I believe I'll Subscribe.

 

I am sorry I have not seen this sooner, definitely subscibed

 

This truck is AWESOME!! great work on it. Wish i could make mine as nice!!

 

How did I miss this thread.
Also subscribed.

 

Ok, I know it's been entirely too long since I've posted, but I actually have a few good excuses. This year has been kind of a pain in the posterior until recently as I had to deal with two rounds of pneumonia, which took their sweet time getting out of my system. The other issue was that I managed to break my left foot on the day that I was finally feeling well enough to go back to work after having been sick. That took me out of action for quite some time as well.

I have, however, gotten back to basically dysfunctional, and I've been busting a hump on Buford ever since. Last I dropped by, I had the wiring nearly completed. Well, it's still not complete, but I can say that it's about 99.9% done, minus the front marker lights and turn signals. Once I put the front fenders on, that will be a pretty quick process.

I've also installed the new trailer hitch and wired both that and the fifth wheel plug in the bed. That was pretty straight forward, but it was still tedious work. I managed to get the front seats mocked up, but ran into all sorts of problems there. My seats are a 40-20-40 configuration, and while they look good, they wouldn't move far enough forward for the back seat to fold down correctly. I figured I'd attack the problem from two angles. One, I had a set of 2" aluminum spacers made, and had them bevel cut and polished so the seats would look like they were sitting on little couch legs. The other solution was that I tood the seat frame and added a five inch extension to the center seat so it could move further forward. I put the spacers in, and installed the seats only to find that the spacers were too much and the steering wheel was hitting my legs. So, I removed the spacers ($200 down the drain), and hoped that the seat frame modification would work. Luckily, it did, and the back seat folds down just as it should.

Well, once that was under control, I ripped the seats back out, and started prepping the cab for the stereo installation. I laid down Dynamat Extreme on the floor, which rounded out the cab. I have that stuff on the floor, ceiling, and both the inner and outer door skins. I also added Dynapad on the floor for added insulation. I figure between the Line-X, Dynamat, Dynapad, the heavy jute padding, and the carpet, my cab will probably be pretty quiet, compared to stock form. Once I got that done, I put the carpet in, and started cutting the holes for the bolts. That....is a pain in the butt, as you have to keep making sure you have the carpet centered, so that you don't screw up. I managed to get it all put in place, but I don't have pictures of that just yet. Once I get the interior under control, I'll post more photos.

Ok......now the part where I made the most headway. I've managed to get the engine compartment nearly completed. I still have to do things like vacuum hoses, heater hoses, carb linkage, and such, but it's pretty much looking like it will complete. I still need to clean it, but I think it's coming out pretty well. I wanted to make it look as organized as I could, but still be completely functional, and I think I've managed to balance that to some degree. You'll notice the battery trays......that was actually my idea, believe it or not. I was thinking about how I wanted the dual batteries to look, and I came across a company that can make custom battery trays for Optima batteries. I gave them a call and asked if they could make me one with the Ford logo cut out, so that a blue top Optima would be underneath. That way, when it was done, it would look like the blue Ford oval. The guy on the phone said he couldn't believe that was the first time he had heard the idea, but he loved it, and knew he was going to sell a lot of those covers. He now offers them on his website in two configurations (facing engine, and facing out...as I had both made....long story). Regardless, I can actually claim that was one of my ideas for Buford that was purely original. I have a few items on the truck like that, but I'm definately happy with that one.

You'll also notice the oval air cleaner. That's another story, but I kept trying to come up with an idea for the intake. I originally was going to go with a more forced induction look with tubing and a carb hat, but I didn't like the idea of cluttering up the engine compartment too much. So, I looked through a lot of pictures and the idea of the oval air cleaner hit me when I was looking at old Cobras and Mustangs. I figured noone had ever seen one of those on an old Ford truck, so it made sense to me. It was close, and I had to fiddle with it a bit, but there was just enough clearance for the air cleaner to work. I know K&N makes a filter for that shape, but I don't want the color red in my engine compartment.

My aversion to the color red, or any other color but black, silver, and just enough blue, was kind of a crusade. I figured since I was getting that 0 gauge wire for the stereo system, then why not use more to make all of the battery and starter cables? I took the wire to a local shop and had them make all the cuts and then crimp, solder, and heat shrink the wire so they were completely weatherproof. It wasn't a cheap endeavor, but nothing on Buford has been, and it was the look I was going for. Basically, attractive, but built for war.

I added the air compressor in the position that the original factory jack used to be, and I think it looks right at home there. I managed to plumb it as neatly as I could, and I've managed to conceal or camoflauge most of the wiring so it's as unobtrusive as possible.

Overall, I think it still looks like how a Ford engine should, but has obviously been beefed up in every way I could think of, and still be completely functional. Anyway, that's pretty much the update for now. I'll be posting more once I start getting into the homestretch. I received my new toolbox just a week ago, and I think you guys will like it too. It's also a prototype that hadn't been built before, so it should look like something new as well.

So, I'm sorry for taking so long, but at least I've been working while I've been able. I'll try to be better about more frequent updates, but no promises.

 

You're doing an awesome job.
So, where is the link for the company that makes the battery trays?

 

I didn't want to offend the powers that be on this site by posting links for businesses that aren't sponsors (which I don't think these guys are). What I can do, however, is tell you that if you Google "Custom Optima Trays", you'll find them really easily.

Thanks for the thumbs up!

 

Update for those that are tuned in.......while I didn't take any pictures today, it was kind of a huge day for Buford. Today was the day I connected the batteries for the first time to the electrical system! The guy painting my house had 911 on speed dial in case there was smoke and sparks and I had a major heart attack, but so far I lucked out and that wasn't the case.

