Technical Yeah, Its got a Hemi/41 shop truck

A get out of jail card with your wife. That’s a good one. You realise they expire within 30 seconds. Good luck on the redemption!

 

If it expires I always fall back on the saw, "better to ask for forgiveness, than permission". Worked on my wedding night.

 

Well, it isn't done but at least it is tidied up a bit. I still have the headlight switch to wire but it is good enough for upholstery. I received a USPS package with a bunch of wire from RI Wire so I can keep myself busy once the truck comes back home.
The truck starts and runs (very snotty), brakes feel good, All I have left to do is wipe it down, so it doesn't get too scratched up at the shop.

I added lights inside the U channel I welded to my seat riser, to help trouble shoot when and if the need arises. They are controlled by a toggle switch I mounted inside the fuse panel access door in the seat riser. The aluminum bracket is attached to the sub and secures it. Twin breakers protect the power to the fuse panel and the power from the alternator to the batt.
Everything from there goes through a 4 pole kill switch. Nothing wired hot, even the clock. Like I care what time it is, it was just for cool points anyway. The computer fan is on a toggle but I am looking for a thermostat that I can adjust so it can come on automatically when needed. Any ideas?

Seat heaters are wired so the trim shop can just plug and play. More lights in the panel area, on the same toggle visible in this picture. Enough light to change a fuse without a flashlight. I still want to label the inside of the door to identify what fuse goes where. It may help someday. I'd like to add a fuse kit and a little puller inside the panel.

Out of sight but never out of mind, as this was a chore considering the cutting, welding, fabrication, and a hell of a wire loom to the dash, but one of the "coolities" of the truck.

Just our little secret. Vintage Corvette ignition shielding wing nut, traditional. Once the seat bottom is closed, no one is the wiser other than the obvious lack of battery and fuses.

 

Dang...You are moving now.

 

Nice and tidy, good plan and great execution as always!

 

Pretty darn fancy wiring. I like it.

 

Speaking of moving buddy...

This is my version of black on black on black.
I was told three weeks ago to have her at the Upholstery shop on this day, and today it is there. Running and driving! That was a fast wire job from start to finish. I lost track of how many wires went up and over the driver's door, but it had to be over 2" in diameter. It is hard to believe there is that much room in that A pillar.

My wife snapped this one while I was backing it out the shop this morning. I bit of snow on the ground. I really like that windshield frame, I have one planned for the rear window as well. It is going to be hand fabricated, we will see. Sucker sits low! I hope it isn't too low...is that a thing? I installed the Hagen peep mirrors and the interior and exterior door handles, starting to look like a PU.

A bit wider track in the rear than my roadster. I don't plan on her being in here too often though. That is not what this truck was built for.

Like George Peppard used to say on the A Team "I like it when a plan comes together."

I appreciate the compliment. I don't fit under dashes in these PU's, this was done more for necessity than style...but I strove for both. Glad you like it Joel.

 

Can’t wait to see/hear it all together!

 

Now what will you do with all your free time?

 

Wow, you look like one of those 405 guys....

 

I have the same panel with a kill switch but I ran power for clock and radio pre-sets thru a separate switch. Resetting the clock isn't so bad but it's all the radio stuff. if it's parked for longer than a couple of days I'll flip the switch. I also ran an accessory plug from a motorcycle from the battery out the bottom of the car to plug in the tender. Truck looks great.

 

Huge milestone...now the hurry up and wait part.
Great job on that extensive wiring project.

 

That makes two of us!

I am going to enjoy not being under a crunch like that for a while. I didn't say anything but the water pump siezed up some how, could barely turn the blades with my hands and no belt. I ripped it apart, borrowed a pump off a buddies race car, gave it a cursory sand and polish job of course...

and re-assembled everything. Can you believe no one stocked an aluminum water pump in the Portland area? I am just glad it didn't require a Desoto water pump. It would not be at the upholster now if that were the case.

It will be nice to take a month or two off the heavy stuff. I will build the bed floor and polish some fenders in the men time. Idle hands...you know.

I'm no street racer other than a stop light to stop light kinda guy. But you should have heard this thing run today. Porter mufflers but I didn't put the tail pipes on yet.
Like the tuning of an orchestra pit prior to curtain.
That, plus a small nuclear war head being detonated.
In a metal phone booth.

 

Thanks man! It feels good to be back at my office relaxing from being home.

Question for you, can I install the wood floor in the bed prior to installing the bed on the truck? Or would you recommend waiting to put the bed on first?

The weight is no issue as I will use my lift to place the bed.

 

I'm sure it has and can be done, but personally, I'd install the bed wood after the bed is mounted..there may be some finessing/tweaking required..easier done with individual pieces installed independently on a bed that is positioned permanently on the p/u.

 

I did run 3 extra leads from the panel to the dash in case I forgot something or future expansion. I may change my mind on that clock. For the price I paid you think they would come with a battery back up to keep the time. I know they make one that plugs into a power port that supplies a trickle to keep your presets and clock but i wired even my power port through the kill so that won't work.

Those Coach Control panels are insane. All the relays I needed built in to the panel, and this isn't even the fancy one they sell. That one has slow dimming interior lights, soft close PW's, light delays...Mercedes Benz stuff. Their tech service was second to none during the last two weeks.

I like that tender idea, I may steal it!

 

Next time you see Mitch ask him if it sits too low.

 

That paint really shines. Driving by Memorial day?

 

( Can you believe no one stocked an aluminum water pump in the Portland area? I am just glad it didn't require a Desoto water pump. It would not be at the upholster now if that were the case. )

Billy ,

If it had a DeSoto water pump it would not have failed all at once .
Lol .

Tommy

 

It will be seeing him! It's the last step and you know how far out you have to book with him. I'm not sure when that will be.

I am not a painter but I have shot a dozen or more cars in my life. That is the best paint job I have applied and yes, it is deep and glossy.

 

Good one Tommy! It was a brand new Weiand polished pump, worked fine on the burn. Mind you I do my burn in's with straight water in case of issues, I drained the block and radiator, but that pump rusted all up sitting. Weird. I took it off and chunks of orange puke rolled out of it. Figuring I have nothing to lose I made an adapter to spin it with my impact wrench after soaking it overnight in MMO. Clamped it in the vice and gave it a go and it spun freely. A bunch of puke came out, but it seems to be fine. I'm not sure about trusting it. Told Hot Heads about it and they offered to exchange it. Maybe someone got it too hot while polishing it? I am only guessing.

My buddy will have a nice, polished pump on the race car this year and dinner and drinks on me this week for boys' night. It is comforting to know that if the pump takes a crap again, a replacement pump (though cast iron) can be sourced without too much pain.

Hey Tommy, on a separate note (d sharp ), where there any cool vintage Desoto racing or performance parts decals that I can add to my firewall, (top dead center)? I figure you're the guy to ask.

 

Hi Billy ,
Sorry man,,,….I’ve seen a few before but I can’t remember really .
There used to be a guy here that made all kinds of old decals ,,,,but I think he retired .
I think his name was Jimbo,,,,,,,and it was nostalgic racing decals .
He might still be around,,,I’m not sure .

As for me being the guy that might know about DeSotos,,,,,,I’m not even close .
You can tattoo what I might know ,,on a gnats behind,,,,,way out of my league,,,,I just keep trying to learn more ,,,,lol .

Tommy

 

Yeah, I tried him but you are correct, retired now.

 

What a big day! And a big sense of accomplishment.
Thank you for all the build posts and pics!
A great inspiration for slackers like me.
Bill

 

I found myself wandering back through the anals (sic, literally) of time today and I came across these posts some 5 years ago. Not only did I buy the Wizz's truck, but I made a dear friend that I treasure far more.

To quote (quite loosely and with artistic liberty aplenty) from Rooster Cogburn,

• Building hot rods with you has been an adventure any man would relish for the rest o' time. I look at cha, with your burned-out face and your big white beard and your bear-like paws and your TIG burned eyes, and I have to say you're a credit to the whole hot rod genre, and I'm proud to have ya for my friend!

 

Billy ,

Isn’t annals spelled with 2 nn s !

Tommy

 

depends on what exactly he is trying to say

 

Wow, 5 years already, don't seem like that long at all. Who would have thought a shot in the dark reply to a post would create something much more than a project sale? Add to it you're within shooting range of my back door. You more than anyone know I'm not the easiest person to get next to. Comes from dealing with a lot of Guys trying to hustle way past their financial means in the Hot Rod world. It doesn't take me long to weed them out and put a Boot in their ass. I'm too Old to waste my time. You B,B, showed me both class and good game. It has been my pleasure to help out when needed and add a nickels worth of opinion when asked.
Just to clear up one comment for the other readers; Quote, Not only did I buy the Wizz's truck; end of Quote. I had just lost my younger brother and the Truck was his under construction project I was left to deal with. My younger brother was the other half of my team. He did body paint and upholstery. Together we turned out total builds for many many good customers. He went fast with Dementia and Alsheimer's. Seeing what had been done to the Truck due to his state of mind and me thinking for years he had just become a Screw up was more than I could deal with. I missed all the signals. Selling the Truck was a spontaneous decision to help me move on. Might sound weird but I often think he may have had a hand in bringing us together. I know he would approve of everything you have done. The basic build runs parallel to his vision and the Hemi was what I always told him it needed. The S.B.C. just didn't get it for me.
You have built a Truck to be proud of and I gained a good friend. You've made it very easy for me to be part of and move on. The power of the H.A.M.B. is unreal!

 

Guys that build cars and think it only about gears, gas and gals are missing the point. The cars are only the "vehicle" that brings together kindred souls and makes life long friends and associations.

The HAMB is the vehicle, the power is in it's members buddy!

As for you two jokers , nice catch.

Ok, enough of this gushy s***tuff, let's weld something!