Progress ... hanging sheetmetal!!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 13
Thanks Ilya
Guys I am completely blown away with the Bell mount fabrication. I knew the guys were good but they really hit this one out of the park. It looks exactly like the original. I just can't believe how good it looks!! I am going to surprise my boys when they come home from school this afternoon. I will post a video of their expressions later.
Guys I am completely blown away with the Bell mount fabrication. I knew the guys were good but they really hit this one out of the park. It looks exactly like the original. I just can't believe how good it looks!! I am going to surprise my boys when they come home from school this afternoon. I will post a video of their expressions later.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 13
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Eagan, MN
Keith,
I've been following your build, but haven't posted partly because others are saying what I'm thinking. This has been a great project to follow. The craftmanship on the bell mount is great, and it needed to be, to be on your truck. The history you have provided, the family connections and the build are impressive. I'm looking forward to reading your book once it's ready to go.
Grant
I've been following your build, but haven't posted partly because others are saying what I'm thinking. This has been a great project to follow. The craftmanship on the bell mount is great, and it needed to be, to be on your truck. The history you have provided, the family connections and the build are impressive. I'm looking forward to reading your book once it's ready to go.
Grant
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 6
From: Houston
That is a beautiful job on the bell mount. What a project, I have been following it too. I am inspired by this build as well as others on this forum - they help me on mine not only with how to but with inspiration. Thanks for posting your build here.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 13
Thanks Topper, I see you are in the Houston area. I have a really good friend that lives there. Thanks for your comments and for following my build. Good luck on your project!!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Jefferson City, MO
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,976
Likes: 9,806
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Very nice!
The bell sounds great. they sure did a great job on fabricating that mount. I can foresee a good old brotherly roll around on the ground, punching, wrestling, round of fisticuffs about who's going to ring that bell while going down the road....LOL
Bobby
The bell sounds great. they sure did a great job on fabricating that mount. I can foresee a good old brotherly roll around on the ground, punching, wrestling, round of fisticuffs about who's going to ring that bell while going down the road....LOL
Bobby
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,599
Likes: 34
From: Rockingham, VA
All I can say is, Wow!
I must be getting soft, because watching that video brought tears to my eyes.
This is a great example of craftsmanship... and I don't mean just the bell mount.
Great thread, great story, great people.
I must be getting soft, because watching that video brought tears to my eyes.
This is a great example of craftsmanship... and I don't mean just the bell mount.
Great thread, great story, great people.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 13
Thanks guys!! I keep watching the video to see the joy and excitement in their eyes!!
Bobby, Its a good thing that I will have two handles hanging under the dash:
One for the bell and the other for the siren so they won't have to fight over just one!!
I plan on bringing the bell out to the truck and fit it. Then it goes to the chrome shop for plating. Since I can't lock the truck up in the barn, I am going to remove the bell each time I leave the barn after a show or parade. The chances that someone is going to mess with it is pretty slim but if it was stolen I couldn't find a replacement. I might leave the mount in place with some sort of tamper proof bolts.
Bobby, Its a good thing that I will have two handles hanging under the dash:
One for the bell and the other for the siren so they won't have to fight over just one!!
I plan on bringing the bell out to the truck and fit it. Then it goes to the chrome shop for plating. Since I can't lock the truck up in the barn, I am going to remove the bell each time I leave the barn after a show or parade. The chances that someone is going to mess with it is pretty slim but if it was stolen I couldn't find a replacement. I might leave the mount in place with some sort of tamper proof bolts.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,976
Likes: 9,806
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Keith,
Good idea on removing that bell each time. I know it sounds like a pain in the neck but its better to be safe than sorry. They make all sorts of tamper proof hardware so it shouldn't be too difficult to find some bolts to secure the mount.
Bobby
Good idea on removing that bell each time. I know it sounds like a pain in the neck but its better to be safe than sorry. They make all sorts of tamper proof hardware so it shouldn't be too difficult to find some bolts to secure the mount.
Bobby
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 13
We got a lot done today. We mounted the bell. The guys at the metal shop got the specs perfect. I just unbolted the two bumper bolts, set the bracket in place and the longer bolts just went into the old holes .... it fit perfectly!! I then drilled the two rear holes and removed the bracket. I took the bracket to the chrome shop today. They will polish and chrome it for $180.
We then hung the drivers door after we made sure the clearances were good. It looks 100% better. The only downer of the day was when we went to install the inner door panel, the regulator was 2" offset the the window catch. The only way to fix it is to remake the panel. I will now need to get some more paint ... bummer!!
We then worked on the wiring. We put switches in for the roof, front bumper, clearance and Mars lights. It looked good with it all lit up. I still need flasher for some of the lights and a voltage reducer for the Mars lights with the 6 volt motors. We are back out Friday to install the headliner now that the interior roof wiring is complete.
Kind of hard to see but its lit up!!
We then hung the drivers door after we made sure the clearances were good. It looks 100% better. The only downer of the day was when we went to install the inner door panel, the regulator was 2" offset the the window catch. The only way to fix it is to remake the panel. I will now need to get some more paint ... bummer!!
We then worked on the wiring. We put switches in for the roof, front bumper, clearance and Mars lights. It looked good with it all lit up. I still need flasher for some of the lights and a voltage reducer for the Mars lights with the 6 volt motors. We are back out Friday to install the headliner now that the interior roof wiring is complete.
Kind of hard to see but its lit up!!