'46 Chevy Shorty

[jimburke77502]

Tango, 1st off, thank you for your service. have a few very good friends that served in that, I believe the "politically correct" term is "conflict". Like BlackJohn said, don't push yourself. I've followed your build on here for the last couple of months, and have to say, you're an artist in disguise. Would love to see your build in person some time. You seem to have a bit of knowledge in that head of yours. Not building one yet, at least in real time. Mine is all on paper and computer still. Hopefully this is the year. Let me correct that, this IS the year I get one.

[Tango]

Thanks Jim...sounds like you got off to the right start. Lots of reading & homework before jumping in. Take your time and find the very best unit you can afford that fits your purpose. Then...go for it!

[jimburke77502]

Lots of reading and homework is right. Thankfully I come from a family of the mechanically gifted. If I don't know it, I either learn it, or have a connection to someone who does know it. Anyone who thinks doing a RV conversion isn't going to be a challenge, they have an awakening coming. Even as long as I've worked as a GC and in related fields, this will push my skills to the limit. But sometimes I think the challenge is the fun part. Standing back, looking at what you just accomplished, and being able to say, DAMN!! I did that!! That's a great feeling.

[Tango]

I just wish I had your family connections! I'm no mech/tech guru by any stretch but I do like learning new things which has made this adventure all the more interesting. And yes...being able to step back and see something difficult accomplished is worth it's weight in gold.


I see you are in Pasadena. Texas is a great location to shop buses from. You won't find any "mountain rigs" here but clean, solid and pretty well maintained...yes. Best of luck on the hunt.

[Tango]

Wish me luck. I am hoping to finally get in a few hours of work on Monday. Still feel like cat crap from the chemo but going absolutely cabin fever bonkers. Will meet a buddy/builder that I am hoping can help keep a few things moving while I am not. We'll see.

[Ronnie]

I do wish you luck. You have a very special build going, and hope you get to enjoy driving it one day.

[Tango]

Thanks Ronnie. Truth be known... a big part of my motivation for "Stayin' Alive" is just to drive this damned bus I have been working on for the last 7+ years!

[Tango]

Nothing photo worthy but I did manage to put in a full days work today. Can't let the chemo keep me down. Gotta keep movin'!



Picked up a load of steel this morning and finished fabbing the manual "lift" devices needed to remove the roof deck. All I need now is four strong buddies.


Also worked with a builder on the windshield wipers and the new trans cooler.


ECCB...I also picked up the trans cooler I am sending you. Hope to get a FedEx quote tomorrow.






ONWARD!

[ol trunt]

Great----but it still didn't happen 'cause-------
Jack

[REDD]

Holy crap just catchin' up here....hope your health gets better I'd like to see you finish your project.


Lookin' good!

[Tango]

Thanks Redd. Spent most of today at my shop which is a big deal these days. Re-configuring a new tranny cooler turned into a hassle but hey...figuring out ways around hassles is what building a bus is all about...right?


Still no pix Jack.Sorry.


But, as Hans Solo once said..."trust me".

[Tango]

Just for Jack --- Finally got a couple of pix to convince you I have not been a TOTAL slacker of late. As previously noted, nothing really photogenic but at least some evidence of activity...however slight.


These are the poles I am going to try and use to get the deck frame off the bus and onto the floor for final welding & painting. If it works, they will also be used to put it back up. If it doesn't work...time to back up and punt.




There are four of these puppies and they will get clamped onto the side rails of the deck. With any luck, four guys should be able to lift the whole thing (maybe 120-130 pounds total) up about 10" then walk it back and set it down.


With any luck.



Have a start on the windshield wipers. Separate motors were just not gonna work so I am back to a cable & single motor system.



Here is the motor. Having some some issues getting a smooth, kinkless bend in the tubing/guide for the power cable but hope to have that worked out soon (fill the damned thing with sand!).


And finally...



Had to make forty 2"x2"x3" brackets to screw the marine ply decking to. Decided I did NOT want to be poking lots of holes into the tubing that the frame is made from. Will use "wood to metal" self tappers.


If all goes according to plan...the four helpers will hopefully show up tomorrow and take the deck down.


Stay tuned for more news as this story develops.








ONWARD!


PS...most of my hair fell out yesterday. Thank you CHEMO - sabe.

[ol trunt]

Clever device Tango--looks like it meets all the KISS regulations.

Sorry 'bout the hair. I could have used a nice soft pile of it yesterday when I got knocked on the side of the head just behind my left ear. My eyes bounced around like a pinball machine and although the cat scan came up clear I'm fighting vertigo/ nausea, uncooperative eye focus and a raging headache. I can't begin to imagine the damper chemo must put on your activities. Oh, thanks for the pics. All is forgiven! Jack

[plfking]

Originally Posted by Tango

Stay tuned for more news as this story develops.

Always.

I wish your build was a mini-series, so I could binge-watch it to the end for immediate satisfaction.

[Tango]

Ouch!!! --- By any chance did your lovely bride take a frying pan to your noggin for reasons we won't discuss here? Whatever the reason it sounds pretty darned intense. Hope everything clears up quickly. Vertigo and nausea alone are enough to make me feel ill just thinking about them.



And the temps are dropping to around freezing (even here) tonight so my helpers all begged off. What a bunch of wimps! Maybe in a couple of days.


Meanwhile, feel better bud.

[GuidoLyons]

"Feel better", says the guy fighting cancer to the guy with the concussion...

[Tango]

Us remaining "old Guys" gotta root for each other. Most of our friends are long dead!

[cadillackid]

temps going down to freezing and they bugged out? supposed to be Minus 10 with 35 MPH winds here tonight.. Hope the 'ole 444E ' starts in the AM as it needs to run so i can heads miami

[Tango]

Ya...all these Tropicaners want to light a fire, bundle up and stay at home when the temps drop below about 65. And I hate it too! Much rather sweat!



Meanwhile, my ex-wife just told me they are expecting a possible all time record low up in Chicago tonight. They were saying something like -27 was possible (temp...not with wind chill). And...someone told me Cincinnati hit something like -50 with the wind chill yesterday.



NUTS I tell you...just NUTS!

[Ronnie]

I do not like the cold as much as when I was younger( still a long way from old though), but still will take it over heat. Can always dress warmer, only so much you can take off in the heat. Low of 17 for tonight here.