Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike P
Oh, I just like to complain!!!!! My stuff can wait.... I'm supposed to be retired anyway.... When everything else is used up and gone, about all you have left is your friends anyway.....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike P
Oh, I just like to complain!!!!! My stuff can wait.... I'm supposed to be retired anyway.... When everything else is used up and gone, about all you have left is your friends anyway.....
The TSB is for the 1st gen Cummins Ram, 89-93. If you look at your cab compared to the 89-93 the Cowl is Identical. I did this mod on a 79 Ramcharger, a 78 Lil Red Express, and a 85 Crewcab. It is definately worth the extra 10 minutes while the truck is apart. Look into it. MurfQuote:
Originally Posted by Mike P
Thanks, I'll see what the dealer says about availability tomorrow.
Well, some more of the paint job that doesn’t seem to end. I got the inside of the cab and the inside of the doors and bottom of the hood painted this weekend.
I want to paint the cab with the doors on so those were put on after the paint dried (I hate aligning panels :mad: ).
There is a guy in the process of reproducing the rubber bumpers/door stops, but doesn’t have them done yet. I wanted something to prevent metal to metal contact and I had a brain storm (ok is was more like a squall :whacked: ) and figured as a temp measure I could use rubber backing plate plugs. They actually fit well enough I’ll probably leave them in.
With any luck the last of the painting will be completed weekend. Then I can start the stuff I really like……putting it all together.
Looks good, Mike. It isn't easy to rebuild to this degree....takes persistance....but it doesn't look like that is any problem for you. :-)
Yeah I just keep plugin along (I have to just so I can find my garage again someday :D )
GOD I love UPS................I ordered a pair of rear wheels about a month ago from Stockton Wheel. I get home today and ONE of them is there. I figure the other one will be in tomorrow, but i figure that since I have the tracking number now I'll just check.
The tracking system shows the one wheel as delivered and the other out for delivery............IN A TOWN 400 miles away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:
Got to love the UPS guys!!!!! I've had the same guy for about 10 years now and he does a great job.... But man, when he's on vacation things sure do get weird!!!! The other day I told him to let me know when he was taking vacation this summer so I could be sure to not have anything being delivered while he was gone!!!!!
I'll be getting a hold of UPS today and find out what's going on. I'm getting close to the time when I need to get the wheels painted and tires on them.
Stockton take about 4 weeks to get the wheels built and shipped and I really don't want to wait another month if UPS loses this one.
The wheel came in the next day :D (yup more to sandblast and paint)
In between getting the cooler on the house going (sorry Dave) and putting a PS hose on the mustang I got the last of the body painting is done (I think). I’ve been looking at the hood all weekend trying to decide if I want to leave it all white with the True Spirit pin striping, paint the outer edges of the indents red, or paint the whole indent red, all with the pin striping of course.
Looks great Mike.... Think the red indents would be nice.... or just do the angled area between the flats with a narrow stripe on either side?????
I decided to go ahead and paint the walls of the indents……..although I’m not sure I’d like it if that was the only red on the truck I think it will look good once the hood is pin striped.
I got the chassis back in the shop this morning and although I kind of wanted to get the cab on today there are some things like running the fuel, vent and tranny cooler lines that are a lot easier to do now than on a creeper from underneath. I did get a chance to test fit the radiator I bought at the beginning of the project. If I remember correctly it was listed for a late 60’s B (Mopar) body big block. 3 of the 4 holes line up and all I need to do is drill one additional one. I still need to fit the shroud (I have both a metal and fiberglass one so it’s just see what one fits best.
The core support is “supposed” to be painted body color front and back (yeah like originality is high on my priority list :LOL: ) but after seeing some pictures of how much you see thru the grill I decided I wanted the front blacked out. Speaking of the grill……that and the rest of the chrome MAY be done this week (of course that’s the same thing I’ve heard for the last 2 weeks)
I like the hood accents.
