It's Alive........bwaaahaaahaaha!

[HanksB3B]

[Don Coatney]

Well......I attempted to check my timing and had trouble seeing the marks. Not sure if it off a cog or it is just that the mark is hard to read. I

Jeff

Try connecting your timing light around your coil to distributor wire as opposed to the distributor to #1 plug wire. You will get the same reading but much brighter.

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Guy's

Got a few things done today. I went ahead and did the wheels in a burgundy and added a little bling. I think it works well with the cream color. I don't remember who suggested red first........but thanks very much for the idea.

 

I have managed to get it about 95% sorted now and am waiting on weatherstrip and rubber to put the front end back together. There is still a ton to do......but each little bit of progress feels real good. I also installed the control cables for the HCV, fresh air and defroster.

 

Hope you all are having a great holiday. Don't forget what it is really about. I read through letters my Dad sent my Mom from shortly after D-Day, the liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Bulge. God bless them all.

 

Jeff

[pflaming]

SWEET! 

[Merle Coggins]

Looks good Jeff. What are those hub caps from? I like 'em.

 

Is it an optical illusion, or is the back of your cab sitting a little high?

 

Merle

[Young Ed]

I believe those are 51-52 car caps. I noticed the same thing about the cab. Hoping its an illusion.

Looks good Jeff. What are those hub caps from? I like 'em.

 

Is it an optical illusion, or is the back of your cab sitting a little high?

 

Merle

[Apittslife]

Wow looks great!

[48Dodger]

Looks Awesome Jeff!!

 

Did you make the tire holder??? of buy it......I bought one from Matt that is similar to yours.

 

48D

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Guys;

Thanks. They are car hub caps I got from a member here. The price was right and I think they look fine.

 

The spare holder came with the truck and I believe it has been there since new. I really like this type and would never dream of having the spare below the bed. I do still need to find another matching wheel to use as a spare. That has been a problem....... if anyone has one they are willing to part with ? please contact me.

 

Yes the rear of the cab is a bit high right now. I need to take another look at that. I know I have some spacers on the drivers side rear mount which could be removed and perhaps I can cut down the passenger side mount a bit to compensate. This truck had been involved in a pretty bad accident at some time which tweaked the frame and underside of the cab. The cab had been repaired but as a consequence there are some mounting surfaces that present a few extra challenges to the visual alignment process. I will get it as close as I can but it probably won't ever look perfect. I can live with that if everything functions as it should.

 

Jeff

[HanksB3B]

Can't wait to see it in person.  Does it. him. or her have a name yet?

 

Good job !

 

Hank

[pflaming]

Suggested name: El Creamora .

Edited May 27, 2013 by pflaming

[Barry Maxwell]

Does anyone have a source for a side tire carrier like Jeff's? I can get one from a Jeep source but it has the wrong bolt pattern. My truck didn't come with an underbed carrier. Even if it did, my old body wouldn't want to go under there and fuss with it.

Barry

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Barry;

If you can't find something that works it would be pretty easy to make one of these. I am happy to provide measurements, photos, etc..

 

I will tell you what......old body or young....... the location under the bed of a truck is and never will be my first choice. You can't always pick the spot you park to put on the spare. Crawling under there to get the spare off in some conditions.....off road or even the freeway...can be very dangerous.

And for what it is worth....I think it looks far more "business-like" up on the side of the bed anyway.

 

Jeff

[Desotodav]

Looking great Jeff!

I had a fun time getting the body level right on my 52 truck. We have the additional challenge of length to content with on our one-piece bodied trucks. The cab and bed trucks like you guys have would certainly make the job a little easier. There is no doubt in my mind that you will get it just right - I have seen the quality of your workmanship!

Maybe the fella with this van shared your ideas of spare tire access?

[Jeff Balazs]

Thanks Davin;

I can well imagine how much "fun" you had. You can believe me when I say I have no where near the skill sets you displayed when doing yours. I spent a fair amount of time looking at what you did.......and it was truly amazing. 

 

I on the other hand have left plenty of battle scars and flaws in what I have built.........they just don't show up that much in the photos. They are there though..... and they would drive a judge or a perfectionist right out of their minds. Obviously I like the "character" they give the truck. No doubt there will be more before I am done using it.

 

Somewhere I have a photo of me changing a rear tire on my old Jimmy. Back in the 80's we were doing a project alongside the transmission lines that run from Boulder dam into the LA basin. Tore two brand new tires up that day on sharp rock. 30 miles from pavement. Both times we were on steep dirt and rock access roads and had to dig to set a jack. That was no place to be under a truck just to get to a spare.

 

Jeff

[rt338b12]

Would'nt be surprised if you dont have the bushings for cab put in upside down. This would make the cab have a tilt to it since there are thick and thin rubber mounts

[Barry Maxwell]

Hi Barry;

If you can't find something that works it would be pretty easy to make one of these. I am happy to provide measurements, photos, etc.

 

Jeff

 

 

Jeff:

Yes, I would appreciate it if you would provide a sketch with measurements, etc. plus one or two photos and include them as thumbnails. I know it will be helpful to me as well as others who might be considering a side mount tire. Thank you. BTW, your truck continues to look great!

Barry

[48Dodger]

I agree Jeff. The side mounted tire looks great....even better with White Walls.

I plan on using the one I got from Matt, but still have yet to confirm if its a dodge part

or aftermarket.

 

48D

[pflaming]

"WIDE WHITE WALLS", "kick ass" mud flaps, fox tail on the radio aerial, rifle in the back window, . . . other suggestions invited, Jeff needs help to correctly put on the frosting. 

[Jeff Balazs]

Jeff:

Yes, I would appreciate it if you would provide a sketch with measurements, etc. plus one or two photos and include them as thumbnails. I know it will be helpful to me as well as others who might be considering a side mount tire. Thank you. BTW, your truck continues to look great!

Barry

Barry;

OK give me a couple of days and I will get it for you.

Jeff

[Barry Maxwell]

Barry;

OK give me a couple of days and I will get it for you.

Jeff

 

 

Jeff:

Absolutely NO rush. I am a long way from making and installing it.

Barry

[TennesseeVol51]

Jeff,

 I know I am a little late since the pics of the mounted cab--- but the progress is great!! Just keep posting pics as you go.You are really helping me out a lot.

 

Bojo

[Jeff Balazs]

Some progress........

Glass is in......that is fun. Those of us who do it ourselves should get some sort of merit badge.

Front clip is on.......another fun job when your truck is as tweaked as mine was.

Can't see it but vane type electric fuel pump......that is real nice.

 

I think it is starting to look like the old work truck now. Plenty of character anyway.

 

And it finally has a name. I don't name things after people often. I prefer to use a song title for something like this truck or a boat.

Took me a while to come up with what I think is the perfect moniker............"Ramble on"..........thanks to Led Zep.

Well I got to Ramble....so hope you all like it.

Jeff

[Barry Maxwell]

Jeff:

Looks GREAT!! Now I am really jealous. With the exception of a door and both bed panels, I have completed  all the painting. Now, I am facing many hours of color sanding and buffing before the fun part of putting it all back together. Your photos, however, provide a good picture of where I am headed, eventually.

Barry

[B1B Keven]

That's beautiful Jeff!! Well done.