Barry Maxwell Posted June 3, 2014 Report Posted June 3, 2014 Because of working on the farm and less than serious health issues, I haven't been able to do much on the restoration of my truck for the last month or two other than finish up the brakes with new brass fittings going into the upper cylinder of both rear brakes. Following that, I bled the brakes and confirmed (hoped) no leaks. Because of a recent hernia operation, I decided to do some work by getting out the various struts, supports, baffles, etc. that connect the grill to the radiator support. I removed them about 2 years ago after we removed the front clip. I bead blasted, primed, and painted them and put them away in a cabinet. After getting them out and laying them out on a bench, I realized that I had a major jigsaw puzzle in front of me. Nevertheless, with modest help from the parts manual and significant help from many photos I took during the disassembly process, I finally (after several false starts) mounted them on the grill which had already been blasted, primed, painted, color sanded, buffed and reassembled. Last night my son, wife, and grand daughter mounted the assembly to the radiator support, and I did the honors by putting the 10 mounting bolts in (real hard work). Since it looked so good and we were on a roll, my son dug out the front bumper and mounting brackets and bolts. While they held it in place I again did my thing with the bolts. It looks absolutely great!! I am going to leave it in place for a week or two and enjoy the progress before removing it until I really ready for it. If I have done it correctly, there should be 4 photos below. Since I have screwed up this step before, I can never by sure. 1 Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted June 3, 2014 Report Posted June 3, 2014 Barry; That looks amazing! You are going to have one sweet truck when you are done. Jeff I have been working with a hernia for about 4 years now. Not fun. What is the recovery time like after surgery? Quote
HanksB3B Posted June 3, 2014 Report Posted June 3, 2014 Gotta love a 51 in green...(hehe). The bumper guards are telling me to get mine into shape and mount them on my front bumper. Keep going it's looking Great ! Hank Quote
MBF Posted June 3, 2014 Report Posted June 3, 2014 The best therapy you can have to speed your recovery. It looks great. Please keep the pics coming. Quote
ggdad1951 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Posted June 3, 2014 love seeing them come back together! Gonna look awesome! Quote
Barry Maxwell Posted June 3, 2014 Author Report Posted June 3, 2014 To All: Thank you for you nice comments. You might be able to tell that I am tickled. Jeff, my operation was 13 days ago and I go back for a checkup in 2 days. Although the incision (about 3-1/2" long) has healed, I still have some moderate discomfort, and lifting is STILL out for awhile. There are two items I meant to mention in my post. The first is that a P.O. cut off the frame ends of the truck for some reason. Jeff (jjsfoodmart) of this forum donated two ends from his parts truck, together with some critical dimensions. Thank you again Jeff. The second item is that there are two bolts for which I don't know their purpose, and my photos don't help. One of the bolts is shown in the second photo of my post with an arrow pointing to it. The other bolt is in the same location on the other side. Does anyone know what they are for? Barry Quote
Desotodav Posted June 3, 2014 Report Posted June 3, 2014 (edited) Very nice work on the truck Barry.The bolts you ask about appear to be for mounting the lower front area of the inner fender guard (not shown in attached diagram). I wish you a speedy recovery mate. Edited June 3, 2014 by Desotodav Quote
Barry Maxwell Posted June 3, 2014 Author Report Posted June 3, 2014 Very nice work on the truck Barry.The bolts you ask about appear to be for mounting the lower front area of the inner fender guard (not shown in attached diagram). I wish you a speedy recovery mate. Davin: You are exactly correct. I dug out the inner fender and it does match up with the mystery bolt. Problem solved. Many thanks. Barry Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 Barry; Your truck is really going to be beautiful. And of course when you start with a 3/4 ton you have the best proportions of the whole lot. I have been watching your progress since I joined the forum and have always admired the build quality you have exhibited. Keep it up. I have heard from several people that the recovery time is 6-8+ weeks. I just can't do that......I would lose my business. I sure wish that the doctors would come up with a surgery that had a shorter down time........maybe I could get one to use quick setting epoxy. Jeff Quote
pflaming Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 WOW! New paint is beginning to look a little better all the time. Quote
Barry Maxwell Posted June 4, 2014 Author Report Posted June 4, 2014 WOW! New paint is beginning to look a little better all the time. Paul: Your comment about the paint reminds me that in my original post I should have mentioned that the green color is due to Hank. He gave me a chip from his truck and my PPG dealer made a close match. Thanks again Hank. Barry Quote
Merle Coggins Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 That would explain Hank's comments. But I'm kind of partial to green too. Looking good Barry. I've got a couple more trips coming up to Chambersburg but I won't have any extra time to come up and see you. One of these trips out there I'll be able to get over by you. Quote
Barry Maxwell Posted June 5, 2014 Author Report Posted June 5, 2014 Looking good Barry. I've got a couple more trips coming up to Chambersburg but I won't have any extra time to come up and see you. One of these trips out there I'll be able to get over by you. Merle: Whenever you are able to make it, I will be here. Let's hope the weather is more cooperative than the last time. Barry Quote
HanksB3B Posted June 6, 2014 Report Posted June 6, 2014 (edited) WOW! New paint is beginning to look a little better all the time. I'm just so glad to hear that Paul. After sandblasting is done all raw parts should be zinc-chromated (availablein rattle cans but expensive that way) then, just buy 2 gals of Polyurethane Dark Grey Primer, a Harbor Freight "Regan/NAFTA compressor and a HLVP paint gun and knock yourself out. Oh and be sure to buy a "real respirator type mask 3m is good. It's a start, Hank (then from a distance 4'-6' use up all the rattle cans you have, and can find to create a kind-of-faux Patina then clear coat it. ) P.S. Barry did you get the "envelope" Edited June 6, 2014 by HanksB3B Quote
Barry Maxwell Posted June 6, 2014 Author Report Posted June 6, 2014 P.S. Barry did you get the "envelope" Hank: Yes, I did. I sent a PM to you acknowledging it later that day or early the following morning Barry Quote
Merle Coggins Posted June 6, 2014 Report Posted June 6, 2014 Looking good Barry. I've got a couple more trips coming up to Chambersburg but I won't have any extra time to come up and see you. One of these trips out there I'll be able to get over by you. Merle: Whenever you are able to make it, I will be here. Let's hope the weather is more cooperative than the last time. Barry I've actually been out there a few times since the last one that you knew about. Unfortunately every trip has been a rush out and back without any extra time to swing up by you. I'll be there next week and again at the end of June. Both of these trips are scheduled tight with no extra time. But one of these days... Merle Quote
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