October 2001 - Just got it towed home. Time to take inventory and begin taking things
apart. Besides paint and body work, it will need a thorough brake system overhaul, all new wiring, new bed wood, a couple of tires, and replacement
of some missing parts.
I am still missing a few parts, so if anyone has a parts truck, please let
me know.
August 2002 - It took almost 300 board feet of wood and about 250 carriage bolts, to replace the rotten bed . I ripped the old bed wood out, and then cut the endless rusty bolts with bolt-cutters. I found an old barn that was being torn down and salvaged enough lumbar to make a nice solid bed. Just think, the wood I used as replacement is older than the original bed wood! We made the small sideboards and headache rack from the same wood.
November 2001 - After a few days of pressure washing, solvent cleaning, and some spray paint, we managed to make everything work and look fairly decent.
We added a new voltage regulator and rebuilt generator, new piston rings and rod bearings, rebuilt carb, and a new water pump and thermostat. To keep it quiet, we replaced the muffler and other exhaust parts.
September 2002 - Its coming along. The bed is completed and the inside is mostly finished - all gauges, vacuum wiper, and 2-speed axle function, floor panels are repaired, and the seat has been re-upholstered. That is my live-in seamstress in the picture.
October 2002 - It's getting closer to the road. The "backyard" paint job came out pretty well. We have went through the brake system, with new rear shoes, all new wheel cylinders, new steel lines and flexible front lines, and a rebuilt Midland vacuum brake booster. We also added all new wiring with a fuse panel, and rear brake lights using the original brake light and a set of 50's aftermarket lights.
The interior is also finished, including an original Mopar 802 radio and Mopar Truckmaster heater with matching controls.
We recovered the seats and made new door panels and headliner
