New timber bed build and some other stuff

[Ben Moras]

I Thought i might add some pics and a list what i have done so far since buying my truck,

#Fix blinkers and dash lights and interiors light
#reconnect old radio and replace speaker
#replace heater core. install hoses,dash vent, ducting (were missing from PO)
#install cigarette lighter mainly for look and phone charging
#replace drivers door hinge pin
#attach kick down cable and vacuum hose
#remove 3rd muffler and put pipes out the side in front of back wheels
#replace engine mounts
#replace extractors with newer better fitting set
# fix hand brake cable so it works
#relocate rear shocks and make full set of mounts top an bottom
#polish rims using mothers power cone
#replace timber bed using Australian iron bark that i milled and worked myself
#remade custom bed sills as they were missing
# move bed forward into correct position
#install a carburetor riser to help with heat soak
#rebuild Edelbrock 1406 with full rebuild kit plus rejet using jet kit
#replace throttle linkage with one that actually works. the one that was on it was rough to say the least
#install column shift mounted Tacho
#replace vacuum advance module
#fuel pressure reg installed
#replace front bumper with Crome
#purchase rear bumper, (Not Fitted)
#hand paint the CHEVROLET letters in the grill
#adjust the power steering
#Purchase full front clip (just in case i want to repaint?)

I thought that be the end, but i have already started to think about what else i want to do. it seams it never ends. ha ha
any way loving the truck. pics and descriptions to follow

[Ben Moras]

Milling the timber, i got the sizes of the net, as the timber in the bed was all random peices of pine

[Ben Moras]

once i had milled the timber and plained and trimed it to thickness, myself and my son them started removing the old bed. so i could then see what i had to work with. i found that 2 cross sill were missing so i folded some up out of 1.6 Gal. ( in a previous life i was a sheety and still have access to my old work shop) you can see the new sills in the photo

[Ben Moras]

Once i had folded up the sills and found the positions, i was able to make the strips. i had tried to buy them in the US but the shipping was crazy, to ship to Australia. I made them out of 2mm stainless, i know the standard is only 1.5, but i thought why not go a bit heavier. i also changed some of the bolt positions so the would pick up the cross member to eliminated and timber bouncing on the chassis
my old work shop has invested in a CNC punch since i left working with them, so i was very keen to try it out on my strips. sure makes fast work out of something i had planed to take all day. pic below

[Ben Moras]

Once the strips were done i laid all parts in the bed to make sure they fitted. i then took them back out and finished them with a mixture of Par boiled linseed oil and Turps. i was going to finish them in marine varnish but i decided the oil look was better, plus much easier to maintain. i never drive the truck in the wet and it lives inside so i believe it should last a while

[Ben Moras]

finished product, i had some off cuts so i made a small box to add into the back to stop things rolling around. eg tools just incase, ha ha
(the white lines on the strips are just the protective coating on the s/s)
the bottom pick is the truck all clean and box in.

[Ben Moras]

Old vs new crome bumper, plus CHEVROLET letters painted

[Ben Moras]

Old vs new throttle linkage (old pic is upside down not sure why?)

[Ben Moras]

Dash lights working, tacho fitted

[Ben Moras]

Fuel reg fiited

[Ben Moras]

New Bumper clamped in just to see how it looks. i had wanted a roll pan but the bumper is growing on me.

[Ben Moras]

engine bay with all new parts fitted, carby riser,linkage,new jets,return springs,heater core,fuel reg, heater hoses, vacume advance, new headers and new water pump.
funny thing happened when we finally added all these carby parts and actually could tune it, we found out timing was 40 deg out, and that the idle that was runny rough is actually a mild cam woo hoo!! before we would be lucky to get it to rev past 4500, now we see 6000rpm

[Ben Moras]

First drive after tune, with some mates bikes.
any way thats it for now. when i get a chance i will take some pics of the shocks i fitted and the interior all working
hope you like my post and would love to hear all your comments, for and against.
p.s. i know my spelling sucks , good luck translating . ha ha

[old Chevy guy]

Nice looking truck. Nice job on the bad and with the sheet metal work. Good touch with the stainless. I really like the mill too. Pretty cool. What kind of wood is that you cut up?

[GR8-68]

That turned out absolutely beautiful. Nice work

[CG]

When I saw timber in the thread title I knew you had to be Aussie or English. How cool is this, you milled your own wood, and built your bed strips. That couldnt be more awesome.

[LockDoc]

-
Good job!

I milled the wood for my '70 Longhorn 4x4 so I know it is a lot of work. I also used an oil finish on the wood for the same reasons you did.....

Keep us posted on the updates.

LockDoc

[crakarjax]

Did you have to dry the wood before using it to avoid shrinkage?

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
Good job!

I milled the wood for my '70 Longhorn 4x4 so I know it is a lot of work. I also used an oil finish on the wood for the same reasons you did.....

Keep us posted on the updates.

LockDoc

How's the wood holding up?

[Ben Moras]

thanks Old Chevy guy,
The timber is Austalian Iron Bark,

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

Nice looking truck. Nice job on the bad and with the sheet metal work. Good touch with the stainless. I really like the mill too. Pretty cool. What kind of wood is that you cut up?

[Ben Moras]

Thanks GR8-68

Originally Posted by GR8-68

That turned out absolutely beautiful. Nice work

[Ben Moras]

Thanks CG

Originally Posted by CG

When I saw timber in the thread title I knew you had to be Aussie or English. How cool is this, you milled your own wood, and built your bed strips. That couldnt be more awesome.

[Ben Moras]

Thanks LockDoc
I will do, post some Pics of your Long Bed Finished

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
Good job!

I milled the wood for my '70 Longhorn 4x4 so I know it is a lot of work. I also used an oil finish on the wood for the same reasons you did.....

Keep us posted on the updates.

LockDoc

[Ben Moras]

Hi crakarjax
the tree in log form had been dried for 2 years, after milling it sat stacked with strips for 2 months. which in theory is not long enough. however Iron bark is so dense in it cell structure that it normally shrinks a very small amount. its main problem comes with twisting. thats also one of the reasons i used 2mm folded stainless strips, they add a clamping feature.
the wood at this stage is holding well. i have planned to keep oiling every time i wash the truck, to keep moister up to the timber. if cracks start appearing i plan to add a epoxy dark filler which will add to the rustic feel.

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Did you have to dry the wood before using it to avoid shrinkage?




How's the wood holding up?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Did you have to dry the wood before using it to avoid shrinkage?




How's the wood holding up?

The wood had been drying for many years. It was cut from old power poles. I haven't driven it enough to really know how it is going to hold up. I left it out on the rain the other night and it didn't seem to hurt it.


LockDoc

[Ben Moras]

attached are the pics of the rear shock mounts i made and fitted.