The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Truck FINISHED

WOOHOO after 5 years my truck is now finished. It passed all the safety checks etc today and is now registered and legal to drive on NZ roads.

MMM already thinking about the next project haha but what shall I build to put on the back??

http://www.flickr.com/photos/86936723@N04/

I thought getting my truck finished was a highlight but when I drove it around to my 94 year old Mothers house she walked down the driveway with her walker to have a closer look.
Then when I opened the passenger door so she could see the inside a s quick as a flash she was up the COE steps and in my truck so what's a son to do? take her for a drive that's what.
AND the smile on her face...now that was the highlight of my day

Good reward for the work!

Awesome, I bet this alone, sharing the truck with your Mom and taking her for a ride, made the journey all worth it.
Again, remarkable job you have done.
Congrats.

That's cool as heck! That's got to be a great feeling to help her in and drive her around! Nice Job! I can only wish!

That's a great truck, excellent workmanship. Congratulations on a fine job. Now you can enjoy the reward of those 5 years of work.

It looks fantastic!

...awesome

Willy - congratulations on a fine job. That's probably equal to 4-5 AD 3100 restorations. Looking at your progress, can tell this is a labor of love. Well done!

Willy.....It turned out awsome....

thanks guys. Took the truck for it's first trip on the highway today and it ran like a clock. Round trip 138 miles and the fuel guage has hardly moved.
When we weighed the truck total weight was 6680Lb. The original weight over the front axle on the donor '83 dually was 3968Lb and it's weight now is only 3086Lb. I may need to replace the front coil springs with some slightly softer ones as it does seem to ride a bit hard in the front.
Other than that to say I am happy with the final result would be an understatement.

That's awesome!!! I really love the wheels and tires. What size are they and what kind of whitewalls are the tires? Did you paint them or get flappers or are they real? I love the color too. Just a great job all around.

The front tyres are 215.75R.16 and the rears 215.85R.16. The wide whites are flappers at the moment but I have ordered some "proper" whitewalls which hopefully will be here soon as the front flappers just wont sit tight against the tyres.

Willy...what seats did you use? Any issues with that install?

Great job !!!

I think the seats are the rear seats out of a Tahoe or Suburban. Here is a link to some video we put on you tube of me driving my truck yesterday

Awesome! I think it's great that you could share that with someone who was around when these trucks were new.

another short video driving my truck out of my workshop

Pics are cool, but seeing them in action rolling and moving under their own power really makes a statement. That really looks sweet. I love the color and the whitewalls. Wish I could find a solution for whitewalls for my 19.5 tires. Looks great kiwiwilly.

Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy coollllllllll

Engine cover now made and fitted

http://www.flickr.com/photos/86936723@N04/