I've had a couple of busy weekends. I bought the southern pine from our host and oiled and stained it black. I was able to salvage my metal strips, after some wire brushing and rust treatment. I used a SST bolt package and painted the carriage heads to match the strips. I discovered that the old bed wood blocks had long ago disintegrated and in hindsight am amazed that the bed didn't rack or twist itself beyond repair. We're ready to haul something now, and it sure drives better. There seems to be some issues with uploading photos here, so, if you're interested check it out: http://community.webshots.com/album/567108497kUGBCT
Larry, I really like what you are doing with your truck. I wish I had gone the route that you are going and, if I get the chance, I will next time. Keep up the good work! Gater
Thank you Thanks Bill. It looks like I had quite a bit more to start with than you did. So far I've only found two spots of cancer: in the bottom of the driver's side vent near the drain hole and the rear bed cross member at the end of the wood planks. Everywhere else has been just surface rust, easily treated with a brush, acid and a rattle can. I'm just getting to the point of being able to enjoy driving it around. It sure has been and is a fun trip; and the guys here on the forum are the greatest. Maybe one day in the (far off) future I may take it down to the frame and/or give it a nice paint job.
Thanks for making the photos & videos. I wish mine had a wood floor. I helped redo his bed ~50-yrs ago. I got the easy side standing atop the carrage bolts to keep them from slipping. I think dad gave a cabinet maker about $8 for the wood and shaping it. Whish I had paid more attention, it was cold and Lucy was on TV.
Good Job ! The first bed pic looks like my bed does now if I look under the plywood sheet.. You've come a long ways on this project .
Thanks for the photo/video update! Wow, has that truck come a l-o-n-g way from it's last garage! I really loved the videos. Good grief~ I can't wait until mine is as far along as yours! (Next summer....) Now that I have a garage, I will be out there with it this winter! That'll help the time table some. Great job, Larry!