51 Chev on a S10 frame, named Dale

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

I am not sure what I am going to do for gauges????? I have not even driven the truck yet, but I am thinking it was a mistake to try and use the S10 gauges, I should have just 'ponied up' and bought new ones???

Did your cool gauge adaption not work? I thought it was genius.

[Tempest67]

I have only had the engine running in the garage and it appears that the gauges don't work.

Not sure why, as I haven't looked into it yet, but everything else with electrical works fine, lights, signals, brake lights, dash lights, heater... so I don't think it was a wiring gaf.


I will keep you posted

[Tempest67]

I installed the rest of the jute on the floor, and then the carpet. (indoor/outdoor from Lowes), used some aluminum angle to make a sill plate to secure edge of carpet.

Then I installed the seats, 60/40 from early 90's full size GM pickup.

Then............ we took it for a drive !!!!!

all went well, drives easy, steers straight, stops well, and clutch is smooth. (wife thinks the clutch pedal is a little stiff, but not bad)

Still lots to do, make a bed floor, needs trim rings and dog dish, interior work, seat belts, radio, front bumper, rear bumper? maybe roll pan?? but we can now drive it and enjoy it while the rest of the work continues......... and something to keep me busy for the upcoming winter.

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice! It looks good.

[fear_nothing]

Solid looking rig - I really dig it. Cannot recall did you lower it at all?

[Tempest67]

Thanks,

Yes, 2 inch lower spindles, and 2 inch rear axle blocks. (on 15 inch wheels)

It is what I wanted, low enough to look good, but not so low that I have to worry about rough roads and pulling into driveways...etc...

Still lots to do, but it is now mobile

[fear_nothing]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

Thanks,

Yes, 2 inch lower spindles, and 2 inch rear axle blocks. (on 15 inch wheels)

It is what I wanted, low enough to look good, but not so low that I have to worry about rough roads and pulling into driveways...etc...

Still lots to do, but it is now mobile

Looks great - I have 1 '47 tucked away in a barn that I plan on doing about that same sort of resto on.

Will you have to alter the bed height to accommodate the s-10 suspension/frame in the rear? Would love to see a picture of the bed without the floor installed!

[Father&son56project]

Awesome job! That's a nice, neat interior and the stance is perfect. Did you ever figure out the issue with the gauges?

[8man]

Way to go. Mobile is a pipe dream for me.

[Tempest67]

Thanks Guys, I must admit, it feels good to drive it. Sorry 8man, but it does... keep your project going... you will get there !!!

Haven't figured out gauges yet, but will keep you posted... I think new gauges will be a winter project. (Dolphin gauges look OK and are priced right, but I have read about problems??? I love the look of the New Vintage...but $1000 ??? yikes)

fear-nothing, see pics attached of the open bed.

One of my concerns of lowering it too much would be a non functional bed (bed too high) You may notice, but I doubt it, that I raised my bed by 2 inches. Where the rear fenders attach to the bed sides, I lowered the holes by 2 inches, then I needed to add metal at the lower edge of the bed to attach the splash pan. BUT, the result is a deeper bed, and I don't think anyone will notice. - look at the distance between the upper part of the rear fender and the top of the box side, it is greater than 'factory' by 2 inches...... but who knew??

In the pics you will see 4 - 2x2 cross bars. I plan to place the wood on those. I will post pics of that when I get to it. The bed floor will still be a little higher than stock, as it will cover the bottom 1 inch of the tailgate, but still functional.

If you want pics of anything specific, let me know.

[rollinrooster]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

I installed the rest of the jute on the floor, and then the carpet. (indoor/outdoor from Lowes), used some aluminum angle to make a sill plate to secure edge of carpet.

Then I installed the seats, 60/40 from early 90's full size GM pickup.

Then............ we took it for a drive !!!!!

all went well, drives easy, steers straight, stops well, and clutch is smooth. (wife thinks the clutch pedal is a little stiff, but not bad)

Still lots to do, make a bed floor, needs trim rings and dog dish, interior work, seat belts, radio, front bumper, rear bumper? maybe roll pan?? but we can now drive it and enjoy it while the rest of the work continues......... and something to keep me busy for the upcoming winter.

Hey man truck looks good!! I have a front bumper that would fit the look of your truck perfect but i just noticed the ride up to you would cost more than a new bumper.

[Tempest67]

Rollin Rooster,- I appreciate the offer, but I picked up a front bumper at a swap meet last year (remember those??? Swap Meets) and I put some thin bumperettes on it......... I may try to put it on the truck this weekend.

Thanks again

[joedoh]

outstanding work! I love the round taillights too, my favorite!

[Jason 56]

Congrats on getting it rolling. Love the stance. Now you can enjoy cruising as you finish it.

[Tempest67]

Thanks Russ, I like those tail lights too.

I plan to install the real seal in the trans this weekend, and hopefully put a few more miles on it, but so far so good, does not pull left or right, turns easily, no rattles, stops well (rear brakes lock up on hard braking , but that is due to little weight in rear) starts easily and sounds very smooth.

Still lots to do, but I am pleased so far.

Looking forward to your next project.

[Tempest67]

Thanks Jason,

I am following your project and am amazed/impressed with your skill level and attention to detail.

Keep it going, and thanks for sharing your work.

[28TudorAZ]

Looking great. Its a great feeling to know you can drive it somewhere. I drive mine for short trips to the store all the time.

[Northern 52]

I must have missed it but where did you put your battery? I'm still debating between on the firewall, close to the starter but ugly, or under the bed, out of the way but hard to get at.

Cancel that, I just spotted it on the passenger inner fender. It looks good there. Any suggestions on brackets or bracing for that location?

[Tempest67]

Northern, - I placed the battery under the hood for ease of access. I know it is not pretty there, but it is easily accessible. I started with a battery tray I picked up a swap meet, that determined the size of the cut in the fender, and provided a strong base to weld to, and it had the tabs and bends in it to hold the battery down.

[Tempest67]

OK, it was time to build a bed floor. I wanted to be strong, functional, and look rustic. (the barn board look)

So, I went to the local metal store and purchased some angle L shaped lengths for both sides and the rear edge. I started by welding the L to the edges just wide enough to accept the boards that were about 13/16.

I also picked up some T bar, 5 lengths, and some threaded rod.

Here is the plan, to cut the threaded rod into 3.5 inch lengths, weld it to the T bar, drill holes in the 4 cross braces, place the boards under the edges of the T bar, tighten the T bar down to pinch the boards, and put the last L shaped piece on the back edge so the ends of the boards would be protected during loading.

Because the T bar is thicker than the boards, I had to notch out the T bar to allow the boards to be thicker that the center T. make sense?


finished pics next post.........

[Tempest67]

took it out for a run yesterday and took some pics.

[8man]

Very nice work on that bed!

[fear_nothing]

Originally Posted by 8man

Very nice work on that bed!

Bed matches the patina perfectly - excellent job!

[oldman3]

Nice...Jim

[28TudorAZ]

Looks great. Love the wheels.