The year is coming to a close. What did you get done on your truck projects? (Or any other projects for that matter?) And what do you hope to get done next year?

Here's a list of what I've gotten done this year:

-Installed glovebox
-Got almost all my gauges working (dang stubborn fuel gauge)
-Installed toolbox
-Installed new rear window seal
-Replaced rear wheel cylinders, brake springs, master cylinder, and got the brakes working.
-New wheels/tires
-Restored parking brake
-Installed spare tire hanger
-Installed new front springs and shocks
-Installed cigar lighter
-Installed new choke cable
-New Throttle return spring and rod
-Restored heater/replaced fan motor
-Installed radio
-Replaced engine fan and fan belt
-Installed tonneau cover
-Painted on bedliner
-Drove around town with a goofy smile on my face

Here is what I hope to do next year:

-Re-install radiator
-Install passenger side wiper and linkage
-Replace passenger side door glass (both vent and window)
-Install anti-rattle kit
-Replace door lock
-Fix door bottoms (they are rusted out.)
-Weld in new floor pans
-Start doing other misc body repair work
-Drive it around town with a goofy smile on my face

 

Here's what I've gotten done this year:
-Bought the truck! Most important step, right?
-Got it started, and driving, even without brakes :P
-Bought a parts truck, a 55 F350
-Bought all the box parts I needed from Horkey's down in southern MN
-Sandblasted, primed, painted, and mounted a tire on one rim (I swear I'll do the rest eventually!)
-Rebuilt my first carburetor, a glass-bowled 1904
-Rebuilt all the brakes to mostly working condition (still pulls to the left really bad upon braking)
-In the middle of rebuilding a steering box from the parts truck that will go in mine.
-Also in the middle of rebuilding an extra starter and generator I found at my great uncle's place
-Drove around town once, with a stupid grin on my face too!

Here's what I hope to get done next year
-Grab the Dana 60 out of a 57 F250 at the junkyard
-Swap gears to make highway speeds a reality
-Install seat belts, fix brakes, and other safety concerns
-Rebuild some more carburetors I've found
-Put the box together and put it on the truck
-Scrounge around junkyards for more parts (My budget just got cut from small to almost zero for next year)
-Have it highway worthy to do some cruising this summer!

 

Heck yeah it is! I should have put that on mine.

 

I started with this

then went to this

and arrived to this. I also got the panel licensed for the road and put 3,000KM's on it

 

My accomplishment list isn't real big for this year but it is some big steps

-completed all rust work on cab
-sand blasted and primed cab
-rebuilt holley double pumper
-in the midst of completing steering linkage

What i want to get done next year
-get chassis ready for motor (brakes,clutch,drive shaft, radiator, minimal electrical)
-Rebuild motor
-Have truck move under its own power in who knows how long

 

Not a lot done, but all was needed.

Replaced the brake and clutch pedal return springs
Secured the vent pipe
Refurbished 2 dash light housings to use for the turn signals
Fixed my dragging rear brakes
Drove in a parade
Replaced the king pins and bushings
Rebuilt the generator
Pulled a tree stump to prove I could
Installed the gas pedal linkage/spring and WOT stop screw
Installed new hood trim
Put Herculiner on the running boards

 

Not much on the '52 and purchased a '54 Panel to go with it. What I have done this year is make some money with a lot of work, but money without much time equals little work done. My little shop is really crowded now with the Panel truck taking up much work room. I need to alleviate the space problem, I am working on doing that this coming year... (the picture of the panel is sitting in front of the shop of the guy I bought it from, not mine. Mine is much smaller ).

 

When I first started posting this I thought that I hadn't done much of anything to the truck this year, but then I remembered my steering overhaul.
I completely reworked my steering, I relocated the Toyota steering box, fabricated a new pitman arm and drag link, installed the 64 Buick steering column, fabricated a switch panel to house the ignition switch, headlight switch, and heater controls, etc.


After that I drove the tar out of the truck and made several cross the state road trips and at least one dragstrip thrash session.


My plans for next year?
I want to pull the drivers door latch mechanism apart and rework the internals to tighten it all up, sand down and paint the interior, install the new weatherstrips, door glass and vent wings, replace the windshield and back glass weatherstrips, etc.
Of course, I've been saying that for the last several years, maybe this time I'll get it done.


Good luck all
Bobby

 

Made a fiberglass headliner, still needs to be upholstered. Looked at the rest of the interior a bunch of times. Put a scratch on the left front fender at a car show. Installed the radiator and made a fan shroud. Drove it 3000 miles.

 

Sorry to hear about the scratch...

But driving 3,000 miles is cool!

 

I wasn't sure I had done anything this year, but after checking the dates on some pics I guess I, #1, installed a block plate between the trans and motor. #2 replaced the old oil pan with a purty new one, #3 installed plug wire heat shields, and #4 repaired droopy door handles. As for the future I have the parts and tools to remount the cab mounts, replace the trans cover, reassemble and reinstall the heater, replace tailgate chains with SS latches and chromed fold down hinges, replace front spring pins and bushings (I thought I already had but found the parts on the shelf LOL), smooth out some minor dings and dents on the body and Tail gate. I'm still saving for a 9", and new heads, but being realistic Ill be lucky to get one or two things of my pending jobs done. Its hard to take a running truck out of service, or grind on good paint to start another project.LOL

 

My '40 stake truck has been on the street for about 2 years, but this year I put in a "temporary" seat, since the stock seat needs some repairs. Used a 3rd row Chrysler minivan seat. Logged about 8,000 miles in it this year.

The bigger accomplishment was hauling home my '54, which has been sitting in dad's basement for 30 years, and getting it back on the street.

 

.From beginning late December 2013 to December 2014 in a nutshell.
I am very proud of what I was able to accomplish in one year.
This accomplishment was made possible by the great people and information made available on FTE !!!!!


Many Many Thanks to ALL !!!
.....Roger
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Didn't get much accomplished this year...funds were tight. Did get the heater box cleaned up and painted and got the new motor mounted.





I also was able to convert my wipers from vacuum to 12V

 

My main goal for this year was to get my truck running, insured and make at least one cruise in. While it still has a ton of things to be done, it can be driven and so far I'm really happy with how well it performs.

And...............my wife took it out for a spin around the neighborhood yesterday. She loves it!!!!