Popular Post mattb73lt Posted October 12, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 12, 2023 Tail lights are done. I just need to finish the deck lights and add a light for the plate. Took it out for a test drive for the first time since adding the deck on. Completely different ride with the extra weight. Smooth, no hopping around over bumps. Just a few more things to do and I should be onto the deck wood next week, the last big thing to do to it and some small stuff to finish. I added a side shot to the post, quite the long truck, now!! 10 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540159 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 can't comment on the truck due to no words can accurately describe it .work of art. did notice one thing when enlarging the picture to see the details++ the puppy in right side upstairs window looks like he wanted to be in picture !LOL 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540182 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 That's Tucker, "The Super Mutt", eyeballing me. Great dog and loves to hang out with me. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540183 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 any idea of possible first show the B-73 will make ? I haven't been able to make many or follow show schedule this yr. figure most will be ending for '23 schedule. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540186 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 Not sure there are many left in our area this year. Looking to bring it to our club luncheon up at Matt Pfahl's on Sunday the 29th. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540191 Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 been a long time but sure looking good 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540194 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 Carlotpilot:: WELCOME BACK!!! Hope you and the Mrs are doing OK.. Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540195 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 It has been a long time, welcome back! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540199 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted October 13, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 13, 2023 Trying to get my lay out right on the decking to create as little waste as possible. Not matter how I do it, I’ll probably need to get a few extra boards due to where the crossmembers fall. I’ll need to trim all of them to get the joints to fall on a crossmember to secure the ends. 7 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540234 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 On 10/12/2023 at 7:31 PM, mattb73lt said: It has been a long time, welcome back! Ha ha I was thinking the same thing car pilot? Hasn’t he been gone a while? Yes say merry. Welcome back bud…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540259 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 My god,,, Matt,,,, you never stop to take a breath of fresh air lol looks great good luck.. bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540260 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted October 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 14, 2023 7 minutes ago, mowerman said: My god,,, Matt,,,, you never stop to take a breath of fresh air lol looks great good luck.. bob If I stop, I may have a hard time getting going again. Besides, I need to get this done before I lose the outside weather and I'm freezing my ass off. I did spend last weekend on Nantucket with the wife and friends. 3 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540261 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 Right on man I did also think of that same thing here, weather around here is not that different. You guys got it a little harder than we do mainly more snow Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540263 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 Supposed to be 73 today better take it vantage of it we’re definitely planning on barbecuing a little later probably one of the last good weekend… bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540267 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted October 19, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 19, 2023 I have it all cut out and placed, minus the very last boards. Those need to be ripped down to a specific size once all the other boards are set in place. I was short one board that I had to run back over to get. Now I have enough to finish. Tomorrow, I’ll start screwing everything thing down. I’ve got almost 1,000 screws to drill in and that’ll take some time. Hopefully, the rain will hold off tomorrow. 5 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540642 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 I gather when you say your screwing the boards down you mean a nut and bolt type of screw not a self tapper I remember my first attempt at a wooden tray Air dried timber, cut the center board custom for a neat fit and bought another center board for when the wood shrank further Just nailed it in place It all dried and I closed up the gabs and fitted my spare center board Screwed it all down First lot of rain it saw, the boards all swelled up and popped out everywhere Had to wait for it all to dry again to jack all the warped timber back into place Nut and blots this time When carting cattle the boards would swell right up tight and sort of buldged here and there but worked fine and no further issues A few rookie mistakes were made by me there Paul 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540646 Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleclutchinweasel Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 I’m a big fan of carriage bolts and nylock nuts! Quote "Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540657 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 Wow, breathtaking thanks for that. Happy Friday. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540672 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 21 hours ago, doubleclutchinweasel said: I’m a big fan of carriage bolts and nylock nuts! box truck carriage bolts fine (they are inside not exposed to elements.) that flat bed I would go the route of floor decking bolts 1/4 in which have the 3/4- 1 in flathead and flat washers / nylon nuts. few more $$ but well worth it ( my thoughts ) 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540721 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 1 hour ago, mechohaulic said: box truck carriage bolts fine (they are inside not exposed to elements.) that flat bed I would go the route of floor decking bolts 1/4 in which have the 3/4- 1 in flathead and flat washers / nylon nuts. few more $$ but well worth it ( my thoughts ) Will you need to countersink them to prevent snags???? Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540727 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted October 21, 2023 Share Posted October 21, 2023 1 hour ago, Brocky said: Will you need to countersink them to prevent snags???? NO- bolts I'm talking of have a larger diameter head which is thinner. tightening the bolts which have the flat washer against the steel channel NOT under bolt head go close to flush with top deck boards. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540733 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted October 21, 2023 Share Posted October 21, 2023 OK!! I follow what you are doing... My mind had the flat washer on top.. 1 Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540738 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted October 21, 2023 Author Share Posted October 21, 2023 The fastening system for this deck was originally self tapping screws into the cross members. I'm going to use the same thing. I'll drill and then countersink the holes to keep the heads below the surface. the wood is Apitong and very dense and hard. It's very durable, nearly impervious to rot and doesn't really swell. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540741 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayseed Posted October 21, 2023 Share Posted October 21, 2023 https://www.scrooz.com.au/screws/tek-screws-metal-drilling/timber-to-metal-wing-tip/ Quote "Be who you are and say what you feel...Because those that matter...don't mind...And those that mind....don't matter." - Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540748 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 1961H67 Posted October 21, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted October 21, 2023 Great looking flooring! I floored my 53 foot Landoll year before last with Apitong , I was reading up on it and from what I gathered it’s the 2nd strongest wood in the world. I predrlled through the wood and cross member with a slightly smaller bit, then ran those torx head self tapping screws in with a 1/2 air wrench,,, Back braking! Yours will be perfect,, I know your work! 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/72/#findComment-540750 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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