The 40G

[Flywheel]

CHOP

Nice job ![
that is a rad ride...

 

[Mike S.]

Nice job ![
that is a rad ride...

Thanks man. I've been sidetracked lately but I hope to have some progress to report soon.

 

[Mike S.]

I'll bet you thought I gave up, huh?

After being way too busy to work on my truck for the last month, I am finally back after it and making some progress. I got my bed back from blasting and realized that someone in the past had repaired a portion of the driver's side bed rail. So, yesterday I decided to cut it out and splice in a new piece. Today I spent a while filling holes, bumping dents, welding up cracks and replacing missing pieces on both bed sides. After that was done I started on the frame for a tonneau cover. More on that later. Thanks for looking!

 

[Mike S.]

Tonneau frame

I welded up some leftover 1" tubing for a tonneau cover frame. I plan on covering it with some 18 gauge sheet and punching louvers in it. I am gonna use hood pins to hold it down so I made some stand-off mounts (my wife calls them Sputniks ) to position them. I drilled and tapped some bushings then welded legs to them using 1/4" bar. I still need to weld inserts into the frame at the hinge points but you get the idea. More later!

 

[cmcdanl]

Very cool build! Like the idea for the Tonneau cover. That should look cool. It would be cool to use some hood hinges from an old truck. That way the hinges are hidden under the tanneau cover and are spring loaded so it stays up without having to hold it or have a rod to hold it up. Just a thought! Can't wait to see this finished!

-Chase

 

[Mike S.]

Very cool build! Like the idea for the Tonneau cover. That should look cool. It would be cool to use some hood hinges from an old truck. That way the hinges are hidden under the tanneau cover and are spring loaded so it stays up without having to hold it or have a rod to hold it up. Just a thought! Can't wait to see this finished!

-Chase

Thanks for the compliments Chase. I was considering the hood hinge idea too since, as you said, it would solve a couple of issues. I think I'll head to the bone yard and look for some. I agree with you... I can't wait to see this thing finished too!

 

[Mike S.]

Still stayin' after it!

A little progress to report. After beating out a lot of dents, welding up a lot of holes and fabricating pieces to replace cracked, split and mangled parts; the bed is finished and in primer. The previous owner still has the tailgate and has promised to get it to me so I am waiting on that and praying that it is in somewhat good shape because I am officially burned out on body work! I plan on painting (if I ever get that far) the truck either dark brown or dark gray and I thought a black firewall would look good so I painted it. Also, I scored a Muncie M-20 that appears to be in very good shape so that completes my drive train. Steady steps forward! More soon I hope. Thanks for looking.

 

[Johnny]

Really do like this build. Can't wait to see your next installment. Outstanding work!

 

[Mike S.]

Thank you Johnny, I appreciate the compliment and I am glad someone is diggin' these posts. I know some of this stuff isn't too exciting but it's progress none the less. Stay tuned, I am way too stubborn to give up now!

 

[bob w]

I enjoy all your fabrication details. Very nice work by the way.

 

[Mike S.]

Thanks Bob, hopefully I am doing everything correctly![

 

[Troyster]

Looking good! Nice work on the bed.[P I'm still at it on mine, just going slow and having body work issues of my own, (having to learn what I don't know).[S

 

[Mike S.]

Thanks Troyster. There has been quite a bit of that learn-as-you-go with my truck too. Keep on it, you'll get there. At least, that's what I keep telling myself!

 

[Mac]

Great build, it's coming along nicely. Thanks for the details and pics, keep up the great work!

Mac.

 

[RAT IHC]

Great work on the bed! Looks really good! Keep the updates coming...can't wait to see this thing rolling!

-Troy

 

[Mike S.]

Thanks for the kind words guys, I appreciate the support. September 1st marks the first year of this project and I couldn't agree more...I can't wait to get this thing rolling too. Stay tuned.

 

[Mike S.]

I haven't gotten anything too noteworthy done lately. Mostly been sockin' away money so I can throw some parts on this thing. I stripped all of the mounts off of the rearend. I ran a bunch of measurements and figured out that none of the mounts would work, so off they went. Man, that took forever. I also made a new dash piece out of aluminum and tried my hand at engine turning. It was my first attempt and it came out ok but I'll probably make another one. I'll hopefully have more exciting news to share next time!

 

[Snake Farm]

I'll hopefully have more exciting news to share next time!

That dash insert looks pretty exciting to me Looking good [cl[cl

[P[P[P

 

[LUCKY DEVIL 13]

I haven't gotten anything too noteworthy done lately. Mostly been sockin' away money so I can throw some parts on this thing. I stripped all of the mounts off of the rearend. I ran a bunch of measurements and figured out that none of the mounts would work, so off they went. Man, that took forever. I also made a new dash piece out of aluminum and tried my hand at engine turning. It was my first attempt and it came out ok but I'll probably make another one. I'll hopefully have more exciting news to share next time!

How did you do the engine turning? I'd like to try that

 

[Mike S.]

That dash insert looks pretty exciting to me Looking good [cl[cl

[P[P[P

Yeah, it kinda does now that you mention it! Thanks Snake.

How did you do the engine turning? I'd like to try that

There's a small thread going on in the metalworking section. http://www.ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21337
I am no expert but I can give you specifics (stick used etc.) if you'd like.