you have done and I'm sure ol vic would be proud.

We were up at the pottsville cruize this weekend with the camaro an the kid's 67 shortie and boy what a bummer after we got there we found out that they actually dont cruize anymore just another car show although cool too see nice cars there was a amazing rolls royce there.

but I guess alot of the kids(and some adults) ruined it. but it was fun.
4-5 years ago a buddie an I went up in the camaro's with some old tire's on the backs just too have some fun well needles to say my buddie ended up paying for that fun and i guess we contributed to the loss of the cruise

sorry too all we have punished for our acts of reckless driving

great job on the wrecker keep up the great work!

I never really bothered with the cruise. If I was in the mood, I would go over a few hours before it started and cruise around for free. Got stuck in the actual cruise once and never again! Just a big traffic jam and then I'm supposed to pay too? Never could understand that part.

If KISS comes to your town to play, do you charge them? Of course not, they are the entertainment. So are we, the classic/antique car owners. They should be paying us! LOL (ok, at least don't charge us)

I'll take a good old swap meet over that anytime.

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

Yes! Another person sees the light in these old trucks!! Mines a wedge, so its a little different, but looks like the cab is in same condition. I was really debating buying the floor panel, but after seeing this, its a definite. For those in the area around Bowling Green, KY, Southern KY Classics offers these for around $400 bucks. I'm pretty sure you can pick up the parts at their shop.

bob, what a great job so far buddy. What transmission is that? I have the same one in what looks to be about the same condition of nasty grime, but I have a feeling mine is in need of a rebuild. I'll definitely be following along!

Be sure to document the build with a thread! Going with the full floor is the only way to do it short of getting a rust free cab.

This transmission is an SM465. Cleaned up real nice and works perfectly with 149K on it.

[RatRod68]

I have started a build thread (link is in my sig) but it is more of a documentation of what all needs to be fixed on the truck.

I have a weird noise in mine and the transmission looks the same as yours, so that's why i asked.

Any more updates on this ol gal? Maybe some sweet new metal fab on that bed?

[coops714x4]

Ok Bob it's time for a update!!!! I know you've done some more to it. here is a little pic of mine, I'm still working on the bed. Coop

[bobs409]

Looks great Coop! So that's what one looks like all together?

Your right though, I do have some updates that I've been putting together. Since you asked, I'll start with one that involves you: (here it is as I wrote it out at the time)

Mentioned a while back, a fellow member here (coops714x4) sent me an original “fly swatter” mirror arm & bracket that I was searching for. Thank you again Tim! As these seem to be as rare as hens teeth, I had to manufacture a matching one for the other side. Using the original as a template, it came out great and was a lot of fun! (I dig steel fabrication) The arm part is something I found on the seat of an old large series truck in a junkyard. Not sure what it came from as that truck had it's mirrors yet but it was the correct diameter and looked familiar so I grabbed it. It was longer than needed and the ends were pointing the wrong way but no problem, I just cut a section out and rotate one end, then welded it back together. Can’t tell it was ever done. I dare anyone to tell me which of these is the original and which is the one I made. LOL

The mirror heads are new reproductions and the inner door brackets are my originals. New stainless steel fasteners & nylon washers complete the package. I know many don’t like these mirrors but I think they are neat-o. And since it’s what this truck had originally, that works out perfectly. To date, I have yet to find any of these mirrors in the junkyards around me or even for sale on the net. RARE stuff!


More updates to come...

[coops714x4]

Good work Bob those look good, can't wait to see them on the truck.. Coop

[RatRod68]

Originally Posted by bobs409

Looks great Coop! So that's what one looks like all together?

