Wife's 48

[nvrdone]

that is a fantastic truck!! Your wife seems real happy.
One thing I noticed in your photos is the parking brake pedal. What vehicle is that out of and can you still use the cowl vent?
Thanks.

[8man]

Yes, the cowl vent still works.

I can't remember for sure, but I think that brake unit was out of an Infiniti. I have another "push on/push off" style parking brake pedal for the 54 and it's out of a Toyota Avalon. I ran the brake cable through the firewall in an existing hole.

Thanks for the nice comment on the truck.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[nvrdone]

ok, I'm looking for the same design but that releases with a pull handle. I cant see me juggling 4 pedals on a hill start.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

ok, I'm looking for the same design but that releases with a pull handle. I cant see me juggling 4 pedals on a hill start.

No parking brake necessary on a hill start. Slip the clutch a little and that becomes your brake. Or just use one of those black magic and voodoo automatics!

[dsraven]

Ok let me get this right, people use the park brake for hill starts?
When my daughter was learning to drive it was on a stick car. She had trouble starting on hills. I finally told her if she is by herself, on a hill start and worried about rolling back into the guy behind her just rev it up and dump the clutch. Yes, its gonna spin the tires but it wont cost her any body damage.
She had to buy her own tires.
She did her test on an automatic but drive a stick till after she got married and had their first baby.

[nvrdone]

In all of my vehicles over the years I've always used the park brake on uphill starts ether
a stick or the dreaded slush box. I learned the trick driving semi's - use the trailer brakes- or launching ski boats.If the park brake is one of those push on / push to release I dont see how I could use my left foot to release the park brake and hold the clutch. Maybe I need a hand throttle and work the clutch with my right foot????

[dsraven]

I hold clutch with left, brake with right and when time to go release clutch till engine feels the load then take foot off the brake and onto the gas quickly while holding the vehicle from rolling backwards with the clutch modulation. Some call this slipping the clutch but it's how most stick drivers do it unless the brake pedal is close in height to the gas pedal. If that's the case some will "toe" the gas pedal with their braking foot to rev up the engine a little so the clutch can be let out a little more to hold the vehicle from rolling back. Then its foot off the brake and on the gas as the clutch is fully released and away we go. This all happens in a matter of seconds so clutch heat and wear is minimal.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by dsraven

I hold clutch with left, brake with right and when time to go release clutch till engine feels the load then take foot off the brake

this is how i teach people to drive a stick, my wife always uses the "little bit of clutch, little bit of gas" method and thats a good way to jerk yourself into the back seat with a new driver.

but teach them what REALLY happens, the clutch is taking the momentum of the engine and slowly transferring it to the transmission, i let them let the clutch out slow till they see the rpm start to drop, the engagement point, and then right foot off the brake and watch the car start rolling as they lift the clutch all the way, no gas needed.

I lived in pa and learned to drive on the hills, the worst were stoplights at the top of the hill. never though of using the park brake!

[8man]

Interesting, all this clutch talk started with an innocent question about the parking brake.

[nvrdone]

No such thing as an innocent question !!

[NorCalGal]

Hey Robert, make sure and do a video of driving that truck for those of us who need the motivation.

[8man]

Will do Jan!

[8man]

Well, time slowed down for me, but I've been doing a little on the truck.

Prepping the wood for the bed floor.
IMG_1308 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

3 coats of Spar varnish over the top of the medium stain.
IMG_1320 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The bottoms are now done, tomorrow I start on the tops. I'm thinking 4 coats of varnish should do it.

[OutlawDrifter]

Looks good Robert!

[8man]

Thank you sir.

[57FleetsideC4]

Looks nice. I like the wood color and finish. Steve

[8man]

Thank Steve.

[8man]

Ok, 3 coats of spar varnish all the way around!
IMG_1323 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
24 more hours of curing and tomorrow I start the install!

[NorCalGal]

WOW, Robert it looks amazing! Congratulations on a job well done.

[notsolo]

10 out of 10 all the way around, Beautiful truck, Great color...excellent seat, bed wood is terrific. What was that about stretching metal when welding, about 7 yrs ago. Seems like ya nailed it. As for painting yes you can, YouTube does have some good video's ( paint society's) explains getting the gun adjusted. Might have to build a spray booth, plastic sheets in your shop, etc.