Continued work to try and finish the inside of the truck this weekend. Must have pulled the instrument panel and radio/heater 3 or 4 times this weekend as we found issues. Last time I had checked the high beam indicator had worked but this time it did not. Worried that something in the wiring had broken or come loose. Pulled the cluster and checked the plug, had 12 volts when high beam was on. Swapped bulb with brake light warning light and both worked, must have been a loose connection. Found the backlight for the old radio wasn't working, ran out and got a new bulb and worked once we screwed everything back in. Purchased an antenna from down south that could mount under the dash and played the radio, for something to be 30+ years old it played fine although AM does not work, but who listens to AM. Pics included of dash complete, pretty proud of how it turned out. Would have loved to have used OEM parts but they are near impossible to find on the east coast. Check out the dirty old ***** on the radio, the way they came out of the truck.



















Still some work to do to get the floor mat to fit but may take some time to conform to the floor.

 

Looking good.

 

That's got to be pretty close to what that dash looked like brand new! Nice job

 

Didn't want to put the speakers back in the door and have no need for 12" speakers so we compromised. Have not ever made a speaker box before but turns out it is not to bad to do. Made it about 30" wide, 6" thick at the bottom and 4" at the top. Son watched several videos on you tube to learn how to put carpet on and it turned out really good. No overlap on the seams and looks really good.

 

Looks great, I like the black grill shell a lot, will be going that route on my crew cab.

 

For those that have followed this thread I have been talking about going to pick up the bed in WV and bring it back to VA for a few weeks now. Finally got it all in one spot this weekend.












Finally back together.

 

Looks good. Gotta say, I hate you just little right now. LOL Wish I could find a good bed like that.

 

making great progress good job!

 

The bed didn't start out that nice. Lots of work to get into the shape it is in today along with a very knowledgable father in law that did this for a living before retirement. Give you some idea of how far this has come in beauty and color.








You are right for a truck this far north east it wasn't completely rusted out. Except for the posts and lower panels which a local metal shop was able to recreate. I had them make several extra just need to post for sell. Had to recreate last time also so must be something that rusts out pretty frequently. A review of what has been done on the bed.








In the end all four posts were replaced along with all four of the lower panels, front and back. Still have to see if everything lines up as we measured from old and transferred to new but you know how things go when trying to put everything back together. But the basics sides of the bed were in pretty good shape. Working to get the bed together, wood pieces stained and varnished and ready.

An expert hand put the letters on the tailgate and wow it is something to watch.

 

Lots of bolts in the bed just have to work through squaring the bed and getting them all tight so that the rails pull down correctly. Three coats of marine grade varnish on all sides, no stain just let the grain show through.










And then we caught my father-in-law in a shot. How did this happen?? Two sons, wife and both in-laws lifted the bed on to the truck. Working on getting everything else bolted on. Expect the gas tank filler neck to cause problems.

 

Lookin good!

 

Looks really nice!

 

Great work Iron man! I really like that wood floored bed!

 

Wood is in the bed and as described earlier the bed is on the truck.

 

It hsa been almost a week since we got the bed back but have made some pretty big strides in the last few days. Fenders, steps and tailgate are now on.