I found wheel arch patch panels for the truck...$60 for the pair. Now I need to search through my local network of folks to locate someone that can and is willing to stitch weld them in place, for payment on the barter system.

As shown in the CB thread I began, I now have a new CB with twin 4' Firesticks, giving me good transmitting range.

I was forced to climb under the truck when my son was unable to locate the fuel filter on the frame. Once I pointed it out, and described to him how to simply pull the clips, loosen the clamp, and pull the hoses, he was able to get it replaced. He also replaced the air filter yesterday with a K&N box filter. We did the Seafoam treatment last month, but I think I should do it again...just to piss off the neighbors. LOL Actually, with the amount of smoke that we generated and the improvement that it made, I think we should do one more before the warmer days are gone.

I'm still having issues locating a steering wheel lock actuator at a decent price. Dealers and online sources want anywhere from $65 to $100 for it, and salvage yards don't list them online...so we're going to have to go on a hunt through the salvage yards. Most of them around here don't like it when you tear down the steering columns, since they bring in more money as a whole unit, but with son acting as lookout, I think we may be able to find something.

We straightened out the front of the bed that I bent in 2009 after a runaway mounted tire rolled with enough force to bend the rail...almost hitting the back of the cab. A tow strap and a 1-ton come-along made easy work of that job.

When my son and his friends were removing the fiberglass topper last year, they dropped it, cracking it at one of the top curved corners. Instead of getting fancy, we're going to screw in some aluminum that I've been hammering to fit, then lay a few pieces of fiberglass cloth over top and sand it down. That should hold me until I locate the aluminum topper I want. I refuse to pay for a brand new one, so the hunt for a good used one is on.

When I went tire shopping, I decided on getting a set of recaps with BFG AT/K pattern...about 40% cheaper than brand new. Re-treads have more stringent regulations than new tires, and are legal for road use here. However, the guys that put them on didn't use a lift...they used a floor jack. In doing so, I think they screwed up the steering a bit, so it's going in for an alignment tomorrow. I expect to get a call, telling me that I need to replace a tie rod or two...items I replaced back in 2009. Hopefully it doesn't need it, and a typical adjustment is all it needs, but I know my luck.

My plan was originally to have this ready for matte color by the end of this year, but little things are popping up, and the weather hasn't been as cooperative as it was earlier in the year. So, if I have it ready by this time next year, I'll be very happy.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles