As always, thank-you for checking in and following along.
This week was another short week, as I did not spend too much time in the shop. Mostly due to the time of year, prepping for the holiday season, but also a few things that needed doing around the house.
The time I did spend in the shop was spent completing some of the items started but not finished. I needed to complete the install of the mounting clips on the rear splash apron, so that got completed, I do still need to drill a couple holes in the fenders where the apron attaches to it. To drill the holes I need to remove the fender, so I will wait until the fender comes off and then I can drill the holes and finish the welding of the cut sections.
The front splash apron needed the mounting clips made and attached as well, so I got that completed. I was very excited to get the fog lamp mounting holes drilled, they are incorporated into the mounting clips to add re-enforcement to the apron. I played around with the height and placement of the lights and settled on just outside of the bumperettes and back towards the fender. I really love the lights and think they bring the whole "look" of the front end together. For anyone interested they are a reproduction light made by "United Pacific" I had searched for a set of vintage lights, but found mostly singles available. The few sets I did find were horribly expensive and not in the best of shape, and since I am building a resto-mod I went with the reproductions.
Another small item I got done was the rear fender support struts, those didn't take much time at all. I used 1/4" rod and 1/8" flat steel to fab them up, and as no one will see them I did not spend too much time to fancy them up.
Time spent was: 2 hours to complete the rear apron 5 hours to complete the front apron and lights 3 hours to complete the rear fender supports 10 hours total
I have attached a couple pics of the front end as it is now. The finish will be powder coated black, with the lights and the bumper mount bolts in shiny chrome. The grill is stainless, so it will be polished as will the headlight bezels.
I am looking for anyone who may have used a aftermarket hood hinge kit on their truck. There are 2 kits I am looking at, one is from Hagan and the other is from Rootlieb. I will need to modify the 4-piece hood to a 3-piece, but am told that the accessibility to the engine is much nicer. Another benefit would be that the hood can be entirely removed for either access or visibility. Please let me know if you have experience or information.
