Re: Got one.
 

here's one idea using the factory bumper from searching google ....

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0039_large.jpg

http://atozfabrication.com/tire-carr...der-s-kit.html

http://www.4xinnovations.com/Swing-O...bly_p_109.html

http://www.emsoffroad.com/store/inde...5qttdql7aijpb4

Re: Got one.
 

Getting quite excited at this point! Serious bodywork now underway. Overall it was in pretty good condition with minimal apparent rust, but just to illustrate how little corrosion it takes to effect the structure in a full convertable, this location of rust in the footwells on both sides (standard location really in these things it seems), was sufficient that over 40 years, the angle of the windshield had changed slightly and the top was about 1/2" further back / down then it should have been. Support and structure welded in place and its back where it should be on both sides.

Re: Got one.
 

Further pics here. Maybe getting primered and painted as early as next week.
I have opted to keep the firewall black and paint the interior of the fenders and top of the wheel wells black also so save money as this is defnitely a budget redo.

Re: Got one.
 

Good to see he's back on it. Are you still going with two tone maroon/white?

Re: Got one.
 

Going back to the original color - 73 Crimson Red with frost white two tone. It's only when you see real bodywork experts at work that you figure out how many dings and dents a truck picks up in 40 years that you don't really notice on a daily basis.

Re: Got one.
 

And last pics from this stage. Up on rear stand because there was a tiny patch of corrosion on the bottom of the panel behind the right rear wheel.

Re: Got one.
 

Latest update - Primered and sprayed with guide coat to identify blemishes etc.

Re: Got one.
 

I've got rust in the same area of my floor I get to patch. What grille did you end up going with? IIRC you bought a 73-74 grill but didn't have the correct center support at the time.

Re: Got one.
 

yes bough an old grille but had two issues. 1. The mounts were different and 2. The hood latch was offcenter so it wouldn't work. I changed out the latch assembly using parts from 'pick n pull', but the mounts I got seemed somewhat shaky and the grille was in good condition but clearly not new.

Since I then decided to actually get the thing repainted and so I've been looking for an as new condition 75/76 grille insert and mount set but cannot find one ANYWHERE :(

Unless I find one the horizontal chrome bars are going back on.

Re: Got one.
 

What are you doing for trim on the sides? Did you find a set or repro?

Re: Got one.
 

repro from LMC. All originals have a degree of damage and decay to a certain extent and often more damage happens removing it. I reconditioned (painted badly) a set of the K5 and"blazer" symbols from teh fenders and quarter panels.

Re: Got one.
 

Last picture before actual paint goes on. primed and undergoing final touching up of a couple of now apparent blemishes - those big flat panels show them up real well.


Also I find that I'm second guessing myself in terms of the colors. The Crimson Red two tone (more orangey really) was original, but as this truck now has changes to the original exterior (gas cap) and interior (everything) should I stick with it or not? The decision needs to be made this week though I think. Any other bright ideas? I really liked the idea of white with a different two tone UT i have a white soft top for it so thats not an option.

Re: Got one.
 

Ochre looks great on a full-vert.

Re: Got one.
 

Is that the mustardy color?

Re: Got one.
 

Yessir. You can still do the white in the middle w/that color too.

Re: Got one.
 

Update. When prepping the windshield frame and dashboard areas, the newer paint was flaking and crappy so it had to be taken back to the original paint or to bare metal in some places. Sorry i cant figure out how to get them the right way up..

Re: Got one.
 

And further updates - first color going back onto the vehicle on the interior.

Re: Got one.
 

Wow. You are going to have a killer K5 when he gets done. Looking good!

Re: Got one.
 

I like it man!

Re: Got one.
 

Next bit of color - interior and windshield frame done - because its a cheapo job we'll be leaving the firewall black rather than stripping everything out.

Re: Got one.
 

slowly....slowly......

Can't wait for the outside!

Re: Got one.
 

It is SOOOOO SLOW...but thats what you get when you have to do it on budget and rely on favors and doing stuff yourself to get it done. I just got a new wiring harness and a new heater unit that will replace the AC / Heater unit that is installed. Anyone have any ideas what I should do with the original harrison AC / heater? Is there a place that reconditions them?

Re: Got one.
 

Looking good. You could probably find a place to rebuild your original compressor but it might be better to put that off until you plan to put it back in service. I've got two of those long compressors sitting around waiting for someday.

Re: Got one.
 

Compressor / AC / heater removed. Replacing it with a new heater box and removing A/C. Also got a complete new wiring harness to replace the prior spaghetti monster that lived in the engine bay. you can see that we managed to match EXACTLY the color from what is under the old AC unit. Due to time and money / time issues the firewall will go back to satin black though, as opposed to being returned to it's original factory color.

Re: Got one.
 

Satin black firewalls do look nice though, and looks factory to the "non-enthusiast" 😊