What's New in BillyBob's Garage

TRUCK LINKS including vendor sites for old parts, custom parts, and tools as well as sites for classic car and truck organizations

STORE Operating in association with Amazon.com, books, recordings and tools can be purchased.

PLANNING for the restoration including project schedule and cost estimates.

TRAVELS WITH BILLYBOB With apologies to Steinbeck, this area of BillyBob's Garage will be used to log the trips BillyBob and I make together.

WORK-IN-PROGRESS was the restoration of parts of BillyBob that I could accomplish without a garage up until the summer of 2010 when I finally got enough warehouse space to work in. Now, it also includes the continuing work on BillyBob in the shop.

PRE-RESTORATION includes log entries of minor repairs and and adventures between time of purchase and the time when I started restoration, a piece at a time.

JR'S KORNER JR's Korner is the history of BillyBob before I got him authored by my brother, Wm. C. Kephart.

BILLYBOB MAINTENANCE Ever changing detailing, oil change, lube, etc. maintenance routines specifically developed for BillyBob, including required tools, materials and procedures.

PARTS SHOP The Parts Shop is a repository of How-To articles. Things that I have done over and over enough times to have developed a procedure. This gives me a checklist and saves brain cells.

STEALTH SHOP Urban residence design with large integrated shop and separate living quarters for a relative or renter.

Whenever I post a new log entry to the BillyBob site, I inform the various truck forums and maillists I belong to of the update. I'm aware that some of BillyBob's fans don't belong to the forums and maillists and find themselves running around BillyBob's garage, poking into tool boxes and overturnin' oil drums, tryin' to find out if anything new is happening. I've been meaning to rectify the situation for some time now, but haven't gotten off my butt to do it. An e-mail from Duncan Margetts from "Down Under" nudged me into action so if this page is useful to you, you can thank him. Duncan was restoring a 1967 4-ton truck he called "Edford the Bedford" at the time this page was created in 2004.

BTW, This is the only page on the site where the latest dates are at the top of the list, the opposite of the way the log entries run.

Early in March 2014, I finally gave in and joined Facebook. For those BillyBob Shop readers who find my sporadic posting schedule a pain in the butt or would like the BillyBob Shop postings in smaller doses, I am posting the goings on, one or two paragraphs at a time as I write them, on my Facebook page. The icon below will take you there. This site will contimue to get the same sporadic updates it has in the past for those who do not want to join Facebook.

April 19^th 2024  This is a Deerslayer episode called When we last left our hero about the last two years of barely perceptible activity in the BillyBob Shop. It deals mostly with cleaning the heads and minor machining regarding the valves, seats and guides. Also a short update on other projects in the shop.

December 23^rd 2021  This is a Deerslayer episode called Heads Up that describes taking apart, inspecting and cleaning the nailhead cylinder head assemblies, of the Buick 322 nailhead, continuing the shadetree build of Deerslayer's next engine.

August 26^th 2021  This is a Deerslayer episode called Rotating Assembly that describes taking apart, inspecting and cleaning the nailhead piston assemblies, crankshaft and bearings of the Buick 322 nailhead block, continuing the shadetree build of Deerslayer's next engine.

June 29^th 2021  This is a Deerslayer episode called Change of Plans that covers the tear down, cleaning, derusting and painting of the Buick 322 nailhead block, Deerslayer's next engine.

March 17^th 2021  This is a Deerslayer episode called Dystopian Summer that covers the windshield hinge cover installation and rolling paint on the cab exterior back below the beltline. Then the wheels fell off and I lost my ambition again. Along the way I acquired a Vertex magneto and a blower manifold for the Buick 322 nailhead. I now have most of the parts I need to build the engine the way I want and that got me motivated to tear down the nailhead.

June 10^th 2020  This is a Deerslayer episode called Back Bottom Bodywork describing the filling and block sanding of the cab exterior back below the beltline. Tool inventory and reorganization continues as well. The windshield is reinstalled and a new wiper motor too.

May 11^th 2020  This is a Deerslayer episode called Rollin' Paint describing the painting of the cab exterior above the beltline. Tool search and inventory reorganization continues as well. We are also beginning to reinstall interior trim items and the rear window trim.

