Jim's 1969 Custom/20

[bollybib]

Originally Posted by MindPhish

Great build thread! This will be a great help to me and many others, thank you.

Thanks. I hope you'll find some of it useful. There is a lot of good info available on this site if you take time to search it out.

I've been wading through a few issues on my exhaust but I hope to have everything done soon so I can put the bed back on. I drove it to Oceanside and back the other day with a set of trailer taillights and homemade mudflaps installed. The sheriff saw me go by and did nothing so it must be legal enough for an old truck. The rear end is very light so I have to be careful not to let it lock up and skid when I brake. I recently removed the passenger side pipe because I am replacing the mufflers with quieter ones. I'll write something up on this soon.

Peace.

[plummen]

Originally Posted by bollybib

Thanks. I hope you'll find some of it useful. There is a lot of good info available on this site if you take time to search it out.

I've been wading through a few issues on my exhaust but I hope to have everything done soon so I can put the bed back on. I drove it to Oceanside and back the other day with a set of trailer taillights and homemade mudflaps installed. The sheriff saw me go by and did nothing so it must be legal enough for an old truck. The rear end is very light so I have to be careful not to let it lock up and skid when I brake. I recently removed the passenger side pipe because I am replacing the mufflers with quieter ones. I'll write something up on this soon.

Peace.

Attachment 776468

thanks for the motivation!

[bollybib]

Originally Posted by plummen

thanks for the motivation!

Thanks for posting the pic of your white/saddle truck to add to my collection.

A good swift kick in the ass once in a while is a good motivator , too (just kidding).

[plummen]

I can use all the kicks to the ass i can get!
Hopefully i can finish gutting the cab today so i can pull it back off and get going on my frame mods this week

[bollybib]

My truck is now officially a daily driver and surf wagon at nine months since I bought it.

8/3/11 - 8/9/11: 126.7 mi., 10.80 mpg, $45.63

8/9/11 - 8/18/11: 111.0 mi., 11.42 mpg, $36.93

8/18/11 - 8/25/11: 153.2 mi., 11.20 mpg, $51.16

8/25/11 - 9/3/11: 147.5 mi., 11.38 mpg, $51.31

9/3/11 - 9/9/11: 134.8 mi., 9.95 mpg*, $52.84

9/9/11 - 9/13/11 111.8 mi., 10.50 mpg, $42.35

9/13/11 - 9/21/11 128.4 mi., 10.34 mpg, $48.42

9/21/11 - 9/27/11 123.4 mi., 10.60 mpg, $45.41

9/27/11 - 9/28/11 156.4 mi., 13.08 mpg**, $47.57

9/28/11 - 9/29/11 129.1 mi., 13.49 mpg**, $36.35

*The mileage dropped on this one because it includes about 2.5 hours of creeping along at 2-3 mph or less in semi-gridlocked traffic during the San Diego County power outage of 8/8/11.

**Almost all freeway driving at 60-65 mph.

Note 9/30/11: Around town mileage decreased slightly after 9/9/11. Could be from a heavier foot (getting used to driving this beast) or changes in tuning from use.

The surfboard is a vintage early 60s Jacobs made in Hermosa Beach, CA. It is my regular ride and at 10'4" it almost fits in the bed at an angle. Forward into the past ! Stoka-boka !

[oldman3]

Jim, truck looks great, and I'm sure you enjoy driving it. May want to think about changing those gears at 11 mpg....Jim

[bollybib]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Jim, truck looks great, and I'm sure you enjoy driving it. May want to think about changing those gears at 11 mpg....Jim

Hi Jim,

I was a little surprised to see it come in at 11, I was expecting something less than 10. I think many guys chuck the Eaton and replace it with a rear that offers more gear options. From what I've read here in the Board and discovered online, there is no gear set available for the Eaton in the current aftermarket that is numerically less than the stock 4.10.

Nearly all my driving is within a 20 mile radius of my house and a I rarely venture onto the freeway. Among the three vehicles I own, I estimate I drive them all for a total of less than 5,000 miles per year. And since I’m more of a Mr. Fixit than a builder, I’ll probably just leave it as it is. It gets me to the grocery store and beach and looks cool. If my use of the truck changes in the future, or I have to mortgage my house for a fillup, I can always rethink this.

Thanks for your comments and have a nice day.