It's not a G body, but it's pretty cool...my newest project!

[jmt455]

Re: It's not a G body, but it's pretty cool...my newest proj

Summer has come and gone and I realized I haven't posted any updates on my hot rod truck project.


I thought I had solved the Holley issues, but it started acting up again after I re-wired the truck.
Replaced it with a Quadrajet and, other than needing to adjust the choke/high idle settings, it runs great.

I removed the rear end panel and the "school bus" tail lights and installed 32 Ford tail lights.

Before:

After:

I think it still needs a tail panel, but what I have in mind will be much less massive looking that what was on the truck when I bought it.

I re-wired the truck with a Rebel wiring kit and everything works properly.

I replaced the fiberglass grille shell with a new steel shell from Brookville.

Here it is before modification and painting:

And the finished shell:

I also replaced the small headlights with these 10" diameter lights that you see above.

Replaced the 10" tall shifter stick and the Camaro steering wheel with a 16" tall shifter and a 16" diameter Jeep steering wheel; I think it looks much more "truck-like" AND it's easier to drive/steer!

Before:

After:

I finally drove the truck more than 1 block from my house for the first time last week!

I drove it about 10 miles to its winter home; the truck drives, stops and steers straight.

I need to revise my seat mounts to drop the seat position down about three inches. When I'm driving, my line of sight is too high and I have to hunch down to see through the windshield.

I thought I had mocked it up properly, but I realize that I did the mock-up while the truck was on my garage lift (about 20" above the floor).
My line of sight seemed perfect, but I was looking down toward the floor. DOH!

Next steps are to revise the seat, get the speedometer working and then do a little bit of body repair.
I think I'm also going to make some stake sides for the bed.



The truck is put away for the winter.

I think it's coming along nicely!

 

[Longroof79]

Re: It's not a G body, but it's pretty cool...my newest proj

What a cool looking truck, Joe.
I like the upgrades that you've done so far. I think it would look cool with wooden stake sides.
Keep up the good work.

 

[88ss408]

Re: It's not a G body, but it's pretty cool...my newest proj

Nice truck. I like the rear bumper swap looks better now. Keep up the good work.

 

[DRIVEN]

Re: It's not a G body, but it's pretty cool...my newest proj

Cool little truck and I really like the direction you've taken it. Love the flatbed. Is it safe to assume that this was originally downsized from a bigger truck? The frame and running boards would suggest that.

 

[jmt455]

Re: It's not a G body, but it's pretty cool...my newest proj

Yes, the frame came from a very late AA 1 1/2T (serial number in the 5,600,000 neighborhood!)

It had been shortened to a 112" wheelbase.

I originally thought about removing the flatbed and installing a 33/34 box, but that would require a lot more work than I want to tackle at this time.
The fuel tank is mounted immediately behind the cab. The tank takes up quite a bit of the space that would be occupied by a pick-up bed, so in addition to buying a box I would also be replacing the fuel tank, extending or replacing the running boards and (probably) adding rear fenders.

Plus, the more I looked at it with the flatbed, the more it grew on me.
Now, I'm planning to make stake sides and rear gate to keep the "little big truck" vibe.