Your right though, I do have some updates that I've been putting together. Since you asked, I'll start with one that involves you: (here it is as I wrote it out at the time)

Mentioned a while back, a fellow member here (coops714x4) sent me an original “fly swatter” mirror arm & bracket that I was searching for. Thank you again Tim! As these seem to be as rare as hens teeth, I had to manufacture a matching one for the other side. Using the original as a template, it came out great and was a lot of fun! (I dig steel fabrication) The arm part is something I found on the seat of an old large series truck in a junkyard. Not sure what it came from as that truck had it's mirrors yet but it was the correct diameter and looked familiar so I grabbed it. It was longer than needed and the ends were pointing the wrong way but no problem, I just cut a section out and rotate one end, then welded it back together. Can’t tell it was ever done. I dare anyone to tell me which of these is the original and which is the one I made. LOL

The mirror heads are new reproductions and the inner door brackets are my originals. New stainless steel fasteners & nylon washers complete the package. I know many don’t like these mirrors but I think they are neat-o. And since it’s what this truck had originally, that works out perfectly. To date, I have yet to find any of these mirrors in the junkyards around me or even for sale on the net. RARE stuff!


More updates to come...

I'd really like to see what these look like installed on a truck. I have never seen them before.

I'd like to do something similar to this because the wedgie doesn't have mirrors I can see out of, and I'm not really a fan of the ginormous tow mirrors of the day.

[bobs409]

It’s time for another update now that summer is winding down. Didn’t I just say that not all that long ago? In order to keep things correct in my mind with this build, I jot down these updates as they happen and save a few up before posting so here’s how it was written. This all occured weeks-months ago:

I finally got the wheels done so I mounted and balanced the awesome tires I found at a junkyard. They are like NEW with no dry-rot. Try finding 16.5s that fit that description today! A set of 6 mounted on wheels too! And best of all for a sum of $150 dollars! I guess I should have played the lottery that day.

So now it’s rolling on all 6 again. I kept the wheels the original semi gloss black. While the tires are nice, the wheels required a lot of work. I stripped all paint off, soaked in rust remover and gave them 2 coats of POR 15. They are finished off in satin black. A little plain looking I guess but I’m going to the original new look and this was it. (all though it would have originally had the split rims and bias ply tires) I have the original split rims that I’ll tuck away but highly doubt they’ll ever be bolted back on this truck, or any truck for that matter.

I have just about all the things done on the cab/chassis now. I re-installed the power steering set up, finally painted that air cleaner and even installed a few decals! (that was by far the easiest job to date on this one) Now that the oil pressure problem is all behind me, I removed the sun pro gauge and hooked up the original gauge and it’s reads off the charts when cold!

I took the gas tank back out and found that leak mentioned earlier. It was a pin hole at the bottom. With that fixed, I now have the fuel line hooked up to it instead of running from the IV funnel I was using.

I also installed the newly restored seat belts. I located the correct 3 panel style maroon webbing online and the rest of the parts are my originals. They look great! Special thanks to a local friend Gary for sewing them up for me. He even put the factory date tags back on as I requested. Looks like 1969 all over again!

I had to move the truck so I got to drive it around my lot again and it’s running fantastic! Another Polaroid moment so here are some pictures from that day:

[no moa]

WOW!!!
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[bobs409]

I’ve also been working on the tow sling which turned out to be a very big job. This truck had a big metal block for lack of better words instead of rubber slings so this is one item I am changing. This way I can actually use this truck and not destroy the car I’m towing. (the original set up is being saved in case I ever want to re-install it)

I located a used sling set up in a junkyard last year. (first photo) It obviously seen a lot of hard work in its day and the slings were shot but was a good core to work with. (I thought) It had quite a few issues to deal with however as the last owner or owners didn’t believe in putting grease into the fittings!

The locking pins were rusted fast and one handle broken off and the lower sling bar that should pivot was severely rusted solid. I spent 3 days just getting that part to move again! I threw everything I had at it and eventually won the battle but it put up one heck of a good fight! I love a challenge but this was ridiculous! Even the bolts that held the slings on lower pipe portion broke off so I had to re-drill all 8 holes and tap them. New grade 8 bolts will be used to attach the rubber slings. A pair of good used locking pins & handles were located in a junkyard.

In addition, I fabricated new inside arms and reinforcement plates to replace badly rusted ones.

