Back in Black! rpu build thread

Thank you guys. Pete, I understand all too well. There are times when I have a ton of patience, and times when I have ZERO patience. When I am at the zero point I force myself to take a little break


Well I got a couple of things done. I put the grille shell on, & realized it didn't look so good. The 32' shell peaks quite a bit at the center, & it really looked to tall in the center

Here's some early pics, I should have seen it then:


This shot from behind shows how much too tall the shell is in the center compared to the radiator:


So I decided I wanted to reshape the top of the shell to fit the shape of the radiator better, & lower the height in the process. Kind of make the top of the shell look more like a 32 truck shell.

I cut the top section off, and "de-arched" it to make the top more rounded instead of pointed in the center. In the end, the shell is now a full 2" shorter in the center. Also it is rounded instead of pointed at the top now.

Here is where I ended up, to my eye way better, and now the shape of the top of the shell mimics the shape of the cowl top. I still have to reshape the trim piece on top of the shell to fit the new grille, no biggie

Don't mind my poorly adjusted headlights, they're both really pointing to the driver's side



And from behind, you can see the shell follows the radiator top tank better too:


And I also got my steering wheel epoxy primed, & painted it wimbledon white like the firewall. It came out good to me, & ties in the firewall, top, & seat cushions nice. I always liked a cream colored steering wheel:




Just a little finish work & I can get the grille primed & painted. Thanks for looking everybody

Dan



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Dan.... that pu is so freaking gorgeous!!! Very Very nice job bro!!!

 

Looking ?! Man I'm drooling .... Your really setting the standard ....

This thread has been very informative , right from the start .

So , no , Thankyou .

 

Chad, thank you brother, I really appreciate. Now get to work on your car man, I need an update!

LabRat, thank you. I used to be better about taking pictures as I went to show what I did. Now I find myself not stopping to take pictures until I am done with a project. I think I want to drive it

 

Stunning workmanship and what an absolutely gorgeous RPU! Says it all really, take a bow that man!

 

That really looks nice! Is there a hood in the plans?

 

wimbledon white is the perfect compliment to the black, and whilst I had my reservations when you first mentioned painting the wheel, it looks 'so' right, congrats.

Now that you've nailed the shoud, paint the mother, fix those lights, you'll be 'tank-slappin' that rpu in no time,

Cheers,

Drewfus

 

Looking real good Dan, That grille looks much better now, Nearly there now !!!

 

This thread will be an excellent resource for the day someone restores "The Dodgerodder RPU." LOL!!

Treat yourself to a Christmas present, Dan - and take that BEAUTIFUL truck for its maiden voyage! It's just gorgeous. You've done a great job!
-Danny

 

Wow, just read through this whole thread, you've done an amazing job on your rpu, wow! it is a real credit to you, lookin forward to hearing that this has gone down the road on it's maiden voyage!!

Glenn

 

Good move on grille shell! Turned out nice! It's amazing the measures we go through to get those damn shells to sit right compared to the cowl! Looks good!

Yes... video yet?

 

Uh......Pops isn't doing anything............make HIM take the pictures. Hell, we're paying his Social Security........tell the old fart to earn it!!!

NICE rework on the shell.

 

wow.

 

Thanks Bob! Nope, no hood-too much work. Though once I saw how much better the grille matches the cowl top shape I STARTED to think.....

I came to my senses

Drewfus, thank you. It's weird, everything looks quite a bit different in person, hard to explain. The white photographs REALLY white, when it's really more cream colored.

It is nice to see it looking like a car for sure

Hello Steve, & thanks! Getting closer, bit by bit. I am a little out of the loop, hows your T coming along?? I need to look at your progress tonight. I though about you as I polished 1,763 stainless bolts over te past couple months

HA, Danny I may need to use it in the future! Thank you very much, I really appreciate. Not too far away now

Glenn, believe me I am really getting anxious for that. Thank you

I took a video of me staring at my grille when I bolted it on, does that count??

Thanks Scott! Yep, it's amazing how small changes in grille fitment really change the look of the car. If I wasn't running the bull nose trim piece on the grille I would have thought about peaking it. I really liked the way yours came out!

Bob, he is too busy feeding & taking pictures of the stray cats that live outside around our shop Thanks Bob, I appreciate!

 

Grill shell is awesome Dan. I really have to commend yopu on all the subtle little things like that which have really made this build so outstanding. Getting close!!!

 

man, I really love this truck.

 

awesome....and yes i noticed haha

 

Holy cow! The last time I saw this thread the frame had just been powdercoated. The progress since then is mind-blowing. I really dig this little truck, and your attention to detail is humbling and inspiring.

 

Too Cool!!

 

I'm getting there slowly Dan, customers cars keep holding me back

Can't wait for a ride in the RP.

 

Any progress?
It must be close?

 

My Old Man always said...Good, Fast, Cheap...PICK TWO!

 

...I'm dyin' to see this thing finished!

 

looking real good keep at it ...

 

did you make the top irons??????

 

Guys Dan is currently wiring up.

 

So.....he should soon be firing up!

 

Outstanding!!!!!

 

Dan.......[size=+2]DAN[/size]....[size=+5]DAN![/size]...done yet???????haha

 

This has to be the first thread I have read from start to finish......WOW what a truck just stunning......WOW