April 10^th 2020  This is a Deerslayer episode called Paint and Body describing the initial bodywork and paint operations on the cab exterior. Tool search and inventory reorganization as well as shop improvements in the form of a dehumidifier are also covered.

March 10^th 2020  This is a Deerslayer episode called Braking Developments. Finished stripping the cab of all that's coming off for painting, lifted the Jimmy block out of the chassis and refurbished the brake and clutch pedals and linkages this month.

February 10^th 2020  This is a Deerslayer episode called Down to Bare Bones. Spent the past month stripping Deerslayer's cab and chassis of dashboard, windshield, wiring harness and transmission with side trips into windshield and rear window trim restoration.

January 10^th 2020  This is a Deerslayer episode called On a Roll. With Deerslayer's head and front brakes out of the way, I moved on to the front wheels and the Jimmy's Carter AFB carb that has been lying in disarray for 3-1/5 years. Also started stripping the cab, rear fenders, running board and bed. I'm on a roll.

December 12^th 2019  This is a Deerslayer episode called Sputtering Along. I was just getting a little momentum going when the new landlord disrupted me with the shop expansion. My attempts to get my ambition back before one of the hotter summers we've had in awhile arrived failed. In October, I finally got going again and this log entry covers work on Deerslayer's front suspension and disk brakes as well as the rebuilding his Jimmy 302 head.

March 27^th 2019  This is a BillyBob episode in BillyBob's continuing transformation into a hot rod truck titled Out of Hibernation. Still not much going on in BillyBob's corner of the shop. There is a little more engine mock up and that's about it. When a new landlord took over, I was informed that the wall between the BillyBob Shop and the space to the east was built without a permit. My choice was to rent the additional space or move out on short notice. I decided to stay and the bulk of this log entry is about the BillyBob Shop expansion.

February 28^th 2019  This is a Deerslayer episode called Ember of Ambition. When I got the Caddy two-door, three-pedal fast mover, Elvira, I lost all interest in working on the trucks for awhile. I still bought some parts but that was about it. I finally found an ember of my lost ambition in the shop. And some changes in my life have fanned it into a flame.

February 14^th 2019  This is a Renegade log entry called End of the Line. Renegade has been laid up in front of the BillyBob Shop for almost three years now and still needs steering work. I'm sure he has old gas issues too. When the new landlord paved the parking lot on short notice, he had to be moved. I sold him as the easiest solution. This log entry documents that and closes the book on Renegade.

June 29^th 2018  This is the first Elvira entry called Lost Virginity. "Elvira" is my 2017 Cadillac ATS V Series Coupe daily driver, a baby Caddy factory hot rod. This first log entry covers the first eighteen months of our association together.

July 17^th 2017  This is a Renegade log entry called One damn thing after another. Renegade has been laid up in front of the BillyBob Shop for over a year now and needs steering work to get back on the road again. This entry documents various irritating repairs between the time Renegade was resurrected and the time the steering broke.

March 12^th 2017  This is a Deerslayer episode called Summer Slump. The Deerslayer engine project finally picks up again after eight months of inactivity. What little was done during that eight month hiatus is chronicled here.

February 5^th 2017  This is the next BillyBob episode in BillyBob's continuing transformation into a hot rod truck titled Summer Stagnation. There as been very little activity in the BillyBob Shop in the last seven months but I think I'm back in the saddle and getting some work done again.

May 27^th 2016  This is a Deerslayer episode called Headache - Mission Creep. The Deerslayer repair continues with the pace finally picking up in the last two months and the scope of the work to be done has expanded, hence the title "Mission Creep"

May 15^th 2016  This is the next BillyBob episode in BillyBob's continuing transformation into a hot rod truck titled Slammin' the nose, The engine mock up undergoes fine-tuning as does the dropped front axle mock up. New, larger, rear wheels and tires are purchased, Interior refinements are begun and the first components of the exhaust system are obtained.

April 8^th 2016  This is the next BillyBob episode in BillyBob's continuing transformation into a hot rod truck titled Where the Hekawi?, Continued engine mock up issues are covered as wells as transmission and chassis upgrades.

October 19^th 2015  This is the first BillyBob episode in four years. Aptly titled Here . . . We . . . Go, it is the beginning of BillyBob's transformation from stock farm truck to early sixties speed shop / push truck mild custom tribute.