Thanks Jay. The hood will also have pin striping around the outer edge.. I'm reserving final judgment on the stripes until the rest of the pin striping is on (which will also be in red). It’s one of those things I can kind of picture and think it will look good but the only real way to tell will be when it’s actually done.
This is a picture of style of stripes that it will have.
I don't think your stripes will conflict with the accents, since the accents are simple shapes. I wouldn't add any more of those corner details though, or it might get too "busy".
This thing is bad to the bone, Mike. Are you sure you want to haul with it? It's really turning out beautiful!
I think it will look striking with both stripes and accents! It reminds me of the classic trucks on the road when I was a teenager!:D
I managed to get the space the Dodge is taking up from 3 bays down to 2.
The cab is on the frame…….and so is the bed. All that white paint is really starting to scream for the red pin striping to break it up.
Don'tcha love seeing a plan come together? :-)
Looking good Mike!!!!
Thanks guys.
Once the kids and grandkids left after celebrating Mothers Day I managed to get a couple more hours out in the shop. I want to put the heater/AC in before I hang the front fenders, and the insulation needed to go in before that.
The chrome was finally done on Friday and I’m really happy the way things look.
I also managed to get a few pieces on over the week and weekend. The heater/AC unit (with a new heater core), wiper motor and linkage and power brake unit.
I got the floor mat down. I actually bought 2 so I could cover the whole floor. There’re molded so there are a few wrinkles on the one that is under the seat but at least the whole floor is covered.
The gas tank and seat belts are in and I also manage to get the back window installed.
With all that done I could get the seat that has been taking up way too much room for the last year or so.
I think the part of the project I’m like the best is the difference in the engine compartment. It was nothing to write home about when I brought it home…..
But I think it came out pretty nice. I’ve some wiring to take care of before I fire it up but it’s getting there.
All the glass is in the truck now and the doors are assembled. All the sheet metal is now back on it so it’s currently only taking up one bay for the first time in about 10 months. The grill’s not bolted down, but I couldn’t resist setting it in..
There is still a bunch to do, I’m still working on the wiring, the wheels need to be painted and tires put on, the AC needs to be finished etc etc etc.
Yer smokin'!
Geez, what a transformation! :eek: The before and after shots are very dramatic. Great job, truck is going to be super nice when done. :)
Don
By the way Jay, when I was up at Ideal picking up the chrome a couple weeks ago they had some pictures of your artwork on the wall I hadn't seen before. I sure enjoy seeing your work.
Thanks Don. The one nagging question in my mind right now is the tranny/convertor. It's a TCI I ordered before you had your problems......all I can do is wait and see.
Thanks. I highly recommend Ideal. I've used them many times.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike P
Great Job, The Engine Compartment Is Quite A Change. Any Plans For The Wheels, Or Hub Caps? :d
I've got a pair of stock 15 X 8 Mopar wheels for the rear (actually reproductions by Stockton wheel) and either 15 X 7 or 15 X 6 for the front depending on the tire size I decide to go with.
I've also got a set of mid 70's Mopar cop car hub caps that will go on those.
Beautiful, Mike. Really top notch work.
Where did you get the "cop car" hubcaps? I've got a set of "highway patrol" wheels but no caps. If anyone needs the wheels I would part with them.
I might me interested in your wheels Larry, shoot me a PM with a price. :) (sorry for stepping on this thread)Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryH
Not only does the firewall look great the rest of the truck is great looking,
BradC
Looking good Mike!!! Finally got a bit of time to get back on my '71.... Ain't these old trucks fun????
"....Ain't these old trucks fun????....."
Actually Dave I'm having a ball except when I wake up in the morning and try to move. That under the dash wiring stuff ain't near as easy as it was 20 years ago. :rolleyes:
Fun and affordable. There is a short wide Dodge about your year setting on a lot for sale in Portland IN. It's lowered and I really like it's look when I go by.
Mine isn't coming along quite as fast but I'm getting close to starting the new engine. Just finished the cooling system install.
Tom