Steve's 35 Truck Build

[Guardm16]

Good news, we made an offer on a place with a large three car garage. One stall is separated and 30 feet long. That gives me room for a workbench and tool chests. The other two car garage also has additional storage on the side for yard equipment so that wont encroach into my shop. Now, let's hope they accept the offer and we can get this party started.
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Not sure if this should go here but: The house also has a bonus room that looks a like a German beer hall. So looking forward to seeing what my German wife will do to that. Prost!
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[Guardm16]

The day has come. The truck is at the Paint Shop.
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This is the color Choice
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The paint Shop had me come by this morning and approve some spray outs. Man if this thing is half a glossy as the spay out paddle, I will be happy.
Primer/sealer today, color this week.

[Guardm16]

Got a call from the body shop on the 3rd they are getting some color on. They found a few scratches on the inside of the door at the transition to the window area. So they want me to come down and take a look. I already told them if they found anything to just do the prep and add it to the bill. But, they want to see me on Monday. Had a good 4th of July. Now I want Monday to come. I will get some pictures of the progress so far and add them here.

[Guardm16]

Went to the painter on Monday. He had shot the sealer onto the inside of the doors and stopped. He wanted me to talk to him about the hinge cut area. I had put in some panel adhesive to fill small gaps behind the hinges...much like bedding a riffle receiver. The bottom line is I didn't sand that smooth (on purpose) he was just concerned before he proceeded. So yesterday he continued with the sealer. The painting continues.

On a side note: I'm not sure if it was needed, but the first time I started to fit the doors, I could see some small gaps and could see the fiberglass flexing as I torqued down the hinge. This was I bedded the hinges.

[Guardm16]

The shop is just about done blocking the truck out. With color going on in the next day or so and clear on Friday. The owner said I may be able to pick it up on Monday if there are no spots they need to fix after the color goes on.
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I am not going to be able to sleep much this weekend. lol

[Guardm16]

It's Green
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Now, Do I take a week off work to start putting this thing back together?

[Salty Chief 35]

You definitely look a little under the weather ��

[Guardm16]

I picked up the body from paint today and with the help of coworkers mounted the Cab.
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Chief, I will go to work tomorrow, maybe attach one of the bed sides when I get home.

[Pat Landymore]

I am liking your choice of color!!!
👍🏼👍🏼
Cheers!

[Guardm16]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bA1pFvlXck

Can't wait to get this thing on the road.

[Guardm16]

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[Salty Chief 35]

That’s a great color. Well done.

[Guardm16]

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The bed is on, a few little alignment things to do, but glad to get it to this point.

[Guardm16]

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It's like a Mullet, Business up front, Party in the back. Since the intent is Autocross, I thought I would have a little fun.

[Guardm16]

I had a minor medical procedure the other day, so not much will be happening over the weekend. I still want to make my DMV inspection appointment before the endo of the month. Still need to:
Wire Head lights
Wire tail lights
Wire windshield wipers
install seatbelts.
Most everything is just needs final connections and testing. I still need to final align the doors and hood, but the inspection stuff takes priority.

More pictures to share.
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[Guardm16]

Since my Doc wont let me lift anything, adjusting the doors and such are off the table for a few days. But, graphics don't weigh much so there is that.

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I am pleased to introduce FUBAR.

All the lights are working as they should, next is the horn and wipers. Then I can schedule the inspection and hope all goes well there.

[RuffShod]

Allsome!!!

[Guardm16]

Adding a matte green decal to the hood. It fits the design of the truck and helps with the glare.

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This is a great pic of the thru-body exhaust. That was a challenge for sure.

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[Guardm16]

OK, so the matte green "wrap" materiel didn't work out as planed. 3M 2080 vinyl wrap, I am told, is the only wrap that will stand by it's 5 year guarantee here in Arizona. I made my pattern cut out the materiel and laid it down. It is a good quality wrap, but, probably not the best materiel for the application. without even adding any heat, as I worked my way down the hood the wrap began to stretch (well that's what it is designed to do) not much mind you but just a little off to the passenger side, (my left hand while squeegee in the right) the result was about a 1/4 inch deviation in the passenger side edge. In all not that much but something I knew would eat at me. I am not confident enough to put a blade to the vinyl after it's on the paint, so, off it came.

