Guess it's about time for an update --- Been a while since I've gotten back here but some, small progress has been made. Now have the rear axle ready to mount after battling Chevrolet over...
lug nuts. They couldn't find their a$$es with either hand as far as parts. Without a VIN, they couldn't even look up the model of their own truck! Finally got the VIN from the wrecking yard only to discover that Chevy wants $10 bucks apiece for frikkin lug nuts! NAPA...$2.39 each.
Been a real battle prepping everything necessary to hang the new side body panels. They will be welded in place, so I had to make sure that everything in between the inner & outer walls was right first. Wound up having to cut and remake the rear window frames and in the process discovered I cannot keep/use the original windows. More time & bucks. Will be ordering aluminum frame bus type windows from Peninsula Glass. Did a lot of insulating using a NASA spin-off product by HyTech. Micro ceramic beads you mix in with paint. I have seen it in action on a tin roof and was blown away by how effectively it cut heat transmission. What you mostly see in the pix is an added layer of the shiny, foil faced, bubble wrap insulating material that is over the ceramic coating. Hoping between the two to help out the A/C & heater.
Engine & tranny are STILL awaiting a visit from a Cummins Diesel tech to do some consulting before I stuff it in and find out later that XXXX needed to be somewhere else. Have one lined up to drop by next week. Hopefully.
Also now have brand new front springs courtesy of Eaton Detroit. It was way too easy. Called and told'em I need them for a 1946 Chevy school bus and got ready for the usual 30 minute explanation drill. The gal who answered the phone never skipped a beat..."What tonnage & wheelbase, Hon?" They even had all the hanging hardware to go with them as well as giving me an extra 300 pounds of grunt to compensate for the weight of the Cummins. Best service I have gotten anywhere in the last 20 years! Maybe 50.
Any how, there are some new pix in my Flckr Album for anyone who likes that sort of thing. Take a peek here...
Tango's 46" Chevy Skoolie https://www.flickr.com/photos/tango88/sets/72157626526227672/