A fellow member on my forum, 348-409.com (BSL409) kindly donated a pair of rubber slings for this project early on. Thank you again Brian! It’s actually conveyor belt material and even stronger than what would normally be used. This will be the last set this truck will need!

Once all the pieces were cleaned up, 2 coats of POR 15 were applied and a topcoat of etch primer for now. I’m still deciding on what color I want this to be. Either black or silver I’m thinking.

In the last photo you’ll see what I like to think of as the equivalent to the bell of the Titanic. LOL It’s the crown jewel, the cast iron Wreck-Master pulley mast. This proudly sits up high at the top of the boom. Here it is after being stripped to bare metal and coated with POR 15 and a coat of etch primer. This will be painted body color like original when installed.

[bobs409]

Another area I’ve been working on & off is the box. It’s the last big ticket item. I’ve gotten quite a bit done. It’s just a matter of cutting out the bad sections and rebuilding with new or good used material. Working with the thicker metal has it’s pro’s and con’s. It’s more difficult to cut but so much nicer to weld. You can really lay into it and produce some serious beads! Most of the box is 1/8 inch (11 gauge) steel but the rear pan is 3/16.

As can be seen in the photos below, I cut out the front of the tool box area and a section of the frame rail. Both rails will be replaced with new C channel as they are flaking badly.

The first new piece to go in was at the tool area where I welded in an angle piece. A new floor bottom will set into this later when the box is up-righted. I’m using some bracing and an old S10 scissors jack to hold everything at the proper height until the rail is put back in..

Most areas that are flaking or rotted are where 2 pieces of metal joined or touched one another. Things like angle iron bracing and where the frame meets the floor trapped the water and mud which caused rust out. This shouldn’t be a problem this time around as everything will get 2 coats of POR 15 and I will limit any areas where overlap occurs. (not to mention, it will be a garage queen from now on) Some areas will also get a bead of seam sealer to keep out moisture. Once all done, the bottom will get sprayed a semi gloss black.

[bobs409]

Just some more metal work on the box shown here. Get used to it there’s a lot more to come. Here I’ve started working on the driver side panels. The outer panel near the toolbox that is rotted in the center will have a new piece of metal welded in, I won't be replacing the whole panel. (area under the word VICS on the front side panel shown in last pic) The rest of the side will be replaced as the area around the wheel well opening was rusted and thinned out badly. This truck had an aluminum trim that ran around these openings which caused the rust. Those moldings will not be re-installed due to damage and not being available anywhere. Most tow trucks do not have wheel well trim anyway so will look better without it.

I was able to put the new plasma cutter to work to make the new panels. An awesome tool for sure. While I’m only on the driver side for now, I burned out the passenger side pieces I’ll need later while I had all the tools out. Material is new 11 gauge sheet steel shown in photo #1.

There is a box shaped piece that is built into the back of both sides on the box where the mud flaps attached. Photo#2. It also boxed in the winch control handles. I removed what was left of the driver side so I could make a template. Again, I used the plasma cutter to cut these out, this time from a piece of used metal. Photo #3. I then soaked the pieces in rust remover and welded up to make the new box. These will be POR coated later after the install. (photo to come later)

Since this truck won’t be “in service” any longer, I think I’ll delete the mud flaps. There’s really no need since it won’t see any bad weather.

[bobs409]

More to come. I've temporarily turned my attention to enclosing my car port to make it a dry garage! Got tired of wind blown rain and moisture wetting my wrecker and 69 Chevelle. I had planned on doing this from the start so nows a good time to get that done.

I'd devised fold out doors that will allow me to open this building up on both sides just like it was a car port. (pics to come of that)

Once enclosed, this should help me continue some work over the winter that I might not have been able to do.

Stay tuned...

[no moa]

WOOOOOOOOOOW Damn your good. Wish mine was going to look 1/4 that sexy!

[RatRod68]

Great updates Bob. Interested in seeing the carport close in as well.

Could you mount up one mirror? I just want to see what they look like installed

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

Could you mount up one mirror? I just want to see what they look like installed

I will do that very soon. I'm interested in seeing them on too!

For now, here's one showing them: