55.2-59 Ol' Blue

[8man]

I was trying to put the two extra switches for my Vintage Air Mini 2 on the dash, but after fabbing up two panels with the switch holes in them, I think it makes the dash look too busy.

So, change of plans and I have one switch hidden in the ashtray. Click the link to see, I'm having "picture posting problems" right now. https://flic.kr/p/2qrSXwM

So if anyone has an old dash with the ashtray assembly, PM me, I'm looking for one.

[washington blue]

Very sneaky, lol.

[8man]

Elderlyiron on YouTube mailed me the ashtray bracket he cut out of a bad cab. I'm waiting for it.

While I am waiting, I decided to install the center AC vent.
https://flic.kr/p/2qvWZvw

If you click the link you can see the installation of the AC vent. Obviously, I'm still having problems posting pictures.

Anyway, it's an early Camaro vent. I still have some work to do to it, to change the angle of the hose hook up, as it doesn't clear the radio right now.

Under the dash is almost all test fitted, on to the last of the metal repair and then on to the All Metal.

[8man]

Got the ashtray and dash bracket in the mail yesterday from Elderlyiron. A big thank you to him.

So, I played around in the shop, using an air 1/2" belt sander with some 40 grit to remove the spot welds, and wound up with the bracket.
https://flic.kr/p/2qw6zE2

And this is what it looks like.
https://flic.kr/p/2qw6LEe

I am still trying to figure out why I can't post the photos. I uploaded them to my Flickr account, but they don't have the option they used to have. I'll keep trying.

[Rickysnickers]

If you can save them as a jpeg, then they can be uploaded easily. I tried to save your photos, but can only copy them into Word and save as a PDF.

[8man]

Thanks, I'll see if I can do that.

[8man]

I think it's a Flickr thing. I'm saving them to my computer as a jpeg, and they upload to Flickr just like always. Then when I try to post them here, Flickr doesn't show the options for posting as they used to.

[Rickysnickers]

Easy then. Upload them here, first as a jpeg, and then save them to your Flickr account

[dsraven]

when you say you save the pics on your computer, does the computer save them to flick'r and not have a copy for you on the hard drive?
for projects that I work on I load the photos on a thumb drive, categorized usually, and they also save themselves to google as well. google is a pan to get pics back from though. I always wonder about the "cloud" stuff because they say it is free with your account but then one day they could snuff your account or make it a pay service. I would be broke with all my pics, haha.

[8man]

Raven, I save from my iPhone directly onto my computer, as JPEG files. I have to upload from my computer to Flickr. I used to use Photobucket, until they wanted to charge me, so I quit using them.

I just want to go from the computer to this site.

[8man]

Testing my picture ability.

[8man]

I think I may have it.

Ricky, thanks!

[Rickysnickers]

[dsraven]

looks good. is the dash panel treated with something? it looks like bare metal thats been dipped for rust or something.
thats a hole lot of hole filling. (spelled wrong on purpose, cuz I'm such a hilarious guy. haha)

[8man]

Raven, yes, it was dipped. I had all the metal dipped to remove paint, seam sealer, Bondo and rust. The good news is there was very little rust and no Bondo, but there was some lead, and the dipping does not remove lead.

You are not only a funny guy, but you are also right on, there were a lot of holes to fill. The good news is that I think the last of them are done. I'll give it one more once over after Thanksgiving to make sure.

I thought the cab corners were perfect until after the dipping. When I got it back, I found some holes in the bottom of the cab corners that only one was big enough to make a patch panel.

While I'm thrilled with the shape of the parts after dipping, dipping did leave a residue that any time I hammer on the cab this yellow dust comes falling out. I've never blasted a cab or doors, and it may leave more residue, I just don't know.

[8man]

The AC vent didn't fit under the radio, and it had to be sectioned and glued back together with some JB weld. It now fits under the radio and the ac hose will slide right on.

I had to make some braces for the stuff under the dash, so since I was watching JB Weld for plastic dry anyway, I went ahead and painted the braces as well as the driver's side rear bumper bracket. I'm going to order one for the rider's side and make sure it matches.

Finally, I had to drill out the hole in the POL brake plate. I used a 2x4 and bolted the plate to it, then started the hole saw pilot drill bit into the board and 1.5 hours later (can you say DULL hole saw) I had a nice hole for the hydroboost.

[Tempest67]

all this work we do and no one ever sees it, or understands what is involved.

keep it going, as I am looking forward to seeing this dash


great job

[8man]

Tempest, thank you, and you are correct. No one will ever see it. But everytime I get in, I'll know how much went into making that dash look as good as possible.

[Tempest67]

"I'll know how much went into making that dash look as good as possible.".... and that is the fun of it

enjoy the process

[8man]

Thanks Tempest.

[Tempest67]

just being out in the garage trying to create something is very gratifying.

I've just started trying to make a patch panel, and so far, so good, but I have a long way to go.

Keep it going

[dsraven]

looks good. keep us posted on the end result if you can
curiouis how the paper pattern works out, I always find the steel patch cut from the paper pattern never fits as well as when I use a stiffer medium, like posterboard (like cradboard from a cereal box).

[Tempest67]

Thanks,

I have never done anything like this before.

I don't want to hi-jack this thread, but feel free to follow my build here, sorry Ol' Blue

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849781


Thanks again

[8man]

Tempest, no problem, I think your patch panel looks good too!

[dsraven]

*man, have you got any update pics of your project, far enough away so we can see the whole deal? curious how things are shaping up