The second plan was to have a local custom paint artist lay down the olive drab and also paint the star on the hood. Her work is incredible, but the color of matte olive green she has looked too much like Lime Green next to the color of the truck. So plan three. I will lay out the paint and give it a go.

I laid down pin strip tape to set my edge, masked off the car and went to town. The first coat went on great, with the second even better. I noticed a slight color shift spot where I was a bit thin, so I re-loaded up the gun and prepared for a light third coat. Well, I guess I didn't get he cup tight and got some beautiful spatter all over the new paint.
needless to say there were a few choice words and a beer to help cool me down. Another full day of re-sanding and starting over. But this time all went well. After the color, a few very light coats of a matte clear. I ordered a new vinyl Star for the center of the hood, I'll post more pictures when she's all done.

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I wasn't sure of my ability to lay out the curved edges I had on the wrap, so I just carried the line to the front and rear edge of the hood. Still, for a plan #3, I like the results.

[Guardm16]

I'm getting the dash set up today. "Semi permanent" if I have to pull it back out to make all the connections I will, but I'll fight the good fight until then.

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[Guardm16]

I am calling the paint "DONE"

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[Guardm16]

DOT inspection is set for 9/16/2025. I hate waiting. lol

[Guardm16]

Drove around a bit today through the neighborhood. "Heat Cycle" test. They have to be done....Right? LOL

I found it goes from 25 to 55 very quickly. Not unhappy at all.

[Blitzboy54]

Masterpiece.... just perfect

[Guardm16]

Masterpiece.... just perfect

Thank you , What a labor of love. I cant say that I would be ready to do it again any time soon, but it sure was fun to challenge myself every step of the way. (Can I make this better?, or Will this work?) what a fun project start to finish, and by finish I mean today, tomorrow I may have another idea. Thanks again.

[Guardm16]

I am using a Factory Five Gold Supporting Vendor (Julio Car Custom) https://www.jcarcustom.com/comissions
to create a rendering and Car Show Sign. Julio is great to work with and always returns emails promptly. I have sent him photos and given him some data for the truck. Looking forward to seeing his work.
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Sorry to say I didn't close the door all the way, it really does fit. LOL

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[Guardm16]

Well I have to say thank you to Nicole Smith at FFR. She included a write-up on my truck in the September "What's-New" website and social media. I am honored that my project was selected and equally grateful to be a part of this community. Without this forum, I would still be scratching my head. Thank you everyone.

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-ne...hot-rod-truck/

[Guardm16]

It is Done! It is Official! Well as far an the state of Arizona is concerned. FUBAR has an AZ VIN, Title and license plate.

Took about 30 minutes for the inspection and another 30 min to get it registered. No hiccups other than the Vehicle Date. The MVD of AZ said because the Certificate Of Origin says "manufactured in 2024" It must be registered as a 2024 FFR 1/4 ton Truck. Not looking forward to the insurance company discussion. But as it may, I will get through that too.

Let the good time s roll.

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FUBAR is on the road.

[Guardm16]

Now Google Gemini can do 1/18 scale models for us. I typed in the text listed below in BOLD Italics. I got a workbench, not a computer screen. That's OK by me.

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Here was the original text as it appeared in the G"Google Gemini of my MKIV"

If you are interested..

Go to Google Gemini and upload a photo of your car
Then type the following:

Create a 1/18 scale commercialized figurine in the picture, in a realistic style, in a real environment. The figurine is placed on a computer desk. The figurine has a transparent acrylic base, with no text on the base. The content on the computer screen is the Blender modeling process of this figurine. Next to the computer screen is a TAMIYA style toy packaging box printed with the original artwork.

[Guardm16]

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This is what Gemini says I would look like Racing at Laguna Seca.


Because my truck is the vehicle Kilroy used to get around Europe during WWII. Here are "actual photos" of FUBAR everywhere the Allied invasion force went.
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Being flown to England

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Helping get the Allied Bombing missions on track

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Early in the war helping in Africa

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kicked the Germans out of Italy

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Inland after the Allies landed at Normandy

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Setting up a Road block during the Bulge

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Looking for bier in Berlin

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Atop the Eagle's Nest with the 101st.

