Michael posted another batch of pictures so I can get all of you an update on his work (which is awesome by the way).
Here you can get a view of the structural bracing in the design.
Here you can see one of the wire bundles. The wiring harness is left intact during the build and is modified later. This view is of the driver’s side.
Now the fiberglass panels can be test fit. Actually they have been on and off several times by now.
Then the process of smoothing and leveling the panels starts.
Michael used his own tailgate to get head start on the bed side alignment. My tailgate was waiting on parts to arrive.
Eventually my tailgate parts arrive.
Michael is making some reinforcement boxes to stiffen the back of the bed side fiberglass panels. The patches are built up on top of some packing tape. Layers of glass mat and resin are used.
A patch is made for each side.
Here they are removed from the packing tape.
Then the patch panels are turned over and fitted to form a box.
Here’s a rare “out of the shop” shot. Michael is working on two conversions at once. That way he can keep going if one needs time before the next step (like getting wood panels mounted).
Looking good! My arms itch just looking at those fibers. Is this critter going to have a back window? Did I miss something? I have a 3/4T truck with a cabover camper shell. No back window, just a boot between the cab and the camper.
Thanks for the comments - DL - there will be a back window. We're working through some options but I think we'll just use the one in the kit. John - closer but a long way to go. The wood panels add a lot of extra work
Dave - I work on them when I can (not as much as I like). I've got another blog entry on the wood I'll get up soon. Hopefully the wood panels and the car will be ready to come together at the same time (although that is not very likely)