October 2^nd 2015  This is a Deerslayer episode called Headache - Teardown wherein I discover one of the major causes of Deerslayer's engine crankiness to be a blown head gasket. The log entry then records the teardown process with some side forays into new tool acquisitions and nailhead project parts purchases.

July 13^th 2015  This is a Renegade log entry called Renegade Ressurection. Renegade has been quietly moldering in the Boca warehouse bay for about five years waiting for better times. A few weeks after Deerslayer blew a head gasket, I decided, with the help of some friends, to try to get Renegade back on the road as a daily driver again while the Deerslayer was being repaired.

May 8^th 2015  This is a Deerslayer episode called Headscratchin' and it records the trials and tribulations suffered in trying to keep my one running vehicle on the road for my daily commute while I try to sort out several different engine issues.

August 21^st 2014  This is a Deerslayer episode called In the Clutches (of Murphy) and it's mostly about replacing the clutch on Deerslayer. There is also a little bit of cruise in activity reporting and aquiring some new goodies for the nailhead project. 

June 16^th 2014  This is a Deerslayer episode called Of Nailheads and Windshields and it's about continuing small Deerslayer improvements, some more on the nailhead teardown and a small bit on the windshield replacement project. 

April 1^st 2014  This is a Deerslayer episode called More Useful Things and it's about continuing small Deerslayer improvements and a small dose of fun with a chevy gasser. There are some shop improvements in the form of an engine hoist and mobile workbench. The start of a windshield refurbishing and installation of a vacuum gauge are also covered.

March 3^rd 2014  This is a Deerslayer episode called Doodads and Useful Stuff and it's about some small Deerslayer improvements. The doodads are the spinner steering wheel hub trim finish out and the useful stuff is a cab mounted fire extinguisher. This is shorter than the last entry as I'm trying to get back to a monthly reporting schedule but I'm not working out in the BillyBob Shop as much as I could be yet.

February 3^rd 2014  This is a Deerslayer episode called Bling for Deerslayer and it's about adapting a rare steering wheel for use in the Deerslayer. There are also horn button mods and a charging system meltdown as well as some minimal cruise-in coverage and project nailhead activity.

December 16^th 2013  This is a Deerslayer episode called The Doldrums and it's about Murphy dumpin' me off the couch and out into the shop to get one of my four vehicles running again after Deerslayer's steering box takes a powder.

June 14^th 2013  This is a Deerslayer episode called It's the Humidity and it's summertime here in the deep south. This one is mostly about car shows and Deerslayer wiring. There are some reflections on family too.

April 15^th 2013  This is a Deerslayer episode called Jeepers Creepers and, no, it's not called that because it's tax day. "Jeepers Creepers" refers to strange shop noises. There is some show coverage and some Deerslayer improvements and some Project Nailhead stuff too.

February 15^th 2013  This is a Deerslayer episode called Creature Comforts. Deerslayer and I have attended a lot of shows and cruise-ins in the past month but I only got my camera out for one of them, the River Ranch Rod Run. The rest of the log entry covers improvements to the BillyBob Shop and Deerslayer's cab interior.

January 15^th 2013  This is a Deerslayer episode called A Needed Lift and there is a little more activity in the BillyBob Shop this time. This log entry chronicles the past two month's efforts to ratchet things up a bit. It covers a few of the shows I've attended and getting the Boss's '39 Caddy running for the Boca Raton Christmas parade. The big news covered is that I've come into possesion of a used two-post lift for the BillyBob Shop.

November 15^th 2012  This is a Deerslayer episode called Catch 22 and it is still quiet in the BillyBob Shop. It is another "placekeeper" log entry chronicling the past two month's few notes of distinction. There was a power outage that lasted a couple of weeks and, due to a catch 22 situation, was difficult to resolve. There are also a couple of minor Dearslayer items and one show reported.

September 18^th 2012  This is a Deerslayer episode called Show Time and the quiet in the BillyBob Shop continues. This is a "placekeeper" log entry chronicling the past month's cruise-ins and shows.

August 15^th 2012  This is a Deerslayer episode called Momentum and I ain't got much. It's been four months since there's been any sign of activity in the BillyBob garage. Several of the BillyBob visitors have e-mailed to ask "Wot the heck is going on?" Not much, I'm afraid. I don't know when I will pick up the pace a bit but for now, here's a short episode to demonstrate that, at least, a few lights are still on in the shop.

