Well it looks like I started something and never finished it.  I should have posted this a few months ago.

Well not a big update but thought I would show you what is going on.  Got everything done that I could do for safety.  Made a list of stuff I could not do.  4 wheel alignment, charge A/C, exhaust system made and install, fix tranny and safety.  Hoping they don't find to much wrong.  Then the call to the tow truck company to pick her up and take it away.

Now I can clean the garage.  Done, room for another project

Found a bunch of parts I will try and sell off.  Otherwise they will go to be made into something else.

It was nice enough that I decided to take the truck out for a short scoot.  I was more than a little nervous and excited as well.  Great to fire it up and drive it.  Noticed a couple of things that need to be addressed before going out again but glad I did it.  My wife came with me so we had to stop here.

And I needed some gas.  Never knew how bald I was getting.

And I currently have water front property.

Last weekend being the long weekend I thought I would spend it working on the truck looking after some small issues I have. Got the cab insulated.

Was still having issues with my vacuum pump, brake booster system.  Ordered up a new switch as that seems to be the problem (thanks to Lightspeed Mike for help figuring that out).  Replaced it.  It was now Monday afternoon and very happy with what I got done.  Was fun to be back working on the truck.  Off the stands and out for a test drive.  Got about 2km into my test drive in a sub division around the corner from my place.  Started, stopped going around corners, all good.  Stopped, turned left and heard a big bang.  Crap! now what.  Stopped, looked but didn't see anything.  Started going again and heard a thud and another and another, that's not good.  Slow drive back to my place and up on stands it goes.  This is what I found.

Wreaked a half shaft, stub axle and u-joint.  That put an end to this coming weekends auto cross.

Happy it was close to home and was able to drive it.  Had I been much farther away it would have been much more costly for sure.  So, not sure how much different the insulation makes but for the half dozen stops the brakes worked.

I have been able to drive the truck all season. Super happy dance here. Still had issues with the brake system. Would work for a week or two then decide to stop working. Seemed to be a bad relay once but most of the time it was a sticking pressure switch. Went to the Syracuse Nationals in July and talked to a rep for Leed Brakes. super helpful telling me what to look for. We also talked about his vacuum pump system. After more frustration I pulled the pin and ordered one up. We are now up to 4 weeks with it on and not a problem to be found.  I can now stop on a dime and still get some change.  Super happy, perhaps the bug has been solved. Been cruising around with the truck as well as autocrossing it. That has been a blast. For the Aug long weekend my middle son and I both used the truck for autocross. he has more experience but I am more familiar with the truck. Guess who was faster. Turned out we were close to identical times all day. Last weekend I shared the truck with another guy. He is super nice and helpful to everyone on top of being a great driver. Turns out his times were 2-3 seconds a lap faster than me. On a sub 50 second lap. So clearly the driver has more to do to get faster. And of course a picture.

A little while ago I was asked for some pictures of my truck for a calendar. I gave them a few and waited to see what happens. A couple of days ago in the mail was the calendar. Super excited to see that the truck is now Mr March. It's part of a club called canadian custom ridez club. It spans canadian wide. Over the moon happy to be picked.

I have been able to drive the truck, well to some degree anyway.  Earlier this year I went on the Ontario Hot Rod Power Tour.  That was cool.  90 rides all going on an adventure across Ontario.  The only problem I had was a broken connector on the alternator.  Some cool storiies but nothing that relates to my build.

One problem I have been having is my tail lights.  They work, but not well.  In the sun you can't see them.  I have gone through a couple of different options and ideas.  That means I spent money and got nothing out of it but parts that I can't use.  I finally came up with what I thought was  good idea for a reasonable price.  Got some trailer lights from United Pacific.  Was able to get two different lenghts to keep the same look.  When on, either brake or tail lights, you can see them.  but it meant reworking the mounts as I wanted them to be flush mounted, not surface mounted like trailer lights are.

So the pictures are not in order but will explain

This is the original lights.  Clear red plexiglass with 1157/2057 bulbs.  Had even added a third bulb but not better.

New lights mounted.  This is the look I was after.  I had to make up some mounting tabs to hold them in place.

Another view.  I had to make the top slot longer on both ends to work.  On the bottom one the outside part I made longer but I had to weld in a small piece to make it work.

One side done.

The light

All lite up.  I had added the third brake light earlier this year.  It is a combo, signal and brake light.  Well sort of.  Signal light and actually tail light but I wired it into the brake lights.

That will make things better.