Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

I made good progress on finishing up the interior since the dash wiring is now complete. I spent quite a bit of time time mocking up the shifter and shifter handle. I 3D printed a shifter base using the dimensions from Core Shifters and then made a cardboard version of a Hurst shifter handle. In the end I went with a Mopar B body shifter handle and the Core Shifter forward shifter conversion with the "F" fulcrum height. The shifter travel is just 3.5 inches from first to second. I used the stock 4-speed shifter bezel and boot and 3D printed a transition bezel from the rectangular stick to the round hole in the boot. Lastly, I put all the electronic modules in the glove box and I really like the Restomod Air AC controls and the Dakota Digital RTX gauges. My to-do list before starting paint and body is getting small.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

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Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

I finally hooked up the battery and checked all my electrical work. All seems good and there was no smoke. :) I also installed a custom driveshaft from Denny's. I needed to figure out a radiator overflow tank and decided to make mirrored tanks on either side of the core support. One is for the radiator overflow and the other is for the windshield washer fluid. I made a simple radius brake for the outer profile and then used my 3D printer to make a hammer form for the ends. It was a fun project and I got a little more experience with aluminum welding. I also made some steel brackets with dimpled corner gussets, again using 3D printed tooling.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

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Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

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Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Wow, great idea, very well done, nice workmanship

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Any updates on this project?

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Hi layinrocker65, I'm still working through all the small items. Here are a few of the recent pictures. Sometimes you need to go back a little to move forward. I've been working on the panel gaps and I rewired my AC system with the latest controller module from Restomod Air.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

I test fit my carpet and found a few YouTube videos helpful for putting in the hole locations. I used a thin wall tube that was heated up using a propane torch. It made quick work of cutting through the carpet, backing and padding creating a nice OEM look. I also decided to go with a bed mat from Holley. It's specific to the truck so it hugs the contours perfectly. I just had to add in the hole for the fuel tank fill. I also modified the old choke knob with a magnet to hold the Terminator X 3.5 inch screen. When not in use everything looks factory.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

I almost have all the minor details sorted before tearing everything down, perfecting all the panel gaps and starting on paint and body work. I've been able to test out all the electrical systems including the Terminator X setup (minus starting the engine) and everything is functioning correctly. I think I have everything covered so that re-assembly is easy. Do you guys have any words of wisdom on what you wished you checked before everything was painted that I may have missed? Here are the last pics before I start tearing things back down.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

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Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

absolutely gorgeous truck but more impressive (to me) is the workmanship,unreal how nice everything is an so clean.very very nice.some people don't realize how much thought and effort goes into making parts and pieces look so simple and clean.it'll be a shame to cover alot of it up.beautiful work.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Thanks! You are right, it does take a lot of time to dial everything in, but I'm enjoying the journey. I've started to tear everything back down knowing that when it goes back together it will be for good.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Well the entire truck is now in totes for the most part aside from the frame and body. All the pieces can now receive their final finishes one part at a time.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

I'm nearly finished with dialing in all the gaps and body lines which has taken a significant amount of time to balance everything out. I don't know how many times I've had things on and off, but it's getting close.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

You have some serious skills sir. Absolut beauty of a truck.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Incredible work on a beast of a truck. Can't wait to see it on its maiden voyage.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Master class in awesome! :metal:

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Thanks for all the encouraging comments. I added in several 1/8 alignment holes between all the body panels for when things go back together. Using Cleco's seems to work out pretty nice. Everything is now fully disassembled and I just sent the frame and numerous other parts out for powder coating. Now I need to work on laying down that original 503 green paint code. I've got a quart of test paint to try out.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Can't go wrong with 503! Nice work, Rg

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Amazing!, ...this truck is going to be incredible. Super impressed with your skills, ..and man that shop is CLEAN :)

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

Agreed, he must have an app where it erases all the clutter from the pictures, wow :smoke:

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

The frame is back from powder coating with a satin black finish. I've also been using a small toaster oven for some of the smaller parts using an Eastwood kit.

Re: Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10
 

very nice,great work.the finished truck is going to be a knockout for sure.very nice work.