Back in Black! rpu build thread

Good to hear ya found another job, Dan. I'm new to watching this build thread but if the chassis is any indication, the truck is going to to be nothing short of amazing when it's done. Beautiful work and I look forward to seeing more updates!

 

DodgeRodder- Absolutely AWSEOME build. I just scored a 30-31 RPU body a week ago (less the doors, DOH!) and you are motivating the hell out of me! Sorry to hear you lost your job, and got an extra kick in the nuts by having to move to boot! But glad your brother let us know you have a new job already. You could definitely work for/open a hot rod shop down there with your attention to detail and excellent craftsmanship. Although I know it is probably the worst damn time in the last 20 years to open even a lemonade stand, let alone a REAL business! I hear it is almost as bad dowm there in FLA as it is here in Detroilet...... Best of luck, and keep us posted on the build when ya can........

James

P.S. Welcome Mr. Blue, Don Jr!!!

 

Giddy up Dan. Summer is knocking.

I'm coming over your way in August Dan. I'd love to catch up.

Pete

 

This thread is brilliant! Some incredible craftsmanship. I'm planning to build my own RPU one day, but from raw steel.

Very soon I'm moving out to a country where you just don't find old cars, and after reading this whole thread I reckon I've learned and seen enough detail and construction layout to have a go at making a steel body that will somewhat resemble a real one.

 

great news Dan! NOW GET TO WORK ON THE RPU!

 

Well hello everybody, I am back!. I haven't had internet for over a month, I REALLY missed the HAMB a ton! That & internet porn

Well, as usual you all were right. I kept at it after I lost my job, and was lucky enough to have quite a few interviews. With all the doom & gloom that you hear about with the economy/unemployment rate, it is easy to think that you will NEVER find any job, yet alone a good one.

I heard it said that you shouldn't focus on the 14% that are unemployed, but rather the 86% that are, & try to get into that group. I was blessed to not just get a job, but a BETTER opportunity at a luxury community that also included an apartment. I truly love my new job, and the people that I work with. I couldn't have asked for a better situation if I tried. All my problems are fixed!

It feels amazing that my situation turned so quickly, & in such a positive way. This situation taught me some things. Most of all the importance of family & friends. The support that I got thru all this made all of the difference in the world, as did the support that you all
give, it really means a ton.

I did get some things done on the RPU while I was unemployed. There was plenty to do that didn't cost any money, only time. I finished all the final fitment of the dash & dash rail. I also got the cowl top fitted and the gaps all nice.

I also got the cowl band installed & fitting nice-what a freaking pita that was! But it looks good now. I got all that time-consuming final fitment stuff done, & can hopefully get some primer sprayed on the body soon.

Sorry for all the off-topic stuff. We can now resume to the regularly scheduled program

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate!

Dan

 

Hey Dan,

It's good to see you back in the employment saddle. I've always thought that good things happen to good people .....

It's also a nice break from the grind. Less the worring.

Tell you Pops I'm on vacation here in Fl. (Tampa & Dizzy World with the family).

PACO aka/ Ratty 46

 

no more excuses>.....get your ass to work and update this hahahahah


happy to hear life turned around...

 

Glad you are back on your feet Dan!

JJ

 

Man thanks guys, I appreciate! Paco, I will let my dad know, I hope that you are having a great trip. If you come around Ft Myers come say hello!

I am really excited to get back to work on the rpu. I thought for a while that I would either have to sell it or live in it



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I just came across this build and spent the last hour or few reading and going over it. You have done a great job and the attention to detail is out standing.
Also congrats on the new job as I was bummed for you hearing about the job loss just an hour ago!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

 

This is great news! Good to hear/see you post and post GOOD NEWS!! Now get to work!!

 

I was beginning to lose hope of ever finishing my project without you on here making me look bad!

Glad you're back! So long as you, Scooter and Dave keep showing off, I can keep stealing ideas and riding your coattails.

 

Dave, thanks a ton. I gotta tell you, I really appreciate the support you gave thru your pm a while back. It really was appreciated a ton. scootermcrad, same to you bud. I thought about the comments that you both made quite a bit as I was going thru this all & it really made a difference-thank you

Kevin, thanks man. I wish that I was only out of work for an hour

I appreciate that, hopefully I can finish this thing up in a respectable manner, and before I turn 80

Scott, again, thanks man. You are a good guy, you should have good karma coming you way in buckets bro. I am WAY excited to get back at it

Man you are not riding any coattails. This is a perfect example of how the HAMB helps people. We follow a few peoples projects, & see what others are doing & it makes us try harder. I think the same when I see your updates on the truck!

Now I just gotta get back on it so I don't get left behind




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Hey Dan, havn't spoke in a while but i'm really pleased to hear your employed again, keep up the great work on your car and say hi to your dad and little Don for us.

Best wishes
Steve.

