June 2006

Genet, her face still painted from last-day-of-school celebrations, helped me bolt down the bed by holding the top side wrench while I tightened from below.

Seat backs were rebuilt using original springs with a thin layer of modern upholstery foam. I replaced the bottom springs with a thick piece of modern foam for comfort and covered everything with canvas covers from Pizzoferrato Enterprises (Weebee Webbing).
Inner fender panels where bolted on next, followed by the fenders themselves. Add light housings, and it started to look like a truck again!
The 11.00 x 16 tires are bigger than the originals, so the spare was a tight fit… and heavy to get up on the running board!
Stars where added using contact paper to create stencils. I find this works well, the paper is easy to cut with an Exacto knife and by pealing the back to expose the sticky side, it forms nicely to the body of the truck and prevents overspray. The adhesive is light though and easily peals off after painting. I use flat white paint in spray cans for markings.

Windshield glass was cut at our local glass shop and I installed the windshield. The local exhaust shop custom bent some exhaust pipe for me, and did the safety inspection as I hovered anxiously in the background.

My main concern on the inspection was the wipers. Both vacuum motors had seen better days and didn't move the wiper arm with any authority… if at all. I argued that the manual handle on them worked fine and they went along with that idea. I also had to stop the junior mechanic from undoing the combat rim ring nuts when pulling a tire to check the brakes… that could have ended badly for all of us.