1973 Blue Bird

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:17 pm

More boards going on. It took quite a few hours to install all the boards.

Where we didn't use the bolts, we attached the boards to the frame with deck screws.

These are the deck screws that we used. That is a 9/64th drill bit.

One more board to be installed.

And there it is.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:27 pm

At this point, there are still a lot of things to be done on this project.

For now, let's admire the photos of the pretty truck in the field.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:47 pm

It's time to put the wall in. We got a sheet of 3/4 inch flakeboard and traced around the cab with a Sharpie. We then cut it with my sawzall.

We set the board in a half inch from the outside and screwed it in from the sides and top with many small self tapping screws. Then we siliconed the edges.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:03 pm

Now for the hole for the window. It was cut out with the sawzall.

A neighbor donated a 1/8 inch thick piece of plexiglas.

It was screwed to the outside of the wall. We pre-drilled the plexiglas so it wouldn't crack.

We used three coats of oil based paint.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:16 pm

More to come. Stay tuned for the next chapters.

One of my favorite parts is the photos of the industrial area where we had to pick up the staging. It was stored in a warehouse.

splummer · Post by **splummer** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:23 am

nice pics, i had chevy like that, also i see that a vaughn hammer was broken in the process, keep the progree pics coming . steve

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:28 am

Thanks, Steve. The neighbor broke the hammer. I don't use wooden hammers because of that. I have a 16 ounce fiberglass handled hammer and a 20 ounce Estwing metal handled.

That's only about half of the pictures for the whole project.

splummer · Post by **splummer** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:30 am

i use a vaughn framing hammer .the wood absorbs the shoch, i like vaughn over eswing when framing tho

ezrablu · Post by **ezrablu** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:58 pm

Nice work on the project...great photos. I'm learning a lot from them.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:05 pm

Thanks, Blu. I'm glad that you have been able to learn something from the article.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:32 pm

Now on to the tail lights.

We got a trailer light kit. It includes two rear lights which perform running lights, brake lights, and turn signal functions. The kit also included two marker lights, all necessary wiring and terminal ends and wiring diagrams. We installed the marker lights on the sides of the flatbed.

The kit was $25. It has regular type bulbs. The LED type bulb kit was close to twice the price.

We also mounted two reflectors on the rear.

The rear light units have two studs at the rear of the plastic housing. We drilled in the metal panel at the rear of the van, and mounted them there with the supplied nuts and washers. Those studs act as the ground.

In this photo you can also see the eye hooks we screwed into the boards. They act as tie downs for straps.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:38 pm

The building of the flatbed was now finished.

Before we get to the mysterious engine problems, I'd like to take an intermission. Enjoy the halftime show, and while you are up, please get me some popcorn.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:48 pm

Today's intermission begins with pics of my dog, Buddy, sleeping.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:55 pm

Now for some photos from a trip to town.

Where we are, there are lots of dirt roads and hay fields.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:59 pm

A big purple truck in the parking lot of the auto parts store.

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1973 Blue Bird

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