During the Christmas Holiday Dad and I started to assemble the new truck parts - New radiator support, fender skirts, door hinges, and numerous engine components. Due to time restrictions we decided to put off sandblasting the fenders and hood until the spring. We had our hands full with the current projects. Really happy with the progress and now it's time to start saving up for new parts - Drive shaft, gas tank, steering column, steering linkage - just a few of the many items we still need. Will update with further progress around April.

Update

Amazingly enough, despite my recent move to Florida, progress has not stopped on the truck. Instead of actual physical work on the project, Dad and I have been stock piling tons of new parts in anticipation of my visit to North Carolina at Christmas-time, when we will pick up where we left off. The current part list consists of the following: A New Radiator Support, Fender Skirting, and Door Hinges from Bitchen' Products, along with all the engine accessories. Dad and I will be very busy this Holiday Season - I'm looking forward to it, and to seeing the results of our labor!

Stay tuned! Another post is anticipated for January.

July - August 2008: After replacing the firewall, we used Grandpa's original design with the floor board he fabricated into the cab. This was a really ingenious design which ensured proper clearance for the transmission. In preparation of putting the cab on the chassis we realized the body mounts needed reinforcement, so we did a little welding to achieve this, then applied some undercoating, and put everything together. On a personal note, what a wonderful feeling it was to be able to adapt Grandpa's original idea with his floor board when installing the new firewall.

Pictures speak 1,000 words, so let these speak for themselves!!!

June 28: Grinding, shifting, troubleshooting, cutting, trial fittings, that's what building a hot rod is all about. A little patience, a dash of determination, and a whole lot of thinking, that's what you need!!! The engine mounts needed a bit of trimming and elongating the holes. All in all, nothing Dad and I couldn't whip. Check it out":

June 22: Everybody was excited for the big day of installing the engine into the chassis. But, could it really be THAT easy? No. Turns out the engine mounts were off. Dad troubleshooted and plans began for next weekend's project to fix the problem.

June 21-22: After a wonderful time at the family reunion (It was good to see everyone.) it was time to get back to work which includes the small sampling of photos you're about to witness in this post. This is just a fraction of the work involved. Here are the highlights:

After getting the cab positioned on the frame, we decided to install the sway bar and Snake tightened up all the suspension bolts. (More to come as soon as we get that engine back from the shop!!!)