Congrats on the nice job.
Looks finer than any "newferd".

 

Hey guys,

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything, but I haven't really done a lot to Buford until only recently. I had to go through a huge process just to get insurance, and once that was done, the summer was over. That sort of irritated me a bit as I wasn't hardly able to drive the truck around at all last year.

Well, that ended up being a blessing in disguise, as on one of my little shakedown runs, I noticed that I had no almost no power steering whatsoever. I figured that it was the power steering pump, so I chucked the stock pump, and went to a new Delphi type pump that had a bit more output. I figured that should be able to move my tires around a little easier, but when I fired the truck, I had power steering for about 30 seconds, until the fluid heated up a bit. Well, that told me it could only be one thing......steering box. So, this winter, I took the steering box out of Buford, and sent it off to Red Head steering to be rebuilt. While that was going on, I took the power steering pump brackets, and the pulley to the powdercoater to be made shiny black like everything else.

This last weekend, I decided to get everything installed back into the truck. The power steering brackets came with the pump, and they included a whole bag full of washers that you're supposed to stack to make the brackets fit correctly. I didn't like that, so I fitted the brackets with the washers, then I cut some spacers down to size. That gave the installation a cleaner look than a bunch of sandwiched washers. Once I got everything bolted up, plumbed up, and filled, I then jacked Buford up to bleed the system. I sat there turning the wheel back and forth for a while, and checked the pump, and it was full of foam. I let the bubbles die down, and filled the rest, and bled it again. It seems to work like a champ now, and the wheel turns like butter. What I did notice is that whatever Red Head does to the steering box makes one heck of a difference, as when you touch the steering wheel now, those wheels start to move. There is almost no play in that wheel at all now. Granted, between the new pump, rebuild steering box, collapsable steering shaft, and new bushings in the original steering column, I've kind of eliminated any chance at play, but it's nice to actually feel that now.

Anyway, everything is bolted up, cleaned up, and ready to go on the steering system. I'm still working on some other little projects for the truck, but I'll post pictures of those once they're installed.....it's still kind of secret until i can figure out if it will work, or not. So, I've posted a couple new pictures for you guys......enjoy!

 

"Too many to list in this box.....Buford is absolute proof that I probably need some sort of therapy". Always enjoy looking at Buford.

 

Well, you can look all ya like.......Besides, I'm sure the photos and this thread will be used against me someday in order to have me committed. Glad you like the truck, tho.

 

you kidding you have done a hell of a job,loaded your frame on the back of a truck like a real red neck ,a man with a plan,a finisher,thanks for all the pics,what a beauty,,,keep them coming

 

Wow! What a build! I would say I'm doin something similar but I'm easing into my mid life crisis. What I'm doing isn't so....extreme. Lol. I'm new to FTE but I have to say thanks for sharing the process. It's inspirational to say the least.

 

Good Looking build on Buford.. Thanks for taking the time to share it in this thread.
Is there no a/c in this truck ?

 

No......it wasn't an A/C truck, and I didn't really want to mess with it as we don't really require it here. I'm sure I'll eventually change my mind, and add the A/C system, but I liked a cleaner engine compartment for now.

Thanks for the thumbs up, guys.......it's nice to get feedback.

 

Dang, looking great. Nice job.

 

Well, I know it's been a while since I posted any progress, but some of that has been attributable to my having surgery on my foot a couple months ago. Haven't been able to get around worth diddly until just recently, and even now I limp all the dang time. Anyway, I've finally gotten my secret little project close to acceptable, and I figured I could now share it with the group.

First, I got my new toolbox installed. For those that don't already know, Highway Products makes one heck of a box. It's all welded marine grade aluminum, weatherproof seal, and a one handle lock that works quite well. The bumpy texture is what they call the "Gladiator" finish......I asked them how they came up with that, and they said it was an accident. They were punching holes in aluminum, when the punch lost power, and made that nifty little bump in the metal. Well, they thought it looked kinda cool, so they started to offer it on their boxes. This chest box I have was the prototype of this box, so I can honestly say I got the very first one. They're not cheap, though, so if you want one you'll have to save your pennies for a while.

My 'secret project' came out of sheer necessity. I wanted a place to put a spare tire, but where does one put a 35" spare tire? You can't put it under the bed, as the exhaust would melt it, and I didn't want to mount it on the front of the truck like a farmer, as that'd be kinda lame. I know there's a product called "tiregate", but that involves replacing my tailgate, and I didn't want to do that either. I know there are easier ways of doing this, but I decided that I was going to come up with my own custom mount for my spare. I created the mount out of 2" aluminum tubing, which takes all the down pressure from the tire and directs it into the bed floor. The lateral pressure is taken up by the toolbox itself, but also has a 1/4" steel plate on the inside of the box for rigidity. Since my toolbox has the opening handle on the left, I figured there was plenty of room for the spare on the right. The mount doesn't get in the way of the toolbox lid closing, and it has a lock so it is secure.

I'm thinking I can fine tune the arm a little as I think it's just a hair long for my taste, but overall I think it came out really well. It's solid as a rock, and I think it has a distinctive look too. I got it all installed today, and got the truck all gussied up for it's first show tomorrow, so Buford is finally going to make his official debut. The show is at a Ford dealership here in town, which I guess I think is just good joo-joo. I took a couple pictures of the mount and box for you guys, and I'll take some shots tomorrow at the show if I can get a few decent ones........enjoy!

 

I just made my friend a tire mount for his 75 SC. Urs looks sweet! I need to make myself one but I need a spare first Nice job! Also like that bed box.

 

Bump,
I want to see more pictures of this beauty

 

Well, while I know I haven't been around very much, I still try to come around and comply with requests when they occur. I added a couple shots that were taken a couple months ago. These shots were actually the result of an email that I got back in September.

I know most of you know all the parts vendors out there, and LMC was putting on some sort of contest for you to submit pictures of your ride. The point was that whatever trucks got selected, would be featured in the single issue magazine put out each year by Classic Trucks and Kustom Classic Trucks. That magazine is supposedly called "American Truck". Anyway, I was making a parts order, and I noticed the contest, so I figured there wouldn't be any harm in submitting a couple shots of Buford.

Well, I never gave it another thought, but in September, I got contacted by LMC, and they asked me to submit some more photos with me in them, as well as having them be much higher resolution. Luckily, I had a friend that knows a photographer, and we went out to take a couple shots down along the river. I sent them back to LMC (which was a pain as each photo exceeded their email size limit.....but we got that figured out), and they told me that there was a chance that my truck would be in that American Truck issue this next year. From what I've learned, the issue comes out toward the end of January, or so I've heard. So, maybe you guys will see Buford there next year.

Anyway, it'd be kinda cool if Buford got the coverage, but if not, it was nice of them to contact me. I've attached a couple of the shots submitted for you guys. Sorry I haven't been around more, but I've been laid out again from another surgery on the foot two weeks ago. Hopefully, this time it will work out......I am tired of limping. At least I was up and mobile for the photos....lol. Enjoy!

 

Lookin' good, real good .
Hope your surgery goes well, best wishes.

 

Just got done reading the 12 pages. Awesome build.
i have one question. Where did you get the rod that connects the steering column to the steering gear box.