Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

The truck and story are cool. Your wife is "bad ass"..:metal:

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

thanks Bob, looks great under there :chevy:

Re: Black Betty - How it all started - UPDATE
 

Here's what's been going on lately. Still driving the truck every day to work etc. Decided to take her off the road for a bit and install a new Rebel wire harness, new switches, connectors, gauges, power distribution system from MADD and carpet the back wall now that the in-cab tank is out and a new Boyd tank out back.

Here are the pics:

Bed full of parts.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Y/DSCN4529.jpg

old stuff tear down.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Y/DSCN4437.jpg

Still cutting old stuff out.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Y/DSCN4445.jpg

Wife was a little scared regarding all the 'spaghetti', silly girl....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Y/DSCN4527.jpg

Back wall in work.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Y/DSCN4436.jpg

New gauges.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2.../autometer.jpg

Panel I made to cover large square plug/fuse panel connections that the PO installed.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Y/DSCN4533.jpg

Fuse panel installed.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Y/DSCN4531.jpg

New wiring and power distribution block.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...109_145441.jpg

Headlight Relay block.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...109_145514.jpg

2nd distribution block just inside the rad support. This powers my headlight relays.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...109_145529.jpg

Completed pics comming soon. As soon as I got her back running, wife and I have been enjoying driving around every day we can. This is the 2nd Rebel harness I've used and I'm always pleased with the products from MADD enterprises. I purchased the 'total system' that also comes with a ford style starter solenoid which I also installed.

STILL TO DO....
New steering stabilizer shock.
New lower sway bar mounts.
New thrift air blower control switch.
New stereo (ipod compatible).
6x9 speakers in boxes behind the seat.
New front tires & alignment.
New door lock set.
New vent windows.
Bed wood.
New speedo drive gear (purple) - speedo reading 10 mph low.
Vacuum guage and fab cover for panel to the right of radio.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my thread!
LDO out.

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

nice updates & progress! looking forward to the rest...glad you guys are still enjoying it as well :)

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

More updates:

Well my suspension plans fell apart but I'm still moving along doing little things here and there. This past weekend, I modified my tailgate and trunions so I can quickly remove the tailgate if/when I need to without buggering up the paint. Cut one trunion (driver's side) down and notched the corresponding side on the tailgate. Can't even see the notch once the tailgate is closed. Also added Mar-K stealth latches. They're a little painfull for the 66 trucks for some reason but as soon as I figured out what I needed to do, it was a breeze. Here are the pics, sorry for the poor quality.

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Looks good! The hidden latch is on my to do list. You ever get over to the Burger King on nine mile? I'd like to see your truck up close some time.
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Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Mack,
I get over there pretty often. The wife likes the sushi place there so I still get 'points' for taking her while doing something 'truck related' lol
Its been tough lately since I started working on her truck and sometimes my saturdays dont end till after dark. We will have to link up soon.
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Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

By the way, if you are installing the hidden latches, I had to drill out and remove the pivot bolt brackets. Otherwise, the the brackets that the latch pin slides into on the bed side sticks out too far and your tailgate will not close.
Even spoke with the designer at Mar K about it.
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Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Lol my wife likes hamburgers so the fact it's at bk works for me :D next time I get to drive the truck down I'll send you a message see if you available!
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Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

sounds good.
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Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Here is how I repaired the bugger'd up dash radio hole...

http://talk.classicparts.com/attachm...5&d=1356309738

Pikced up a 5 dollar piece of aluminum and broke my jig saw out.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps1641c78e.jpg


Some test fitting.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps7f6f288d.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps94fde1de.jpg

final results with radio installed. Hardly visible once painted. Not bad for a day's work...:metal:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...128_165535.jpg

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Cool! nice fix for the radio...it's a shame so many of these get butchered like that

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

LDO,

Man I have to tell you that your truck is super sexy bro. Long before I saw the pic of yours, I had already told my wife that I wanted to drop and paint my 66 hot rod black with a shinny orange top, then I ran across the pics of yours. Congrats on the find and its cool that she was saved by someone that loves her the way you do!

Mace

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

that thing looks good who makes those wheels?

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Thanks Mace.

Those are American Racing wheels Joey.

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Well,
I've been gathering parts here and there for my front suspension rebuild. The PO took a set of CPP 3" drop springs and cut 2" more off of them. The look of the drop is great but it really did a number on the suspension geometry.

I managed to obtain all my parts from members here on this forum. I get a good deal and the seller gets some $$ in their pocket so it's win win!!

- I decided to go with a Mcgaughy's 13" big brake kit. Got it from Blazin C5 who did a great job with the shipping and was really quick.

- Picked up a set of Upper & Lower Control Arms and a center link from Hartrod that were already upgraded with 73-87 ball joints.

- Gringoloco hooked me up with all the inner & outer tie rod ends I needed along with idler & pitman arms. Also great shipping and quick turnaround.

Been a little under the weather lately but I couldn't just let all these parts sit without giving them some attention prior to install. Since I know how much everyone likes pictures, here they are.

Before:
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps133ee61b.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps2f3334bc.jpg

After:
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps38c89783.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps3acdf3e2.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps5f1a6b95.jpg

I promised the wife I would stay within budget this time (yeah sure) but she did allow me a little bling of course.

http://www.premierstreetrod.com/imag.../CP4SC-SAR.jpg

I'll start my install soon so keep an eye out for the update!

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

This is a SWEET truck, I saw it a month (or so) ago at the BK cruise in. You started with a pretty nice project but your attention to detail is really taking it to a new level. Keep up the great work, hope to see you all again soon!

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Thanks Buck,
I appreciate it.

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Just saw this... love the story and the truck! Is the 4-speed a muncie? Hurst shifter? Would love some pics of the shifter and seat clearance if you find a few minutes in between all the cool stuff you are doing.

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Jim, it is a saginaw 4 speed with a Hurst shifter right now. Tremec 5 speed is on the drawing board in my head though. I will snap some pics today while I am out cleaning & organizing the garage.
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Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

That’s the problem with this forum, there are just so many cool builds going on it’s nearly impossible to keep up with them all. I can’t believe I’ve missed both of your builds until today. Amazing adventure story on acquiring the 66, and the achievements you’ve made on both trucks simultaneously. Love the tri tri-carb 283 going in the 57!

The nearly invisible radio repair is one of the nicest I’ve seen, and the garage looks so nice it’s hard to believe any work is performed in there! You have a pair of beautiful trucks.

One quick question - how do you like the peep mirror on the 66? I’m still up in the air about what I want to put on mine.

From a former Jarhead - Semper Fi to both you and your son!

Sgt Mark 2318398, 1966-70

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Thanks Mark! I appreciate that.

As for the peep mirrors on the 66, I like them NOW that I 'adjusted' them so that they are somewhat usable. I headed up the arms on them and gave them a 90 degree bend down. The way they were, plus the use of the top shades, you couldn't see out of them. Since I knew I would be painting the mirrors, I didn't mind the little damage done to the chrome finish by heating and bending them. I continued to scuff the finish then primed and painted them.

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Nice work on your truck Bob
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Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Just read this thread for the first time. What a great story and what a cool truck.

Re: Black Betty - How it all started
 

Well done all around. I too have a wife that loves being involved. Thanks for the awesome story and I truly thank you for your service.