Also knocked out the inner fenders.

 

Great plan. The second body let's you get your original just the way you want it. But you can enjoy your truck while doing the body work on the original body. Plus your truck does look pretty cool with the CL find on it. It looks like you are getting real close to be able to start enjoying it as a driver!

Nice work on those inner fender panels too!

 

Finally got all four wheels to match and installed some lights out front. Still need to finish wiring them up. I'm gona need to purchase new lenses for the parking lights but this is what I got for now. I need to figure out the turn signal wiring.

 

Looking good!

It looks like you are getting it very close to being road worthy/legal. Almost time to drive the hell out of it!! I'm jealous!!

 

Awesome build. Enjoyed reading the hole thread. Keep up the good work and thanks for your service. Subscribed!!

 

Hey Stephen, just wondering how the progress is going?

 

Good. Thanks for asking.

I just got back this week from Afghanistan so not much lately but have bought a couple parts to change the lug pattern in the rear from 4.25 to 4.5.

I will post pics when I get the work done.

 

Changed the rear lug pattern from the T-Bird's 4.25 to Cobra's 4.5. I purchased new (cobra IRS) hubs, (cobra IRS) bearings, (cobra) rotors, and attaching hardware. I was able to use original calipers and brake pads. I had to get my local machine shop to press out the old bearing and hub from the knuckle and press in the new hub and bearing. Lesson learned...tell the machine shop to press in the bearing to the knuckle first then the hub to the bearing. I also had to made a bracket to move the calipers inward to the centerline of the truck 5mm and outward to accommodate the larger circumference of the rotor 19mm. The internet had a wonderful write up by Douglas L. Raleigh in August 2000 that showed me everything I needed to know to change from MN-12 to SN-95.

 

That looks greats! Thanks for the pics

 

this is a great build. subscribed

 

Thanks
Hammered out a rear bumper from 1/8" steel.

Next to make the brackets.

 

Rear bumper done.

 

Looks good.

 

Those brackets and bumper look great. Great fab work on that!

 

Got new wheels and tires. Bought Wheel Vintiques Series 12 with 275/60R/15 and center caps.