The stereo installer was here today, and finished installing the enclosure under the back seat, so i had to connect the batteries so he could fine tune the amps. Needless to say, I was scared to death, but it appears that I'm not too terrible at wiring. I turned the key to the accessory position, and the windshield wipers started. I turned the switch, and they turned off, so apparently that was done right. The trailer braking system came on as it should, the headlights were apparently on, as the air system gauge was lit up, so I turned them off. The auxilliary transmission selector lit up as well, so it appears to be in working order so far. The only issue came up when I turned on the air system, and the compressor fired up like it should, but I heard air leaking out from the horn. That told me the air valve was stuck open, so I went to that and it was hot as hell. That told me that there was constant power going to the valve, so I'm going to need to examine the wiring on that circuit a little bit to figure it out. So, it seems that that was the only area where the wiring was a little off. It looks like my wiring skills may have passed!

Anyway, the stereo sounds ridiculous, and I found it funny that the very first song to play in Buford, which was random on my iPod.....was Beethoven's fifth symphony. I thought it was pretty amusing that a big, black, ominous looking truck would have the famous 'dum dum, dum, duuuuuuuummmmm" screaming through the speakers.

Tomorrow I'll be focusing on getting the interior whipped into shape, and if all goes well, I'll be taking some pictures then. I'll post up my progress hopefully by tomorrow night for those that are interested. Anyway, thought I'd drop by and give the update as it was a kind of stressful day with activating Buford's central nervous system this afternoon. With the exception of the air horn circuit, it looks like Buford may be coming to life pretty soon!

 

Ok.....I said I'd try to post an update tonight, so before I pass out for the evening, I thought I'd bring everybody that's paying attention up to speed. Yesterday, when I connected the batteries for the first time, most everything worked, but there were a few problems.

The control valve for the air system that feeds the horn was locked open, and started to get really hot. So, I had to disconnect that until I could decipher the problem. Turns out that the horn button and ground wire in the column got crossed, which kept the horn relay locked open all the time. Took me a while to find it, but it was an easy fix.

When I tried the heater, the blower motor started rubbing the box, so it made a terrible racket. I managed to pull the heater box this morning, and got it under control pretty quickly. Now it sounds fine (but I did manage to break one of the courtesy light bulbs in the process).

The next issue was the rear turn signals......when you hit the switch for a left turn, the right rear light blinked, and vice versa. So, I went to the column connector and found the rear wires reversed. Easy fix, but took a little bit. Through all of this, I only managed to burn one fuse....not too bad.

I did manage to get the air system fired up so I could test the horn. While it does work, I have a few air leaks in some connectors so I'll have to address those. I did, however, build enough pressure to try the horn out, and it works perfect. I was able to wire the Grant steering wheel button to the horn relay on the fuse panel, and had the horn power wire off of the panel, control the air valve which feeds the horn. Works perfectly.....as long as there's pressure in the tank, the horn will fire.....and it is LOUD. The guy painting my house asked if I had a steamship in my garage.

The next step was to assemble the dash......I installed the gauge cluster, switches, stereo deck, heater controls, and all associated trim. I also managed to get the front seats in and the door panels, handles, and all assembled today too, but it was too dark to get a good picture this evening, so I'll try to add one of those tomorrow.

All in all, I got a heck of a lot of work done today. Once I get those air leaks under control, I think most of the troubleshooting should be caught up. Here's a few shots that I took.

 

Sorry to here of health issues,I have been dealing with pneumonia like symptoms for two weeks now.Beethoven would be proud to be associated with this attention to detail build,very very fine work Congrats

 

Your truck looks amazing. You can tell when pride, love and WAY too much money come together in perfect harmony! Again, you have a beautiful truck. Congratulations.

 

Hey Tim,I noticed in one of your pics the base of your steering column, the white plastic insert,can i ask where you found to purchase that?thankyou and thanks for keeping us in awe of all your hard work.

 

No problem, and thanks for stopping in for a gander....I appreciate the input as I'm glad I'm not just posting this stuff for my own entertainment!

As for that plastic piece, I can't swear to it, but I believe that was a part from the Long Motor Corporation (LMC). I'm sure you can go to their website and see if that part is offered. If I didn't get it there, then the only other places I can think that I may have got it was Dennis Carpenter, Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, or from Ford itself (highly doubtful on that one). Without going through my receipts, I'm not precisely sure where it came from, and I don't really have time to do that today. Pretty sure it was LMC, though.

 

I can't even argue with that assessment, as while the love and pride are easy to admit, the money aspect of things has become pure evidence that I need DEEP psychoanalytic therapy.

When I start thinking about how much Buford has cost me to build, I just console myself with four simple words............"Cheaper than a wife". Somehow I feel better after that.

Thanks again for the kind words....I appreciate it!

 

Ok....I said I'd post these yesterday, but going to go with the excuse that everyone has been out goofing off for the long weekend, so there's noone around to miss them anyway. Anyway, I got the seats installed, and they look pretty much at home. I know the walnut trim on the seats doesn't match perfectly with the walnut on the dash, but it's the only stuff I could get that was marginally close.

After the seats went in, I put on the insulation and door panels. I still have the walnut vinyl from the original doors, but I like the simpler look of the basic black panels with the chrome grilles.

So, this pretty much brings everyone up to speed on my current status. The next step is to track down the air leaks on the compressor and fix those, finish off the carb linkage, install all the vacuum hoses, and then maybe I can think about bolting on the front end. Once that's done, then the hood can go on, and I can start thinking about putting fluids in the truck for a first firing. Needless to say, on that day i will have EMT's in the driveway on standby as if anything goes wrong, I'm pretty sure they're going to need to bring me back.

Anyway, enjoy!