New here! B60T project

[Timmyb]

Liking this thread, very binge worthy! I think that’s the word. Anyway, keep up the good work. 

[SkippyMack]

Hey friends,

Thank you for indulging me here!  I think I came across an interior paint solution.  I am going to wait to reveal after I test it next week.  So...stay tuned! 

My question today is about the headliner.  My truck doesn't have one!  Nothing - just the exposed roof.  I hunted around this forum and Watts and discovered that headliner kits are available, but they are beyond what I'm willing to spend (more than I bought the entire truck for with shipping factored in).  I'm wondering about creative solutions.  As always, I welcome your experience and insight! 

Pictures coming tonight.  We made incredible progress this weekend!  Fuel tank is getting installed today.  I brought home the interior seats for reupholstering (not there yet), but did put the driver's seat in yesterday so I could sit on something other than a milk crate 😆.  Thanks to my husband and his tireless efforts, I was able to sit, turn on the main power, turn on the fuel pump, pull out the choke, and start my truck!  All systems are a go!  Brake canisters are on their way this week, so we're getting really close to a test drive. (I'm exercising patience as my husband is also working on a Freightliner right now, so we're trading time between the two).

I'll check back in tonight.  Thanks for making this project even more fun by following along and participating!

Cheers,

SJ

[SkippyMack]

2 hours ago, Timmyb said:

Liking this thread, very binge worthy! I think that’s the word. Anyway, keep up the good work. 

Thank you so much for following along! 😃 -SJ

[mowerman]

Geeeeeeeeeeesus......: already paint and upholstery????like wow man,,,,, now your just embarrassing the rest of us... ahahahahaha .....bob

[SkippyMack]

3 minutes ago, mowerman said:

Geeeeeeeeeeesus......: already paint and upholstery????like wow man,,,,, now your just embarrassing the rest of us... ahahahahaha .....bob

Ha!  Well, I don't know any other way. 😆

I hope no one will be embarrassed, but perhaps inspired! 

[mowerman]

Check it out,,,,,,, 26 years ,,,,; and it don’t look any different.....

[SkippyMack]

1 minute ago, mowerman said:

Check it out,,,,,,, 26 years ,,,,; and it don’t look any different.....

So much potential!  No time like the present. 😉

[mowerman]

Thanks for keeping us posted looks like you’ll have it completed in like 2 months....... 👍👍👍.bob

[mowerman]

Mainly haven’t had a garage till recently it’s almost ready to drive in and start on getting electricity starting tomorrow Electrician, coming over tomorrow morning to start wiring ...: bob

[SkippyMack]

11 hours ago, mowerman said:

Geeeeeeeeeeesus......: already paint and upholstery????like wow man,,,,, now your just embarrassing the rest of us... ahahahahaha .....bob

Ha!  Well, I don't know any other way. 😆

I hope no one will be embarrassed, but perhaps inspired! 

[SkippyMack]

Newest pictures first!  https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/

[Timmyb]

19 hours ago, mowerman said:

Check it out,,,,,,, 26 years ,,,,; and it don’t look any different.....

Bob, it’s funny how life gets in the way! 
I had lots of spare time when I bought mine 7 years ago. Next thing you know, I’ve got two kids and work is flat out.

Tim

[mowerman]

Yes the wheels of success turned mighty slow sometimes between honeydews and barbecues and vacations and work I am going along with wife’s marathons and basically getting through life in general  Mack usually takes back burner And yes if you’ve got kids never mind no time left at all ha ha.... bob

[Swishy]

Hi Skippy

when all is said n done & u're enjoying the mack

it would be good to keep this thread alive and also the gr8 picture album for all to see

for us all to get  some motivation for our own projects

Thanx in Advance

cya

[SkippyMack]

8 hours ago, Swishy said:

Hi Skippy

when all is said n done & u're enjoying the mack

it would be good to keep this thread alive and also the gr8 picture album for all to see

for us all to get  some motivation for our own projects

Thanx in Advance

cya

I will be happy to!

[mowerman]

Excellent photos,,,,,; thanks for sharing . Beautiful job on the tank and manifold... keep it up..... and thanks for keeping us informed. Outstanding progress... bob

[SkippyMack]

Well, it's been a big week for the Mack!  The unexpected blessing of Thanksgiving at home, just the three of us, was that the meal was easy to clean up, and the shop was warm and dry...so in addition to a few nights work leading up to today, I was able to get some good work done tonight.  

