G-7107 - 6NJ22-2539 - 350793 "Emmaline".

[D.R.H.]

Today I worked on the switches for the truck. You guys know the drill, clean rust, prime the part, wait to paint, the monotony continues. .

Here are some photos of the switches that I saved from another Chevy that was just a cab and severely bent chassis.





I chose to prime and will paint the bodies of these switches. I cleaned them, in and out, about three years ago in anticipation of the day when I would need to install them. Since then they have been squirreled away and wrapped in a shop rag under my bench, surface rust still formed again. I want them to last a least a few more years, so I will paint them green as well.

Here is a video of the switches being primed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMyWaR2bojA

[D.R.H.]

I have been working hard to get more tasks accomplished for my Chevy this week. I was able to finally install the Dash into the truck along with the Instrument cluster and switch panel. I also connected the throw levers that operate the cowl vent.

The locking glovebox latch is a repro. The button and bezel were chrome plated, but I used the wire wheel on my bench grinder to dull it down some. It now has a nice satin finish to it.


There are certain things that stick in a persons memory, if they're important. My 1st. Chevy WAS my 1st. M.V. and very important to me. I had opened and closed the glove box door many many times and the sound of the springs are very unique to the G-506 trucks. I sold my 1st. Chevy and never thought about the 'little things' that go along with owning something like a W.W. 2 truck.
So I can say with the utmost certainty, I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH I MISSED THE SOUND OF THOSE SPRINGS. WHEN I OPENED THE GLOVE BOX DOOR FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER I HAD INSTALLED THE DASH, it was like an old friend saying hello again.


I can't remember where I found these switches, but I took them apart, cleaned them inside and out, lubed the inside of them with Dielectric Grease, polished then painted them to prevent surface rust from taking hold. Note that the ignition switch is in the "on" position.


The engine IS running. I need to find the correct fittings for the O.E.M. Oil Pressure Gauge, but in the meantime this one will have to do.


I can't find my old Ohm Meter so I wasn't able to test the ignition filter. I have wired it in between the ig. sw. and coil. To my surprise, it worked!


Here is a shot of the dash assembly through the 18" diameter Plastic Steering Wheel that I rescued from an 'early' truck that was slotted to be destroyed and recycled. I have always wanted one and I can say that there isn't much of a difference in effort when steering versus the 20" wheel.


I made a short video of the work pictured.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4_5swltp34

Thanks for looking.

[D.R.H.]

I have been slowly moving forward on my truck. Today I went to a local hardware store and found some fittings that were compatible with the original Oil Pressure Gauge. The installation was successful without any oil leaks. Robin also made some bed mounts for my truck, so thanks for that.

After the installation I ran the engine to test for any leaks. None were found.


Here are the mounts that Robin made for me. Very nice!!



And a video of the installation and test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI5Oq289ffI

Thanks for looking.

[70th Division]

Hello,

Looks like a great example of American Ingenuity
Quite some interesting retrofitting to get that oil gauge back to excellent working order.

Your engine sounds great, the project is really coming along !


Best Regards,
Ray

[D.R.H.]

Thanks Ray! I appreciate your comments . Today I decided to start working on the rear hold-downs for the bed. The bent truck that I stritpped in the Spring of 2016 was missing the angle iron mounts that were rivetted to the chassis. A good friend looked on his original Chevy and repro'ed a set for me.

I purchased an old bench mount drill press last year sometime from a second hand store that recycled everything from lawn mowers to kitchen sinks. I paid $45.00 for it and it was well worth it. I don't have to needlessly risk tearing up my fingers while drilling holes through thicker steel by hand.


I went through my old bolt box and was lucky enough to find a pair of 'AA' bolts that were commonly used on the Chevy's.


I installed the lower angle and then bolted the upper to it and drilled the holes for the carriage bolts through the stringers. I figured that by installing the lowers with the 90 degree bend a little on the high side of the chassis, this would help hold the bed from shifting left or right. The other benefit was that I would be able to install the carriage bolts from the inside without any obstructions.



A video of the work is here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfzbmlb ... e=youtu.be

[kelley]

Hi Dave,
Nice progress!
I keep going back to your cargo bed pics and noticed the missing front mounts. Now I know about the rear ones too, thanks for posting them.

[D.R.H.]

Thanks Jon. They are direct copies from a barn find survivor. I'll post dimensions later today, the location of the holes will be up to the installer because I didn't ask them from the originator.

[kelley]

looks like you got them pretty close...

[D.R.H.]

KELLEY, MY MAN!! Thanks for that photo. I didn't check the maintenance manual for location photos. I just guessed with a thought of what would be appropriate. You confirmed my guess!! .

Yesterday before I rolled up the tools, I painted the brackets and installed them. Here are some photos of today's work.

This photo shows all the brackets before I primed them.


I can see that by the photo that Kelley provided, I should have drilled the lowest hole in the 3/8" bracket a little closer to the bottom corner.


Here are the installation photos.



A friend made these for me and are exact copies from a barn find survivor Chevy that has an all wood bed. Here are the drawings of them that I promised a few days ago. If you don't have a composite or wood bed, the upper brackets are welded to the steel stringer. I remember this feature from my 1st. Chevy as it had an all steel bed.

3/8" thick bracket is the lower and the 1/4" bracket is the upper.


I did not give hole locations because I guessed where the correct placement should be, so don't rely on this photo for that.



Here is the video of the installation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XySsZLRnOcQ.

Thanks for looking.

[70th Division]

Hello,

You are doing great work right there !!!
Looks very well done and thought out !!

She is coming together nicely

Best Regards,
Ray

[D.R.H.]

Thanks Ray.

[kelley]

Hey Dave,
The truck looks great!
Thanks for posting those body hold down drawings, I'm gonna build myself a set.

[D.R.H.]

One of our Chevy Boys sent these drawings to me for the front mounts. Please speak up and take ownership of your hard work. I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE BUT I CAN'T FOR THE LIFE OF ME REMEMBER WHO IT WAS, But thank you again for doing so. I hope that you don't mind that I am sharing these photos with the guys.

[D.R.H.]

Oh yeah, thanks Jon for the compliment. If anyone can build the mounts, it is You!!

[kelley]

I'm really looking forward to seeing how all these long bolts and springs go together. My long bolts were torched off and the springs are long gone. Thanks for the details sheets.