Progress, however slow... but isn't it about the JOURNEY?

Never give up,

Never say die .

 

About a year and a half ago I posted "this would be the year". I was wrong. THIS is the year. After 7-plus years of sitting in a shipping container, waiting PATIENTLY for me...

Penny is finally HOME!

Yes, I have sat on a milk crate, and just looked at her, home, finally. 7 years is a long time.

Turns out, she is exactly as I left her. I will be (re)assembling her to verify fitments. I have started to compile a list of "stuff" I need to order for her. I need to swap out the 8" rear for the 8.6", and measure for fender/tire/bedside clearances. I may need a small spacer. I need to pick back up on the bumper mounting situation. So much to do.

Of course, with so much time having passed, there will be changes to the "plan".

1. I am considering a hard tonneau cover, and there are (at least) two options:
A. Order one from Gaylord's Lids (as I recall, they are in or near Vegas). Shipping is prohibitively expensive though.
B. Buy a used (fiberglass) tonneau cover from Craigslist or Marketplace, and section it in width and length for fitment.

2. I see that Dakota Digital offers the RTX series of gauges to fit our trucks. Yes, I previously sliced and diced some gauges to fit in the original frames. But the DD RTX will read almost everything from the engine's computer.

3. The E-STOPP electric parking brake has me interested. It would "unclutter" the footwell on the left side a little.

4. I am revisiting Vintage Air and Old Air Products for A/C.

5. I am shopping radiators, and electric fans (the water pump-mounted fan is going away, as the radiator will be mounted higher in the radiator support). There are now radiator/shroud/fan combos available.

6. Custom exhaust headers are still in the plan (1-5/8" primary, 2-1/2" collector, mild steel, to be ceramic-coated when done), I have fooled around with the ICEngineworks kit, and I am VERY excited to get going on that. Steering column just went in to verify clearance. Hence the bandsaw and welder.

7. I am looking at ididit steering columns (tilt, bare metal- to be painted). Need to verify the original steering wheel will "work".


Sorry my shop is in disarray. A bunch of other stuff is coming home from the container too, and space is at a premium currently.

My 1936-vintage DoALL V36 bandsaw is now in the shop, I am in the process of installing a phase-converter (rather than replace the motor) to run her. I need to order blades. I have already installed new tires, and just bought oil for the transmission.

The air compressor is in place, but not wired yet. The two-post lift is operational. A 240V outlet for the welder is in place. Lighting! I have scheduled my plumber to install/plumb the Modine Hot Dawg.

I have a 19' scissor lift parked in the next bay, as I am (finally) winding down on the barn-siding project. Pictures when siding is complete.

 

Sounds and looks good to me .

Nothing quite like having your own shop space .

I work outside under a green canopy, this being So. Cal. it works out well, breezy and plenty of natural light .

If you think that's a messy / crowded work space I have a bridge to sell you........