58 Fleetside

[Tchia65]

Well it's been a rough week. I've been on leave but talked the people that run the auto hobby shop into letting me work on my truck everyday. The rack and pinion was hooked up backwards; when I went to swap the lines the pressure port stripped out. The water pump s%#t the bed on me. Someone borrowed my starter and didn't bring it back. Someone stole my O2 sensors, and my steering column from the junk yard was shorting out. All and all about $600 bucks to replace stuff I already had. The truck does now run (well) Here is a pic of my exhaust, don't laugh the muffler is the only thing I had to buy. Brakes are almost plumbed. Mainly have stereo and airbag wiring left and reassembly. One problem 295/50/16's don't appear to be in production...

[rainydayforme]

Man, your truck is looking great!! That PCS is right around the corner now, and is making this a very captivating thread. “Guy, Day Time Drama”!! That sucks the guys around the shop are swiping your parts.

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by rainydayforme

Man, your truck is looking great!! That PCS is right around the corner now, and is making this a very captivating thread. “Guy, Day Time Drama”!! That sucks the guys around the shop are swiping your parts.

Thanks. The starter actually went on a kids Camaro. He was supposed to replace it but got surged to the boat early. The starter wouldn't have been a big deal if the other stuff hadn't crapped out all at once also. The one I'm mad about is the O2 sensors. It is feeling kind of dramatic. I started the truck in August and got my orders in September. Basically it's dramatic because of my lack of planning... I'm also remodeling my house when I'm not working on the truck, and have to get my house sold, and a Corvair built for my Dad before I jet.

[Tchia65]

Still just working off the small stuff. Electric fans wired, stereo system installed, airbags wired, brakes plumbed, electrical panel made. Still have some clamping and routing to do, then bleed the brakes, need a muffler hanger, might be in business soon. Tires still haven't come in but found some new ones on Craigslist for about 1/4 what summit wanted.

[blackdiesel]

That's the problem with these trucks, there's no room to put all the stuff a man needs to run a modren motor and sound system. nice work.

[OrrieG]

Thanks for the photo, reminded me that I need to make a plywood mount for my stuff across the braces, not screwed thru the floor.

[Tchia65]

I guess the good thing about my move is that when I build the truck for real I'll know what works and what doesn't. When I tear it down for paint I'll make whatever changes I need to. Wanted to keep the dash empty for A/C.

OrrieG. I have a lot of holes under the sat that will need to be filled.

[OrrieG]

I know about that I welded a bunch when I did mine, hate to start putting more back.

[GhostTown]

The steel braided lines that run from your compressors to the tanks... Those didn't come from Ride Tech, right?

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by GhostTown

The steel braided lines that run from your compressors to the tanks... Those didn't come from Ride Tech, right?

No. I didn't use any of the line they supply. What they give is the plastic DOT stuff. I work aviation and just couldn't bring myself to use it. From the compressors to the tank is 4AN double braided teflon, tank to valves in 6AN double braid. It's stuff I had laying around from years of hording.

OrrieG, I will be doing that when I tear the truck back down for paint.

[Tchia65]

Got the Olds steering wheel modified and on finally. Added some more stuff to the electric panel. got my tires mounted and whipped out a little sub box real quick that sounds surprising good. Tomorrow is brake appreciation day. Plan is to get her off jacks and onto a lift under her own power to finish up the rest of the clamping, chaff proofing, and other general future problem avoidance.

[Tchia65]

Finally dotted the i's and crossed the t's. Spent 4 days chaff proofing wiring, clamping line, finishing odd's and ends while I waited for my new front bags. Got her off jack stands last night. Saw her lift her own aZZ off the ground. Here's some pics.

[Tchia65]

Drove her home today for the first time to reunite her with the the bed and got hit by a prius in front of my house. Rack snapped in two, can't lower truck or fender will hit the tire. Women had the nerve to get out of her car cursing at me and made comments like " I bet you don't even have insurance" I had to go in the house and let me wife handle it or I would have choke slammed her. Anybody got a fender?

[ratty 46]

Now that's gotta blow.

Good luck fight'n that douche bag for the $$ repairs.

Ratty 46

[Tchia65]

I got insurance, what I don't have is time. Filed my claim, my whole family was outside, but their statements are void because they know me? WTF I'll get a rack & pinion in a day or two, but need to find a damn fender. I hate prius's

[entourageguy]

That sucks about the fender ..good thing it was not a real car that hit you...
So what happend? Were you turning into the drive and she passed you on the drivers side and hit you?

[GhostTown]

OMG....... I would have choke slammed her for you if I were in your front yard. Hell, I would stopped and done it if I were driving passed. I might even fly down there and do it right now!

All prius' should be crushed and thrown in the ocean.

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by entourageguy

That sucks about the fender ..good thing it was not a real car that hit you...
So what happend? Were you turning into the drive and she passed you on the drivers side and hit you?

When I got the truck home my wifes grandfather was dropping off my kids and was in the driveway. There was also a car that had stopped in the lane to look at my house (it had a for sale sign on it) I pulled to the curb on the opposite side of the road where I was going to park, but my wife started to move her grandpas car so I could have the drive way. I started forward to go to the end of the street (maybe 5-10 feet) to turnaround. She came flying up the street and darted right to avoid the stopped car, but my street is plenty wide for two way traffic. Besides being heart broken about my truck the fact that she thought i was some sort of deadbeat, or low life since a drive a primer truck really pissed me off. I've been in the Navy for 15 years and live in a really nice neighborhood, I don't ned to be cursed at and talked down to by a women that can't even effectively drive a crapbox. I'm off to go get another rack & pinion so I can move the truck and get the bed fitted today.
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[Russell Ashley]

I'm sorry to hear about your truck. Hope you can get connected with the repair parts you need.

Congratulations on having enough self control to not do the lady any bodily harm.

[Tchia65]

Truck is moble again. Replaced the rack today. In fact my boy helped me, which doesn't happen often. Took my kids around the block. Will probably come-along the fender after the insurance company looks at it. Brothers is about 100 miles away, may swing up thee this week for a splash pan and fender. Would rather find ann original though, don't like repops.
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[troy54gmc]

Wow that sucks. good to here its up and running again. how bad is the fender? you cant beat it back to normal with hammer and body tools???

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by troy54gmc

Wow that sucks. good to here its up and running again. how bad is the fender? you cant beat it back to normal with hammer and body tools???

Maybe with a come-along then hammer and dolly. It's pushed in 9 or 10 inches. It was a 59 fender so I already had extra holes to fill and it had the smooth texture of a large womens thighs. Either way I'll make it work after the adjuster sees it. Maybe ill find a fender some where on my way to the other coast. I am a little bummed about the bumper, an old retired SEAL gave it to me and it fit perfect. May ill just beat it out too.
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[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by GhostTown

OMG....... I would have choke slammed her for you if I were in your front yard. Hell, I would stopped and done it if I were driving passed. I might even fly down there and do it right now!

All prius' should be crushed and thrown in the ocean.

LOL Can I buy you a plane ticket?

[Tchia65]

A little progress despite my set back. This was for mock up, I still need to finish weld it, and replace the wood.

[Kim57]

Looks good nice and low.
Kim