April 13^th 2012  This is a Deerslayer roadtrip episode called Billetproof Florida 2012. Deerslayer and I haven't been out of the south Florida area for years and when the Billetproof Florida Show came back to Big Daddy Don Garlits' place in Ocala this year, we just had to go. Besides, half my car buddies in south Florida were going. I couldn't stay behind if I could help it.

March 15^th 2012  This is a Deerslayer episode called Roadtrip Ready. This one is about getting overdue maintence done on Deerslayer to get him ready to travel to Ocala, Florida for the Billetproof show. New tires, new waterpump, brakework and some minor things are covered. There is also some cruise-in and project nailhead coverage.

February 15^th 2012  This is a Deerslayer episode called Nailhead Roadtrip. It is another short log entry but a bit longer than last month. There is a little Deerslayer work and cruise-in reporting but mostly it describes my initial contact with the Buick Nailhead purchase.

January 16^th 2012  This is a Deerslayer episode called Project Nailhead. It is a short placekeeper log entry and introduces a new section where I will keep track of a '54 Buick 322 engine that I intend to rebuild.

December 15^th 2011  This is a Deerslayer episode called Treading water. I still have some electrical problems but scant attention is paid to them yet. I've been a slacker and about the only thing covered in this episode is car shows and cruise-ins. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everybody.

October 17^th 2011  This is a Deerslayer episode called Electrical bugaboos. It covers some the late summer show and cruise-in news and hangin' out with my buddies. On the tinkerin' side is some general maintenance of Deerslayer with a few electrical headscratchers thrown in for good measure.

September 15^th 2011  This month there is more stirrin' in the BillyBob Shop than just cigar smoke. This BillyBob Shop episode, called Still tryin' to get my groove back, documents the next stage of BillyBob's resurrection. We're pullin' the engine and spiffin' up everything from the firewall forward.

August 15^th 2011  This is a Deerslayer episode called Slim Pickin's. Not much going on in the hot, muggy summer. A few cruise-in's and shows and that's about it.

July 18^th 2011  This is a another short BillyBob Shop episode called A Tale of Two Shops. No BillyBob the truck work in this one. It documents the goings on in my friend Johan's shop with former Saints and Sinners Car Club members and the tortured purchase of an engine hoist for the BillyBob Shop.

June 15^th 2011  This is a Deerslayer episode called Frontend Follies. There's a little more meat in this one than last month. The first part of the episode deals with replacing Deerslayer's front springs and making him roadworthy again. It also covers the last month of car shows and cruise-ins and a group tour of a hot rod shop.

May 17^th 2011  This is a Deerslayer episode called Still avoiding the big jobs. It covers the last month of car shows and cruise-ins. It's a short episode with only a few small repairs and serves mainly to let visitors to the BillyBob Shop know that the lights are still on.

April 15^th 2011  This is a Deerslayer episode called Livin' the Dream. It covers the last four months of car shows and cruise-ins. I'm still dancin' around the broken leaf spring repair task and expect to document that in the next Deerslayer log entry.

March 16^th 2011  This is a Renegade log entry called Rust never sleeps. It's another housecleaning episode. Like BettyLou, there has been little activity with Renegade for years. He waits for attention in the Boca warehouse bay. There won't be any major work on Renegade for some time to come. This log entry covers events years past and it clears the deck for when I finally do get back to working on Renegade.

February 15^th 2011  This is a another short BillyBob Shop episode called Pacing the Cage. Very little BillyBob the truck work in this one. It documents more moving of "stuff" from the BillyBob Warehouse bay in Boca Raton to the new BillyBob Shop. There's also reports of other doings in the BillyBob Shop during the last three months including two pinup girl photoshoots. There's also reports of the goings on in my friend Johan's shop with former Saints and Sinners Car Club members.

January 15^th 2011  This is a BettyLou log entry called Rust Apocalypse. It's a housecleaning episode. There has been no activity with BettyLou for years. She sits behind the Krash Lab waiting for attention. There won't be any work on BettyLou for some time to come. This log entry covers events years past and it clears the deck for when I finally do get back to working on BettyLou.

