Millwright71's 66 Chevy panel

Like that shifter, Tom! What is the base made from and is it centered on the doghouse or is it a little left of center towards the driver's side? Hard to tell from the angle of the pic...I'm loving the look of the Gauge Cluster as well!!!

I would love to see a few pics of the shifter and base if and when you get a chance!

Tom that electric power steering looks good a nice "Clean Install" any pictures of it before you put the cover on...???. .

Vanny,

The shifter is offset to the drivers side, also built a wedge on top of the tunnel to get the angle correct. I plan to lengthen the shifter rod ala  Rat Fink style, just not stupid long.

Joe Van,
I had to cut the original column to front wall brace to accommodate the power steering unit. Went ahead and fabricated two braces out of 3/16X1.5 inch flat stock. Those are welded to the front wall and bolted onto the dash using the original holes, my cover/mount is also bolted to those holes.

Got the lower profile Holley oil pan installed yesterday!

Much better, the factory one hung about 3.5 inches lower.

No worries about speed bumps now!

   Got the three point seat belts installed today, for some reason Savage thinks we will need them?

                                                                                  Tom

I think Savage knows you better than you think, my friend! That oil pan tucks in there nice!

Spent the weekend painting!



It is Victory Red, with Graystone Titanium Silver. Turned out very nice for a first time finish painter. Now time for all new glass, weatherstrip, and powder coated bumpers and mirrors, etc....

sweet, nice job tom.

" It is Victory Red, with Graystone Titanium Silver. Turned out very nice for a first time finish painter. Now time for all new glass, weatherstrip, and powder coated bumpers and mirrors, etc...."
Told ya it wasn't done !! Looks Great ! Love the color combo.

millwright71 wrote:Vanny,

The shifter is offset to the drivers side, also built a wedge on top of the tunnel to get the angle correct. I plan to lengthen the shifter rod ala  Rat Fink style, just not stupid long.

Joe Van,
I had to cut the original column to front wall brace to accommodate the power steering unit. Went ahead and fabricated two braces out of 3/16X1.5 inch flat stock. Those are welded to the front wall and bolted onto the dash using the original holes, my cover/mount is also bolted to those holes.

Great Job on the paint & nice and clean install on the power steering also wont be long now..!!!..

Pics don't do it justice. All Toms work on body Really paid off,'from primer to finsh paint in 2(Long) days.  Now just hope hes still got tires left for my ride( I Think hes been taking it out to blow dust off

Looks Fantastic!!!

Tom, can you point me in the direction you sourced LED lights and what did you use to paint the steering wheel?  I thought I had asked prior, but I can't find that info.

What did you source for that cluster?  I like the old school speedo, but that would kill alot of birds with one stone in terms of gauges.

Looks awesome all around.  


                                                                                               Tom[/quote]

I bought the Eagle eye LED lights for the back-up, and license lights. Bought the CREE 1157 equivalent bulbs in clear for the rear, and amber for the front turn signals and taillights. These are the same physical size as the originals.
The steering wheel paint didn't turn out as well as I wanted, and with power steering I switched it to a 13" red metalflake one. Used adhesion promoter and everything, still got cracking. I would suggest cleaning the heck out of it, and paint when the van gets painted.
The gauge cluster is an original ring with the guts removed, sanded down around the edge, and epoxied the flat plate into it. The gauges are all electronic Marshall brand redlines.

Hope this helps in your search. Tom

Getting her back together a little at a time. Tom came over Tuesday and was a really big help in getting the windshield back in, and the weatherstrip put on all the doors.


As soon as the windshield was in, took Tom out for a test ride, judging by his big smile it was a success!

Glad to help .Didn't really need seat belts,pined to it most of the ride,only needed it when he turned from stop & lit them up in at least 2 gears,before he had to slow down(some) Rides & handles like a New van.  
See you got your powder coated head light rings & door emblems on Nice
Next time your off will get the vent windows rebuilt, front & back windows in(I hope)

That's one to be super Proud of. Nice job to both of you! Great that you support each other on your projects!

Man that is one "Sweet" ride the two tone looks really good on there you usually only see that on the Sportsvans but it looks great on a panel also nice colour choice too..How did that power steering work out on the road?? cant wait to see it all put back together..

Power steering feels great on the road, gotta turn it down a little less than halfway to get the feel right.

Tom hasn't been on here for some time but is driving his van when it nice enough& doing little things . He hopes to do the AC- heat this winter,new rear end. And hes planing the interior

Started work on the installation of my S10 Blazer ZR2 rear last night. Got the spring perches cut off and old welds ground smooth. This is a 3.73 geared, factory posi-traction unit with factory disc brakes. The ZR2 is a wide stance package, making this rear 4" wider than a normal S10 for 63" wide. Should help with my 295/50-15 on 10" Cragers from sticking out so far. Will update with pics when there is more to show.

Tom

Good to see you got some time off work, for some Van Time

Been away from the site for quite some time. The van is making progress slowly but surely. Installed Pergo Laminate floor in the back. It is called Southern Gray Oak.


The edge trim got installed after these pics, and made a battery box cover. Got the black rubber diamond plate floor mat installed up front, working on installation of a vinyl plank flooring material on the ceiling that is just a couple shades darker than the floor. More pics to follow. Putting a list together for A/C install.

                                                           Tom

That's one nice looking floor. Will this be the finished look or does it need a varathane sealer. I'm liking this.

Nice looking Van, I love the paint and the floor. Very cool.

Looking great Tom,as usual! Love seeing your ideas come to life. We're looking forward to seeing more as you progress!