1969 Ranger - Project Glory Days!

[Craigerf100]

Very funny guys. If you think I'm building this thing to haul, you haven't been watching very closely!

Lol yeah that goes without saying
Guess I like to be able to work my trucks... At least a little bit.

Or maybe I'm just jealous
My 67 Fairlane is immaculate like yours. Hasn't been rained on since 09

[67mann]

Hey guys! I'm back on the truck, more updates soon, but here's a quick teaser pic of the bed, it's pretty ridiculous.

[ Image ]

Hey Tyler...Pretty Sweet Paint job Is the board(maple?)just sitting there for the pic or is that what you've pick out as the bed....gonna stain or leave it clear

[tylerb43]

Hey Tyler...Pretty Sweet Paint job Is the board(maple?)just sitting there for the pic or is that what you've pick out as the bed....gonna stain or leave it clear

Well, both! It's a short piece of hard maple I got for test, but it will be the type of wood for the floor. Right now I plan to clear it, which may darken it just a little, but I wanna keep it pretty light.

[tylerb43]

Okay guys - picture time.

Here's picking up the bed at Team 1 Autobody in Shrewsbury, MO (St. Louis). The bodywork and paint are just ridiculously awesome. These guys are complete pros, I felt like I couldn't thank them enough! The base blue is waterborne, and looks so deep, like you can put your hand into it! It's actually really tough to show in an iphone pic, I'll have to take some with my real camera later. The pick up was delayed by a couple of days because they were still wet sanding and buffing the inside of the bed!



This seam was a point of discussion. Factory, it was just caulked with seam sealer, but with no floor in the bed, the worry was just moving the painted bed would pop it out. I made the call to weld it, and try to make it look like a sealed joint. Now that would be tough for me, but yet again, the body guys said "no problem", and I think it looks perfect!



All secure and ready for the trip home (I don't think I went over 50 mph down I-44, haha)



And back at the shop, my brother and brother-in-law helped set the bed on the frame. I was so stoked, I invented a new end zone dance, drank a beer, and smiled for about 3 hours.



Since the front half of the truck was painted a year earlier than the bed, I was really worried about color match. Turns out, I could've slept easy, as it is dead-nuts on, who was I to doubt these guys?

The front wheels and tires were on back-order from Summit, but they finally shipped out on Tuesday, so i hope to have them by the weekend. Then I can bolt them on, sit the whole thing on the ground and get a good look at the most important characteristic of building a vehicle - the stance. I'm still a little worried that the rear is going to be too high, and be too much rake. But I guess I'll really want the weight of the bed floor/tailgate, and front sheet metal before I make the final call.

[Heirloom]

It's a jealously thing for me. Wish I could have a truck that didn't have to be a work truck. Very nice. I love the color.

[sargentrs]

Tyler, that is just plain amazing! Congratulations and kudos to your friends at the body shop. Well done!

[jimmy828]

That truck is going to be turning a lot of heads. Very nice!!!

[tylerb43]

It's a jealously thing for me. Wish I could have a truck that didn't have to be a work truck. Very nice. I love the color.

No worries, Josh, I get it. Thanks!

Tyler, that is just plain amazing! Congratulations and kudos to your friends at the body shop. Well done!

Thanks Randy! Feels like I've been working on this truck forever (I know you can relate), but it's still moving forward! Thanks for the kind words!

That truck is going to be turning a lot of heads. Very nice!!!

Thank you Sir! I appreciate the compliment!

[tylerb43]

Today's update:

Here's the updated a/c compressor bracket. Welded, powdercoated, and ready to be installed. (for like the 10th time, haha)



Here are the mounting brackets I designed and made for the Mark VIII fan going in. I powdercoated those too of course.



And a pic of the fan installed with the new brackets. Tied in with some SS button heads.



Condenser is finally installed for good, I bent the hardlines myself. I have all the a/c flex lines crimped and installed as well. Finished the harness install down the DS inner fender.






On my white board in the shop, I've got a "underhood to-do list" going. I'd to get it finished before I bolt on the fenders, just so I'm not leaning over them all the time. The list looks something like:

-new valve cover gaskets
-complete fan wiring
-completer alternator wiring
-complete brake valve wiring
-redo throttle linkage
-install expansion tank
-mount washer fluid tank
-vacuum line to master cylinder

I'm sure they'll be additions...that's pretty much how my lists go.

[Heirloom]

Yep, jealous. Sooo jealous. Very nice work on everything.

[Alstoyz]

I have to agree with Josh. PURE JEALOUSY!!! Very nice work Tyler. YOU ROCK!!!

[67nukeford]

Tyler, I'm just blown away at how beautiful that truck is!!!

[jimmy828]

Tyler, I'm just blown away at how beautiful that truck is!!!

[Heirloom]

Had to look again before heading out to work on mine. Not sure if it was inspirational or not.....it's too nice and makes me feel inadequate! LOL!

[tylerb43]

haha! Wow, you guys are too nice, thank you all for the positive comments!!

I couldn't wait, and added the Ranger emblems, they look great!



And - Summit finally sent the front wheels and tires, and what a difference they made! Had to quickly hang a fender on the DS to get some visual motivation