BlackTruck Build 65

[jamesdfo]

Jeff: Somewhere in my travels, I seem to recall someone getting "pigtails" from NAPA, or other automotive jobber?? The post I remember, I believe he silver soldered it into the OEM backing assembly, but you could probably use epoxy putty, and that way not mess up the plating on the pigtail.

HTH
James

[JeffinMooresville]

Thanks ratrapp… will give that a try.

[JeffinMooresville]

Thanks James,

I think I found one that will work…. After I cut the rubber shrink wrap off, it was just pressed in to the hole.

This is the one that’s came out.



This is the replacement I found on evil bay.

JT&T 2595H



Will see how these work.

[JeffinMooresville]

Doug came by today and helped me get the brakes bled…. Don’t want to claim victory till the test drive, but seems like I have brakes. Also got the hydraulic clutch hooked up and ran some fluid thru… still have final bleed to go, but should be ready to see if she will drive.

[My wife's nightmare]

I'll bring my fenders over so you can go for a spin!!

[JeffinMooresville]

Ok, with some more help we got the clutch bled and I was able to do a drivetrain test with rear wheels in the air. Was planning on doing a driveway drive test today, but the weather did not cooperate… so will have to be next week.

So I used time to finish up the parking brake, and finish up wiring cleanup under the truck. Was also able to do some work in engine compartment, so still have a few things, but checking some things off the list.



Big thanks to Doug for his ongoing expertise and help on the project.

[JeffinMooresville]

Got fenders and front valance back from painter this week and started to do some initial fitting. On first pass, the fenders were sitting too low.



And more troubling was the tire clearance.



So I was panicking and researching buying smaller tires an etc. but turns out that the upper control arms adjustment was out of whack. There is a lot of adjustment (old pic) and turns out I had one all the way back and the other all the way up.



So I corrected the control arms, added some 1/8 shims to the inner fender to firewall connection point, some additional spacers under radiator support and raised inner fenders up where they attach to firewall. I also adjusted ride height up on coil overs.

Bingo…. Major difference







Fitment was pretty good all around…. I guess ultimate test will be with the hood…I think I have enough clearance now to lower the ride height back down… but will wait till after drive test for final adjustment.

Starting to look like a truck, and my enthusiasm for making the May Gatlinburg F100 show is getting better.

Still a LOT of work to do….

[My wife's nightmare]

I still can't get over how good that color turned out!!

[JeffinMooresville]

Started on the dreaded windows this weekend. I looked at a bunch of YouTube’s, but the best write up was from Foodsticks post 10 years ago.

I got some other pointers from Doug and some of the YouTube videos…. But is still a major job. I got pulled into some family stuff so was not able to finish this weekend, but did get 1 door finished !

A couple of things I have learned so far.

The rear track mounts with slant bracket toward inside of door.



I spent a lot of time futzing to get the roller into the window track….. and finally realized that the rollers just pop off with clip… so quick trip to National Parts depot and I was proud owner of new rollers.



Yea… this was my biggest DUH moment.



I still need to put some lube in there to smooth it out a little.

The other thing I struggled with has getting the side fuzzies in at the window opening. I had tough time with the first tab under the curve.

.

I think I am going to try to change the order on next door and put those pieces in before I do the final install on window track (the one that pops into the rear and top of the track. I saw one of the YouTube’s that did that… and seems like it worked out.

[grump]

Dennis Carpenter has a tutorial in the back of their catalog, if you happen to have one.

[JeffinMooresville]

Hi Grump, yea… I had seen that… has some good points… but still has window opening trim going in last… maybe just me.

Thanks for input ?

Jeff L

[JeffinMooresville]

Ok, was able to do some work and finish up the doors / windows.

I tried new technique on the window opening felts… call it the spread technique. Get the tabs in on the curve, but leave the rest of the trim price out and spread them apart so I can get the window track in.



Worked out fine. After you get the track snapped in… then you can finish the window opening felt.



Also got all of the door innards in for both doors.



I had really been dreading this… but did not turn out so bad, thanks for all advice.



YEE HAW … next is hood install for test fender alignment.

[JeffinMooresville]

Got the cowl lacing on today….on the 63, I used the tacks etc… this time decided just to use the 3M weatherstrip glue.



There seems to be some different opinions on the correct positioning of this… but my unmolested 66 has it with the C facing the windsheild…. So that is how I installed.



If it is wrong too bad, because that glue ain’t coming apart.

[JeffinMooresville]

Had great Easter weekend… finally got pretty, had big time Easter egg hunt with my grandsons… and also had time to work on the truck a little, don’t get much better than that.

Got the door weatherstripping installed, so I could start final assembly. I wanted to have the fenders off for the weatherstripping install… not my favorite task, I think I would rather install window felts than weatherstripping







Just threw the bumper on to test fit… not in horrible shape, I think it will polish up a bit.

I also got the heater hoses run and some of the inside cab items… gas pedal, dimmer etc.



Gonna have to reroute my fuel line… ordered a elbow fitting to get it away from Heather hoses.

[JeffinMooresville]

Took out a second mortgage and went over to Dennis Carpenters to pick up some Knick knacks that I needed for assembly…. Picked up new parking light lenses and some hardware / adjusting screws for headlights.



Went to put headlights on and previous owner threw me a curveball … I have 2 didderent headlight buckets.





It had a 66 grill on it…. And I looked back and it had headlights installed….



Oh well, I guess I am heading back to Dennis Carpenters… better sell a kidney.

[JeffinMooresville]

Making progress on the the front end…. Can’t work on truck this weekend, but will be ready to put the bed on next week.

Blacked out perimeter of grill.



Picked up headlight bucket from Carpenters.



I am ready to take it out for a drive.

[oldsmiley]

Well....you're sure making progress. I love your color choice, and getting there for sure. Are you trying to get it ready for the Grand Nationals, or just getting it ready.....?

[JeffinMooresville]

Yes, trying to get ready for the show in Pigeon Forge… we have gone last few years with the blue 63… so a lot to do… but hoping to test drive and get bed on by end of this weekend.

[JeffinMooresville]

1st test drive… just to test the basics.

https://youtu.be/V4MHuSNh_F0

[65_Slick]

Looking good!