Carving the Jake-olantern

[RRR18]

Watchin

[71Sleeper]

Not much of an update but got some new hardware. Nice to have friends that just let you get what you need. Now how do I use this thing. Oh, and tell the wife she can't use the dryer when I'm working in the garage.

[71Sleeper]

I got the original seat reupholstered but I really don't like how much room I'm left with between my legs and steering wheel. Plus the comfort of the seat is not that great. So, been looking for awhile for this seat been real hard finding one in good shape. I've seen this bench in another build and really liked it. Front holes line right up just a little mod to attach the back.

[71Sleeper]

Got the rear end and arms off.

[71Sleeper]

Rear cross member looks like it was used as an attach point for a chain sometime in its life. So we pulled it off. Maybe it can be straighten back out.

[71Sleeper]

We got started on the front and cleaned up the garage some.

[71Sleeper]

Took the cover off to see what condition the gears where in and what ratio I'm running. 3.73 and they look to be in good shape. So just going to clean up and install new seals.

[71Sleeper]

One more showing gear ID.

[71Sleeper]

Got a few things ready for sand blasting but haven't decided to pay and have them blasted or take that money and purchase a bigger air compressor which I have been offered a deal on one at half price. Decisions, decisions.

[Metaldoc]

Originally Posted by 71Sleeper

Got a few things ready for sand blasting but haven't decided to pay and have them blasted or take that money and purchase a bigger air compressor which I have been offered a deal on one at half price. Decisions, decisions.

I've just gone through about 1000lbs of sand to do what I've done, so that cost is added plus all the dust and sand beach left over

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by Metaldoc

I've just gone through about 1000lbs of sand to do what I've done, so that cost is added plus all the dust and sand beach left over

Yes but I bet you feel like you done a better job then paying someone else to do it. Plus just being able to do it on my time and not having to load up the parts take them and pick them back up. 1000 pounds of sand I'm guessing is $100?

[Advanced Design]

You guys are making great progress!

Sandblasting...my neighbor and I own a farm tractor driven pump and sandblasting rig. I've only used it a few times. The next time I need bigger vehicle parts blasted I am taking them to the sandblasting business. They are fast and really reasonably priced so it is not worth the hassle, work, mess and health risk for me to do it.

Did you get a price estimate? May be much more expensive there than around here.

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

You guys are making great progress!

Thanks! The weather was very nice this weekend so we were able to spend some enjoyable time on the truck.

Did you get a price estimate? May be much more expensive there than around here.

We only have one local shop that blasts and powder coats here and my brother does a lot of business with him so I will probably let the shop do it. I was just trying to apply reasoning for buying a bigger air compressor.

[71Sleeper]

We decided to get the frame ready for the c-notch today. I'm glad we pulled the crossmember and diff. frame braces out. There was a good amount of rust between them that now will be taken care of. Let me just say that my son and I or tried of rivets. What a PITA they are.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by 71Sleeper

We only have one local shop that blasts and powder coats here and my brother does a lot of business with him so I will probably let the shop do it. I was just trying to apply reasoning for buying a bigger air compressor.

Well, I told the wife our old compressor was worn out and it really was .....plus all the air grinding and air chiselling of the rivets you are doing is a good reason too.

[71Sleeper]

Well we haven't worked on the truck in a couple weeks. Jake got hit pretty hard making a cut back last week on the football field and tore his ACL. So, he hasn't felt like doing to much. Sucks having to have knee surgery at such an early age. Anyways we got a little done on the truck today. C-notchs cut and got a couple bolts in to hold in place to weld them in. Turned out pretty good I think.

[71Sleeper]

C-notch in place

[71Sleeper]

Top view

[Strider]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

They are all like that. Keeps em from racking is my opinion. You will probably notice and bend up on the top frame rail up front passenger side near the motor mount. they all got em, and nobody knows why.
Cool build. Building memories, not a truck. Treasure the time spent.

Hey, nice truck and build here.

Had to respond to say that the front bend up on the factory frame is for clearance for the oil filter on the inline 6 engines if the truck ever had one.

Don't know if anyone submitted this but I felt the need to respond. And most people know this answer likely but for those that don't, now you do.

Peace!

[71Sleeper]

Guys I know it has been a long time since last post but progress has been steady off and on. Life just always seems to get in the way but the truck is always sitting in the back of my mind.

[71Sleeper]

At this point I have moved the truck over to a friends shop. Once the sand blasting was completed it was time to start boxing in the frame. One note on the sand blasting. I will never take the time to use a small HF do it yourself route again on a big piece. After sanding the frame I found a local place that charges $85 an hour to blast. Live and learn!

[71Sleeper]

Just remember I'm an amateur at best when it comes to welding but I think the plates are solid.

[71Sleeper]

All plates welded in and finished. That was a long weekend project.

[71Sleeper]

The frame sat for almost 6 months untouched until my buddy bought a new place with a bigger shop. You can see in the pic we are working on two projects as time and money allows. The Firebird is a ground up build also. The shop was originally set up for cabinet building so we spent a good month reconfiguring and getting setup.

[71Sleeper]

Got the bars welded and rear end has good clearance. Again not a welder by trade but can stick two pieces of metal together.