68 custom in NM: Build Thread *** Lot's O' Photos***

[GraficO]

Can you believe it? 200 posts about my project!

Thank you all for the comments, questions and good vibes so far!

 

[Devin]

Can you believe it? 200 posts about my project!

Thank you all for the comments, questions and good vibes so far!

So, was ghost correct? Does he get the prize?

 

[nrramse]

How about the world's first animation embedded into a paint job? -

I like Tom's pic better.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

My guess

Looks like it could be a new molding for the rear edge of the bed. Would sit under the tailgate. I stared at the darn thing for 5 minutes and really don't have a clue. That's my best guess.

 

[Fishbone]

Adam, lot's of posts on this thread lately. Good to see all the progress.

I'm lookin' forward to seeing the "squirrel" in use.

 

[GraficO]

OK... I will announce the winner of the "Secret Squirrel" shortly...;D

I got some fiberglass down over the weekend. I have a couple more layers to put on to make it structurally sound... but you get the drift. I'll post more photos of it in process as I go. Right now it's almost the right thickness and I just sanded it to accept the next few layers. It's been a grueling project as you have to put on like 7 layers of fabric to build it up enough to get it solid.

After it's done I'll do a skim coat of Bondo and finish it out. I have trim edging to go on it so when I make my final cut I can have a nice edge. I will also be making aluminum stiffeners in the right places to add to the structure and for the mounting of it. When done it will have a laser-cut stainless facing.

 

[bax]

Building a fancy center console I see.

 

[GraficO]

yeah Bax... it's a real PITA! I guess I just have to jump in with both feet

Speaker boxes too...

 

[NicksTrix]

is a squirrel carrier built into the consol?

glad to see you're making progress on it.

 

[Wyflyer]

I was thumbing through the want ads in the Shelby County Tribune, and this picture caught my eye.
More accurately, I saw this early picture in your build, and i'm wondering what is the little box extruding from the kick panel?
thanks

 

[GraficO]

Wyflyer... it's a stainless steam table pan that is covered in undercoating and lined with DynaMat covering a 3.25" hole for a set of component Alpine speakers in both kick panels. They are sealed with a gasket and bolted down to the kicker so they're sealed from crud getting kicked up from the front tires.

There isn't much room to put in speakers and I didn't want to cut extra holes in the doors... so I'm mounting them here in the kickers.

The speakers are very low profile so as to miss the E-brake pedal on the drivers side and they are small enough to not interfere with the cowl vent on the passenger's side.

Had to make some space out of essentially wasted space.

 

[KANE]

Wow!!! I just read your whole thread and it looks Awesome! I'm real curious about the console and speaker boxes. I've been beating my brains trying to figure out the right way to do my console.....I was thinking about the console in my 04 f-150 but I think it would be too wide - You've nailed it and inspired me to get off my ass and make it happen!!

Great build and Thanks for sharing alot of innovative ideas!

Mike

 

[GraficO]

you are more than welcome Mike. As soon as I heal from the weekend I'll get back on the console and start posting more photos. I'm about 80% done with the shell. I need to put a couple more layers of glass in a couple places and then I can skim it and get it finished and ready to assemble.

 

[GraficO]

small update. The back seat is in and I got some more done on the console and the wiring under the dash. Many thanX to Newell for coming over and helping today!

 

[GraficO]

OK... FINALLY a photo update

Here is the console with the plug removed and ready to start finishing. Very stout.

Also the split-roll-up rear seats are in.

Little dusty from sanding fiberglass...

 

[GraficO]

and just for reference sakes... these were the preliminary drawings for the console and dash... so you have an idea of where I'm going with it.;D

 

[GraficO]

So... I took a day for myself to celebrate being 40. All I wanted was to get a big chunk of the console done... so I got it sanded out and skimcoated.;D

tis now ready for high-build primer. Included a 3D drawing of what it should look like soon.

I've decided that I'm going to cover the sides with black vinyl and then have the tops and front panels made in stainless to match the doors. The big round holes are for drink holders and the two smaller ones are for my control switches for the heated seats. The two oblong rectangles will be for the Flip face DVD and the center speaker for the 5.1 surround. The smaller hole will be for the 3 spd floor shifter.

Tomorrow... POR 15 and more of that damn Metal Ready... but I have industrial gloves and protection from acid this time.

 

[Devin]

Nice work! Happy B-day, BTW.

 

[GraficO]

thanX... Devin... we still all set for the 22nd?

 

[77Red]

Looks good man. Happy B-day! Hurry up so we can see the finished product! ;D