December 15^th 2010  This is a Deerslayer episode called Spiffin' up. It covers the last two months of car shows and cruise-ins. Deerslayer got a new starter and tire repairs and now we're in the midst of dealing with a broken leaf spring.

November 18^th 2010  This is a another short BillyBob Shop episode called The Big Move, Phase 2. Again, not any BillyBob the truck work in this one. It documents the moving of "stuff" from the BillyBob Warehouse bay in Boca Raton to the new BillyBob Shop. I'd hoped to get that done fairly quickly and painlessly but fell short on both counts. There's also reports of other doings in the BillyBob Shop during the last two months.

October 15^th 2010  This is a Deerslayer episode called Battlin' Entropy. It covers the last two months of car shows and cruise-ins mostly. Some parts have been fallin' off Deerslayer and I have to get busy spiffin' him up. He's startin' to look a bit shabby. I'm also fightin' some electrical demon in the starter.

September 15^th 2010  This is a fairly short BillyBob Shop episode called Leadsled teardown. Not any BillyBob the truck work in this one. It's about another ride in the new BillyBob Shop that belongs to my friend, Rob Stannard. We are bringing a '49 Chopped Mercury back to life after thirty years of hibernation. This episode is about the beginning of the teardown stage.

August 16^th 2010  This is a Deerslayer episode called No. 5 Cylinder. It covers the last two months of car shows and cruise-ins as well as some Deerslayer engine investigations. The Jimmy 302's number five cylinder doesn't seem to be as healthy as the others and I'm trying to find out just how big a problem I have.

July 15^th 2010  This is a new BillyBob Work-in-Progress log entry, "How I spent my summer vacation". It documents the tortured move to the new BillyBob Shop. There are still things to move from the BillyBob warehouse bay in Boca Raton but, for the most part, the lion's share of the move is done now and I will be soon working on BillyBob again after maintenance and engine troubleshooting is performed on Deerslayer.

June 15^th 2010  This is a Deerslayer episode called Revenge of the Tiki. The last half of the log entry deals with the Revenge of the Tiki show and culture event held at the Monterey Club and hosted by the Saints and Sinners Car Club and it's the first event I ever helped to put on. The beginning of the episode reports on other car shows and cruise-ins that Deerslayer and I have attended in the last month.

May 14^th 2010  This is a fairly long Deerslayer episode called Five Slappin' Pistons. Lotta show and cruise-in coverage including a fun Fort Lauderdale Beach run with seven hotrods and five choppers. There's also Saints and Sinners Car Club coverage including work on a member's truck. My embarrassing troubleshooting efforts concerning a Deerslayer engine problem comes to a good ending despite my around-the-world efforts in many wrong directions to pinpoint the problem.

April 30^th 2010  It's been almost fourteen months but there is finally a new BillyBob Work-in-Progress log entry "The Game is afoot" posted. Not much has been done to BillyBob in all that time but I expect the pace to pick up as I have finally found a place under cover to work on my rides. BillyBob really does have a garage now!

April 1^st 2010  This is another Deerslayer episode called More Putzin' Around. No, it's not a April Fools joke. I'm still not getting much done under the shadetree this year. This episode is mostly show and cruise-in coverage and damn little tech. For BillyBob fans, he is not dead and I'm hoping to get a BillyBob episode up next month. That's not a "fer shure" tho'

March 2^nd 2010  Here is a new Deerslayer roadtrip entry, Billetproof, Florida 2010, a great traditional hot rod and custom show held in Gainesville, Florida at the county fairgrounds. This was my second year and, despite the miserable weather conditions, well worth the ride.

February 17^th 2010  It's been over a year since I've updated the BillyBob Truck Links page. Sorry 'bout thet. Old broken links have been repaired where possible and dropped where they were not. New links include Grainger, Old IHC, The Forgotton 261 and Truck Restoration.

January 31^st 2010  This is another Deerslayer episode called Putzin' around. Again, it's mostly day to day maintenance routines and ruminations. There's some show and cruise-in coverage as well. Damn little worthwhile here 'cept to prove that I'm still movin'.

December 27^th 2009  This is another Deerslayer episode called Cab Comfort Capers. Again, it's mostly day to day maintenance routines and ruminations. There's some show and cruise-in coverage as well. The rest of the cab insulation redo is also covered.

