Shackles

The big news is still coming, but meanwhile work continues. Our new shackles from LMC arrived and we installed them yesterday.

What should have been a 30 minute job turned into more. The new shackles are nothing like the originals. Where the there are nuts on each pin the new ones have none, just a center bolt through the shackle to hold things together. The pins are meant to wedge into the shackle, the holes pre-drilled are to small. We put the first one together and found about a 1/8 inch gap on either side of the rubber. This after running them up to the point of bending one shackle.

Water and dirt could enter, while grease could get out. So we took everything apart and re-drilled the shackles. Now everything works. But I can't recommend buying your shackles from LMC.

The new shackles

Modified and installed

BIG changes are a comin'

I don't want to jinx anything, so I won't go into detail, but.... There are some changes coming to Slick's Speed Shop, and I can barely wait!

Should all take place within the next 2 to 3 weeks, so stay tuned!

More cleaning

I have put this off as long as I can and I guess I should just get it over with. Time to clean the under side. It's really not so bad and I am surprised just how good the floors are. Here is what I'm starting with.

From the drivers side

From the passenger side

meanwhile back at the shop....

Pulling the crapped out 305 and transmission from the Apache yesterday. Good grief this is dirty. I see alot of cleaning in my future.....

I had to laugh when I saw this. I bet the previous owner was scratching his head wondering where his wrench went!

Caps are here

Finally after order, return, re-order, back order, etc etc. the caps are here. I also turned the white letters out on the tires. I am happy with the whole thing!

bad luck

Well shit! The caps I ordered came in and have now gone back out. I had to return them because they weren't deep enough to clear the hub. So I popped one off my son's truck and gave it a try, it fit.

 I boxed up the olds ones, filled out the exchange form, and now will just set and wait. Here is what will be coming:

The drop kit is done, new shocks are on, the wheels are lined up, and new brakes are installed. So I think I'm done taking the wheels on and off for a while, and it's time to order up the center caps! Here are the ones I decided on:

Drop installed

Finished installing the 4 - 6 drop and couldn't be happier. Great kit, and everything went together as it should.

I did find out all 4 shocks where pretty worn out and so got new ones for all four corners. Now it's off to the alignment shop and we can move on to the next project!

In the weeds

I've been wanting this for a long time, and now I got it. A 4/6 DJM drop kit for the 95! Uses a 2 inch drop spindle and a 2 inch drop coil up front, while out back is a axle flip kit. Can't wait to get it installed!

On the Salt!!!

Some very good friends of mine made it to Bonneville Speed Week. Way to go guys!!! Someday I hope to make it too!

Road trip!

Been gone for a few days, and it was nice to get away for a bit. Drove close to 800 miles to the high country of southern New Mexico. Searching for cooler temperatures and bigger trees(or any trees really). We found both, and had a great time site seeing, exploring, and enjoying some of the local fare.
Silver ran great, and impressed me with the mileage.

Rear end

Here it is, this is the rear end that will be going in the 58. It's a 1969 Chevrolet 6 lug, 12 bolt posi, with 3:73 gears. A good cleaning, a coat of paint, a set of brakes and new drums will have us set up and ready to move along.

Ok I'm a idiot. I forgot to take any pictures of the seat re-done while it was still out of the truck. So these will have to do, cause I ain't taken it back out!

I like it with a splash of color!

Seat covers

I have always kinda enjoyed doing interior work. I have only done my own, and don't have any machines, so I have to do it all by hand. But that being said, it has turned out alright before.

Now the 95's seat is looking a little rough, and I figure it's time to do something about it.

So I pulled out the seat, and pulled off the parts store seat cover. Not pretty

Years ago I bought this blanket on one of my travels. This will be the new cover.

No more hole

There was a hole on the cowl where the previous owner had mounted a antenna. Looked like he had used the hammer & chisel method... Anyway while I'm waiting on parts to mount the rear end, I decided to fill the time by filling the hole.

Here is the offending hole

I cleaned up & cut out, the area. Then made a patch to fill up what I took out

Welded up and gone, and while it is not as good as something someone like "The Candyman" would do, its strong. And with a little bit of work it will be un-noticeable.

Paint, finally

While I still have, under the cab, and the front half, left to do.  I finally have something to show for my hard work. The back half of the frame is now covered in a coat of Rust-o-leum Hammer Finish Black. Although it looks more of a very dark gray to me.

Because of the size of my shop and the lighting conditions, I want to finish the back, then turn the truck around and start on the front. So I'll be working on getting the springs and rear end mounted next.

A Clean frame

I have scraped, brushed, sanded, ground, and thought I'd never get done. But, the frame from the cab back is finally clean and ready for a coat of paint.

New springs for the 58!

I haven't mentioned the 58 in a while, but work has been progressing. A little slow maybe, but progressing.

I now have new front and rear mono springs, and the front springs have reverse eyes. this will be good for a 3 to 31/2 drop.

Tats and Rats car show

Local show today, Tats and Rats. 1st one, not big but it was a good show.

This is my friend's truck, was white for years, but now sporting a new look with flames and red primer.

Another friend of mine brought out his Model A. Outstanding car!

I don't know the owners of these others but each one was on my favorite of the day list:

Sweet GMC

Super clean Chevy

And lastly, this 66 Caddy. I could see me with a change of clothes, a roll of hundreds, and a road trip to Vegas!

Tires!

I finally saved up enough to get the rubber for the new wheels. On the front I got 235/70-15s which of course are mounted on the 15X7 rims. On the rear I got 275/60-15s mounted on the 15X8 wheels. Little wider and a little taller in the back, and they are all 4 Cooper Cobras.

Soon as I can the caps will be next.

Also noticed that I peeled the CHEVROLET logo off the tailgate? More on that later.

New Wheels

I never liked the Factory wheels on the 95, and even more than that, there was a problem. Who ever had it before me was running standard acorn lugs. With out the washer built in, that is supposed to be there, the lug nuts were eating into the wheel and wallowing out the hole. Add to this that all four tires are as bald as a cue ball ..... well trouble was a brewing!

I thought about the look I want for a long time and decided on Wheel Vintique Pickup Rallye wheels. 15X7 fronts and 15X8 rears. Short on cash I will have to wait on the caps and trim rings.

But I'm excited and can't wait to get them on!

Why?

I have been asked why I mess with these old cars, and at times I wonder why myself. This is one reason.

"The Flood"

Again? Really?

Seems like we just went through this., but here it came again. I found myself just staring out the window and getting cabin fever. In my part of the world this is VERY unusual. I guess I am actually grateful, we need the moisture, but it also keeps me away from my projects!

Oh well I guess I'll grab a good book, and just wait it out.

The little things

The old tail lights on the 95 had those smoked louvered covers. Never much cared for those, so I pulled them off. I was left with faded stripes, and impossible to get off two sided tape. A call to LMC and $30.00 bucks, I had a new pair of OEM lights. A little thing, but it looks better to me.

The old

The new

Wash day

Had a really nice bit of weather this weekend and I took advantage of it. I washed, waxed, and polished the 95 for the first time since I got it. Which has been driving me crazy, cause I have this thing about keeping my rides clean. But with either bad weather, bad timing, or work, I haven't had the time.

I know I should stay focused on the 58, put I have a few ideas floating around in my mind for this truck as well.