Running Boards

Weather turned on me and slowed the progress on the floor pans. Decided to try and move some work inside to my little wood shop in the house. Got a bright idea to run an air hose from the big compressor to the work shop in the house. Did that, and decided I should try some sandblasting in the shop on the running boards as it was too cold to work in the garage. Blasting went great and finally figured out how to use the new blaster I bought. Works 4 time faster than the Sears one. It also puts sand and dust everywhere. I'm still finding sand in my underwear. Decided that was not a good decision. Meanwhile, my sewer line backed up this week and after breaking a rented power auger and augering in the rain and hail, the plumbing is fixed again. I have been spending the last few days cleaning the sand and dust out of my shop. This whole plan did not make Nancy very happy, including the plugged sewer line. I'm almost 70 years old and still learning little lessons in life.
Today is Thanksgiving Day and hope all of you have a great one. I am going to set back, rethink things and plan a different direction. Possibly a libation or two may be involved.

Welding the Floor Pans

After finishing up the back brakes, started welding in the right floor pan. I'm finding that welding 18 gauge metal takes some skill. Got about 3/4's of it welded up. Well work on it again tomorrow. Have to get some grinding disks for my air grinder so I can clean up my mess. Practice, Practice, Practice.

Brakes complete

The rear brakes have not been completely put together because I haven't been able to find one of the missing parking brake link bars. Spent way too much time on the internet and locally trying to find a replacement and didn't want to pay some E-BAY dork 25 bucks and shipping for one. Finally bought a piece of 3/16 x 1 1/2 flat bar and traced the one I had on it and used a grinder and a cutoff wheel to make a new one. Didn't turn out too bad and only cost me $5.37 and about a half hour time. Brakes are complete and together except for the emergency brake cable which I will buy later.

Cab Floors Going In

Got the cab mounted but had the wrong bolts. Put temporaries in so I could work on the floor. Will get the right ones tomorrow when I go to town.
Cut out part of the right side floor with an air cutting disc then smoothed things up with an angle grinder.
Grinding is such fun. Makes you think of fireworks and the 4th of July, until you catch your nose hairs on fire. Brings tears to your eyes, trust me. Anyway, got the right side almost ready to weld in. Lookin better already.
I will wear a dust mask when I do the left side and save the nose hairs. At least I won't have to trim them for a while.

Gas Tank In

Got the Gas Tank installed yesterday. Bought some 1 1/2x1/2 C channel for brackets to hang the tank. Welded some 3/8 nuts to the channel and mounted them on frame cross members. Bent the straps that were included with the tank and drilled them for 3/8 bolts. Used some vinyl bathtub tape to cushion between the tank and the straps. Worked out pretty well. Decided to go ahead and run the filler out the top through the bed. Been done hundreds of times before by smarter folks than me so should work okay.
Bought a 4x4 sheet of 18 gauge metal to do the patching on the cab and the fenders. Going to mount the cab solid today so I can start replacing the floor. This will test my fabrication and welding abilities.
I think yesterday was the last nice day before the cold part of fall sets in. Will try to get as much done on the floors before I have to move inside.

More demolition

Have to decide to either put the gas tank fill in the bed of the truck or run it out the drivers side in the fender. Either way will take some fitment so will ponder that for a while and went back to the cab. Ordered some cab mount brackets from LMC Truck Parts and will get them on Monday. Took the front cab glass out without breaking it but the back one is now in more than one piece. The rubber moldings were very old and brittle. Should have used a little more patience with the back one, but my friend Roger says "Patience is a waste of time." It also costs you money if your not.
Pulled all the rest of the dash parts out except the windshield wiper motor and the parking brake handle. It gets interesting figuring out how the Ford engineers put things together. Discovered a secret toggle switch under the dash by the start button that you have to turn on before you can start the engine. I think most people just left it in the on position as I started the original engine without knowing it was there.
Want to tie the cab down so I can start working on the floor pans. Also have to fill in the hole in the floor where the gas line from the tank went and the hole for the gas fill on the passenger side. Need to buy a sheet of 18 gauge metal fot the patch work.
Had some more helpers show up on a return from Mexico. I think their sober now.