Got the new master cylinder in with extended push rod

After several issues with the new brakes and clutch problems, doghouse is finally back on.

Got the front end welded, firewall painted, and the engine and trans set in. Still have lots of small issues....trans mount, steering hook-up, elect fuel pump, etc.

Engine and straight axle are gone. New suspension is in and back on the ground. Now to weld in the new engine mounts.

Well...after driving for almost a year with stock suspension and engine I am finally changing out these items to a IFS and 283. All but engine pulled apart today. Engine to come out Monday, prep for welding in new Fatman IFS, then the 283.

As seen in the top picture I have acquired a new camper to tow with the truck...a 1957 Metzendorf, fully self-contained and 8 ft long. Just took the pair to the Hunnert Car Pile up car show in Decatur IL. Great drive, top speed was 54 mph on flat road. Pair was well received. Still putting plans together for the engine and front suspension swap later this fall.

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Got alot of positive comments on the logo at the recent Indy Good-Guys. Stopped by Bubba's for Spam-a-rama

Been getting parts rounded up for the switch to the 283 and IFS front end. Also, painted the Texaco logos on the doors

Took the teardrop camper for a last tow...it leaves for Arizona soon

Towed the camper an hour away last weekend. Truck did fair..little under powered going up some hills. showing signs of her age. Been tracking down parts needed for the 283 change-over

Finally got newest teardrop restored and painted to match

Come across a great deal on a 283 V8 engine this week. May do the swap-out this winter

Drove my truck down to the Beatersville show in Louisville Sunday. The 216 did real well. It is original, with 76,000 miles +. Even though I have a T5 behind it I still kept it around 60. I did try to keep up with a couple of friends going 70+, but decided 60ish would give me a better comfort level. And it was 90 deg + on the way home, and it tried to run a little warm, but I think the thermostat stuck a little. Now kids don't try this at home...I hooked my shoe under the stomp starter switch and was able to simulate a cruise control.

Towed the woody camper today with the truck. Will need right side mirrors. maybe better brakes.

Drug the Scotty out of the shop today after quite a bit of rebuild . Didn't go too far ...the truck is not set-up for trailer brakes.

Replaced the leaking valve cover and oil pan gaskets last week. Both then leaked worse than before I started. Ordered new, replaced again, this time asking for advise from those down this road before and like magic...No leaks. Then yesterday driving down the road, I hear a bing..bing. Look in the mirror...nothing bouncing in the road. Get home and OMG...the right headlight bezel is missing! Guess I had a screw loose! Not the first time I have been told that!

Took truck to it's first show today. Well received

Turned over 500 miles since re-birth! Having alot of fun. Still working small bugs. Gonna re-work valve cover gasket...still has oil seeping out, as well as pan gasket. Re-routed choke cable for better operation.

Installed a visor today. Just temporary...need to strip it and re-paint it. And install all new SS hardware.

Got a few items addressed this weekend. Installed the 3 point shoulder seat belts that came with the seat. Work pretty nice. I don't think the seat belt law in Indiana is retroactive to older vehicles that did not originally come with them, but I wanted them anyway. Also got the horn working. since converting to 12 volts the originals wouldn't work so I found a newer pair at a pic-a-part. Cleaned up the rust around the horn ring and steering wheel and they work great. Found a period correct pair of fog lights and swapped out the later models I had on the front splash apron. I am pretty sure the truck had a set on it originally as they was a wire near the apron and 2 holes in it.

Latest progress

Got the front "knee action" shocks installed this week. Had to repair a couple of pieces on each due to corrosion but connected in the stock fashion. Changed the handling quite a bit. Now to get new tube shocks for the lowered rear end. Got the rest of the door and window seals in (man it is alot quieter), and discovered a water leak in the heater core. Recently cleaned it out, clogs must have been sealing the leak. Still looking into door paint ideas.

The Goal was Reached!

The main reason I started down this rebuild road was to be able to tow my 1947 teardrop camper with something a little more period correct, than a '00 GMC. I reached that goal today, getting the hitch and wiring completed and towing the camper to a local turn of the century house for a few photos!

Finally got the overheating problem under control. Had to flush the radiator several times to get the many years of accumulated junk out of the block. Of course sitting for 38 years didn't help either. Had truck up to 54 MPH yesterday...I think think engine really likes this transmission. Also turn 100 miles since getting it running. Hey it;s a milestone! Used my GPS unit to verify the speed and miles because the speedo is a little off. Installed a flip-up license plate bracket to hide the hitch receiver and working on new tailgate supports. They will either be cables or the older flat pivoting bar style. In the meantime, I decided to try a different seat. Found a 3rd row bench out of an Astro van. Fits real nice..working on mounting brackets. The leg room is tremendously better! May recover the door panels to a lighter color!

