WOW! If my truck looked that nice I would be afraid to drive it!

I know what you mean. I did not want it to be as nice as my car, but I'm afraid it is going to be pretty close. I will drive it, tow with it and race it as always. That is what it is for!!

The bed is painted and will get buffed tomorrow. The guy came to install the new windshield and when he unboxed it, it had a flaw in the glass. So he ordered a new one and it will be installed tomorrow.

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Dont make any hard turns with a heavy metal toolbox in the trunk or bed - that makes mincemeat out of any nice car or truck! :-0


Ask me how I know.??!?!??


Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

I already know how I know! Thanks for reminding me!

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Truck and bed made it home uneventfully and both are setting in my garage. 8 1/4" rear is out and I temporarily installed the 8 3/4" rear so I could get a good measurement on my drive shaft. I want to drop that off Monday and have it shortened. While the rear is out and the bed is off I will probably scuff the frame and give it a coat of black paint. I went this far!!! I also got a new filler neck grommet for the gas tank and I am replacing all the short fuel line hoses that come off the top side of the tank while I have easy access.

Picture to follow.

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

The new, factory Mopar, chrome windshield lock strip fit the aftermarket windshield rubber fine.



Bed is pretty straight!


Old rear is out and 8 3/4 awaits me getting the frame painted



And while the bed was off I installed these 2" drop shackles for a chevy truck on the back. That will lower the rear stance a bit for the look I want. They are not a bolt on but they were not hard to install either. The lower mounting hole in the new shackles are 5/8" and the originals are 1/2". I just took the torch and heated up the sleeve in the original shackle until it slid out of the rubber. This then slides right inside of the new 5/8" hole and you use the regular 1/2" bolt. If I would have had a good 5/8" bit I probably would have just drilled out the mounting bracket to 5/8" and installed a new grade 8 bolt. You also have to trim about 1/8" off of each side of the lower rubber with a whizzer wheel because it is just a bit too wide.


Also picked up my shortened driveline yesterday. So once I get some free time to jump on the frame and paint it, I have all the parts to put it back together.

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Looking good!

Spent some hours Friday wire brushing the frame and then getting the garage warm enough to paint in. The Semi gloss Rustoleum looks pretty good.





8 3/4 rear and air shocks made their way home.


New drive line, tires and wheels made it driveable again.


I ran it around the neighborhood several times and everything seems great. 3.55's gave it some more zip! No problem spinning both tires on our rough neighborhood pavement. I'm probably done with the truck until after Christmas. Then I will get the bed remounted and start reassembling the door hardware. The end is in site!

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Awesome! That confirms to me that something is wrong in my drivetrain. I have terrible acceleration with 3.91 gears in my 76 D100.

Yes, 3.91's should feel pretty good! They would be great for towing my race car but hard to drive 55-60 on the highway. The 3.55 should be about right.

What will be nice with the 8 3/4" rear is that if I want to go to Clay City or some long distance to a race, I can just drop out the center and put in a 2.94 and go cruising!

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

You're my freaking hero Rick.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Right back at you Big D! I can't wait to see your car running!

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

I see you are also an optimist.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I was able to work most of the day Monday and today on the truck. I got all the internals back inside the doors as well as all new window track seals, cat whiskers and door seals. This should make it a little bit quieter than most 85 dodges I have ridden in!

I installed all the front end trim, grill and headlight surrounds as well as the bumper. The bumper is off Ryan's truck and it will be replaced with a new one once I save up a little jingle!

Today I criss-crossed some tie down straps inside the bed and lifted it up in the air with my handy dandy truck crane that is mounted to my floor. Then I backed the truck up under the bed and gingerly lowered it into place. Then I sanded and repainted the rear bumper and sat it aside to dry. Tomorrow it should be back in place.

The only real items left are door panels and some wires I need to re-route inside the cab. Then I need to just go over everything "one more time", and it is off to get the PA enhanced vehicle inspection, and put her back on the road for good.

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Dudes at inspection may just fall to their knees and plead for mercy.

Enhanced Vehicle indeed!

Nice work Mr Covalt!

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....