Project "Mater" build thread

[1972CST]

YEAA!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

[Blue'72]

1972CST, I'm gunna take you're suggestion.. Ok all, check this out. I heard my engine run today! Yeah, it ran.. I had a play/work day and I decided to work all day on the truck. I'll say it again, this detail work and making everything look "nice", is TE D I OUS! But I got most everything buttoned up from the cab to the firewall, and I had to hear it fire, so I put some gas in the carb and turned 'er over. Actually a few times..

Here's what we're looking like now..

Oh what's with this "pics are too big cr@p"! I'm too tired right now to figure it out, so you'll have to imagine the other valve cover and plug wires on.........

[Alan's Classic]

I love your truck and admire your progress.

[dubdeuce80]

lookin good, almost 2 weeks with no updates though???

[Blue'72]

Finally some updates.. I figured I'd better get busy on the bed if I want to get paint on it before the weather turns too cold.

After stripping the fenders, I decided I wanted to find something better, which I did, but that's not in the budget right now. These aren't too bad, and the biggest thing I wanted was the side marker lights because I didn't shave them off the fenders and it would look kinda goofy. The metal was really stretched and warped (hence all the bondo I had to remove!), but by cutting the hole for the light and a few relief cuts I was able to put it back to shape. I then cut the lights out of my old bed sides to graft onto these fenders.

Coming together nicely I think.

[Brad]

Well, a sort of update- I went over to Travis' house on Sat and we installed my old windshield into his truck. It took 3 tries to get it in, but we finally got it! Another step toward completion.
Btw, his truck looks so much better in person and we all can't wait for him to finish it!

[Blue'72]

Thanks again Brad for the windshield! I'm to the point now where $$$ is the main thing holding me back..

I have the fenders for the bed about 90% finished now, so I took them off to start on the bed itself. I've had the idea for some time now about using my old steel bed floor and putting it in the stepside bed. I got a "That would be cool" from Brad when I mentioned it to him, so I went forward with the idea. My first big hurdle was to get the bed floor off the side of the hill that I dropped it down to get it out of the way. Of course I had built a fence since then and wasn't sure how I was going to get the floor out. Needless to say, I'm still really sore from flipping it over and over until I got it around and up to my back yard where I could cut it down. Once I had it cut down, I could carry it around front.. Barely...

I had bought used bed rails a while back to replace these on the bed, but didn't know when I'd ever be able to afford to do the wood like I wanted to. Now it's all steel and super solid. I'd like to get it rhino lined.

I'm also thinking that eventually I would like to make a wood floor with painted slats that I could set in there for shows and remove when I need to use the bed.. Just a harebrained idea at this point...

I sent all the pics here to work so I could resize them, but the before pics didn't make it due to the size of email..

Still lots of work to be done! Plus I have a hole in my knee where I was pushing on the outside of the bed side while welding the angle iron to the side. Knee was right where I was welding.. Hurts real bad...

[Blue'72]

Well I think it's time to update! Did anyone miss me?? Here's some recent progress.

This bed was a mess, but I had some sheets of thick steel to line the walls with.

[Blue'72]

While the weather was bad I turned my attention to another project that needed to be done sooner or later. I pulled the automatic column off the shelf thinking that it would just need some paint, and it was seized up. I ended up taking it completely apart and cleaning and lubing it up before puttine it back together with the best parts between this one and my old non-auto column. It turned out really well.. I need a good camera! These pics are crummy as usual...


I got both doors, inner fenders, and fenders on and everything lined up alright.



I finally caught a break in the weather this weekend and was able to shoot some paint on the bed. I still need to finish the inside and I think that'll be rhino-lined. The fenders, steps, and tailgate still need some work and then paint, but it feels good to be this far with it.

[NONHOG]

I was wondering when you were going to post more progress . Looks great !

[Blue'72]

Holy smokes, it's been over a month since I've updated this? Where does the time go?

Let's see here..

Here's my gauge cluster. I was trying different ideas and finally settled on this, although I think I'll change it again.

I've got the seats and side windows in with new felts and regulators in, but will need to take the seats back out to put the carpet in eventually. I braced the floor and made a heavy duty mount for the 60/40 seat. I want to eventually have it recovered. I still have the rear fenders, steps, and tailgate to finish and paint yet. I've been driving it around the driveway though!



I just put the weatherstripping in this morning. I think I'll do a how to thread on that..
Attachment 413832
This white stuff hase been around now for almost a week and has prompted me to put some heat in the garage.
Attachment 413833

[Blue'72]

Here's my heat source. It does a good job. It's 27 outside, but 65 in the garage.





I'm not sure if I like this look or not..

[69c-10chevy]

wow, i just looked at all the pictures, you have done a fantastic job so far!

[Brad]

Glad to see you've been busy Travis! Fwiw, I like the look of the gauge cluster. The way that stove is routed makes me nervous though.

[RJGeister]

Nice work. I like your tach. Where did you get it and could you give a part number?

Thanks,
Rich

[Blue'72]

Originally Posted by RJGeister

Nice work. I like your tach. Where did you get it and could you give a part number?

Thanks,
Rich

I got the tach in my upper left cupboard in my garage... Honestly I don't know where I picked that up at, but I'll try to find a part number for ya.

[Blue'72]

Originally Posted by Brad

Glad to see you've been busy Travis! Fwiw, I like the look of the gauge cluster. The way that stove is routed makes me nervous though.

Thanks Brad! The cluster is actually growing on me now..

You can't really see it in the picture, but I welded in a thick metal guard around the pipe to the sheetmetal window replacement and then tucked in another piece of double walled metal in around the top. It actually doesn't get very warm around the door. The pipe routes out far enough on the other side to take the smoke and heat away from the house.

[72cheyennesuper20]

Travis, Looking good. Looks like a truck again, not just a truck it looks like a cool truck.

[windmill]

On post 115 bottom pic where can you find the helper springleaf spring)?

[Blue'72]

Hey windmill, I'm sure those overload springs are out there somewhere.. These were on my truck when I bought it, but haven't seen them during any of my swap meet travels.

Not too much new to report on my progress, other than getting the bed bolted on and rear window in. I did manage to get it running really good and was able to get it on the road to warm up the rear tire a little...

[killer71]

Love the color!

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by Blue'72

I did manage to get it running really good and was able to get it on the road to warm up the rear tire a little...

Pictures please !

[Blue'72]

I thought about getting some tire smoke pics, but I was nervous enough as it was. I figured I wouldn't press my luck..

Here she is starting to look like a truck again.

[ChaseDale3and8]

I like your truck. That shade of blue really looks great on this body style. ...Joe

[project 67 sub]

what do you have planned for the rear taillights?