Job~Rated--don't hold out, give us the scoop

[woodscavenger]

That is a great picture of your truck. I've been looking forward to seeing more pictures. Can you tell us a little bit more about the truck and the process you have gone through? It looks fantastic!

How much did you chop? (sorry restoration gurus, that is a bit of heresy)

[Job~Rated]

A pictorial guide to the build-up of my truck. It still isn't finished, but we're close...

How it looked when I bought it

Stripping down

After much hard graft, she's almost ready for paint

Gettin' back together

The interior...Before...

And after...

[Job~Rated]

Contd.

Now for the back half...

She comes together, although still a few furlongs to go...

I have loads more pics, but I'm limited to 7 per post, so you got it in two!!

I can post more if you're specific about what you want to see.

I'm not responsible for the chop, as you can see from the first photo.

[Job~Rated]

Harley Davidson oil filler caps should look good as plugs for the tubular ends of the buck. I got 4 of them to finish it off.

I had the Dodge badge for the front laser cut from stainless steel, not cheap, but worth every penny!

I even plated the buck hinges!

More interior shots...

The interior light I picked up in Amsterdam & is actually for a boat!

And here's the last of the shiny bits yet to be added.

[woodscavenger]

Great pics. Looks to me like the chop was already done when you bought it. What are the rest of the details for the motivation under the hood? How much was taken out of the roof? 3 inches?

I love the stainless DODGE badge! That is too cool.

[Job~Rated]

Yeah, the four inch chop was done by a fella called John Sturman & another guy, Paul Wayling, was responsible for the welding. All the body mods were done before I bought it. I looked at several trucks at the time which were for sale, but they were nearly all Chevy, Ford or GMC. The Dodge kinda took my eye.

They used the running gear from a 1970 Camaro. The 305 block was a little tired & I just happened across a 350 sbc which was available at the time. It had been over-bored by 30 thou. I initially only took the truck to the workshop to have power steering, but it turned into virtually a complete rebuild.

It's got a TH350, which I'm happy with but might change in the future for a 4-speed, plus I had a line lock fitted - a bit of an afterthought, really - it was offered & I just thought 'What the hey?'

The interior is biscuit & sable leather with beige carpeting, all bespoke and co-designed with me by Rob Yost, who just happens to hail from Texas. I just left the truck with him & it came back looking wonderful. It sports an ididit 28" straight chrome column & Lacarro leather/stainless wheel.

I had all the glass cut from 6.5mm grey tint laminate & replaced all the rubbers.

I've still to do the wood in the bed, but schedules were being affected & the build has ended up taking a lot more time than first anticipated.

[Merle Coggins]

Lookin' good Stef. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it when it's done.

[pflaming]

That top chopped really makes the truck look 'modern' , at least masculine, or a kind "in your face". I like it. Any idea what a chop like that costs?

[woodscavenger]

I love the wrags you wrapped around the ankle biters (i.e. running board frame supports) Was that before or after you ripped a hole in your shins? I think I will to the same thing to mine tonight.

Did you smooth the exterior roof seam line above the window? Can't tell from the pics.

So could we get a bulk order discount on the Dodge emblem?

[Job~Rated]

I love the wrags you wrapped around the ankle biters (i.e. running board frame supports) Was that before or after you ripped a hole in your shins?

They weren't my shins, but you're right! The guy hurt himself doing another truck a while back, so it was borne from experience!

Did you smooth the exterior roof seam line above the window? Can't tell from the pics.

If you mean the rear cab seam, indeed I did. Looks so much better for it, too. The two bulge out ones either side of the front screen needed to remain in place. I thought about it, but it was too much extra work.

So could we get a bulk order discount on the Dodge emblem?

The emblem cost me around $180 to have made. Now that they have the template, I'm sure something could be arranged.

The only problem I encountered with this was that the badge wasn't just creased in the centre, it also follows the slight curve of the hood either side of centre, plus, each side has to angle slightly upwards in order for the thing to appear level. I didn't bother doing this but if you look at mine, it's still acceptable.