A boy and his 1972 fleetside restoration

[flashed]

Wow ,its looking great ,look forward to more .

[Ol red 71]

Originally Posted by Hayseed4

So I have a little bit of a dilemma I would like some opinions on regarding my side mirrors. The truck was originally equipped with below the eyeliner mirrors that mounted on the top by the vent window. These are long gone, and the PO replaced them with the mirrors seen on the right. I picked up a nice set that is on the left, but they must have been from a different year or are also aftermarket. So the question is should I fill in all the mounting holes with weld before the paint job and add them when I can find a nice set of below the eye mirrors? should I leave the original holes only, and wait for the day I find the right set? should I go with the really wide camper mirrors? I only intend on hauling my 22ft trailer with 2 cylinder John Deere's occasionally. Thoughts?

I've enjoyed following your adventure and I'm eager to see the finished project. Something mentioned in your first post was the bedside toolbox. I love the toolbox and hope you incorporate it with the rebuild/remodel! I've recently changed mirrors on my 71 fleet side LWB c20 from similar mirrors that yours has to the jr west coast mirrors. I love the classic look and get tons of compliments. They're great for towing but do have a blind spot which doesn't affect me. I'll have the holes welded over and repainted eventually. they were around $50 or less brand new off eBay I believe.

[steelhorse]

Truck is looking great. Keep up the hard work and keep us posted.

[73737373]

Well, I was going to recommend that you keep the patina........ never mind!!

[Hayseed4]

I am definitely keeping the tool box section of the truck. I found a pretty good door on the parts board, and am working on repairing the bottom of the with a quarter section from a catalog. I thought the door was pretty cool as well as very useful to keep my tools, straps and other stuff out of the bed.

This has definitely been a fun and challenging project, but I am looking forward to being done so I can drive it around and show it off.

[Hayseed4]

So I managed to get the passenger side door and fender on with minimal trouble. The paint lines lined up exactly even though we did not paint them at the same time. I also installed a cargo light I pulled a few years ago from the junk yard. I taped the area and marked it to ensure that I didn't scratch the paint as well to get it leveled and centered.

[flashed]

Looks great and I like the cargo light .

[Hayseed4]

So I reupholstered the seat and added heating elements for those cold winter mornings. I was able to save the foam core, but needed new padding. I purchased cotton batting at a fabric store and sprayed the whole thing with fire retardant. Once I finished the seat I scotch guarded the fabric.

[Hayseed4]

And the finished seat

[Hayseed4]

Just finished the new brakes. After seeing the grooves in the front discs I decided they needed to be replaced. Judging by the cracks in the rear brake liner and how stiff they were, I am not sure the rear brakes even worked so I rebuilt them and got new drums.

[Hayseed4]

So as I was doing the brakes I decided to replace the wheel bearings with new Timken ones and that was quite an adventure. The first set they sold me turned out to be for a half ton because they were way too small for the 3/4ton. The shop ended up figuring out that the Dana 60 full floating rear end was the heavier one and ordered the ones for a 1 ton. While they were a bit more expensive, I shouldn't have to do them for quite a long time.

[In The Ten Ring]

Wow, that is really coming along well!

I want to see you fix up the tool box door.

I love the idea of extra tool space. In fact, I am such a tool nut, I probably need a utility bed!

[Aus69c20]

Love your work and great to see you've kept it a 3/4 ton.

[72 tigger]

Great progress!

[toolboxchev]

Awesome! Wish I was as far along as you!

[Hayseed4]

As part of the wiring of the truck I wanted to make a 7pin trailer harness. I used a camper wiring harness that came with the truck as an example. I cut the ends off of the old intermediate and tail light harness since I had new ones. I used a semi trailer wire and soldered it to the pig tails. I think this is definitely better than cutting up my new harnesses. I also am going to add my period correct variable resistor and the brake controller that came with the truck.

[Hayseed4]

Long over due update to bed blasting and prepwork

[Hayseed4]

I ended up taking a lower bed corner and modifying it for repairing the toolbox lower section. I then used a spot welder to weld the panel in place using the box insert for alignment.

[Hayseed4]

The paint is done on the bed and all of the lines match with the cab even though we painted everything at different times.

[In The Ten Ring]

It looks great!

Further, is that a lwb? If so, you have my increased compliments.

[Tdrcreyn4]

Very impressive progress. Nice truck.

[57taskforce]

Any more details on what you did to repair the tool box opening? I was gonna modify a rocker panel to repair the bottom of the opening.
Progress looks great!