tilly to the rescue
 

here we go again...

this time its a 65, C-20 utility bed, rescue vehicle that is being built for a buddy.

this project is a shop truck for a harley davidson shop. my buddy needs a truck that can go out on the road and recover bikes that are broken down. it needs ramps and a winch, air compressor and a tool assortment, plus anything that he wants to make this truck work for his business.

plan is to do a frame off resto job replacing all worn parts as we build it back. a crate engine and overdrive automatic is planned for power but other than that the chassis will be reasonably stock. additions will be power steering and brakes, factory air, big radiator and tach/air gauge dash.

buddy wants cool paint job in the colors of his business (black and copper) and logos on the doors and tailgate. side molding and chrome grill and bumpers.

so, nothing to it but to do it....

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

spent the weekend doing disassembly... (tag & bag) and a general inspection.
probably won't use this cab... we have an air cab with big window instead.

the clip seems to be in good condition...

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

the utility bed is in great shape... very straight and all cabinets function good. this is where the work will start.. off to sand blasting while the weather holds.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

now that the backbone is exposed i really appreciate how beefy these C-20s really are. hugh coin springs and overloads out back. massive drum brakes and a little bitty 283. seems odd to me that some of the bigger trucks didn't come with the 396 big block they had back then. i know the 327 was available but for hauling around this much weight, that won't cut it either.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Subscribed with anticipation...

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

This build is going to be awesome.
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Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Hey, could you post a few nice pictures of the spare tire setup. I am putting my spare back under my long bed and it would be nice to see what goes where and which holes the hangers are in. Thanks in advance.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

here ya go... hope it helps.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Interesting, I noticed you named it "Tilly" and it's for a Harley Davidson shop, is it for either of the Tilley Harley Davidson dealerships?

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Thanks for the spare rack pics, those are very clear.

Great job.:metal:

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

You are about 5 years ahead of me right now Clem....
this is what I envision retirement to be like, rescuing and breathing new life into these trucks !!!
Strapped in for the show !!

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Following along intently!

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Thats one lucky truck and truck owner!! To have you guys redo-it!! Going to be killer

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Looks to be a rather nice original truck you are starting with Clem :thumbs:

I see you have a few lined up in the yard too :)

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

tilly's not the name of the shop, just arkie slang for utility bed.

wish it was retirement pal and could do this all day everyday... but alas, i still sit in front of a computer 40 hours a week... hey, maybe we'll have a retirement party together?

yeah the owner is a cool guy with good taste... has some very nice bikes and loves old GTOs. it will be interesting to build one with someone elses direction, hope we can deliver for him.

thanks cap.
the truck was part of a log home builders fleet. its amazing to have such straight metal.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Solid start! It'll be cool to see one workin'!

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

cool build clems cant wait!! i heard you bought kieths truck, is that the cab your using??

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Got in on this one from the start. Dedicated watcher here!

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

I'll be watching this one for sure.
On a side note, I wish I could find a low side utility bed like that one.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Do you have a rendering for this build ?

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Very nice Clem. This should be awesome!
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Re: tilly to the rescue
 

nope, got another one in mind. do you remember the green one out back... thats the one. since the plan is aftermarket air we didn't need to use the air cab. and thanks, chad

have been busy on a 51 one-ton lately but here and there some stuff happened for tilly... close on primer on the bed, frame stripped and cleaned ready for blasting, front cradle torn down and ready to cleanup... pics when i get to a good stopping place.

and have just started with the renderings. the company colors are black and copper so the orangeie color is copper. personally i like the white one.

should be back with photos in a week or two... thanks!

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

You know looking at the color rendering you have going on there, it occured to me that continuing the trim back on the bed would be a really cool touch.

Either the actual chrome trim, or a painted on, whichever would be more functionally sound.....

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

i like that idea... i've had to shorten and shape the ends of that moulding before so its not a big deal, but it would run close to the edge of the middle box. i'll do a little art to see how it looks, thanks murph.

personally i not too wild about the copper color being even on this truck, except maybe in the logo. might do a satin black rendering also.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

This is gonna be a cool build. Im in for this one
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Re: tilly to the rescue
 

I see in your rendering that the front wheel is centered.
I have to ask, Are you going to center the wheel in this build?
Just curious.
Got me watchin everyday.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

I agree, the copper as an accent would have more impact I think.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

very cool! thats going to be one very nice service truck .love the work you do sooo cleeeen!

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

have had a bunch of distractions lately. several guys are bringing their bedsides and fenders and doors by the place for me to repair. wanting to establish the shop as a restoration meca... i can't say no.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

a distraction that i'm really diggin is this old 51 1-ton. if you caught the story i posted earlier ('cool story' on the main board) you might remember that i built this truck back in 1983 and took a year to do so. long story short, it has come home. only driven once in 29 years you can imagine what all had happened to her... well it all happened plus some. now shes running great, stopping good and buffed back to color. still like driving a boat while sitting on a park bench... but thats the nature of the beast.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

so even though its been a long time there was still progress on the utility truck.
since its a build for a friend and customer, i don't want to get too far ahead of the money...

the utility bed once removed and put on a cart was sandblasted... inside and out. a new stronger bed front was made to mount a winch and it is connected to the bed framework.

the inside of the boxes had bad rust where the braces run in the wheelwells so that was patched.

old men shouldn't have to sandblast, but a long time employee dumped me so i gotta do what i gotta do.

finally back in the body shop for fill and skim...

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

the final installment for now is the frame. 6" had to be added so the bed would fit. the frame was scraped, washed, blasted and now sits in a coat of etch primer awaiting paint. most of the other front suspension parts were similarly processed and waiting for paint. bought all the new joints, bearings, seals and stuff which are also being patient, awaiting paint... guess i'll go get to painting.

thanks till later...

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Diggin the 51 1-ton and for being done in '83 it sure is lookin nice.

Can't wait to see how the tool box truck turn out.
Top notch work always!

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

nice now i need to get my truck covered and take you my doors and patches to fix them, lol!!:metal::metal:
and if i had a set of fenders you could fix them too, lol!!!

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

the frame is looking good! you talked about using the truck that was in the back with the big window! what are you going to do with the swb frame and the extra stuff you have for it??

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

always such cool work dang i wish you were closer

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

thanks buddy... almost done with the 51. all thats left is new tires. it sat all those years on 4 flat tires and they drive like squares. to save that money i could wait till summer and put 60 lbs in them and try to drive them round again... just not sure i can wait.

hope the foot is getting better.

the guys i'm doing stuff for love their trucks... they just don't have the tools and skills you do.

the plans on this utility truck keep changing. now we're at using original cab and doing a big window change like you did. once i jump on the cab i will be checking out your build for pointers.

thanks dino... we'll have some hang time one of these days.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Keeping an eyeball on this build. Sounds like a great project.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

i'm in, love the 51 by the way.and with your skills there shouldnt be any problems with a restoration shop, i will bet you stay covered up with work.

Re: tilly to the rescue
 

Tuned in for this one!!