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Hello all;

Well today was an exciting and rather momentous day! Today I started to disassemble the truck to start bodywork. I was beginning to feel like it would never happen, but here we go...

There are a few odds and ends that need doing, one was to mount the fuse panel. I am using a 22 circuit kit pre-wired for the common runs like headlights, signal lights and such. There are more than enough Circuits but the 18 circuit kit was the same price so I figured the extras runs may come in handy.

I had been giving some thought as to the switches I will need and where they will go. I am leaning towards an aux. panel mounted to the dash, low and to the right of the steering column. I will need switches for; fog lights, exhaust cutouts and brake line lock. I originally thought I would have a switch for the reverse lights, but I bought a kit from Lokar to make the automatic when it is shifted into reverse. I also thought I would need a switch for the overdrive lockup in the transmission. I read an article in HotRod magazine that explains how to install the TCC kit in a 700-R4 and they recommended the OD be put on a manual switch so that the trans is not shifting into OD when in town. One of the guys in the shop said you can accomplish the same thing by keeping the shifter in 3rd. Does anyone have experience with either set-up? Comments?

Back to the fuse panel... I decided to mount the panel on the firewall, to the right of the steering column. I have a panel I had install to stiffen the firewall when I installed the brake booster and pedal assembly which I could also use for the fuse panel mount. I fabbed up the mount and gave it about a 15deg angle down which will make is easier to read the panel if having to replace a fuse. I used 1/4” bolts, 3” long to secure the panel to the mounting bracket. I painted it and will weld it into place later when the brake assembly and seats are out as I cannot contort into a position to weld it in right now.

I then spent the rest of the day welding a grinding out the hood mounting brackets. They had been modified by the PO and were further modified in order to get the hood gaps sorted. They were only tacked together so I finish welded and then spent some time grinding and making them “prettier”. I blasted them and will paint them as soon as I have a few more items ready for primer.

Anyways, that is my excitement thanks for following along.
Steve