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I have a 64 and have been searching for ideas for my build. Love all the work you have done and definitely subscribed for future updates. Please keep posting.
Finally made a custom bracket and got the Isuzu steering box mounted. The U joints have been a huge pain in the ***. Couldn’t find anything that fit the original Isuzu box- was either too loose or too tight. Ended up having to force fit one on there. Then I couldn’t find a vibration reducer joint from any manufacturer that was ‘in phase’ with the first joint. Spent a half hour with Flaming River and they assured me that being out of phase is fine. Especially since it is nearly a straight line from the column to the box. So yes- my joints are out of phase and I’m not too happy about it. At least I finally have a vehicle that I can steer.
Next on the agenda-
1- mount the new narrower radiator (yes another re-do). The Nova radiator is just too wide. Going with a Model A radiator.
2- fab front floor pans
3- finally tackle the rear end. Set the pinion angle and weld on the leaf spring saddles.
4- weld the rear upper and lower shock mounts
5- Get Denny’s driveshafts to make the custom driveshaft
6- plumb the brake lines, bleed brakes
7- mount shifter and get a custom shift cable (possibly from a boat setup because of the length needed)
8- DRIVE the van for the first time!!!!!!!!
Sounds simple but I am hoping to have this stuff completed by the end of summer. Will still have tons to do after that, but I need this thing driveable to keep me motivated.
Started working on the front floor pan support frame. This will give me something to attach the floor pans to in the center. This is the drivers side frame.
Got a few more hours in and worked on the passenger floor pan support. Also got the radiator mocked up and in place. Just need to make a bracket for it.
Started on the driver side floor pan. I have to make this in 4 pieces because of the shape, different levels, and the column and brake pedal coming through the floor. I am making a removable panel to be able to remove the pedal assembly bracket. I could have just welded the bracket to the frame but I like the idea of serviceability down the road. Here are 3 of the floor pieces fabbed up. One more to make by the door opening. I don’t know how but these 3 panels have taken me almost 9 hours to make. Doesn’t seem like that much work.
Finally finished the drivers floor. I have 18 hours in it. Still have to make some cover plates for the steering column and brake pedal where they come through the floor. Also finished the radiator bracket and made some mounts for the electric fan. Just need to prime the floor and seam seal it.
Mounted the shifter and made the drivers side of the center tunnel. Using a dash piece from a Ford Edge. Ended up taking the drivers air vent out and that will be where the shifter is. Will need to make a custom boot. This was the only solution I could come up with that would allow me to ‘center’ the radio and dash bezel. I’m really digging the layout. Easy reach to the shifter and the radio will be nice and close. I will come up with a different air vent for the drivers side.
Been going like crazy trying to finish all the metal work in the front. Have the drivers floor; center tunnel; upper radiator panel all complete. Just started the passenger floor and the passenger radiator cover. A few more pieces and I’ll be done. I know some of the shapes look odd but I was trying to keep everything as tight as possible. This will all be covered with carpet and interior panels/console anyways. I need to get better screws for the removable panels.
01-16-2020, 06:30 PM
