Re: Project "Leon "
 

I have been so busy with work travel and side jobs, I haven't gotten as far as I would like to be, but I'm getting there.

Here is my most recent side job. I removed all the old border and built this one out of rock. It wasn't fun. but it pays!
Attachment 1326752

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Work has me running all over the place, but I'm not complaining. They pay for my addiction to this truck and I'm seeing the country on someone else's penny!

Got after cutting on some more rust. Got the door pillars, floor extension, and cab corner on the driver side out. I'm starting to understand the hate for these panels not fitting. Started putting the floor extension in and all the holes were off. Got it lined up everywhere else and just went at it. Still have some grinding to do. I can just drill new holes, I suppose.

The last picture is not too great, but it's a cell phone kind of thing.



Lots of rust here, I guess it's time to fight the battle that everyone else fights too. Making these things fit. Missing from the picture is the new cab corner and the kick panel replacement. (Just ordered the KP)

Attachment 1331959

Yumm.... Rust!

Attachment 1331957
Attachment 1331956

It's kind of unnerving to cut this big of a piece out, but it has to be done!

Attachment 1331955

Bad picture, but I feel like something is being done! Still some grinding to go. Don't figure go to crazy because it will never be seen once the Dynamat goes in. But I'm still going to knock them down.

Attachment 1331958

Re: Project "Leon "
 

This is a awesome build you have, glad I peeked in on it. You do some very nice work.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Thank you Scott! Nice to hear that i'm doing something right!



Spent some more time last night working on the driver side rust issues. Vic, if you are reading this, I fully now understand why the patch panel relationship is a love hate one! They are sorta the same shape... Had to cut off the bolting plate from my new patch and make a new one. Here is a side by side shot to show the difference. I measured the OEM plate and it was ~ 1.5 inches. the "replacement" was .75. Not even big enough to hold a bolt. :hh: Good thing I kept my old pieces. Glad I read that here.

Attachment 1332187

Then I got it all welded in and smoothed out. I'm going to wait on bolting it together until i get the front welded in and the put the rocker up to them and see how they all fit together.

Attachment 1332188

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I''m with you, Mike. It's a dirty rotten shame the repop parts are so lousy. Obviously, the individuals producing them are not actual restorers, or they'd be more concerned with how they fit. But you're doing great work revising the parts. It will all pay off in the end.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I really am surprised with how well they don't fit. These trucks are so darn popular. Figure they would spend more time on making these right because the demand is so high.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Nice build. Us local guys need to get together.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Thanks, Bud.

Give me a shout and come on over.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Little more rust battle. Not finished with this piece, but getting there. Had to wait on some new kick panels to come in. They were Triplus, seemed to be the best fitting ones so far. Got them from Summit for about $15 each.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Nice work Mike.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Thank you, Scott!

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Well, christmas has it's way of pulling you away from projects, but I got some small stuff done. I picked up a Sandblast cabinet from HF and really dug into some more powder coating. Just finished up a write-up in the paint and body section on how to do it at home. Let me know what you think http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=654423

Here are some pictures of my cabinet and before and after.

Attachment 1341596

Attachment 1341597

Attachment 1341598

Attachment 1341600

Re: Project "Leon "
 

And some more.

Attachment 1341601

Attachment 1341602

Re: Project "Leon "
 

it looks like you used the same trans cross member did you have to modify it?

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I did, Used the factory X member. I have since removed the "supports" on either side for exhaust clearance for my TBSS headers. I used transdapt motor mount adaptor plates and the X member fell right back in it's stock location. No modifying at all. Couldn't have been happier with the way it went in.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Nice write-up, Mike. I have a very good friend in the powder coating business, so I've never rigged up to do my own, but you make it look easy.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Thanks, Vic. I don't make it look easy, it is easy. You are the one who makes stuff look easy. :mm:

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Almost forgot, finished these up right before christmas. I always get a couple of orders around christmas every year. Wine bottle Stoppers and cutting boards. One of the Shifter knobs is going to Vic. Vic, its the far left one, My favorite.

Attachment 1342144
Attachment 1342143
Attachment 1342141
Attachment 1342147

If you can't tell, I may be a fan of Texas....

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Way cool, Mike! We keep a lot of wine on hand because it's the preferred spirit on Kathy's side of the family. When we have them over, they rarely leave an unfinished bottle. But now if they do, we can re-cork it in style. Thanks!!

Re: Project "Leon "
 

No problem, Vic! Thank you for my goodies! I'll get some pictures of it in use soon.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I thought I had subscribed to your thread back when you picked up the suburban, but for some reason I didn't... Error has been corrected and I will now be following along. That motor's looking good!

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Cool, Thank you for the Sub. Your truck looks pretty awesome! Thanks for the comp on the motor. Turned out pretty cool, now just need to figure out where I'm really going to mount the coil packs. Won't know until I get the cab back on the frame and get it lined up. I have an idea, but I'll need to check clearance space.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Just read through this thread, and i must say nice work on the truck and i love the cutting boards and wine stoppers.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Not only are you doing great work on the truck, those stoppers and cutting boards are awsome. Love the Texas flag one.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Thanks guys. I have been known to make wooden goodies for truck parts. (How I scored my front disk package) glad you like them.