I don't like it when I buy something then hide it from myself. I bought some 1/2 long bolts to make new pins for the tailgate hinges. I needed one more so I bought 5 and hid them. But they will turn up. I discovered the hinges were extremely loose. The pins are .425 in diameter. Taking a long shank 1/2 inch bolt and turning the head down and cutting it for length makes a new pin that measures .493. I chased the holes with the right drill bit and they are once again a nice fit. I did not need to remove much from the holes. It worked great. I still need cotter pin holes. I will get to that.



Installed for a fit test.



I have been putting stuff on the truck. Hood hinges, brackets etc. This is a wagoneer defroster and floor unit with the vacuum cans removed. It was simple to make metal flags to hold a cable control system. I had custom decals made to surround the push pull knobs that will reside in the bottom of the dash. That will get done later. The defroster fittings are ford mustang. I had to modify them by adding a short flag on one end to reach the mounting stud, and cut out a big notch for the headlight switch. I glued in a piece of ABS sewer pipe with ABS glue. It worked great as the fittings were ABS.



The dash is on.



Some neighbors came over and helped me put the roof top tent on the rack. I have some tubing clamps coming to get it mounted down with a solid mount that will be off-road capable.



This part of a build is always fun.