The opportunity to take pictures continues to elude me. The Phantom has been in what essentially it's own room for most of the work, where aside from more boring pics of rust holes and such, not many angles are available for taking pics.
But good news, the truck is in for what should be it's last trip into the paint booth. Not a lot of room for pics there either, but in a few more days.. maybe. Next week I have an old school sign painter coming to do some lettering and add some garnishs to the new paint before clear coat is applied. This I should have pics for, because they're are going to roll the truck into the yard for it. I'm pretty jazzed about this stage.
Like most 1 ton owners, I have been researching the wheel and tire options. While the 7.50 17 tires are available, they are not readily avialable; something I don't to deal with on the road. Plus who wants to deal with split rims. Like many, I prefer ride on tubless radials while keeping the orignal look. I also want to maintain or improve it's truckin' ability.
I tried 16 in late model rims, but they hit the tie rod end. Looked at custom wheels, but most are just too wide for the "look" of a orignal tire. Then I read a discussion where, I think it was griggs, mentioned 8R 19.5 tires and wheels. After some reasearch I ended up going to Rickson wheel and having wheels custom made. I picked them up last week and they look great. Not the cheapest approach, but should be a definite improvement over the old bias ply when it comes to safety and durablity. And if I have tire trouble, just about any truck tire dealer can hook me up with a new goodyear. Probably won't be the softest ride you can get, but I think I can live with it.
What else?... Last post I said that I had been ISO a passenger seat. Gmoniz hooked me up with a craiglisting that ended that search. I now have and extra seat and when I got thereto pick them up, the guy had a box of other goodies for me too. Nothing I need.. right now, but who knows. Seats should be back from the trim ship this week, all buttoned up and beautiful. The rest of everything for interior is stacked in my living room.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that when the painting is done, the rest of the assembly will go painless and quick. I think this project will probably never be completely done, but I do think it will be very rewarding the first time I can tool down the road; done or not.
Last edited by The Ned; 05/19/2010 6:29 AM.