November 29^th 2009  This is another Deerslayer episode called Get Rhythm. It's mostly day to day maintenance routines and ruminations. There's some show and cruise-in coverage as well as some work on friends' cars. Redoing the cowl and firewall insulation is also covered.

September 12^th 2009  This is another Deerslayer episode called Dog Days of Summer. Not much happenin' here in the BillyBob garage but a few people are getting concerned and sending e-mails. Lots on people probably don't think I can move any slower but I can, so there isn't much restoration work in this episode, but plenty of musings. Cooler weather is coming and more nuts-n-bolts work to report down the road, I hope.

June 27^th 2009  This is another Deerslayer episode called Let there be spark to light the rainy night. It is mostly car show and cruise-in reports but there is some tech too, mostly regarding bed refinishing.

April 21^st 2009  Not enuf to report on BillyBob yet but I've got the second Deerslayer tech log to post in an episode called "Cool Runnings, Mon". Included is the new radiator installation, preparations for the Billetproof run, learning some things about the tranny, prepping for bed refinishing, some cruise-in and show reports and a troublesome ignition problem.

March 30^th 2009  Here is a new Deerslayer roadtrip entry, Billetproof, Florida 2009, a great traditional hot rod and custom show held in Ocala, Florida at the Big Daddy Don Garlits museum.

March 10^th 2009  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "More of This n That" has been posted. This is a short log entry dealing mostly with engine detailing but I've experienced one of life's milestones and this is a good time to publish and start on the next log entry.

February 28^th 2009  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm still trying to get back to the doors and tailgate work. Been giving all my attention to Renegade and Deerslayer.

February 16^th 2009  Not enuf to report on BillyBob yet but I've got the first Deerslayer tech log to post in an episode called "Getting Started". This includes learning my way around the truck (oil change and other periodical maintenance), cosmetics (pinstriping and cleaning flat paint), door handle work, battery cut-off switch, new radiator and . . . cruise-ins, beers and ceegars.

January 31^st 2009  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link
Brad's '41-'46 Chevys.

January 18^th 2009  Not enuf to report on BillyBob but I've got about a year's worth of work on Renegade to post in an episode called "Back to Bulking Up". This includes shifter adjustments, a new cold air intake system, battery and exterior detailing items including parts replacement and refinishing.

December 31^st 2008  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I've got a new 'puter program called CarCare to track maintenance and spending. I'm terminating updates to the spreadsheet I've been using these past several years to track costs in favor of reports generated by the CarCare program. I'm still trying to get back to the doors and tailgate work.

November 30^st 2008  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Larrowe & Sons Truck Parts, My Tool Store and Dupli-Color.

November 15^th 2008  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Summer of My Discontent" has been posted. I've been lazy and hazy since the last BillyBob log entry and I haven't gotten much done. This episode deals mostly with replacing a rear main seal for the first time. Yeah, I'm gonna hafta do it again!

November 5^th 2008  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the last two month's and the next two month's planned activities and the last four month's spending. It's been a lazy summer and fall for me and I haven't gotten much done on BillyBob beyond basic maintenance. Presently, I'm struggling with a new rear main bearing seal before returning to the doors and tailgate.

October 21^st 2008  Don't have a new BillyBob entry ready yet. No excuses. I've been a lazy slug lately. To hold BillyBob's fans off until I get there, here is the first entry for my new truck, Deerslayer. This documents the roadtrip Picking up Deerslayer, where I drive to Tony & Joy Pascarella's in a rental car and drive the truck, Deerslayer, back, stopping to visit a few relatives along the way. This is the first Deerslayer page posted so far so the other Deerslayer links on the page don't work yet.

July 31^st 2008  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Allens Fasteners and The Garage Forums.

June 30^th 2008  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm not making much headway with the new phase of the detailing cycle, doors and tailgate. I'm picking up where I left off on that.

June 18^th 2008  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "A little of this, a little of that" has been posted. As the title implies, it's a hodge podge of little things and, in the middle of it, BillyBob and I take off on the Hutchinson roadtrip.

June 6^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the season finale of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This ties it all together with links to each day's segment and includes some final thoughts.

