About the Old Girl

She was born in the summer of '69 in Ontario, Canada; titled in '70 in Maine, USA. She shares some traits of both a '69 and a '70.

My uncle is the first owner; after 35 years of pining for it I talked him out of it.

She is mostly stock; what little add-ons are mainly because I haven't found a true stock replacement. These are all interim solutions until she gets a true frame off restoration. Of course I'll document that all here. She's had a face-lift about 2004-05; lots of rust was removed and a big portion of the body replaced. Maine winters can be pretty harsh on steel.

Key bits of info:
- Engine - Buick V-6 225 cubic inch
- Transmission - Dana T-14, 3 speed
- Transfer Case - Spicer T-18
- Front Differential - Dana 27, 3.73 ratio
- Rear Differential - Dana 44, 3.73 ratio
- Wheels - 15 inch
- Winch - front mounted Ramsey MX-2000 PTO (dealer installed)
- Top - Meyer Steel top (dealer installed)
- Color - Omaha Orange

This blog is a record of what we do together and of course what I do to her to keep her in good shape...

Monday, October 26, 2015

Her rear end just doesn't feel right


Two things are important in the near term:
1) that rear cross member is rusted out and falling apart; needs to be replaced;
2) there is nothing between the front bumper of the jerk following too close behind me, and my rear lights.

So after spending a couple of days grinding rivets off the frame-to-cross member and cutting a couple of bolts (okay, 8 bolts!) the draw bar and cross member came off.  Above is the original.


The new one is just a C-channel steel with some holes and other cut outs drilled, and a little bit of bending and shaping.  turns out a guy in North Carolina makes a perfect replica for a very reasonable price ($100).


But for added protection (?) I decided to add a bumper to the rear end that would extend out beyond the tail lights and provide a modicum of protection.  I looked around and decided brushed steel tube looked best.  Of course, that was of the choices I had that would fit.


I'm not 100% happy with the look as it's not stock nor is it appropriate.  If I can find a similar bumper for the front, to balance the look, I'll stick with it.

Thanks for looking...


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