mattb73lt

Going to run a 12V starter on the Cummins NH220. This has the L cab on it, so it’s completely different than a B-61 with the doghouse and firewall.

I was going to do it with the doors open and run a stacked pair of 2X10”’s through the cab. Pad the wood with some high density foam and have two heavy eyelets at each end. Suspend that with a chain and use the same 5,000# lift with the jib boom to raise it into place. Praying like Hell the whole time that disaster doesn’t strike!

Another mock-up day. Getting the frame spacing set for all the items I need to mount. New battery boxes, stack support and put the tanks on for measurements and spacing. Still need a new hydraulic tank for the body and a pair of equipment boxes, but plenty of space as you move aft. I'm really loving the mix of paint, aluminum and stainless.

Nice detail work. Love the shifter boots!

Yup, just a few more things to do and then back on the frame to finish up several items. Then it should start looking like a truck again. The shelves are full of parts ready to go!

All primered out and fitted together. Heading off to a friends shop this week to rivet it back together and reawakening some dormant A&P skills I haven’t used in forever!

No, two different trucks. The one with the fender is 1961H67's, he's working on an LJ. We've been comparing notes and helping each other out.

Excellent! They look straight, but yeah they’ll need some work. Splicing two together will be a challenge. It’s really starting to look good. I think your idea about the original paint scheme will certainly make it stand out for sure. Great to see it coming along.

Mock up Monday. Tested out my new bumper to check the alignment of the brackets that were mangled when I got it. This truck came with a flush bumper with no grill guard, which I always liked with this style radiator. When I found it it had a bumper off a DM grafted to it. Those brackets were welded to these. Lots of heat and hammering to get them back in shape. This should make the front end look really good.

Thank you!

1961H67 awesome pictures!! I’m so glad all those parts were so helpful. This little blog has been so helpful to me in keeping me focused and on track and I’m even happier that it has helped you in your efforts, along with others who maybe are just here to read through it. It has been quite the journey thus far!!

No, I’m dying to see it together too and a little anxious about putting the cab on without dropping it! Also, not fully retired yet, but my new career gives me a lot of time to do things in the winter months and things will really pick up in May for the summer. So, I’m pushing to get as much done now.

Thanks for the comments. I never thought this would be this nice, considering what I started with. I had a vision of what I wanted to make it into when I found it all those years ago, but never it being this nice or taking so long. In a way, I’m glad it did because my skills have improved and I have the means and time now to do it right. And that damn cab! It almost made me question starting it because it was so bad. But finding several things for it and a friend that gave me the fire truck cab for the roof made me think I could do it. Plus, chatting with everyone has been a blast. Never imagined chatting with people from Australia or Russia about it. So I thank everyone for adding to the conversation, it all helps on this long journey!! Matt

Ok, I’ll run to the hardware store to see if I can find some rattle can paint to match, clarinet reeds and scotch tape and strap this whole thing back together to see if I can make it!,😂😂

Using my aviation skills to repair the hood. Both halves had to be de-riveted to get at and eliminate several areas of corrosion and chafed areas. All that was patched on both skins. Then the braces that support the hood were all bent, broken and corroded. So I'm blending two sets into one to repair them. The original rivets were very soft so I'm going to replace them with harder AD aircraft rivets. Driver's side aligns pretty well after all that and pinned together temporarily with Cleco fasteners. A couple of days should have both halves ready for bodywork.

Back in front of the barn, today, so I can get stuff done and get this thing running!

I think that’ll be a stretch, I’m hoping for running and moving by then. Lots of work to finish, but with just the hood to do, it’s mostly assembly work.

Just the hood to go now!! There are some loose pieces and some touch up work to go, but the bulk of the painting is behind me. What a good feeling!!! And I brought some toys home from winter storage today, too!

The second coat and sanding of the primer really helps to add to it.

Yes, single stage. PPG Concept. Synthetic acrylic enamel.

Damn!!!! I'm not an expert but I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night!! This paint is pure magic!! It makes me look like I have an idea what I'm doing. It took about three mixed quarts to cover all the surfaces and edges, close to what I thought it would. So, no left over unused paint. Look at the gloss and reflection of the last picture.

Yeah, we’re getting that weather tomorrow. Friday is supposed to be 62* and I have to work tomorrow so all is good.

Two days of prep sanding and the fenders are hung and ready. Friday should be the day to throw down some color. Just the catwalks and hood to go. The hood will need a bit of time to fix and re-assemble. Progress!!

The shelves are filling up, again. Just the fenders and hood, plus a few minor parts, to go. I'm going to be really pissed if I get Nuked before I finish this truck!!!