 

Steve,
Good to hear from you man! I am also glad to be back among the working, thanks!! I will let the "Dons" know that you said hello, we were just talking about you the other day. I need to catch up on everything, especially what's going on with your 32' roadster

Dan



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Well I have finally been able to get to work on the rpu again, jeez it seemed like forever!

Mainly lots of progress that's not that noticeable in pictures-lots of final fitting of body panels etc.

But I got some of the final body fab work done too. I needed to get a radio mounted. Yeah, a radio. To me it is really important, as much as I love the sound of open headers, music is important to me.

I also needed to mount speakers & the fuse panel as well. I want the speakers totally hidden under the dash. I fabbed up some buckets to mount 6 1/2" speakers in that would hide behind the dash. I used black 3/4" starboard to built the baffles out of. It's cool stuff because it is waterproof, & lasts forever. Then I used some white molded pods to uses as the speaker enclosure. They are cool, and are made by Ritchie to cover up a marine compass that mounts thru a bulkhead in a boat-these covers hide the backside of the compass. They also fit the 6 1/2" speakers perfectly. I will spray paint the white buckets black when they are installed for good. Here's some pics of that:





Then I built the radio housing. All of this mounts to a support that goes under the dash area. This support does a million things-it mounts the upper steering column, speakers, radio, fuse box, and supports the back of my under-dash brake m/c set-up.

I built the housing from 16 gauge sheetmetal, and it recesses the radio flush, because I will end up building a door that hinges on the front of the housing to hide the radio.

I had to stress that, I didn't want the radio to look like @ss exposed under the dash. It will look like a storage compartment with the door closed, & blend in good when all is painted. Here's a pic of the housing:



Here's what it all looks like installed from underneath:



and behind:


And with the dash installed, it all disappears:



Here's 10 lbs of sh#t in a 5 lb bag:



I also made the fuse panel hinge down on a panel for easy access. This car is so small, there is no way I wanted to have to hang upside-down under the dash to wire the car, or check fuses.

Here's the fuse panel swung down-WAY easier to maintain & get to:



I also got the cowl band fitted. What a PITA!! Wow. But it worked out in the end. I also did the final fitting of the windshield & stancions, & got the mirrors mounted:



And that's about all for now. I am thrilled to be able to work on the car again. It is getting VERY close to being ready to prime finally.

Thanks for looking guys, sorry for the 1,882,825 pictures

Dan



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You really do amazing work! Thanks for keeping your fans up to date.

-mikethegreek-

 

Great work ...... I dig the speaker pods.

Keep us to date.

Glad to see you back to work.

PACO

 

Mike, Dave, & Paul-thanks a ton, it really feels great to get back to work on the car again

 

Are you done yet???????

Looks absolutely awesome Dan will you make it to "Mokan or the "Hunnert this year?

tick... tick... tick...

Hahaha... take your time brother... I need more time and money to get another one built so I can run you.

 

We like that you keep posting your photos so keep doing it. They let us keep up with your great build.

 

That's going to be a sweet ride.Awsome!!!!

 

I think you should do it all over and build a coupe !!!!!!



Just kidding!!!!!

Great build .
Can`t wait to see a video where you driving that hot rod

 

Glad to see you back in business!!! I really wish I could keep my panels that clean. Ton of work! Are you using Gibbs or something to keep things clean and the surface rust down?

 

I'm glad to hear everything worked out for you, Dan, that's great!

...that compass cover idea for the speakers is a good one, and thanks for the update.

 

Wow Dan looking really good! Glad the job thing all worked itself out. I love this build.

 

X2.....for sure!

 

Its done really mate but still tuning the carbs, i've changed to a progressive linkage now so have to tune the carbs all over again

Cars looking cool mate.

 

Thanks a ton guys for the nice words, I really appreciate! It's not "monumental" progress, but progress none the less

Thanks man! I would REALLY love to make one of those shows. Me & my dad were talking about making one of these, it would be a blast for sure.

I hear ya on the time & money thing, believe me I understand. Let me know when you're ready-Paradise Road

Thanks Scott! No Gibbs or anything. When I was out of work the 1 thing that I could afford to do was sand I DA'ed the car to get it closer to ready for primer. That's why there is a load of blue tape on the floor & tranny hump-to keep it from getting all rusty while I work in there.

As much as I would love to have a bare metal car, I could never keep one decent. If I LOOK at it wrong it rusts

Plus now it's warming up, so I will be sweating all over the place. I really wanna get it in epoxy before it's stupid hot again.

Keith, thanks buddy, that makes 2 of us! I was thinking for a while that I would be living in the rpu, I am sure glad that I am not

The compass cover worked out-they were the perfect size. There's lots of cool marine stuff that lends itself well to car building for sure.

Thanks K, I appreciate for sure. It does feel good to get down to a smaller list of projects. Sometimes it seems like you will NEVER get close to the finish line.

Oh, & it also feels good to be working again too

Steve, I checked out some recent pics-your roadster looks AMAZING! That has to make you happy.

You could fix your carb tuning issues & just put one 2 barrel on it. But what fun would that be


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