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After the war von Braun was very interested in how this truck could have been everywhere in Europe. "Time travel?"

[Guardm16]

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This has all been very confusing, wait, I think I have it figured out. It must be Time Travel.
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[Guardm16]

Well, we moved into our new home last weekend and I am busy setting up my new shop. This house has a third and separate garage bay for my truck with an attached15x30 shop room to keep tools and parts away from the cars in the garage. That is the good news. The bad news. I had my wife drive me to our storage unit, where I have kept my 35 truck safe during the move. When I jumped it to fire it up and drive it to it's new home, the starter just spins. Nothing I could do to get the solenoid to kick in. So, I ordered a new starter from Jegs and will have to swap it out in the storage unit. Nothing is ever easy!

[Guardm16]

New starter went in, in about 10 minutes and the truck fired right up. FUBAR is setting in her new home very happy to be in a separate space safe from falling rakes and other yard tools of destruction. I was able to drive to my Allstate insurance agent and get coverage thru Hagerty in about 10 minutes, with a final approval and insurance cards the next day.

On another note: Julio is busy working on some artwork I have commissioned. He does great work.
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For those of you who may be interested, Julio is a Factory Five Vendor you can find him on the Vendor page or click this link.

https://www.jcarcustom.com

Thanks again Julio

[Guardm16]

This Saturday is our first gathering of gear heads we will attend. The 4th Saturday of each month is Cars and Coffee with many local car chapters in attendance. Should be fun as it is open to all types of vehicles. I'll post pictures after.

[Guardm16]

Alignment complete:
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On a side note: I don't normally feel anxiety over things. I don't lose sleep over things I cannot effect until tomorrow. That being said, I had a difficult time giving the keys to the local shop to do the alignment, Knowing they would drive off to "confirm" the alignment. All the terrible things went through my brain, the "what if's" I am not sure I felt any better when the mechanic tried to sell me his 1960's Dodge Dart POS before he got started. He said, "Don't worry, I have a classic muscle car." Well, it doesn't have fenders, headlights or a hood, so I didn't feel any better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MomZ70_y5e0

[Guardm16]

I was able to take FUBAR to the local Veteran's Day Parade here in Prescott AZ. These are the only two pictures I have found as of today.
I was placed with the VA Hospital (that's where I work) and we took first place. Nice to think I contributed to that success.
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[Guardm16]

An exciting day today. It is professional tuning day. I will report on the results after.

[Guardm16]

Wow what a fun experience and educational too. If you follow my thread you will know that I had the guys at Prestige Motorsports build my engine. It is a SBF 427.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X94phVDgtY

Yesterday, I had Chance, from Prestige MS. remote into my computer and do a tune for my truck. I know what you are thinking, "Not a dyno tune?" Since PMS already did a dyno run on the motor we know what it will do and I am not going to be hitting the 1/4 mile or autocross track.....very often. I just needed it tuned well enough to drive on the weekends and be dependable to take on road trips.

The first thing Chance noticed was some odd numbers in the A/F tables so we talked about where the O2 sensor was located and exhaust layout etc. Then chance asked what the altitude is where I live. Well, I am at 6000 feet in Northern AZ. he immediately went to work fine tuning the A/F target, as well as the A/F table, fuel enrichments and ignition timing. He was able have me check several things like static timing, total timing and ensuring the secondaries were closing completely. We adjusted the IAC and TPS. I cant tell you all how much I learned about base tuning. I am not sure why I never considered elevation before, I guess I assumed the Sniper 2 would handle that.

All in all about an hours later the truck was ready to test drive. I took it out, went up to about 7000' and back down, ran hard in all gears and did about an 1/8 mile at WOT. When I got back, I reconnected with Chance and he was able to download the learn table and smooth that out for optimum performance. Chance also did something I hadn't thought of. He set the Idle to go to 1500rpm at about 220 degrees of coolant temp. The thinking is that if you pull up to a light and the RPM does not come down to an idle, you will scan your gauges. The added RPM will also run the water pump faster. I thought that was a nice added bonus.

Bottom Line, it was a fun educational experience and the truck is running great.