June 29th, 2011

It has been 6 months to the day since I dropped the frame off at Jerry's shop. Almost $1300.00 later, this is what we have.


Well folks, it's been a while, AGAIN. I am back.. So is my frame. yes. I picked up the acid dipped frame today. It really looks good.


The cross member is in the truck so it hasn't been painted yet.




This is the frame after I got it ON the trailer. it looks like it was sandblasted, but, INSIDE is all the same, and the mounting spot still have the wear marks so it was NOT sanded.


I borrowed a trailer to haul the body up to Monaca, and bring the frame back. and the story goes.

I had "Bill" rebuild the front end of my truck while I was away. he put on brakes, rotors, ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, sway bar bushings, and wheel bearings. I went to pick up the truck, and called Jerry to see if the frame was done. The Guy, "Harry" next to Bills said I could borrow his trailer to do this. Bill had moved the body to the trailer 2 weeks ago so i didn't have to do that today.

I started by needing to go get the hitch part for my truck. I have 2. One with an 1 7/8th ball and one with a 2" ball. The trailer needs a 2 5/16 ball. Bill said, "Sure, look around back there.". Sure enough, I found one. I went to change the ball, and.. what else? The one i found had a 1 1/2" stud, and my hitch has a 1" hole. OK.. to Home depot for a new ball.

I got the new ball on, and the trailer all hooked up.. Fortunately, I bought a truck with a complete GM towing package. TRAILER BRAKES... Well, All is good. I drive away. I noticed that every time I touch the brakes, the trailer brakes lock up. This is NOT a good sign. I try EVERYTHING. NO good.

OK, so, I don't try real hard to solve the problem. I have never driven a truck, with a trailer, WITH trailer brakes before. I figure I am doing something wrong. None the less, I proceed. OUT onto US 79, the onto US 376.

OK, before you say how stupid I am. let me go on.

I get 26 miles down the road and figure I better do something before I get into traffic in Monaca. I test the brakes, YES, the trailer locks up the tires and slides.. NOT good. I look ate the trailer brake unit in the truck.. the light is blinking.. NOT a good sign. I manage to pull over about 4 miles before my exit. I figure it must be a loose, or dirty connection of the wire..

I remove and re-insert the plug in the connector 5 times. I figure that MUST solve the problems. I start to drive and all seem well..

Back up to 65MPH I tap the brake pedal again.. SMOKE from the tires tells me I might have a problem. Back to page one.

I figure at this point, NO trailer brakes, and no tail/brake lights is better than NO brakes at all.

SO. I pull off the side of the road again, this time, on my exit ramp, and i pull the connector and stuff the were where most people would not see it.

I proceed to drive to Pennsylvania Metal Stripping to pick up my frame.

Jerry and I have a great talk.. He shows me how clean he got it. He shows me where he had to drill holes, and what I need to do from here. ALL is good.

I drive back to Upper St. Clair in a normal, but very cautious manner.

After getting back, i discribe the brake problem to Bill, and to Will. Will suggest we blead the brakes on my truck, as he had to remove one line to work on the front end. We bleed the front brakes and my brake pedal feels NORMAL now.. Ok. Life it good.

Bill, on the other hand says, "Did you adjust the trailer brakes?" I said, NO, do you have to do that?" he says, "I thought you knew that or I would have told you."

Sometimes, you have to learn the hard way..

Anyways.. here's a few pictures of the body as it was on the trailer too..




Outside my house. I had to stop to pick up the camera.



This is now sitting in the field next to Jerry's place. It is sad to see it there. I am hopeful it won't be there for 2 years.

Looks like an old car was abandoned in a field someplace.

More to follow, I am sure..

Will be priming and painting the frame this week.. Next week we start to put together a rolling chassis.