Grizzly Trucks

[diamondtguy]

He has done a huge amount of work to that truck.He had all those new panels made from mostly stainless.Pretty sure he told me he replaced the floors with stainless as well..
Judging by the grille I am going to say its one of the last ones...I'll have to try contacting him again..

 

[diamondtguy]

My interior guy/friend has begun work...I have given him free run on how he wants to do things..Truck is all framed inside with 1x2 tubing .He is going to make large panels and anchor them to the tubes as apposed to a dozen small panels..
Roof panel is roughed out..Its 1/4 walnut and actually tucks up inside above the doors and there is the frame work to attach it to...Headliner will be gray.I am using marine grade material for everything.The one pc will replace 4 separate pcs.I am leaving the original stuff in as sound deadner..Plus its all glued on with silicone...
Today I put the doghouse/tunnel together for the last time and bolted it all in..Putting rivnuts in the cab sure made it easy..

 

[diamondtguy]

Truck is kinda just sitting right now..Fenders are out getting painted and I will install them as soon as I get them back..Interior guy is "slowly" working on things..

I bought another loggers box tonight.Similar to the one the truck has on it..It has a little bit of rust but easy to deal with..Looks to have a 1/4 in steel box floor and the sides are in good shape..It even has its tailgate in good shape.A friend found it 20 minutes from home..I am going to make a trailer out of it to match the truck.Box is a full 8' long..
Trailer will have 8 bolt wheels like the truck and will sit at the same height.It will be used for a multitude of things..

 

[Jumbo]

How long will the reach be on the trailer? A 20' reach would look pretty nice and steer like a dream.

 

[HDX]

You forgot to show us the rest of the truck. What is front end like? Big following for the 75-79 fords

 

[diamondtguy]

Its actually on a 95 F-250 4x4 very similar to the one I lost in the accident.I did find two late 70's F-250 4x4's late last week..One of them on a pc of property(10 acres) that has just been sold and needs to be cleaned up.Owner of the property is a friend and If the tenants don't remove the truck I will get my hands on it..
Before I bought the truck that got wrecked I had a 73 F-250....I really like the trucks of that era..

 

[diamondtguy]

How long will the reach be on the trailer? A 20' reach would look pretty nice and steer like a dream.

Not sure how I am going to approach it yet...I may put it on a F-250 4x4 chassis and rework the rails.Or...I also have a Isuzu cabover chassis that is being robbed of the engine and trans.I am doing some work for a local guy who has a large collection of toys (and property) who wants the Isuzu engine and trans put in his 1945 Dodge cabover that currently has a very thirsty 440 in it..I can have the chassis.Frame is a good size and its straight rails.I will take some measurements tomorrow when I am there.Currently working on his 1949 Mercury pick up (M68) .....

 

[HDX]

Busy Little Beaver!!

 

[Hank R]

Sure hope you slow down one day to enjoy your own toys.

 

[diamondtguy]

I am slowing down...(har har)
This is the Isuzu chassis I have access to.Todays measurements say the track is a little wider than the box but I will double check tomorrow.I can always widen the trailer fenders.31" frame rail centers and nice straight rails...

 

[diamondtguy]

Got my fenders back today..I have to add the rub-a-fender then I can bolt them on..

 

[diamondtguy]

Friend showed up to work on the interior this morning .I had a full day of work to do on the 49 Mercury so I left him on his own to do his thing...
I originally was just going to use black 80/20 loop carpet(already purchased) on the floor but I got my hands on some really heavy duty(and free) rubber backed carpet that gets used out doors and for marine stuff..I chose to go that route.
Dan made a template and then cut it all out...He did a really good job.Nice tight accurate fit..It does not bend well so tunnel pc will get something else..

 

[diamondtguy]

Spent an hour after dinner tonight adding the rub-a-fender to one fender.I have riveted it on with 3/16 allum rivets.No backing bars.I will get the other one done tomorrow and install them this weekend..Rub-a-fender comes from Larry at Pacific Truck.All I care is the tires are covered.Not a fan of tires that stick out past the fender (I am being polite).
The donor chassis for my trailer turns out (I didn't actually look at first ) to be a GMC M4500 with Isuzu power.Truck maybe a Isuzu with GM badging...
Interior guy was back today..
Its all good.......

 

[Bumpsteer]

Could have made a small fortune selling those logger boxes here in the late 70's to the late 80's.
When the box went to hell, it got a flatbed, local grain elevator couldn't keep them in stock.

Ed

 

[diamondtguy]

There is certainly a large variety of Loggers boxes.Must have been a good market at some time..
I put one fender on tonight.I bolted it down the same way it was built.I used urethane bushings with SS bolts.I made the washers(they are slightly cupped) on the water jet out of 1/8 stainless.I did put 1/8 neoprene between the fender and its mounting flanges this time.Did a few other little mods to support the fender better...
I will trim the rub-a-fender when I am done

 

[diamondtguy]

Little things..
Fit the carpet for the last time and punched all the holes in it
Installed one headlight assy.Headlights are new Hella's(H2-H4)
Finished the other fender and its ready to go.
Installed the washer bottle.This is the one the truck came with.I just redid all the mounting brackets.
Also installed one of the original door sill trim plates (stainless)
By the end of the week all the parts should be back on the truck.With exception of the seat..

 

[diamondtguy]

Had a bit of a battle with the lights.Park light didn't like its ground so I redid that then it complained about the connection in the plug.I am using the original harness plugs as they are good quality...They would appear to be a bit dirty inside from sitting around but all is good now (on the right side anyways).I need to get the correct flasher unit for the LED signals.
When I turned the headlights on both came on and neither was right.Same thing on high beam.I suspected it was seeking ground but after hours of testing I ruled it out.Finally pulled them back out and to the bench we went..It would appear H4's and sealed lights are wired differently.I managed to pull the clips on the light socket and arrange them to the H4 pattern (ground is moved) and all is well..Another lesson learned..
Headliner might be showing up tomorrow..

 

[diamondtguy]

Came home today from my real job (machine fitter) to find Dan had finished the headliner.Material is slate gray marine grade and all the panels will be done this way.Seat is getting done as well in a black/grey (speckle) material.Nice to see the headliner in one pc as apposed to four pcs..Visors are the original ones..
I am letting Dan do his own thing inside.I just want good quality material that will be durable...
Original door panels will not be touched.I believe they were done by the same guy that did all of the Hayes and Pacific interiors.The rest of my interior appears to be hand done with a olfa knife and a silicone gun...The door panels must stay.....

 

[diamondtguy]

Other fender on.Just need to wire up the park light...

 

[Hank R]

Looking real good Cory, a road trip next week I see happening.