June 5^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 16 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was a short 140 mile leg between Melbourne, FL and home base in Boca Raton, FL.

June 4^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 15 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was a medium 200 mile leg between Orange Park, FL. and Melbourne, FL.

June 3^rd 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 14 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was another steamy 400 mile leg, this time Greenville, AL to Orange Park, FL.

June 3^rd 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 13 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was a steamy 400 mile leg from Ruston, LA to Greenville, AL.

May 31^st 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 12 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was a segment from Durant, OK to Ruston, LA with some trailblazin' to boot.

May 30^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 11 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was a segment from Oklahoma City, OK to Durant OK with a stop in Tulsa to visit East West Auto Parts.

May 28^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 10 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was a short leg from Hutchinson, KS to Oklahoma City, OK and a great visit with a old friend.

May 28^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 9 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was departure day at the ATHS show (everybody leaves 'cept me and BillyBob).

May 27^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 8 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was day 3 at the ATHS show (last day at the show for our group).

May 25^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 7 of the Hutchinson roadtrip. This was day 2 at the ATHS show. That is covered along with a group dinner and a tornado incident.

May 24^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 6 of the Hutchinson roadtrip, a short 108 mile leg from Blackwell, OK to Hutchinson, KS. The first day of the ATHS Truck Show and the OldGMGtrucks.com BBQ is also covered.

May 22^nd 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 5 of the Hutchinson roadtrip, a long 416 mile leg from Lonoke, AR to Blackwell, OK.

May 21^st 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 4 of the Hutchinson roadtrip, a 324 mile leg from Cullman, AL to Lonoke, AR.

May 20^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 3 of the Hutchinson roadtrip, a 374 mile leg from Sopchoppy, Florida to Cullman in north Alabama.

May 19^th 2008  Another new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 2 of the Hutchinson roadtrip, a 142 mile perfect leg from Alachua, Florida to Sopchoppy, Florida and hangin' with Bartender Dave and Lady Jenny at their house in Sopchoppy.

May 17^th 2008  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 1 of the Hutchinson roadtrip, a long 433 mile round-about leg from Boca Raton, Florida to Alachua, Florida bouncin' like a ping pong ball across the state along the way.

April 30^th 2008  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm finally finished with the interior work phase of this detailing cycle. A new phase, doors and tailgate, is next. Also have some bodywork planned.

April 13^th 2008  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Starting with Confidence" has been posted. It includes glove box installation and cab detailing along with a new ringgear for BillyBob's flywheel and a new clutch install. There's also a sidetrip to the Barrett-Jackson auction in West Palm Beach.

April 1^st 2008  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Bedwood and Parts and Get GIBBS.

March 12^th 2008  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "More Cab and D-train Work" has been posted. It includes more of the cab phase of the detailing cycle, some ignition timing adjustments, some starter work, pulling the tranny for painting and inspection, and my quest to obtain a spare flywheel. I also play around with a navigation gadget for the upcoming Hutchinson roadtrip.

February 29^th 2008  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm still only two-thirds finished with the interior work phase of this detailing cycle. Still planned is more painting of some interior trim pieces, cleaning up of the steering wheel and restoring the portion of the parking brake mechanism that is inside the cab. I am also working on the tranny, clutch and flywheel.

February 13^th 2008  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one is a Zo's Off the Hook Cruise-In, held on sunday nites in north Fort Lauderdale. My second time here but not my last.

January 31^st 2008  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Big Flats Rivet Company and Old Burb Club How-To Page.

January 20^th 2008  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one is the Reflections in Glass XXV Show, a Corvette and GM car show held every year in Boca Raton, Florida. This is the first show that BillyBob and Frankie went to together. Frankie won 1st place in his class.

January 15^th 2008  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Cab Capers and the D-train" has been posted. It includes about half of the cab phase of the detailing cycle, a distributor and starter replacement and the beginnings of my creep towards a clutch replacement.

December 31^st 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm about half finished with the interior work phase of this detailing cycle. Still planned is more painting of some interior trim pieces, cleaning up of the steering wheel and restoring the portion of the parking brake mechanism that is inside the cab.

