Black Betty - How it all started

[N2TRUX]

The truck and story are cool. Your wife is "bad ass"..

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by LDO

Here are some pictures of the tank. Sorry, cell phone pics are all I could get for now but they show it pretty good.

I am very pleased with the quality of the tank as well as my transacation with Travis from Pro Performance. I spoke with him and Dave Boyd and they answered all my questions and had great customer service.

thanks Bob, looks great under there

[LDO]

Here's what's been going on lately. Still driving the truck every day to work etc. Decided to take her off the road for a bit and install a new Rebel wire harness, new switches, connectors, gauges, power distribution system from MADD and carpet the back wall now that the in-cab tank is out and a new Boyd tank out back.

Here are the pics:

Bed full of parts.


old stuff tear down.


Still cutting old stuff out.


Wife was a little scared regarding all the 'spaghetti', silly girl....


Back wall in work.


New gauges.


Panel I made to cover large square plug/fuse panel connections that the PO installed.


Fuse panel installed.


New wiring and power distribution block.


Headlight Relay block.


2nd distribution block just inside the rad support. This powers my headlight relays.


Completed pics comming soon. As soon as I got her back running, wife and I have been enjoying driving around every day we can. This is the 2nd Rebel harness I've used and I'm always pleased with the products from MADD enterprises. I purchased the 'total system' that also comes with a ford style starter solenoid which I also installed.

STILL TO DO....
New steering stabilizer shock.
New lower sway bar mounts.
New thrift air blower control switch.
New stereo (ipod compatible).
6x9 speakers in boxes behind the seat.
New front tires & alignment.
New door lock set.
New vent windows.
Bed wood.
New speedo drive gear (purple) - speedo reading 10 mph low.
Vacuum guage and fab cover for panel to the right of radio.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my thread!
LDO out.

[likaroc13]

nice updates & progress! looking forward to the rest...glad you guys are still enjoying it as well

[LDO]

More updates:

Well my suspension plans fell apart but I'm still moving along doing little things here and there. This past weekend, I modified my tailgate and trunions so I can quickly remove the tailgate if/when I need to without buggering up the paint. Cut one trunion (driver's side) down and notched the corresponding side on the tailgate. Can't even see the notch once the tailgate is closed. Also added Mar-K stealth latches. They're a little painfull for the 66 trucks for some reason but as soon as I figured out what I needed to do, it was a breeze. Here are the pics, sorry for the poor quality.

[Mack B]

Looks good! The hidden latch is on my to do list. You ever get over to the Burger King on nine mile? I'd like to see your truck up close some time.
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[LDO]

Mack,
I get over there pretty often. The wife likes the sushi place there so I still get 'points' for taking her while doing something 'truck related' lol
Its been tough lately since I started working on her truck and sometimes my saturdays dont end till after dark. We will have to link up soon.
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[LDO]

By the way, if you are installing the hidden latches, I had to drill out and remove the pivot bolt brackets. Otherwise, the the brackets that the latch pin slides into on the bed side sticks out too far and your tailgate will not close.
Even spoke with the designer at Mar K about it.
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[Mack B]

Originally Posted by LDO

Mack,
I get over there pretty often. The wife likes the sushi place there so I still get 'points' for taking her while doing something 'truck related' lol
Its been tough lately since I started working on her truck and sometimes my saturdays dont end till after dark. We will have to link up soon.
Posted via Mobile Device

Lol my wife likes hamburgers so the fact it's at bk works for me next time I get to drive the truck down I'll send you a message see if you available!
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[LDO]

Originally Posted by Mack B

Lol my wife likes hamburgers so the fact it's at bk works for me next time I get to drive the truck down I'll send you a message see if you available!
Posted via Mobile Device

sounds good.
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[LDO]

Here is how I repaired the bugger'd up dash radio hole...



Pikced up a 5 dollar piece of aluminum and broke my jig saw out.




