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'78 F350 Dually Project

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RivennHewn

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Reminds me that I need to get back to hooking up the lights I installed.

Glad to see your progress. Just might be the motivation I need to get back to it:beer:
 
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RivennHewn

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Re-found an old pic of my punk-*** 18 year old self sitting on my dad's '82 Ford F350 flatbed dually.

I used to work for my dad building houses, and driving this truck around picking up materials and towing the backhoe.

Pretty much where I fell in love with flatbeds.


S9Yo
 
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RivennHewn

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Bit of a story regarding those nail bags.

I was the youngest of 3 brothers that all worked building houses with my dad during the summers.

As the youngest, I got stuck with most the labor- clean up, digging, packing lumber and such.

About that time my dad hired an elderly hispanic man and his sons to help get our projects closed in from the winter weather.

He heard me whining about always getting stuck with the **** work. One day he says to me "show up prepared to work, and see what happens. Go buy some tool bags and tools". Before that, I hadn't invested anything in the job other than the attitude you see on my face in the pic.

I went out and spent some money on the bags and a hammer. The old man rounded up a few other hand tools, and I was set.

It wasn't 15 minutes after getting to work that day that my dad saw my new gear, and with a surprised face put me to doing framing task. Mostly under the eye of the old man and his sons.

I learned more from that old guy(framing and life in general) in a few weeks than I had all summer.

Great old guy, sure wish I could remember his name.
 
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Lwel9226

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RivennHewn said:
Bit of a story regarding those nail bags.

I learned more from that old guy(framing and life in general) in a few weeks than I had all summer.

Great old guy, sure wish I could remember his name.
Click to expand...

I know that feeling, have simular memories also . . . . .

LynnW
 
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RivennHewn

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A little playing around in the shop after an amazing Thanksgiving day feast.

I've had this paper ream cutter handle hanging on my wall for years.

MeMT


Cut the handle and tapped a hole.
LHS4


Thinking this may just be my new shifter handle. Will see how it looks installed tomorrow.
dZm1
 
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ADSR

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^^ It looks cool, but I bet the factory one will be more comfortable to use.
 
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RivennHewn

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LORDDiESEL said:
^^ It looks cool, but I bet the factory one will be more comfortable to use.
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I think you're right, but I don't really think user fatigue will be an issue considering how little I actually drive it.



Toolfool said:
Should tap it on the long side in the middle of the finger grooves, then it would be like a Hurst T-shifter.
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I considered it, but it would have hit the steering wheel.

This shifter arm is about 3"+ longer than the one in my '78. Adding another 3.5" really makes this an ape hanger.

All in all it's kinda silly, but I like it.

n4Ln
 
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RivennHewn

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Thanks Hotfr8,

It's a bit different, but i like stuff that nobody else has. Stuff you can't go buy at the store or online.
 
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Cardboard Man

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RivennHewn,

It took me the better part of 3 days to make my way through this thread - what a read! I visited a few times when you first started it and then lost track until I saw the link in the "show us your truck" thread. I don't know how I missed it for most of a year.

I have enjoyed following the ups and downs of both trucks, and want to compliment your excessively modest style of writing. The combination of photos, dry humor, and actual follow-up to the myriad of topics makes for a great read. More like a story really. Puts it right up there with Gregor's "Mid-Century Moto Mecca Makeover" thread.

Seeing the transformation and attention to period-correct detail without over-restoring has brought back a lot of memories for me and makes me want to locate a similar truck as a project for my son and I. I've always been a Ford guy and have a soft spot for the '78-'79 front end. I loved them when they were new and still think they are the best looking of the era (the photo that TimeWarp posted of the black one with the Lightning wheels made my knees weak!) And by the way, I can tell you're in love with your truck from that black-and-white photo you posted of the front end peeking out from the shadows! It's OK, I get it.

Looking forward to the next update!
 
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RivennHewn

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Wanna Ride,

Thanks, It's kinda growing on me too. I was a little on the fence with it, but the more I drive it the more I like it.

I do need to put a slight bend in the stick, because as is the handle hits the wheel. Just slightly, but I really have to watch the shifter handle/ spinner knob clearance, or I pinch my fingers.

Cardboard Man,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my thread, and for taking the time to drop such a nice note. I can't believe it is just over a year ago that I brought home the 1st truck. I had been wanting to do this for a long time.

Progress has slowed down here lately, but this is going to be a long haul. While work and other pursuits take time away from the truck, I'm still planning my next moves.

Thanks again to all who have encouraged, helped, and inspired me along the way. :beer:
 
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RivennHewn

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Not sure about ya'll, but I'm kind glad the Holiday season is over. It was great, but I'm ready to go back to a normal schedule. Call me old.

Hope '18 brings you all the garage space your projects need, the funding to bring them together, and time to complete them:rocker:
 
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RivennHewn

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Toolfool said:
Gonna need it this year. County decided not to renew wife's contract.
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Ouch!

Hope it doesn’t cut into the Van fund too much. :willy_nil

My wife was between jobs a fair bit of this last year, and is just now settling into her new position.

I’m sure y’all will power through just fine.
 
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Toolfool

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RivennHewn said:
Ouch!

Hope it doesn’t cut into the Van fund too much. :willy_nil

My wife was between jobs a fair bit of this last year, and is just now settling into her new position.

I’m sure y’all will power through just fine.
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Fingers crossed. 3/4 of our income. Commuting off Whidbey is going to be rough for her.
 
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C_F

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RivennHewn said:
Not sure about ya'll, but I'm kind glad the Holiday season is over. It was great, but I'm ready to go back to a normal schedule. Call me old.
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I'm right there with ya! Each year, as I view the holidays in the rear view mirror, I get a sense of relief. Here's hoping for a great 2018 for everyone! :beer:
 
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RivennHewn

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dwysywd said:
Riv, loved the photo of the truck.
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Thanks


C_F said:
I'm right there with ya! Each year, as I view the holidays in the rear view mirror, I get a sense of relief. Here's hoping for a great 2018 for everyone! :beer:
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So far, so good! :pimpflash


But I do need to rant a bit.

Went to clean up some wiring this afternoon, which included re-routing spark plug wires.

NSJ6


Total pisser.

Anybody else have issues with this particular well known brand of yellow plug wires?
 
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cthulu

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Western Washington
RivennHewn said:
Anybody else have issues with this particular well known brand of yellow plug wires?
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Yeah, if I'm not going to custom make them to length I really like the MSD's that click into place. A plug wire crimper is cheap and they are pretty straightforward to make, if you bulk buy the pieces/wire you save quit a bit if you do lots of changes.

Been lurking on this thread for a minute, truck came out real nice man.
 
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