The Stumpy Truck

[Torchie]

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Torchie

 

[bruno]

Nice looking bed but I think the wheels are a little small

 

[36Binder]

Nice looking bed but I think the wheels are a little small

It's going on my Eldorado, front wheel drive. I think it will be fine

 

[36Binder]

And as promised pics of my newest yard art.

Well, no pics today. I'll try again tomorrow to post them.

 

[36Binder]

Very rough mock up pic but I am very happy I did the deal for the yellow bed. The fenders need to come forward about 4 or 5 inches.

Also got master cylinder and brakes done.

Also did a quick test run, transmission seems good to go, I wasn't too worried but you never know how things are when they sit for years. And I never really tested it thoroughly before selling it to Stumpy.

 

[Old Iron]

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[joedoh]

i love it and dont take this the wrong way but it looks like stumpy skipped leg day.


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[36Binder]

Passenger side balancing on blocks for a picture.
Looks like my tailgate will be 5" to narrow to fit. Anyone have any good methods to widen a tailgate.

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

I'm confused... what's wrong with the gate you have?

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[36Binder]

I'm confused... what's wrong with the gate you have?

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I'm going to line up the running boards. Then make the bed sides hang off of framework out where they need to be. That is 5 inches wider than the tailgate based off of rough mock up measurements. Or so I think. I'm back at work for 5 days so not getting done this week

 

[Old Iron]

Cut two pieces the amount you need off of another tailgate and weld them on yours.

 

[Skip]

Cut two pieces the amount you need off of another tailgate and weld them on yours.

OR... Add a 2.5" spacer on each side of the opening and position the tailgate in the middle. The spacers would be permanent, and part of the bed sides. Done right, they may even help cut down on bed side wobble.

 

[05snopro440]

Cut two pieces the amount you need off of another tailgate and weld them on yours.

Yep, that's what will look the best. Narrowing the opening looks like an afterthought, while widening the tailgate makes it look like it was built that way to start with.

 

[joedoh]

get a fleetside tailgate (and front panel for that matter) from a 58-66 and maybe even 67-72 truck. you likely will have to change the tailgate mounting method but it wont look cut and welded on.

now if you could just find a yellow one

 

[36Binder]

get a fleetside tailgate (and front panel for that matter) from a 58-66 and maybe even 67-72 truck. you likely will have to change the tailgate mounting method but it wont look cut and welded on.

now if you could just find a yellow one

I hadn't even thought of a fleetside bed gate cut down. I'm liking this option. Glad I posted on here for opinions. Thanks for the idea.

Search is on for yellow GMC tailgate.

 

[36Binder]

Stumpy is on a 75 Caddy frame. The body is long gone but I kept the front sheet metal, hood, trunk and doors. Then a year ago I came across a 74 Eldorado. So of course I hauled it home. I put it in the shop last night to figure out what to do with the front end, radiator support, etc. Of course the 74 has a different radiator than the 75. I'm going to use the base piece off the 75 core support and build up from there. I had some thinking juice and got a plan. No good pics of that but some coming soon.
At least the 74 parts car is a good candidate for matching color sheet metal.

 

[36Binder]

I drove Stumpy for the first time last night. A piece of wire for s hand throttle, a pry bar duck taped to extend the shifter rod up so I could reach it, and the gas can held on the frame rail with a bungee cord.
Brakes suck, steering box leaks badly, loose fuel line leaking, and me grinning from ear to ear. I got it turned around so I can work on the front end easier.

Then I mocked up the grill and bumper. Both gotta be raised a bit. Not liking the gap between the bumper and grill so may use the top parts from the second bumper to fill in some of the gap.

And now so much more work begins.

 

[Torchie]

[cl [cl
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Torchie

 

[Burgerman]

First drive. What's a few leaks, "wire, pry bar, duct tape, bungee". Awesome. [cl [P.

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

What's the truck on your toy shelf?

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