fivepoint

I thought the smog rules were bad enough in SoCal. Now you cant even sand blast! Do you have to get a permit to Fart?

RacerHog

Almost that bad.... We are getting close.. I'm Laughing, But it is really not funny !!!! This State has truly gone Friggen Nut and to the Chit house.

http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-sou.../rule-1127.pdf

Check out Sec.b / 4 / D.... lol

http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-sou.../rule-1140.pdf

The fine for dry blast... $10K...

Anyway, Back to Leem's build... We can chat more about this crap on my Good Morning B.S. Page...

Iowan

My little pup can make you gag with her farts!

RacerHog

Marty,
Are you going to do New springs ?

Leem

Originally we were going to have the shop remove two leafs on each spring and re-arc them. But after dropping them off the other day we got word back that they were in pretty poor shape. So, we will be having new springs. They have some front ones in stock, but we are waiting for them to round up some rears. Basically, we are looking at going to a half ton spring to get a softer ride. We believe the truck will have a lower GVW than the original 90 donor truck. And it will certainly be lower than the original Powerwagon GVW which was around 7800 pounds. But the original Powerwagon came on a one ton frame. We're pretty sure the half ton springs on the 90 frame will give us what we want. The 90 is a3/4 ton frame, but it has been shortened and we still think when all is said and done, the finished product will be lighter than the original PW and the 90. So, just waiting on a call to pick up the springs and driveshaft, then we can move the frame outside for sandblasting. I think the cab was going outside for sandblasting yesterday afternoon, but I'll check on that come Monday. Always little delays. They were finishing off some small welds on the interior of the cab Friday morning. We're getting there...lol

Marty

RacerHog

This is an awesome build... Most folks dont even know what is involved with doing this kind of work. Thanks so much for sharing your build with us !!!!

Leem

My pleasure. And I'm one of those people that had no idea...lol. When all is said and done I will be probably double the budget and nearly a year longer than I had expected. I was originally going to do this on the original frame. That would have saved me some of the custom work and possibly time. But it would have added cost as the complete drive line, axles and brake system would have needed to be replaced. The axle gearing on the original axles would really have limited top speed. These things had a top speed of roughly 50 mph. Not enough for my requirements.
it's been a real learning experience for the shop I am dealing with too. They have done lots of work on less complicated restorations, but always as sort of a sideline to their main business. It's a small town and word gets around and now they are getting more and more requests to do projects. There just aren't any shops in town that want to take the work on. The guy I am dealing with just recently purchased the building he was renting as he didn't want to move. He now has plans to open up the rest of the building to be able to take on the types of projects the other shops won't touch. The biggest problem for him is finding the qualified staff needed to expand. But the market is there.
So...yeah...it's been quite an experience. I'm certainly no expert, but I do have some advice for people that want to do something like this. Patience is the most important thing. Good stuff takes time. The more complicated the project is the more delays you will encounter. And money...lol....count on going over budget if you want quality. You can take shortcuts but you won't be happy in the end. And if you have to import parts the exchange rate just adds to the cost. It also adds to the time factor, especially if the parts are rare or have to be made.
Even with the negatives you encounter along the way, always keep in mind the vision of your finished product. It is always worth it in the end.

Iowan

👍

Leem

Cab all sandblasted now. They are supposed to be bringing in a guy to do all the prep work on the cab starting tomorrow...hopefully...lol.

Marty

Leem

New springs and balanced driveshaft arrived today. Neck in rad changed. Just have to pick up.

Marty

Leem

No problem with spring bushings on front springs, but rear were hooped. Try finding that part...lol. Once again, customization came into play, albeit on a small scale. Shop modified some Chevy shackles.

Marty

RacerHog

Nice...
I hope they get lots of filler work and a nice back log to work with..

Leem

Frame all sandblasted. The sandblasting revealed some very rusty sections on one of the cross-members. That's being replaced...steel being picked up as I type. Should be ready for the paint booth Wednesday or Thursday.

Marty

Leem

Steel being added to cross-member. Rad back after neck being replaced. Running boards sandblasted.

Marty

Leem

Things are rolling right along...lol...pinching myself. Frame all painted. Everything else has been sandblasted and prep work has begun.

Marty

Leem

More work on the cab. It will take the most amount of time and dollars.

Marty

t65fury3

i mean wooooooooow its growing legs now its awesome im so happy for you .it must feel good to see that.this man does nice work

Leem

Haha...yes, it feels good. Excited actually. It has been such a long haul with so many delays. Can definitely see light at the end of the tunnel and I'm pretty sure it's not the light of a train...hopefully...lol.

Marty

Leem

Working on box sides.

Marty

t65fury3

awesome im still following

RacerHog

Nice work...

Leem

Inching closer. Just a couple of more steps and box sides and running boards will be all prepped for paint. Probably won't be painted until all work is complete on cab, fenders and hood.

Marty

Iowan

moving forward now!

Leem

it really is. Hit another snag this afternoon. The tailgate requires way too many hours to get straightened out along the top rail, let alone all the sanding and priming to get ready for paint. So...cheaper to order a new tailgate when all is said and done. New one has same design but does not include the stamped lettering. We have a solution though. One of the shop regulars can make lettering which will attach like the lettering on the hood and rad cowl.

Marty

Leem

Working on rear fenders.

Marty

Leem

Working on doors today.

Marty

Leem

One step closer...

Marty

t65fury3

wow nice im happy for you just remember these are the days you will remember the most when driving it i know this to.

Leem

Just thought I'd show you what the shop brought in yesterday. I love that they are taking in some older vehicles to supplement their regular business.

Marty

t65fury3

wow awesome things are getting busy for them .total strip down on paint and repaint i think?