Here's my project. It's not so much a build when compared to some of you other guys. My fabrication and skills are limited, but I bought this truck to learn and it hasn't let me down. Here's the truck as I bought it. I'm not sure if any of you western guys recognize the truck or know the previous owner but truck needed some help. It's been neglected for a long time, and not exactly a fan of the previous styling choices...... The u-bolts holding the rear end were actually loose when I picked it up (which explained the weird feeling under throttle on my drive home with it. lol)
The purple vinyl tonneau cover came off as soon as I got home...
Loose rear end (really ugly mounting) hockey puck bump stops.
Rear suspension had less than no bushings left. I found a few slivers of bushing but the hard pin was actually worn through and the hanger was almost worn with through the bottom.
I stripped the whole rear end apart and started over. First time mounting a rear end, first time rebuilding disc brakes, first time making brake lines. lol
I picked up another rear end from a friend of a friend. I made up new mounting brackets, can't really weld so I tacked em in place with a stick welder I borrowed from work and brought it to a shop to get welded up.
Got new hanger brackets! And bushings
I cut up parts of the exhaust that were still good and made some short pipes and put some cherry bombs on it.
Found this nice little tool box on kijiji, thought it looked nice in the back. Battery is in there.
My first brake lines... and new wheel cylinders and spring/bracket kit, new shoes and drums. That was a puzzle I didn't enjoy... Didn't have the other rear end anymore for reference.
The interior and wiring was one of my favorite projects. I dunno why but I got a lot of satisfaction out of the wiring. I can't believe this truck never burned down before I got it. Found lots of scary stuff, hot wires exposed under the hood, battery cable was bent in a way that it was shorting out on the side of the starter.
Stripped the interior out, found out the bench was mounted with just these bolts tacked to the floor....
I picked up a 80s/90s chevy bench off kijiji to try and mount in here.
Put some rubberized coating and sound deadener in the cab
I scored a heater with a good core and working motor from Oldkoot, cleaned it up and painted it and ran some new hose. Works fine.
I used the dakota digital dash for my truck, the vhx box for all the wiring was really convenient, mounted it in the kick panel area. All that runs to the dash is an ethernet cable.
I used an american autowire kit. Made some panels to mount the fuses too and run the wires through the firewall.
Painted the dash satin black
J
I picked up a black vinyl cover for pretty cheap online for the bench.
Picked up the 40 ford wheel made for a chev column.
Really happy with my interior now (painted scallops on the roods to tie in the black dash)
This winter most of my projects weren't really anything worth taking pics of. Lots of little things I was fixing up.
I found some new repop steel running boards (previous were homemade wooden boards) Got those mounted up finally. That was a pain in the ass actually.
There was just regular bolt and nuts holding on the fenders, I tried to fix up the metal a bit and put carriage bolts in. Lots of dumb little things like this i've been wokring on that seem to be adding up. Made up some brackets to hold the tailgate shut. I still wanna figure out something to make the tailgate usable with chains, but not sure what to do yet. I cut the brackets on the bumper to move it forward a couple inches.
The wheels leaked pretty bad so I had them broken down and painted inside and fit new bullet center caps. Spent some time cleaning them up a bit.
And here's the truck now. I found some dummy spots in the boxes of stuff I got with the truck. Thought they looked better on the truck instead of the plastic plugs in the mounting holes.
Oh I don't mind you asking. Lol. I've got tied up with a few other things that have got in the way lately. I've been working on it at the cottage and haven't been up there much past little while. I'm going to order the soft parts I need for the rebuild soon though!
I feel guilty not trying to do this myself but I had the exhaust finished today. Dropped it off at a shop. This truck is screaming for Ripple discs now to match my tips. Lol.
it sounds soooo much better. deep and mellow but still loud. I can hear the stereo now. In cab drone is gone!!
I don't know how I missed this post. Beans since I have known you have done a super job on that truck. Great workmanship. You have a true rodders spirit. And you have been helpful to everyone in a lot of ways over the time you have had the truck and joined up on hot-rod boards..You did a great job coming up with our logo..I am proud to call you a friend.. And I am glad you are here with us ..
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There is no elevator to success — you have to take the stairs.
I don't know how I missed this post. Beans since I have known you have done a super job on that truck. Great workmanship. You have a true rodders spirit. And you have been helpful to everyone in a lot of ways over the time you have had the truck and joined up on hot-rod boards..You did a great job coming up with our logo..I am proud to call you a friend.. And I am glad you are here with us ..
Yes I agree with Chuck
Something I just noticed your truck is listed as a car with white and blue plates and the sticker on the back. That's different
Yes the ownership has it as passenger vehicle for some reason. I asked why at the MTO and they don't know and don't care said doesn't matter to them but if I wanted it to be changed to truck I have to goto the mercury dealership and ask them to change it lol...... I figured no reason to mess around or possibly cause myself some trouble or open a can of worms etc, so left it alone.