Yeah it is a cool old timer type of shop. I guess the prices must be a crap shoot then from what your saying. Wow well I guess I got a good deal then........... I thought it was expensive....
Yeah sorry about that guys I know I left everyone hanging on the good and bad news.... Yeah it can be overcome.... You guys are right. For a price........... Well.... A couple things..... Good news first.... Today is the day I pick up the radiator, get that installed and another coolant drain and fill.... Yay.... Lol.... No biggie.... But just put fresh stuff in and now gotta change it... It's okay though, gotta put the new motor oil in and change that oil filter. Other good news... When radiator is installed.... You guys get to see another video, better quality videoing lol....
Other good news, exhaust and side steps are finished being built. Engine gets a timing light and tune when weather breaks up today... Or this weekend hopefully... Weather has been rain... And a lot of it... I'm so stoked to fire it up again guys.... Havn't lit the candle on it , since the last video. Very excited to do that. Can't wait... Other good news... Getting ideas and help Creating devices to help prevent and deter theft of motor and of truck... Any pro ideas from you guys to help input my way in going about it? Seriously though , I truly cannot be slacking on that, gotta get it theft resistant hardcore style. Don't care what needs to be done for that. Want the hood , doors, engine, starting system , ignition etc to be secure enough most guys wouldn't want the headache of trying to steal anything off it. Might think I'm crazy. But I think doing my part to prevent it is all I can do... I don't have a garage to put it in. I'm too much in the hole to not go the extra mile on theft protection. So in short I will be doing that.
Other good news... Have a team of 3 professionals. guys who each have parts to play in finishing the truck. First guy, Myron , good mechanic, been around awhile. Knows hot rods. Trucks , cars, imports, and European vehicles and can weld. He has helped me since I took the truck into possession from Scott the mechanic who has had it a year or more who did much of the work you see parts wise etc on the truck. He went above and beyond for me. Long story... Chad the other mechanic , specializes in diesel , foreign and American muscle, and is a welder by trade. His main job has been helping tie loose ends on the truck, while Myron does the heavy work, also his job is to fabricate and weld side steps out of trick u bolt top plates for leaf springs, and to fabricate and weld up the exhaust. Garrett. Garrett is a guy with a lot of experience and background in the armed forces, semi retired. And that's all I can say about that. Has a massive welding and custom metal fabrication shop centrally located here in the springs. Va halla inc is his business.
https://www.facebook.com/valhallametalsincSoo.. Garrett. His job is to pull the bed, and cut the frame, yes it said cut the frame, on both sides too at that . And brace up the trucks frame from twisting and snapping in two like a tooth pick from the motor and axle tire truck combo.. Etc... He is going to have armored plating, literally guys, and have plates, top bottom, and both sides on each side, overlapping each other and bolted too, then welded on all sides. It's a death trap the way it is now.
That's the bad news, frame is in total emergency state right now, it's suicide to drive or use the truck with how the frame is right now, piss poor repair job from making it a short bed from a long bed. Well it's expensive to fix even though our family knows Garrett he cut us a huge break but is still pricey. Enough that I am forced to sell off a couple valuables to pay for the frame repairs and upgrades. Sucks... Sorry ... But it dampened things.. That and parts and labor costs ate me alive and is now keeping me from being able to pick up my driveshaft. I have to pull a magic trick off to get that driveshaft and this frame done and paid for. I am so tight on finances that selling others things is my only option. Brakes still need replaced front and rear, bearings and seals too, which I have , luckily. But I'm tapped out after today, so getting this truck on the road asap,,, is going to cost me gravely in sacraficing to do it. I'm sure as always guys, I will run into more issues along the way lol, hopefully small ones at that. Um finances are holding me back at this point... Yup... Alot of are all too familiar with that story .
Okay so other good news. Just got a call from chad, he is dropping off the exhaust today by noon guys! Whoo hoo! You guys just might see another video this weekend. And he's being way cool and letting me have the exhaust and pay next week so I can try to dial in the motor this weekend via timing light with the radiator on hinge of getting installed, fuel hooked up , ( gas tank is still out ). He exhaust is the missing key. That engine is too loud to be running in the neighborhood without some sort of exhaust. I think you guys will dig the exhaust, it's short, sweet and simple to the point, and should be enough to take the edge off. Oh by the way guys it's 3ft long ......or less :-) haha!
Today we will see about the wiring issue. Blowing fuses..need to check charging system too while we are at it. Return spring needs mounted and purchased. Man guys it's amazing just how many loose ends there is to tie when we take on bumper to bumper projects. Definitely an eye opener for me for guys who have built stuff by themselves. No wonder it takes 10 years to build a truck. I thought my dodge cummins build was overwhelming....pfffft... Yeah right.... Dude , never doing this again. Too much time, way too much investment needs, etc I will get a beater someday and do a simple build, ie, refresh engine , different tires and cheap cosmetic fixes... Ie painting ...
This was way too much over my head for me to tackle alone. It has taken a dozen people each with different tasks to put this truck on the road. And it's still, not quite there. Chevy brothers in the area, if you ever want to stop by and say hey or talk trucks, send me a personal message. Hmmm by the way. Not sure if I can do this or not..... But fellas, I have these front dually hubs, and I need to bring the tires in 3" on each side I'd say... Anyone want to swap out hubs ? Who lives in state? I don't have the funds to make it a dually or need to really ... Any ideas guys?
By the way, you guys will unfortunately have to endure a little bit of waiting because my tapatalk account decided to ask me for my password, which , I don't know, so I can't post pics. If all else fails , I will get a different app. Any input, advice, comments, always welcomed, good or bad.