September 2010 update

I really need to upload this blog more often! I've been doing alot of research over the pats couple of months.

Since my last update, I've sold the LTD, Jeep, and began buying at auctions and selling on ebay to make more money for the project. A couple notable pics; Champion Thermometer "Its Fun to Fly" bought for $23, sold for $300!; RCA TK-11 Television Camera bought for $50, sold for $2000!!, and hopefully....the list goes on!

I've ordered my wheels from www.stocktonwheels.com. I decided on smoothie's; 15 x 6 in (centerline) in the front and 17 x 8 (reversed 3" offset) in the rear with hot rod smooth beauty rings and 1947-1953 Chevrolet script chrome hubcaps. Even though the hubcaps are not true to 1954, I thought the Chevrolet script caps would give it more of a hotrod look. I ordered Goodyear Eagle RS-A's (235-65-17) for the rear in preparation for mount/mock-up.

I decided on a color. I'm going with the original color of the truck, coppertone (see pic). Depending on the sunlight, it can look redish, orangish, brownish, etc. Its a nice retro color that will be unique! The wheels will be powder coated bone white; which is cream color. Powder coating will be done by T & C Powder Coating out of Harrisburg.

On September 7th, I ordered the front bed panel, cross-sills, and angle strips for the bed from Mar-k. I need a square bed so I can do a mock-up on the '48 frame I'm planning on using. This is not a cut a dry change. The rear of the frame kick's-up 2 1/8 more than the 1954 frame, affecting the bed height. Mar-k has a couple of nice suggestions; I'm hoping to go with shaving the top of the frame down. I will know alot more after mocking up the bed and setting the tires underneath.

The cab is almost completely disassembled. On Sept 8th, I ordered a clutch head drive set from Jim Carter so I can remove the door hardware and heater box. I'm planning on installing the clutch head bolts again.

In July, I visited my Grandma Velma in Burke and removed a 9" rear out of a '66 Ford F100 Twin I Beam. I was hoping to rebuild this rear end and use it on my truck. After disassembling it, I learned it was a 28 spline with 3.50 gears. I also found some major corrosion on the ring gear. I took it to Egge Transmission to see what it would cost to rebuild it. I wanted 3.25 gears, 31 spline axles, and a posi....$1500+ to rebuild!!! WOW! For $500 I can have all new brakes and rear. I sold the rear end Sept 7th for $60 and am planning on buying what I want from http://www.9inchfactory.com/.

Project pics will be posted soon.