In memory of Tom Bowlin: the little green truck build

[justcuz]

Cort.
Along with the weld on reinforcement for the frame by the steering box there is also another piece that is available that helps transfer the force to the front crossmember too.
You can also source a Jeep Cherokee steering shaft that will eliminate the rag joint and replace it with a u-joint at the steering box.
You were 20 minutes away from me at your brothers house in Redlands!
Redlands has some very cool neighborhoods with older craftsman style homes.
I am a great fan of Green and Green and craftsman style homes. The wood work is beautiful in them. The designs are nice with built in storage cabinets beside the fireplaces and in the living and dining areas.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by justcuz

Cort.
Along with the weld on reinforcement for the frame by the steering box there is also another piece that is available that helps transfer the force to the front crossmember too.
You can also source a Jeep Cherokee steering shaft that will eliminate the rag joint and replace it with a u-joint at the steering box.
You were 20 minutes away from me at your brothers house in Redlands!
Redlands has some very cool neighborhoods with older craftsman style homes.
I am a great fan of Green and Green and craftsman style homes. The wood work is beautiful in them. The designs are nice with built in storage cabinets beside the fireplaces and in the living and dining areas.

Yes, the u-joint shaft is on my list of "fixes" for the frame.

That's crazy. Had I known you were that close I would've just swung by. Dang.

[Corts60]

Finally some progress!

This weekend I spent 7 hours straight de-greasing, scrubbing, welding, grinding, and painting the frame with POR 15. I repaired all the cracks around the steering box and I think this time they are going to hold. I also have the steering box support bracket on order so I can bolt that on when it gets here.

I also swapped the wheels from my green truck and had the BFG's mounted to them. I'm really excited to see the truck sitting on top of them!

[Palf70Step]

[ChevDog1]

Did you find a buyer for the green truck?

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by ChevDog1

Did you find a buyer for the green truck?

I didn't. I've actually had a change of plans for the way this project is going….

I've decided to swap the green truck onto the SWB frame. The brown truck cab needs so much work and I don't have the time or space to complete the proper repairs. The green truck cab is 99% rust free and just makes more sense, even though I am sentimentally attached to the brown truck. I will be painting the short box to match the green cab. I am still going to hang onto the brown truck cab and probably restore it at a later date. I will be selling the green long bed and frame after I swap the bodies.

[ChevDog1]

That should make for a really nice truck when you're done. That green truck was a peach. When I was looking at it before you bought it, I was thinking that it would be really sweet as a short bed. Can't wait to see it finished!

[BigMike608]

I like the new wheels you swapped on there from the green truck

[rusty76]

I'm going along for the ride.

[Corts60]

Oh man what a week. I drove this truck into my shop on wednesday:

And drove this one out friday:

And I'm really tired…so it's time to go camping and relax:

[Corts60]

I guess this thread is kind of confusing now since it is titled as the little brown truck when now, in fact, it is the little green truck. Ha, oh well.

I'd like to think that Tom would've made the same decision on this build if he were in my shoes. It was a very hard decision to make because I am a sentimental kind of guy. But I am very pleased I made it and it is working out wonderfully. I'm also very happy to have my 3.73 gears and Gear Vendors back. It is such a fun combo to drive.

Here are some of the pics I took during the swap:


I spotted in the front side of the bed so I wouldn't have to take it back off when I paint the whole truck


And here are the Gear Vendors controls, I think it came out very clean

[y5mgisi]

I'm sure he would approve!

[rs74]

Wow! I wasn't expecting the cab and front clip change. I liked the two tone brown and tan but that green looks pretty nice. The interior on the green truck was in pretty nice shape wasn't it? It doesn't really look like you have much more to do to it except maybe a little body work and paint. The rims look good on it.

[MalibuSSwagon]

Wow great progress and truck looks awesome! Can't wait to see it all green

[ChevDog1]

I think its going to look awesome as the two tone green shortbed!

[Palf70Step]

Very Nice!

You want me to edit you thread title to something different?

Official Build of the Little Green formally know as Brown Truck

[mattcrp1]

Great build.

[Corts60]

Thanks guys,

I think the paint booth at work is going to be two blocked until about mid April so no new paint until then.

The camping trip this weekend went flawlessly! It is so nice towing with the gear vendors and changing gear combos to get the right set up for whatever hill I'm headed up. The truck ran great, not one issue. And having a 60K mile cab on a frame with less than 3K miles is a dream to drive. I couldn't be happier.

Now it's just standing by to paint….I think I am also going to change the back window to a solid pane and put a fiberglass tonneau cover on it and paint it the same light metallic green. What do you guys think?

[y5mgisi]

Glad to hear you are enjoying it!

[J Knight]

What are you going to do with the little brown diesel? Are you going to shorten the other frame and finish it?

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by J Knight

What are you going to do with the little brown diesel? Are you going to shorten the other frame and finish it?

I've sold off the long bed and frame. I still have the brown cab though. It is just sitting under a tarp. I am going to hang onto it until I decide what to do. It's a silly thing to be attached to, but I am.

I've been working on the little green truck but haven't had anytime to take pics and update this thread. Been such a busy year!

So far, I've installed my tach cluster dash and started switching the interior to the buckskin color from the brown truck. New carpet and re-dyed all the panels. Just need to get the seat cover and try and find some buckskin seat belts. The green color is just too hard to find parts for. I'll take pics in the next little while and post the progress. The truck is running great!

[Corts60]

Went out and took some pics of my progress. Driving it now I kind of feel like I'm back in the little brown truck….

[Corts60]

I looked in my 1978 options book and buckskin interior was available with the seamist and holly green paint, so I didn't feel too bad changing it over.

[mattcrp1]

Looking sharp. I like that carpet you installed. Is that the "loop" style or early style carpet the resto catalogs sell? Your head liner looks great is it original?

[68Timber]

Too cool.