| Author | Message | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 189 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: |
The back of my bus has always bothered me. it had been "butchered" to install lighting that was not in keeping with the look of these old buses. I know that when it was done they had a reason to do it. Well, I finally did something about it. Being on a budget I fabricated "patch panels" to cover up the rectangle hole that was cut to fit the lights rather then buy new complete panels at nearly $700. I then cut new holes in the patch panels to fit new LED lights. And also installed back-up lights in the original lower panel holes. I also cleaned up/replaced the wiring on the inside. Because my bus is still positive ground I had to install relays to activate the lights. Here are before and after photos.    I also stripped off the paint. Here is a close up of the "fix" The ribs in the aluminum patch panel were difficult to match. They are a little off. .  (Message edited by zimtok on October 30, 2007) | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 87 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 71.254.36.112 Rating: N/A |
Very nice job. How did you make the ribs? | ||
| David B. Sweet (Sweets4104)
Registered Member Username: Sweets4104 Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 64.136.27.226 Rating: N/A |
Well done! I too would like to know how you made the ribs. Blessings, David | ||
| Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa)
Registered Member Username: Kristinsgrandpa Post Number: 344 Registered: 2-2003 Posted From: 64.24.211.11 Rating: N/A |
Nice job, like Laryn I'd like to know how the ribs were made. Ed | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 190 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
I have a small hand operated brake/shear (Harbor Freight) that I made a rounded die for and an adjustable guide. The first rib is used to locate the next rib and so on. the sheet of aluminum shown in the photo is my test sheet. (very thin) the sheet I finally used was a thicker sheet (22 ga) still thinner then the aluminum on the bus but strong enough to hold the lights.  (Message edited by zimtok on October 30, 2007) | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks)
Registered Member Username: Chucks Post Number: 1136 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.240.232.215 Rating: N/A |
He can pick a geetar *and* bend metal! Nice job, Austin. I have a friend who lost four fingers in an industrial version of that machine, so be careful. You wouldn't want to just start driving the others around and let them get all the girls! | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 191 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
Chuck, I do that already. I never could pick a guitar very well so I "play" to my strong points like driving, fixing, setting up the sound/light gear. And taking photos/video. . (Message edited by zimtok on October 30, 2007) | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 526 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.97.117.36 Rating: N/A |
Very clever tooling. Since I don't have a brake that large I have decided that I can make the ribs for my 4104 with two pieces of padded angle iron and my hyd press. It all depends on what tools one has I guess. | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 208 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 76.108.116.40 Rating: |
That looks great Austin. I applaud your desire to keep her looking stock. I never understand someone who buys a DC-3 & then works to make it look like a Lear Jet. Jim-Bob | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 192 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: |
Gus, You are correct... I've always had to make do with the tools at hand. Most of the home made tools and jigs i made over the years did their intended job. (some failed badly) I'm to a point now that I have some tools that make things a little easier. I still want a few more tools (it never ends) Jim-Bob, Thanks, I'm really trying to clean her up and bring her back to something close to her original beauty. . (Message edited by zimtok on October 30, 2007) | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 527 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.97.117.25 Rating: |
Jim-Bob, You have hit on my pet peeve, our buses are so unique and classic and so different from anything else on the road it is a total mystery to me why people spend thousands covering windows and expensive, gawdawful paint jobs just to look like every other big S&S running down the road--I'll never be able to understand that?? | ||
| John Zabrocki (John_z)
Registered Member Username: John_z Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 64.61.224.190 Rating: N/A |
Oh man, i have to agree here, it is the KISS school of thought for me,, KEEP IT STOCK (looking) STUPID. | ||
| Gerald Norman (Gnorman46)
Registered Member Username: Gnorman46 Post Number: 81 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 70.14.210.97 Rating: N/A |
Very cool, I am another one that wants to keep everything looking original. |
