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6/1/03 Well it has turned into a all summer project. The more I did the more it seem to need. So far I have clean, primed and repainted the frame, drive train and suspension parts. loomed up all the wiring harness from front to back, sanded the hole body and bed and primed it. Sent the Johnny Franklin™ Headers off to Jet-Hot™ for a new coating job. I had them coated 10 year ago in the silver. This time I had them done in 2000 black. Took off the back bumper repainted it and popped in some new ceil beam tail/stop/turn and back up lights Tore out the seats and fab'd up new bracket'y for some Summit™ racing seats with black and red seat covers and RCI™ street 4 point harness. Replaced some brake hose on the front and found 4 cross threaded studs on the right front rotor, a job by the former Super Shops. slid it off and Les Schwab™ pushed in all new ones for me. So while I was at it I replaced all 20 chrome wheel stud nuts for the Cragar street stars™ and replaced the bushings in the front sway bar 9/1/03....I just stopped by Scotty's upholstery today to get some prices so when I get it back on the street I will start on some upholstery. Starting with the floor and work my way up when I sell another painting and I get the money. I need to replace the wind shield it has a 6in crack and has some bb gun damage from Russell the neighbor kid, he squeezed off a couple rounds into it and that started it all back in 78, when I was putting it together the first time in my drive way in Santa Rosa. Seems like I am always working in a driveway. The side windows I had replaced but the track was not done right so I have to get that fixed at the same time I replace the wind shield. 9/12/03....Today I finely had the time to go get the plywood for the bed and tomorrow I cut and install it. I work on it a little most days but this summer has been hotter than hell here in up state Oregon. It rained today, it was wonderful but will have to put the bed in when the rain stops. 9/17/03. Installed the plywood bed to day and yesterday I put on the new brake lines up front and bleed them, they work great. Today I cleaned the plugs, added some new gas, put the battery back in and fired off big dog what a thrill after all the work. Don't know about the black coating on the headers, seems to be way more heat than the silver ones, might have made a mistake in the black we will see. Still more to do. 9/23/03. today I took the truck down to Dave's automotive my local mechanic to have the cooling system cleaned out and had him do a tune maybe he can cool it down It has been setting all summer and needs some attention. . 9/26/03. Dave and his boys did a super job on the tune it runs better now I think than in the past. Now I have to have him find a way for it to get better gas mileage, it loves gas. I called/e-mailed Todd @ Jet-Hot™ and ask about changing from black to silver, for a reasonable fee he is going to help me out. What a guy. 10/4/03. I took the headers off today but fist I run it down the road for a spin I won't see the headers for a week or two and needed the ride. I think I need to work on the steering geometry a bit it's a little to quick for me, although I did get used to it. I think I will change the gas peddle to, its hard on the foot for a long trip. longer than 1320ft any way. I don't race it and never have. 10/26/03. I rounded up some parts and some steel to fab up a new throttle, Got it all built and hooked up but the after market throttle cable is a little disappointing it's not as smooth as it needs to be so it looks like I will be working on that part of it for awhile. I need it all worked out before I get the carpet put in. I got the headers back and reinstalled they are silver now and the heat is way down, still warm but ok. I love this stuff. 11/14/03. Good news at least for me. I stopped off at the local Honda motor cycle shop and found a throttle cable, not sure what model of bike it was from but after cutting it to fit I hooked it up with some of the parts from the stock and the after market one, it is almost as smooth as class. That's done I'm happy again. 1/3/04. Bummer. I have to pull out my seats and the new brackets I just installed and do a little modification I need to leave room for the carpet while I'm at it I will drop it about 1". I just ordered some new cab mount rubber from JC Whitney. I love this online stuff, should have this all done in a week or so. Aye I got the seats done now it sets like a real Hot Rod... Its cold and snowing. But still having fun. 1/24/04. Today was a good day. After 20 some years of not having a decent windshield wiper it has finally came to past. Thanks to your friend and mine. Bruce at www. Dodge Classic Trucks.com he had the parts I needed so desperately to make it all work for me. So Thank you again Bruce...is life good or what!!! 2/14/04. Happy Valentines Day. I took a run out this cool country road looking for this guy that has a body shop . I here he can make my doors fit a little better. I found him. He calls it "Fine Line" now I have to wait until he gets the time to do it. I had just picked up Big Dog at Les Schwab. I had them put all new front brakes on, it seemed to pull to the right when I stepped on the brake. So that's all new again. Now I think the new alternator I got last month at Baxter Auto is not performing. I will check out the electrical system and find the problem. The boys at Baxter put it on the test stand and said it was "junk out of the box" they replaced it for me, I installed the new one today. Still having fun. 3/13/04. It was another great day in paradise, if they were all like today, I wouldn't mind living forever. I sent off for a "Flaming River" power shut off switch. Installed it today. It was a fun 3hr project. That was the good part the not so good part was after I started it up the volt meter was showing 9.8. should be 14.5. I just put on a new alternator but never fired it off to check it until today. A mystery for another day. 7/28/04. Big Dog is in the body/paint shop "Crystal Image" I will do a weekly update and share it with you, he has given me a 90 day completion date. It will be red with a black top and a flame job, should be very cool when Adrian gets it all done. Ugene I took a few pictures of what I did to it, so if you want to take a look click on a number |