Well finally got the turn signals done. Tried to use separate lights for the rear but the kit I bought had to be used in conjunction with the brake lights so tied into that circuit instead. The front park lamps were re-wired for turn signal use. Also, got the new gas tank sender installed and now have working gas gauge...woohoo! Received new weatherstripping recently so next up is replacing all around doors and windows. Been driving off and on different days and still drives real nice. Driving on bias tires was a re-learning curve but not too bad. Stopped at the local home center today for some wiring connectors and had 3 people come over to check out the truck. Now that makes it really worth the effort!!

Added some short wood racks to the bed...still on the fence about these.
Working on turn signal options...will either integrate into brake lights or install separate lights. Here is one thought..small chrome bullets!

Also thinking about the service station logo in the top pic. It currently in a sign just taped on for mock-up.

Got a few small things done recently. Worked on the parking brakes for better operation. Adjusted valves on the engine, and installed new spark plugs. Still have a slight miss at idle. The control arms were modified to work with the lowered axle better, but it caused the tie rod ends to rub the tires a little so I spaced the control arms in a little. Solved the problem.  Fabbed a new bracket for the third brake light, the old one rubbed the window seal too much.

Now in primer and driveable. Still have to get a sending unit for the gas tank, and a turn signal unit.

Finally installed the new gas tank today as well as made a new shift knob. Removed the lock set from the passenger side door for a locksmith to make a new key. Wired up the dash lights, and started on the turn signals!

Did some painting. Cab hood and drivers side fenders, all in flat for the moment. Bought satin in both colors for  next coat, Interior painted as well - gloss Navajo white...kind of a beige.

Finally started a little bodywork today. A few dints and dings, mostly sanding all the surface rust off and coating with self-etching primer. This truck will not have a big dollar paint job...something simple and cheap. Flat or satin look....maybe a little 2 tone effect. Here is flat black and Khaki
Hey...it's a truck. Junk and trash go in the bed!

Took truck out for longer test drive today. Temporarily fastened window in drivers door as temps were a little cool. Still have a few bugs to work out. Quieter now that I have insulated the cab. After sitting for 38 years put the truck back to work...hauled some items to storage unit! Got a few "thumbs up" along the way! Had to run the heater also. Used a GPS unit to compare the speedo...a little fast!

Re-worked the alternator pulley and brackets yesterday. Now runs steady and inline with water pump. Replaced drivers cowl panel, and welded patch panel behind drivers front wheel. Another pass on body filler where side vent once resided. Got divers side SS bed angle strip in.
Alot of drivers side items...truck is shoe-horned in my garage so wifey has plenty of room!

Converted the oil bath air cleaner to a paper element filter

Got the roof insulation in and headliner installed

Got the alternator installed and wired today, which completes the conversion to 12 volts. Up next...shocks, emergency brakes, turn signals

Today installed floor board patches, floor insulation, pedal seals, starter bellows, floor mat, new ignition switch, shift boot, new cig lighter , insulation in doors.

Installed the beauty rings on the wheels,. Got the floor mat and insulation cut to fit. Picked up replacement fender for passenger side

Finally got the rear window in...quite a bit harder than the windshield. Installed the replacement transmission cover, third brake light, new glove box, replacement drivers door, beauty rings on the wheels, sound deadener in the cab, defrost hoses, cowl drain hose, replacement radiator, and started cutting floor mat and padding.

Big Day. Drove the truck from the shop to my house. Need the shop space for a project. Truck drove quite nice. Roads were dry from all the recent snows. Still over heating a bit...new radiator in the plans.

Got the new windshields and seal in

Has hole from a spotlight...may put one back on!

Engine started over-heating. Took radiator out and flushed...found  deposits from sitting so long. Combined with new water pump she runs about 160 now. Replaced broken needle on speedo. Took for a second test drive. Looking good! Prepping for move to a 24/7 heated garage to install glass. Former parking lights are now repainted and to be used as turn signals. All sheet metal re-bolted on. Re-built and installed interior light, which just about completes wiring.

Latest progress

Got the wood bed floor done, oak wood, stained and epoxy sealed, SS strips and bolts, taillights and wiring done

Got the lights wired today. Headlights, taillights and brake lights

Well. today was special...made the first trip around the block...no windshield! No drivers door! A little cool in the 30 deg Indiana air! Something about  driving a project for the first time!