4th gear, it's allright

[GB SISSON]

Had a loooong day at work today and tonight is my bachelor night when my wife works a 24 hour eldercare shift. I have never driven my current project, a 46 tonner with an H six on the paved road. Sure, it isn't really ready for the open road, but it's off-season around here and I remember the hand signals from driver's ed, so thought I would go through the gears on our rural roads. Lots of mud on our gravel, and even the county road pretty wet, but sometimes a guy just has to see what he's got after a winter of wrenching. Anyway, it was a really fun drive. But now I've got the chickens in and the other animals fed so it's back to the project. I received a one wire alternator from UPS the other day so looking like a fabricated alternator bracket for a six tonight. Here's some pics from my ride. Oh, and 4th gear at about 45 was excellent by the way.....

[Lawson Cox]

Way to go. I enjoy your posts very much. Keep 'em coming.

[51504bat]

Looking good.

[GB SISSON]

Those michelin radial 7.50 x 17 recaps are the embodiment of the term 'pizza cutters' it steers with almost no effort whatsoever.

[cas3]

Those first drives are big fun, makes a guy feel like you got something accomplished. I used to have the ultimate test drive run here, an old time country store with a gas pump, some grocery's, a burger grill, and beer. 10 miles of paved road with more cows than cars, license plates, hoods, fenders, heck, even insurance was optional. Sadly, the owners retired and the buyer ran it into the ground. Geez, I miss that place, they are disappearing here in the USA. Good story's GB, keep up the good work for our entertainment !

[cas3]

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Also, the Beach Boys "Little honda" song was "2nd gear, its alright" if I remember correctly, but I can see an old Ford guy getting excited with more than 3 gears !

[petehoovie]

I remember the hand signals from driver's ed, so thought I would go through the gears on our rural roads....Lots of mud on our gravel, and even the county road pretty wet, but sometimes a guy just has to see what he's got after a winter of wrenching.

[GB SISSON]

If I can muster up the effort I'll go down and get a pic of my alternator bracket. 'Fabbed' hell, I just turned the generator bracket around backwards and it lined up just right with the same belt.. Then I found some old slotted alternator swing arm thing in my 'brackets' drawer and with a slight bend I was puttin' out an honest 14.2 volts into my battery, and someday into my headlights if I take this jalopy that far.

[GB SISSON]

I think it may have been '4th gear, hold on tight'. , but was fine in this thing. So here's the alternator setup. Seriously, the long generator mount when turned upside down was perfect. I did not use a single shim or washer (I certainly would have, if needed) and it was just one of those rare things the just worked out. OK it is well past my bed time. Catch you guys on the flip side.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

I think it may have been '4th gear, hold on tight'. , but was fine in this thing. So here's the alternator setup. Seriously, the long generator mount when turned upside down was perfect. I did not use a single shim or washer (I certainly would have, if needed) and it was just one of those rare things the just worked out. OK it is well past my bed time. Catch you guys on the flip side.

[mfirth]

Thanks for sharing G B ! Love this kind of stuff. Keep on "truck'n" .......

[sugarmaker]

GB,
Awesome first ride doicumentation! yea "4th gear hold on tight" Sounds right!
is that road dirt on the door from the front open wheels? The truck is really looking good!
You will get the lights and more on it soon! You sure used this past winter well to get the project this far.
Regards,
Chris

[kurt v]

You should run a all thread rod through to the back of the bracket to keep the alt from tipping.

[flathead4rd]

I like the running board. It's the real thing.

[pistonbroke]

GB, your photos give a real definition to the word running board. Love the tonner but I have a question, is that bed longer then the half ton? I had my 42 half ton Military an it had the center stake pockets. I've never seen them since until your post. I thought it was a military thing. You got me to wondering. Tim

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by kurt v

You should run a all thread rod through to the back of the bracket to keep the alt from tipping.

I get that for sure and it's a good idea, but I was thinking of welding a tab with a hole in it just behind the alternator and the bolt would squeeze the alternator between the two tabs. Yours is easier though and it stays mounted and done also provides factory alignment. Thanks! And thanks Pete for the photo work and the rest of you for your positive comments.

Yes, it's gravel road spray from the open front wheels. I just though it was an artistic look. On my drive I encountered two oncoming cars, 'strangers' on our one lane road. Then on the other side of the two lane county paved road is a series of gravel roads serving a waterfront community. While passing through there I encountered two different people walking their dogs. Both of them pulled their leashes up tight and they didn't wave back or smile. I was doing about ten mph.

Running boards.... I have the correct long running boards but they need some work. Lokks like some grafting off of some 1/2 ton beater running boards. The 2x10s are temporary so I can get into the cab. Some years back I made some pretty accurate looking running boards for my 122" tonner panel truck, and I may do that again if there is too much patching required. The tonner has a 122" wb while the half ton has 114" wb. The bed is 8' long and deeper than the half ton.

[Kube]

GB, All I can really say is "COOL"!!!!

[deuce_roadster]

Gary, that old girl looks really solid. I too have put straps on a core support to make a "test drive"! Not too many cops out where I live either! Say HI to Raven for me.
Mike
P.S. Can you hear the booms there on Orcas?

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Gary, that old girl looks really solid. I too have put straps on a core support to make a "test drive"! Not too many cops out where I live either! Say HI to Raven for me.
Mike
P.S. Can you hear the booms there on Orcas?

I have not heard the booms personally as we live on the East side of the island, but I know many folks who have. Apparently someone has been setting off improvised explosive devices at random locations, usually around 4am and typically in uninhabited areas.

[ms fowler]

Congrats on a FIRST DRIVE-- I envy you, and maybe that will be me and my friend in a few months--before the weather turns cold again.

Guys--you can actually do a search on the interweb and see the real lyrics---
there is no 4th gear! I didn't trust my memory, either.

Here they are:
First gear (Honda Honda) it's alright (faster faster)
Second gear (little Honda Honda) I lean right (faster faster)
Third gear (Honda Honda) hang on tight (faster faster)
Faster it's alright