It’s been a few weeks since the last update, and while there’s not a whole bunch of “visual” changes, there has been a lot of progress. I got the Standard gauge panel cleaned up and wired, headlamps and front parking/turn signals wired, distributor cap and wires changed out, and even a trip to the muffler shop.
While driving my coupe back from a “Hot Rod Night” out at Mike’s, I got to thinking that the gauge lamps were too dim to see at dusk. After a few minutes of searching on Amazon, I found some 57 style LED bulbs and proceeded to swap them out in the coupe and the stake truck. You’ll see a photo below comparing the difference the LEDs make. A bit unnatural, but tremendously brighter.
Repainted the gauge housing and face 
Assembled with broken speedometer 
My homemade 12 to 6v regulators 
Wired up! 
Incandescent vs LED bulbs 
Cheap padding for the floor. I used the puzzle piece anti-fatigue mat from Harbor Freight. 
Headlamps installed and parking lamps lit 
Felt a bit patriotic 
Gave the whole truck a Comet and Scotch Brite scrubbing 
Looks much nicer without the scum and oxidation on the body 
Yeah, I even scrubbed the whitewall spare! 
Exhausted!
Regarding the exhaust, I had Mark install some 12″ long glasspacks inside the X-member and run 1 3/4″ out the back to just below the rear bumper. Sounds MUCH quieter inside the truck and has a nice low rumble at idle.
I have a few things planned to finish up here at the house before I take it back out to Mike’s to finish up some of the things that are easier to do on a lift. I’ll be posting more photos on Friday or Saturday.
Hoping to drive it up to St Louis, in August, if I have the title work and licensing done by then. Just waiting on the court process.