Been busy on the WC53


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Posted by Keith in Washington on Friday, July 24, 2009 at 13:40:28 :

I have been spending a lot of time on the WC53 this summer. I have completed some tasks that never had been done and made some improvements.

First I converted from a vacuum booster to a hydroboost system on the brake master cylinder. This was necessary as I needed to put in a new clutch master and slave cylinder as the system using Wilwood parts was failing quite often (I learned that this was not uncommon). I have hanging peddles with only 2 1/2 inches between push rods. This makes it really had to find components. The hydroboost actually has a concave shape on side which allows the clutch master to slip in. The clutch master is actually a brake master cylinder from a 55, 56 and 57 Chevy with the residual valve removed. I have about 1/4 inch between the two masters.

Both the clutch and brakes are really improved. Last Sunday I had to do a full panic stop as a guy tried to cut me off. All I can say was wow! The brakes did lock up all 4 tires and planted the nose of the truck. It was not only a quick but also a very stable stop. Thanks to Paul in NY for the hydroboost part numbers.

The last couple of weeks I have been working on the interior. I finally finished and installed all of the metal trim around the wood floor in the rear. Those pieces are really hard to find and several of mine looked like Swiss cheese after being blasted. I ended up fabricating 2 pieces and rebuilding the rest. Most were badly rust pitted even the couple that I bought from people. One of the worst pieces could not be replaced or fabricated as typical. However, all pieces are now bright and shiny and in place. The real hang up was finding someone to bend a couple pieces of metal for me. Most shops will not look at any small jobs or they want a minimum of $500 which is not worth it.

I also removed a frame cross member that someone had welded in. They had put it in to mount modern shocks to. The only way to get it out was with a chisel. It took quite a while to get through the welds. I then took my die grinder and cleaned up the remaining weld material and painted that area of the frame. Those little modeler air brushes work great. I then rebuilt and installed the original knee action shocks. I needed to buy the links and some bushings for the shocks.

Today I am going to put a spacer in the fan to get it closer to the radiator. Then I will piece together pieces that I have to make the metal trim that goes along the rear door post. It is the same shape at trim that holds the headliner in place on the ff PW. So it will be fun welding and grinding that shape.

My wife commented yesterday that should could not believe all the details in the truck considering it was a military truck with a short life span. I replied that they really just took a civilian body and stuck it on a military frame with some modifications to the body. I believe that is why they were only made for a year. Too much metal and too high for shipping.

My wife now says that it would be neat to have the radio that went in the truck with it' antenna.



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