I've got about 50 miles on the truck by now, just around town and though my paperwork and insurance is legit, and even though the breeze feels damn good cruising around with no windshield, I gotta try to focus on what's going to get it road worthy
I took it down to the parts store last week to have my alternator checked out as it was simply the one that came with the engine, if I needed a new one I'd just pick one up. There was an electrical clip on the side of it but I just figured it was for the computer and I ignored it. Obviously I didn't realize how alternators actually gauged charge or what a voltage regulator did, but I do now. After some research I found all the 2 wire alternator to CS alternator conversion info and found this nice connector made by AC delco. I cut the extra plug off then the red wire goes to the positive battery (I used the post on the alternator) and the yellow wire, with resistor included, goes to ignition power. Now my alternator tests good!
It's taken me about 2.5 years to figure out/decide how I was going to run my taillights. I even ordered the original reproduction brackets, but decided I wasn't crazy about them. I had these little brackets that I turned sideways and somewhat got the taillights to mount on them and I think I'm gonna keep em
For the windshield frame I followed the Trucks! fauxtina how to and used 220 to cut through the heavy paint I had applied, then switched to 320 as I was getting close and putting in the final work. I tried to keep in mind the pattern of the paint that remained on the body around the windshield and sanded accordingly. Not mind-blowing or anything but I think it does it's job rather well. I got the rubber on, the brackets on, and now have a functioning windshield!
I had initially painted the inside of the window frame black but in the end decided to sand it all off and clear coat the bare metal instead. I had done the same thing on my firewall and I think I would incorporate more bare metal into the truck if I had the chance to do it all over again, I really like the look. I pulled my side windows and sealed them with urethane sealant as well, as previously I had installed them with setting tape all the way around.
At this same time I sanded the front valance that I had picked up a while ago. I was thinking that the red was just a top layer, and it proved to be the case. I think I could add some white on it to make it really blend in but really my goal was just to get the red off to make it more subtle. My front needs a little bit of work to get it all coming together right but I think this will do
I swear I was getting all glares + stares when I first began this build, but now when people drive by I get all kinds of thumbs ups and waves. I wish I could be tucked away in a shop somewhere building this thing, but no, everybody gets to see the progress. I had one of the neighbors I had never met before stop by with his 51 Ford today though. Seems you end up meeting a bunch of good guys owning a truck like this
