Builds My 1978 Nut and Bolt Frame Off Restoration

[Jdc1]

Looks awesome, have you decided on a color?

 

[MScruiser]

Looks awesome, have you decided on a color?

Leaning towards the lighter (earlier) shade of olive.

 

[MScruiser]

Can someone chime in on this:

I pulled this plaque off the rear third member when I was disassembling the axle.

It says:

92 GT ABA 2
1F26


Anyone know if this is original? Never seen one before, nor do I know the significance of the numbers and letters. I did go ahead and blast and cad plate just in case though.

 

[MScruiser]

Finishing up transfer case and tranny refresh. Blasted, painted, new cad hardware, new parts from Beno including end assembly linkage, and new selector shaft boots.

Purdy, ain't it?

Also installed the refinished speedo housing.

 

[velillen]

Well you answered a question for me and that was whether those connecting ends were available still or not!

 

[MScruiser]

Had a major milestone. Mated the transmission back onto the bellhousing. Feeling like I'm making some good progress on this thing.

Next up: Lift

 

[MScruiser]

Feeling so good right now. Have put in a bunch of hours finishing up little details to prep for moving the axles under the frame and getting the engine off of the hoist.

I got the engine mounted to the frame, and this morning, I started aligning the axles, and getting the rest of the OME lift installed. Besides the front shackles, which turned out to be the wrong ones, the lift is on.

It's beautiful. It it finally starting to look like a truck again. I just want to sit in a chair and stare at it (with a cold beer of course).

 

[Jdc1]

Feeling so good right now. Have put in a bunch of hours finishing up little details to prep for moving the axles under the frame and getting the engine off of the hoist.

I got the engine mounted to the frame, and this morning, I started aligning the axles, and getting the rest of the OME lift installed. Besides the front shackles, which turned out to be the wrong ones, the lift is on.

It's beautiful. It it finally starting to look like a truck again. I just want to sit in a chair and stare at it (with a cold beer of course).

I have a second hand leather chair in my garage that I spend time just looking at and planning my build. Are you having paint and body work done or tackling it yourself?

 

[MScruiser]

I have a second hand leather chair in my garage that I spend time just looking at and planning my build. Are you having paint and body work done or tackling it yourself?

Not sure. Right now I'm thinking I'll get the body blasted and do the primer and block and skim coats myself, but outsource the paint to someone who really knows what they are doing. I'd hate to do all this nice work only to be covered up with a crappy paint job.

 

[upperblack]

This reminds me of @zags restoration, unbelievable attention to detail.

 

[MScruiser]

Replacing the rear flange seal this morning.

 

[MScruiser]

Started on the power steering box today, that I got from another member. Removed the Saginaw arm (another huge PITA), blasted, and painted. Have I mentioned how much I love this restoleum professional line? It goes on very thick but also extremely smooth. I have no doubt it will be extremely durable. After the paint has cured I will remove the bolts and replace with cadmium. I always leave the bolts in while I blast because it keeps the sand out of the mechanisms and it also allows me to hit the tops of the bolts with the blaster so I will be able to plate them easier on the next go-round.

I also blasted and painted the rear flange. I've got a new OE dust cover to install once the paint has cured.

 

[velillen]

Looks good. Hopefully wont be to much longer and Ill be having the same view as yours! (frame with engine installed)

Are you using the spray or the brush on version of the rust-oleum pro line stuff?

 

[MScruiser]

I mocked up the front bumper, installed, steering linkages (tie rods), OME steering stabilizer, radiator support and fan shroud, battery support, new OE battery tray, heat shields, and fuel filter and bracket.

I placed a massive order of parts a couple of weeks ago from Beno , @Racer65 's storefront, and cruisercorps. Too much stuff to list, but you will see stuff as its installed.

 

[MScruiser]

Looks good. Hopefully wont be to much longer and Ill be having the same view as yours! (frame with engine installed)

Are you using the spray or the brush on version of the rust-oleum pro line stuff?

I am using the canned stuff, thinned with acetone, and sprayed from a gun. Beautiful results so far.

 

[desert land]

Awesome build! Enjoying watching..

 

[MScruiser]

Bought brand new tail light assemblies from Beno . They are beautiful.

Also installed my CCOT powdercoated bumperettes.

 

[MScruiser]

Got to work rebuilding the parking brake. Pretty straight forward. Rebuild kit from Beno , along with new OE shim.

New shim

Finished with cadmium studs

 

[MScruiser]

Installed rear driveshaft. You can also see the new deflector/dust cover on the rear pinion flange.

Oh, and my mini-truck power steering box is finished and mounted. Woohoo. Thanks again to Georg for the pedastal and mount.

 

[MScruiser]

Scored a working electric double oven. Boom.

First thing I did was hit it with the angle grinder and started hacking away. Removed the center dividers, and rerouted the element power wires to power the bottommost element, and the uppermost broiler element.

Then did a dirty job using some flashing to cover the exposed insulation.

Now the entire open area can be heated.

Why did I do this? Getting into powdercoating, that's why.