Previous owner '68

[raggedjim]

Got the last filler strip on the bed floor today before the rain set in. Temperature dropped from 63 to 43 in an hour and the wind got so bad I had to quit welding. Still a bunch of rust holes to repair.

[raggedjim]

If you don't have one of these you should get one.

[raggedjim]

Once the weather chased me inside I worked on my never-ending steering wheel project. Another 6 months or so of sanding, filling, and painting should get it looking okay.

[raggedjim]

A rare photo of the early design of the 1968 rally wheel. Never made it into production. May be the world's only set that GM didn't crush.

Junk Bros., rare and vintage items, made while you wait.

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

A rare photo of the early design of the 1968 rally wheel. Never made it into production. May be the world's only set that GM didn't crush.

Junk Bros., rare and vintage items, made while you wait.

ill take them....LOL they are coooool lookin

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by zicc1835

ill take them....LOL they are coooool lookin

As far as I know they are the only set that exists!

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

As far as I know they are the only set that exists!

I was joking about ...ill take them but I would if I could

[raggedjim]

Since it's colder than I care to work in I stayed in the shop today. Not much got done but I did take a good look at the trunions for the tailgate. Not good.

[raggedjim]

Found these flange bearings and made them fit. Had to weld nuts on the back sides, not an easy task.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Found these flange bearings and made them fit. Had to weld nuts on the back sides, not an easy task.

Great Idea

Will you file flats on the inner race to hold it still ,
And make a Thin Wrench
While torquing/Tightening the bolt?

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Great Idea

Will you file flats on the inner race to hold it still ,
And make a Thin Wrench
While torquing/Tightening the bolt?

No, I found that I could wedge a small flat blade into the access hole and it would hold it enough for me to tighten. I was going to drill a hole in the nut and then use a small pin punch but the screw driver worked so well I hated to jinx it!

[loudchevy]

Roger, I enjoy watching your build and the constant progress you make. Well done.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by loudchevy

Roger, I enjoy watching your build and the constant progress you make. Well done.

Thanks, you're doing some great work on your truck.

You might enjoy this pic...

[loudchevy]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Thanks, you're doing some great work on your truck.

You might enjoy this pic...

Ouch, is that why you got the full face shield?

[raggedjim]

Ha! Nope, that was a while back. Never fight a cactus.

[Shifty One]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Ha! Nope, that was a while back. Never fight a cactus.

You're supposed to hug them....they need love too....

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Shifty One

You're supposed to hug them....they need love too....

Not from me they don't!

No pics today. Welding and grinding, all day long. I got the truck grinding blues...

[Troy Sr]

I got one of those blue shields and I love it, especially when I'm wire brushing!!!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Troy Sr

I got one of those blue shields and I love it, especially when I'm wire brushing!!!

Did a bunch of wire brushing today. Took a wire to the left cojone...

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Did a bunch of wire brushing today. Took a wire to the left cojone...

safety first we all been there your gonna need more PPE before you do something even worse ....I didn't put my safety glasses on. tonight when I first started cutting some metal ....and stopped put them on .....

[clay68c10]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Did a bunch of wire brushing today. Took a wire to the left cojone...

Man, and I thought it was bad pulling wires out of my arms!

[raggedjim]

I'm pretty safety conscious as far as p.p.e. goes, but I refuse to wear a cup while wire wheeling! May have to throw my coveralls on top of my usual grubby jeans though, those wires are shockers.

[raggedjim]

Finally got the rust patching to a point I felt that I could go ahead and treat the bed with some phosporic acid (Ospho). I know, old tech, but I'm old so there you go.

[raggedjim]

Once that had dried for 24 hours I wire brushed the residue off and painted it with Chassis Saver (like POR15, but not). The gloss really spot lighted the areas that need attention.

[raggedjim]

I didn't want to start any body work on the floor until I had figured out completely how (and if!) the bedsides were going to fit and bolt up. So, armed with carpenters tools and kitchen utensils, I started fitting the bedsides. Once I got one side relatively square and level I installed the other side and the front panel.