Willard build thread
Knuckle Bandage Sales Rep
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,245
From: Maine
Lookin' good Bill!
Now there's something to kneel on when it's time to put the rear window back in.
I haven't done much on my red truck since I was over to your place. Just waiting for spring. Let me know if you need a hand with that someday.
Tom
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Now there's something to kneel on when it's time to put the rear window back in.
I haven't done much on my red truck since I was over to your place. Just waiting for spring. Let me know if you need a hand with that someday.
Tom
.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
The bed floor has the original style ridges. As I explained in another thread, I replaced the original steel over wood floor. Back years ago Mack Hills (business since sold) used to make new authentic 48-early 50 steel floor. I bought it over 20 years ago and I installed it for this build. It might have been the most challenging job that I did on Willard, well north of 100 spot welds and impossible to get flat (neither did the factory). I would not do it if a new embossed bed floor was available (to my knowledge, it is not). You are all spared the agony!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
You really need a heated workspace! I will take you up on your offer. I also have a new windshield and a new windshield rubber from Drake which is supposed to be better. We will see.
I am currently in the final sheet metal processing stage. Next is to final block the rear fenders for color. I have the running boards in final blocked prime and the underside in final color.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 83
From: Utah
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
I got the latches from Hot Rods Truck parts in New Carlisle Ohio, $30 for the pair.
Correct mounting of both ends of the latches is important to get the tailgate firmly latched against the bed and positioned such that when latched the latch is "over center" . Mounting/proper spacing is important for the latches to work properly. I took photos of the outside of the mounts but they did not come out well. There are small angled plates to load spread on both the tailgate and the bedsides with SS acorn nuts showing on the outside.
EDIT: The latch photo went jumbo size when I clicked on to submit!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
Additional pix of tailgate hardware. It is difficult to see but there are angled reinforcement plates underneath the acorn nuts.
I tried without success to rotate the one picture that I previously posted. You will have to turn your computer!
The rear tail lights in the bed cross member are 42 ford car.
I tried without success to rotate the one picture that I previously posted. You will have to turn your computer!
The rear tail lights in the bed cross member are 42 ford car.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
I started my build thread late. There are a few pix in my gallery like the Jag installation. I did not do a good job documenting the chassis build and pix of endless (it seems) fairing and block sanding are not very interesting. The interesting pix would have been cab corner replacement, cab floor replacement and installing a new original style floor in the bed. I do not believe that the steel replacement bed floor is even available which is probably a good thing for others that might consider doing that job.