1951 F16

[kb426]

O&S started out by removing the tail gate and taking the hinges and welding up part of the holes. I put them in the mill and moved the holes .125" closer to the bed frame. I'm reasonably satisfied with that now. I started on latches. I don't intend for this gate to be regularly used so the latches may reflect that. I got started on the roll pan. I wanted something different from the last one. In case you're wondering, the reason there is 2 parts welded together is the brake isn't long enough to do it in one piece.  I have the recessed tag holder in but have to sand it down and there will be endcaps added. I had been rolling pretty good but it was late enough for t.b. to set in.

[jaybee]

That looks bad in the good way, I like it.

[kb426]

O&S had a pretty good day. I didn't have to throw anything away and start over. LOL. The roll pan was removed and end caps cut and welded on. I sanded all the welds and clamped it in place. I moved on to tail lights. I used 20 gauge metal to build mounts for the lights. They are held on with cleco's until I decide how to fasten them to the bed post. After I finished up and was taking pics, I realized that the lower outer radius on the mount doesn't match the radius created by the light. That will be rectified when the mounts are removed for more work.  I am not a fan of the stock tail lights and mounts. I spent a lot of time before deciding to do the Pontiac lights. If I would come up with a better idea, this could be subject to change.

[idrivejunk]

Are those the mini-Pontiacs or fullsize?

I thought 39 Chevys in that spot, maybe grafting housing onto the pocket.

Pan looks neat!

[kb426]

Thank you. Full size 50 Pontiacs. I have a set without blue dots. I think I will try the blue dots and see how long it takes to get a ticket. I may change over to an led unit so that might go out the window. There's a guy I know in Pueblo who has stock tail lights on his 50 F1. I followed him down the highway. Not much light.

[idrivejunk]

Yes, safety is an anti-concern for many. I dig blue dots. 

[idrivejunk]

Also, I applaud your usage of the stock location. That much of the original design is valid, and best in my humble opinion.

[kb426]

O&S made reverse progress today. I trimmed the tail light mounts to match the radius of the tail lights. Then I removed the skin from the tailgate. I wasn't happy about any of it. There was a twist in the tailgate that I thought I could remove. Not so. With the skin off, this has been rectified. The tack welds on the skin caused the frame to bow some. That has been straightened. The skin was 20 gauge. It was nice to work with but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it was too light and would get dented by anything. I wasn't falling in love with the bead roll, either. I picked up a piece of 18 gauge and as soon as I have another plan, I'll finish it. The roll pan is now fastened. I have sheet metal screws on the top edge but I think after it's painted, I will use drive rivets to hold it in place.

[idrivejunk]

And here I was, sitting here thinking how blissful it must be making one's own build decisions.

The fact is that there has to be something to say no to in place. First. For example if I had made blister hood sides for the Model A, it would have "Mustang" hood sides now. In the future, I'll suggest only stock and anyone wanting alternatives will have to at least ask if not also pay. Live and learn, I reckon.

I hope whatever you land on, you like.

[kb426]

Matt, many builds ago, I incorporated various elements that I liked or had the skills to do. Now the phrase "cohesive design and good flow" are what I'm trying to accomplish. I'm not a stylist so that concept is a stretch for me. Trying to stay close to the original design of the truck while blending custom touches is where I want to end up at.  To not have hindsight regrets is a great goal.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Hmmm, I seem to specialize in hindsight regrets. 

[idrivejunk]

I reckon having hindsight does involve some chasing of one's tail. And I get it. Its like art, but not exactly.

[kb426]

O&S put in half a day trying to mount the ps pump. The 1st bracket took several hours and was an abject failure. The mounting bolts interfered with the pulley mount. The 2nd is close but I can now see what I need to do to eliminate a compromise in spacing. I think number 3 will be the one. LOL.

[kb426]

O&S quit early today. The ps pump is mounted and the belt is on. The pics show bracket number 3, how close some items were and how the alum bracket was machined out with a die grinder for clearance. When I had enough clearance for the pump on the alum bracket, it was 30 thousandths out of square. I threaded the unused hole and made an adjuster to put a slight amount of tension on the pump. That solved the problem. I had a belt that was too long. I went to the parts store and picked up the next 2 shorter versions. The 1st step will work. The next step would have been too short so I was very fortunate with that part. I spent a lot of today bent over and T.B. has set in .

[idrivejunk]

I was feeling it today myself, stiffening up after a week's work. I call it lack-o-wanna.

This brings to mind I wonder how bad a manual rack would be in an old truck.