I'm finally getting a focus this winter on getting the '48 pick up together. Adam at Classic Parts have been very helpful and as I move forward they will be getting more orders from me. The build has developed into a three day Metal Meet Regional event where we have the goal of getting this truck to roller status in three days. If you are interested you can check it out here. http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9601 Yes, vwnate it is a hot rod but hope you'll cut me some slack. Hopefully you'll recall I sent you the accelerator pedal mount from my '48 Suburban. And really I'm saving one as the cab came from Kansas, rear fenders from Ohio, bed from Missouri, one front fender from Indiana and another from California with the frame coming from Indianapolis.
Sounds like you guys are going to have a hoot! That will be a lot of talent under one roof. I hope you have someone designated as the photographer so that you can post as you go. I for one will be watching the progress if so. Good luck! Tailgater
Hi Tailgater, We will be documenting and providing photo's. You are right, it should be a hoot. Good group of very talented folks.
I just now registered on metalmeet.com and have been snooping around. Would seem to be the go to guys for metal working questions. Someone here was asking the other day about installing bear claw latches in an AD truck. Some day I am going to post what I did but I found a couple of different opinions and pictures on metalmeet about that exact same conversion. Looks like you have an ambitious weekend planned. Have fun and good luck. Would love to have a chance to watch and learn some year. I am going to keep on eye out for future events.
Texas 53 - I would be interested in how you installed the latches. There has been some discussion on the thread about latches. And they are on our to do list. The folks on MetalMeet.com are very talented metal shapers. The fenders in this build will be patched and planished out needing no bondo for prime and paint. Wost folks are suprised that once you know how, finishing the metal takes little more time than using bondo. There are regional metal meet events held around the world so stay tuned for one in your area.
All The Slack You Need ! . You're saving anoher truck from the scrapheap so that's the important part . Keep up the good work ,we're all pulling for you .
My project website does have a little info regarding my latch install. Check it out at http://fenske.net/53chevy/latches.html I didn't take a lot of pics at the time but will when I get the truck back from ulphostery. It's a standard install with the latch in the door and the post on the pillar. I have seen a number of folks install the opposite way which would solve the biggest challenge, fitting everything in the door and clearing the window channel. But that creates its own problem, how do you install an outside door handle which I like the looks of (I know, old school). But if you are shaving the handles anyways and going with poppers, that may be the way to go. Especially since a lot of the bear claw kits have electric locks. I wasn't able to use the lock feature on the bear claws I installed because of clearance problems. I'll need to rely on the locking mechanism of the push button door handle which my year truck has instead of the turn down handles. I am real happy with the way my doors latch nice and solid and release with with either the original outside or inside handles. However, I haven't yet installed weatherstripping and I saw a post on your website indicate that the bear claws might not latch as reliably after that. Hope not. Can't wait to see the pics after the weekend. It will be interesting to see if you can accomplish in 3 days what essentially has taken me 3 years to do. Ahhh, the power of team work. Especially in the right hands. Your build weekend sort of reminds me of one the many car/bike makeover shows on t.v. You should get one of the reality crews to record it. You already have one of the key components of a successful reality show, a self imposed deadline. Oh the drama, will you complete the build in time before everyone has to return home. We'll be on the edge of our seats. Hopefully there will be a heated moment or two (not many) and plenty of hi-jinx. Could be a hit.
Nice work Texas53. I just spent most of the last hour going over your build blog while listening to a Stevie Ray Vaughn special on PBS . I'm impressed at the effort you put into the truck and the results. Now I will have to wait for the report on Advanced Designs work party.
Texas 53, Thanks for sharing your link to the latches. I enjoyed going through your truck build. Well done on the entire project! I did see on MetalMeet.com one of the members had been discussing a possible Lonestar meet in the DFW area. http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9830 We'll update the thread on MetalMeet.com as the week end progresses. AD
A successful week end Wow, we had a great week end and accomplished a lot in the truck build. One of our members put together a good pictorial http://www.herbscybercafe.com/ here if you are interested. Here is what we started with. And ended with A big thanks to a great group of very talented friends from MetalMeet.com.
Fantastic, AD! I could watch those videos all day. What is the next step? Are you going to take it from here or do you plan another weekend with the group attacking it? Gater
Gater, The guys had such a good time they were suggesting we get back together next year to build something and asked what we would build next. I mumbled something about my 35 Chevy or the 48 Suburban. One good friend who knows some of my projects move along slowly said "shoot we'll be back on this truck next year". I'll be taking it from here with any help needed available at any upcoming regional metal meet events. Actually the metal work is pretty much done. The fenders only would need some high build primer then paint and the cab needs some finishing. Haven't decided yet on paint. Since I want to get this truck on the road fast we were discussing just clearing over what is there with a flat clear for the time being. It is almost a shame to cover the metal work with paint.
Pretty cool. Teamwork is a wonderful thing. I didn't realize that the grill can be removed as an assembly. That will be a whole lot easier than pulling it apart bar by bar. I'll have to check that out.
LWJ If it has never been taken apart then that is the only way it will come out unless you want to drill out a bunch of rivets. How is the progress on your truck? Gater
LWJ Progress Gator - Well, considering it's in the teens outside and I'm trying to pull this project off in my unheated garage on weekends I'm pretty much collecting info and parts (and skiing until it gets warmer ). So far I've got everything to rebuild the brake system. I picked up a '57 - 235 over the holidays that needed engine mounts which I found on the forum last week and an exhaust manifold (I made a deal on one last Friday). I also made an email connection with the guy that dropped the 292 into it back in the '70's. He remebered that it ran great and apologized for the sloppy installation (the engine's sitting hard on the frame on the oil pan and the right rear bell housing with a 3/8" gap of the left side!). I've met with lots of good folks along the way. The learning and discovery is great, but I'm chomping at the bit to get to work so I can go for a drive about . Thanks for asking, Larry
Drive about Larry, pretty cold to be doing that...but thinking ahead never hurt anyone. Got a lap blanket? Been working on my carb change in an unheated garage, almost done. I need to be 30 years younger (still freezing, but at least I'm not doing this out of necessity any more). Downhill or XC? We got snow and cold, enjoy! Bob
Downhill Bob - It's been a great powder year. Also have done some snow shoeing with the Misses. We are off to visit our son in Denver the 31st and find out what Colorado skiing is all about. It took me a while to realize that I need to add a bay onto my gargae, and insulate and heat, so that projects can make some progress during the winters . I just hope the construction work doesn't cut into the truck budget, time and $, too detrimentally. Larry
If you are going Colorado skiing via the Eisenhower tunnel and have a spare half hour make sure to bypass the tunnel and take US highway 6 up over Loveland Pass. Big thrill to flatlanders like me who seldom drive in snow to be inching up a snow covered two lane highway at 30 MPH and look in the rear view mirror to see a gasoline tanker gaining on you FAST! Great views from the road.
