Project "April"

[Fw190d9]

The bottom of the bed floor was shot with Raptor bedliner first.

[Chevys4life]

I just have a question for you? Is that your home shop with a spray booth too?

[Fw190d9]

Chevys4life, Its my work workshop. I do alot of restomods and restorations. I did all this work on my Son's truck during the onset of Covid. I work alone so no need to worry about social distancing etc. I used to park my RV in the shop extension but sold it a few years back. I bought one of those put together spray booths and installed it where the RV used to go.

[Fw190d9]

Bedsides and tailgate given the same block sanding treatment. You'd think brand new bedside would be free of lows and dents.

[Fw190d9]

So it was about here with the bed that I noticed a problem. When I mounted the tailgate, the pass side upper corner would not line up with the bedside no matter how many times I adjusted the bolts that hold the bed together. Once I got to looking at it, I noticed that the right rear stake pocket was welded in slightly off of vertical, causing the tailgate stops not to line up. Since I was on a time crunch trying to get the truck ready for my Son's graduation, I pie cut the bedside area and added a new hand bent piece to make the bedside match the tailgate.

[Fw190d9]

The bed was then finish sanded to 400, sealer sprayed on and base Ochre applied

[cornerstone]

Super nice work dad. May I request an adoption form? I can clean your shop and mow your grass without being asked!

[1971Stepside]

Super nice work dad. May I request an adoption form? I can clean your shop and mow your grass without being asked!

beat me to it!

[TA_C10]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Super nice work dad. May I request an adoption form? I can clean your shop and mow your grass without being asked!

[MDPotter]

This makes me want to convert my truck to trailing arms and coils and lower it even more.

Have you been doing this kind of work for a long time? Is it your day job?

[Fw190d9]

Sorry guys, my last kid just left and Im enjoying empty nesting!

MDPotter, Yes its my day job. I used to build alot of homebuilt type airplanes but my true passion is doing restomods.

E.

[Fw190d9]

After all the bed parts were in Ochre, it was time for the white

E.

[Fw190d9]

and a couple coats o clear

[Fw190d9]

Once the clear had cured for a week or so, I taped it all off and shot the raptor bedliner after seam sealing the bed.

[Fw190d9]

So while I was finishing the bed, I made a last minute switch to a new Strange 9" rear as it would allow me to order rear wheels with a bit more "deep dish" to get the look I wanted. The Strange 9" is almost 4" narrower than the original 12 bolt.

[Fw190d9]

And then finally after much adjusting and lining up, the bed was put back on the frame and tightened down.

[Chevys4life]

Originally Posted by Fw190d9

Chevys4life, Its my work workshop. I do alot of restomods and restorations. I did all this work on my Son's truck during the onset of Covid. I work alone so no need to worry about social distancing etc. I used to park my RV in the shop extension but sold it a few years back. I bought one of those put together spray booths and installed it where the RV used to go.

Great............that's very nice. That is one nice shop to have and you are doing some very nice work.

Keep Up the Work!!!!

[Fw190d9]

Thanks Chevys4life!



So while paint was curing on the bed, I ordered a big pile of pre bent 3" polished stainless pipe, lots of V band clamps and 2 magnaflow 3" polished stainless mufflers and started to build the exhaust system. Its 3" from collector to the rear and all tig welded. The crossover pipe has to go up and over the center reinforcement for the frame as I didnt want it to hang down below the frame rails. Its made from 2" polished stainless and is removable with the 2 V band clamps.

E.

[Fw190d9]

finished up in the rear by turndowns just behind the rear bumper for a clean look and not too loud.

E.

[StingRay]

You do some very fine work! Beautiful shop too. You have a lucky boy that's coming home to that.

[Chevys4life]

I don't want to beat a dead horse in the ground;
but you do some very nice work with an attention to detail. Your son has one nice truck for sure!!!

[Fw190d9]

Thanks Guys, Its been killing me not being able to post anything on this build the whole time. Complete media blackout to maintain the surprise. I had to put all the pics in a super secret folder so he wouldn't see the progress.

E.

[Fw190d9]

some shots of the bed and taillight trims going on as well as the smoothie rear bumper

[Fw190d9]

Built the intake tube from 4" polished stainless with MAF sensor mount welded on. Also completed the plumbing to the PS resevoir and to the rack and hydroboost. The intercooler pump is hidden down below the PS resevoir. Taking the DS inner fender off allows access to the pump and associated plumbing to the heat exchanger mounted up front. Front inner fenders are the new SloshTubz.

[Fw190d9]

Once the exhaust was done and the motor running, I went ahead and tackled the front end. This truck is a 72 but Ive never liked the egg crate grill, I much prefer the 70 grill. The 70 grill was installed with the brushed aluminum inserts and new headlight surrounds and LED turn signals. Capped off with a smoothie front bumper with no bolts. I made a later small change that made it look even better.

E.