ledzeppelin3270

Hey guys, figured I would post my project in Build instead of Tech, I think I'll find a bit more knowledge about what I'm doing here.

I bought Gloria in August 2011.

This is how she arrived: Not running, three year old gas in the tank, ten year old motor oil.


Starting fluid and new spark plugs and I had her running that night.

Bed was completely shot so I tore it off and spent a few hours making a little wood contraption.


It came with a 6.5" Meyer Hydroturn that I used to prove that our little trucks can be used for anything, even plowing.


But it was a cold winter with floors like this...


And this was always a little bit concerning.


But I had lots of fun anyways.




And then I parked her, to start driving my Ranger again..... Bad trade, I know. But that's when I started the rebuilding process! Which will be explored in my next post. Cheers.

ledzeppelin3270

Summer 2012 is when I slowly started to take Gloria apart to begin my plans for restoration.











And that's as far as I got for a few months. I started a new job and didn't really have the time or resources to continue this project.

In October, I started framing a shop in our barn that I could use to rebuild this truck. I got it finished a few weeks ago.



And have since moved the cab inside and have started working on removing the rusted out sections.







I plan on transferring the cab up onto some sort of sawhorse or something soon. The engine/drivetrain overhaul will be starting soon as well. I understand that this is a large project, but I love this truck so much that it's worth it. I know that if I do it right, I'll have a outrageously dependable pickup for years and years. Of course, I don't really have to justify my actions to you guys. I know you understand!

HighLux

OMG! You are making me feel so guilty for considering selling my trekker.

Ill be watching this thread for sure.

bob200587

Replace all the rusty parts!!!!

ardee/'82 LN46

Nice. mine is 1982 LN46 dual cab and currently doing my rebuild.

ledzeppelin3270

Don't worry bob200587, I just picked up another dozen cutting wheels from Menards on my way home from work tonight!

Ardee, I'm jealous of your dual cab. Make sure you post a build thread!

Logan81Pickup

Wow... that is some REALLY bad rust. If I were you I'd just look for another frame, because the only part of that that I would use would be the front, since oil usually protects that part of the frame.

ledzeppelin3270

Logan, I actually located a rust-free frame from Arizona a few hours away from me that I'm going to be picking up when I have some free time. I don't think my frame is salvageable at all.

ledzeppelin3270

Between work and being sick I haven't had much time for the truck recently, but found a few hours on Sunday to get some work done. I've got almost all the rust gone from the driver's side floor area and have got some steel frame built. I'm going to use the 1.5 square tube to build off for both the floor and body mounts. The 1/8 steel strips you see going across (more to come) will be riveted to the floor sheet.



Now I've got a few hours and I'm heading out to the shop now. Hopefully I'll be able to finish up the floor frame tonight and start looking for some sheeting.

RobotMoose

iTrader: (1)

I'm really looking forward to how the new floor will look!

ledzeppelin3270

Haven't done much to the cab recently, I'm waiting on some steel from a friend and until then there's not much I can do. So today I'm pulling the engine and trans (possibly axles) from the frame and will be starting to do some work on those.

NickMiller

Looking forward to progress!

FIRTH4X4

Thought my 80 was rusty holy crap! Looking forward to the future of this rig!

ledzeppelin3270

Well guys, not much to report recently, engine is partially tore down now but that's about it. I actually got into a rollover crash a little over a week ago in my dad's Dakota so I've been spending most of my extra money and free time nursing that back to life. Hopefully I'll have that thing back roadworthy soon and keep working on Gloria.