Some test fitting.





final results with radio installed. Hardly visible once painted. Not bad for a day's work...

[likaroc13]

Cool! nice fix for the radio...it's a shame so many of these get butchered like that

[mace]

LDO,

Man I have to tell you that your truck is super sexy bro. Long before I saw the pic of yours, I had already told my wife that I wanted to drop and paint my 66 hot rod black with a shinny orange top, then I ran across the pics of yours. Congrats on the find and its cool that she was saved by someone that loves her the way you do!

Mace

[joeydirt]

that thing looks good who makes those wheels?

[LDO]

Thanks Mace.

Those are American Racing wheels Joey.

[LDO]

Well,
I've been gathering parts here and there for my front suspension rebuild. The PO took a set of CPP 3" drop springs and cut 2" more off of them. The look of the drop is great but it really did a number on the suspension geometry.

I managed to obtain all my parts from members here on this forum. I get a good deal and the seller gets some $$ in their pocket so it's win win!!

- I decided to go with a Mcgaughy's 13" big brake kit. Got it from Blazin C5 who did a great job with the shipping and was really quick.

- Picked up a set of Upper & Lower Control Arms and a center link from Hartrod that were already upgraded with 73-87 ball joints.

- Gringoloco hooked me up with all the inner & outer tie rod ends I needed along with idler & pitman arms. Also great shipping and quick turnaround.

Been a little under the weather lately but I couldn't just let all these parts sit without giving them some attention prior to install. Since I know how much everyone likes pictures, here they are.

Before:




After:






I promised the wife I would stay within budget this time (yeah sure) but she did allow me a little bling of course.



I'll start my install soon so keep an eye out for the update!

[C10_ustacould]

This is a SWEET truck, I saw it a month (or so) ago at the BK cruise in. You started with a pretty nice project but your attention to detail is really taking it to a new level. Keep up the great work, hope to see you all again soon!

[LDO]

Thanks Buck,
I appreciate it.

[azjim1]

Just saw this... love the story and the truck! Is the 4-speed a muncie? Hurst shifter? Would love some pics of the shifter and seat clearance if you find a few minutes in between all the cool stuff you are doing.

[LDO]

Originally Posted by azjim1

Just saw this... love the story and the truck! Is the 4-speed a muncie? Hurst shifter? Would love some pics of the shifter and seat clearance if you find a few minutes in between all the cool stuff you are doing.

Jim, it is a saginaw 4 speed with a Hurst shifter right now. Tremec 5 speed is on the drawing board in my head though. I will snap some pics today while I am out cleaning & organizing the garage.
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[markeb01]

That’s the problem with this forum, there are just so many cool builds going on it’s nearly impossible to keep up with them all. I can’t believe I’ve missed both of your builds until today. Amazing adventure story on acquiring the 66, and the achievements you’ve made on both trucks simultaneously. Love the tri tri-carb 283 going in the 57!

The nearly invisible radio repair is one of the nicest I’ve seen, and the garage looks so nice it’s hard to believe any work is performed in there! You have a pair of beautiful trucks.

One quick question - how do you like the peep mirror on the 66? I’m still up in the air about what I want to put on mine.

From a former Jarhead - Semper Fi to both you and your son!

Sgt Mark 2318398, 1966-70

[LDO]

Thanks Mark! I appreciate that.

As for the peep mirrors on the 66, I like them NOW that I 'adjusted' them so that they are somewhat usable. I headed up the arms on them and gave them a 90 degree bend down. The way they were, plus the use of the top shades, you couldn't see out of them. Since I knew I would be painting the mirrors, I didn't mind the little damage done to the chrome finish by heating and bending them. I continued to scuff the finish then primed and painted them.

[greg65]

Nice work on your truck Bob
subscribed

[endlessearth]

Just read this thread for the first time. What a great story and what a cool truck.

[acemang]

Well done all around. I too have a wife that loves being involved. Thanks for the awesome story and I truly thank you for your service.