-We removed the overload leaf springs and replaced the U bolts

-Front brake canisters have been replaced

-Tank is ready for plumbing (just waiting on my new sending unit to arrive)

-Picked up new dash gauges (keeping the original speedo, replacing the other gauges that no longer worked

-New fuse block is installed

-Rear end and frame rails prepped for paint

-First coat on the outside of the frame (partial)

What I'm really excited about is that my paint solution for the interior is a home run (in my book).  Many of you echoed my sentiments that as long as I love it, that's all that matters!  To that end, I accidentally stumbled upon my perfect solution.  We use a lot of Rust-oleum "hammered finish" spray paint to finish little projects.  It's one of those products that consistently exceeds our expectations.  Turns out there is a Verde Green that closely matches the original interior.  It's a bit cooler in tone (but more green than the photos show).  I couldn't find it in stores, but was able to order a case online.  It came Tuesday and I tested it out on the glove compartment door.  WIN!  I love it!  It's retro and the hammered finish covers any little flaws. So, I'll be proceeding with that.  Still considering solutions for my missing headliner.  Would love any ideas or inspiration!

Hope you all who are here in the U.S. had an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

Cheers! -SJ

The gallery is updated to tonight with newest pictures first: https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/

 

Edited November 27, 2020 by SkippyMack

[41chevy]

Looks darn near perfect and personally I like the Hammer-tone finish better the a shiny finish. Hammer-tone is factory in my 41 chevy 3/4 ton P'up 

Edited November 27, 2020 by 41chevy

[mrsmackpaul]

Looks good to me, as long as you all are happy with it thats all that matters

 

Paul

[navypoppop]

SkippyMack,

Great color choice! The hammered effect is excellent and it will compliment the entire finished project. I look forward to your finished project. Your shop assistants and you are doing some excellent work on bringing the old girl back to life. I'm envious and happy for you.

[mowerman]

The original shades are always exciting... but no one is going to care or notice,,  looks good , my interior is green but I wound up with a mint brown steering wheel,,; I’m considering something like candy apple gold,,,, not sure yet  bob

[HarryS]

I agree on the hammer tone green. Looks great. As far as the headliner you should be able to make one from backer board like used for kick panels. It is a good idea also to use some sort of sound deadner before the headliner goes in. Love all the pictures.

[SkippyMack]

Well, I came off the high of my progress yesterday and landed myself right in the dog house, so to speak! 🙄 I decided on a whim at the end of a long day of work - to remove the passenger side inside door panel.  The inner handle wasn't working and I thought I could investigate and remove the panel for paint.  Serves me right for not doing my homework first.  The last couple of truck doors I've disassembled have had all of the mechanisms attached inside the door itself, not the panel.  (If I had used my head and really assessed the screw placement, I could have saved myself the headache!  Hindsight!) Well, if any of you have taken your B Model doors apart, you can probably guess what happened!  I managed to figure out the error of my ways, but not after disconnecting part of the window mechanism inside the door - and waking up a hornets nest in the process!  After lots of choice words, we managed to get the window down and get the panel off with the mechanisms relatively intact.  The hornets have been evicted.  The mechanisms all need lubricating and the internal frame for the window was damaged at some point (looks like damage that is quite old).  It will be put aside for a shop night when we have a bit more patience to invest. 

On a fun note, I found an Operation Manual (copy) online and it arrived today.  It probably won't be a surprise that in the 1950s - it was written for the male owner - all pronouns are he/him/his.  Made this girl chuckle.  

Couple of door pictures will load first in the gallery as of tonight: https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/

Edited November 28, 2020 by SkippyMack

[terry]

Alot of newbies to the B model door disassembly make the same mistake, once you figure it out it is very simple.    terry

[Frank Y]

51 minutes ago, terry said:

Alot of newbies to the B model door disassembly make the same mistake, once you figure it out it is very simple.    terry

Dont want to hijack the thread but can someone link me to the simple way to disassemble a B inner door? I need to change my d/s latch and fought to get everything apart the 1st time.