December 9^th 2007  I don't have a new Work-in-Progress log entry for BillyBob yet but some of you may be interested in the latest Renegade Jeep log entry. It's titled "On the Road Again" and covers fabbing up a new hydraulic clutch line and getting the jeep running again after twenty-three months sitting out behind the Krash Lab.

November 30^th 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Engine Lab of Tampa and Roll Your Car.

October 31^st 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I finally completed the chassis detailing phase for this detailing cycle. Interior work is now in progress. Planned is painting of some interior trim pieces, installation of new headliner cardboard, cleaning up of the steering wheel and restoring the portion of the parking brake mechanism that is inside the cab.

October 13^th 2007  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Getting back on track" has been posted. It's been a long, hot, wet summer (on the weekends, anyway) and I haven't gotten much done. This log entry deals mostly with finishing up the chassis phase of this detailng cycle. Specifically, it deals with brake work and painting tasks.

September 30^th 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Hollander Interchange and Second Chance Garage.

August 31^st 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm still milking the chassis detailing phase (Who woulda thunk it?) but at least I finally got the brake work done for this detailing cycle. Interior work is coming up. The brake maintenance procedure in the BillyBob Maintenance Log has also been upgraded with both vacuum and pressure methods for brake bleeding.

July 31^st 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link
Ida's Antique Chevrolet Parts.

July 21^st 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Am late with this update which was due June 30th. The Macungie roadtrip put me behind the eight ball regarding work in progress but I'm not complaining. Getting back on track now and my first priority is to complete the chassis detailing phase.

July 8^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one is the summary of the Macungie Run that ties all the daily logs together with statistics, calculations and final reflections on the roadtrip.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the last leg of the Macungie Run, the leg from melbourne, Florida to my Home in Deerfield Beach, Florida with stops to visit friends in Satelite Beach and Stuart.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the Melbourne leg of the Macungie Run, the leg from Palm Coast, Florida to my Aunt Marrianne and Uncle Tom's place in Melbourne, Florida.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the Palm Coast leg of the Macungie Run, the leg from Port Wentworth, Georgia to Palm Coast, Florida south of St. Augustine.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the Port Wentworth leg of the Macungie Run, the leg from Whiteville, North Carolina to Port Wentworth, Georgia near Savannah.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the Whiteville leg of the Macungie Run, the short leg from Sue's house in Morehead City to the village of Whiteville, North Carolina, and my visit with Tom Caperton, owner of "Red Chief", a '47 2nd Series Chevy truck.

July 4^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 18 of the Macungie Run, the short leg from Johanna's house in Raleigh to my cousin Sue's house in Morehead City. Johanna and Sue are sisters.

July 3^rd 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 17 of the Macungie Run, the run from Cosmo's in Charlottesville to my cousin Johanna's place in Raleigh, North Carolina where another cousin, Brenda, joined us from the neighboring city of Cary.

June 27^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 16 of the Macungie Run, BillyBob's roundabout path from Chambersburg, Pa. to Charlottesville, Va., courtesy of "Mother". It also reports my meeting Cosmo (Mark) and his red truck.

June 25^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 15 of the Macungie Run, leaving Clearfield with visits to the Flight 93 Memorial and a Cruise-in on the way to Chambersburg, Pa.

June 24^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Days 13 and 14 of the Macungie Run, visits to relatives in Penfield and DuBois and a visit to my home town, Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

June 21^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Days 10, 11 and 12 of the Macungie Run, the layover days at my Brother's place in Monroeville, Pa and the leg from Monroeville to Wadsworth, Ohio.

June 19^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 9 of the Macungie Run, the 300 plus mile run to Monroeville, Pa from Macungie..

June 19^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 8 of the Macungie Run, the last day of the Macungie truck show.

June 18^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 7 of the Macungie Run, the arrival at the Macungie and meeting up with the OldGMCtrucks.com group.

June 15^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 6 of the Macungie Run, the last day of the Blue Ridge Parkway portion of the roadtrip and a run in the dark to Gettysburg.

June 13^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 5 of the Macungie Run, the second day of the Blue Ridge Parkway portion of the roadtrip and an exciting finish.

June 12^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 4 of the Macungie Run, a cool mountain run and meeting up with old friends. It's the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway portion of the roadtrip.

June 11^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 3 of the Macungie Run, a fairly comfortable 278 mile leg thru Georgia's heartland from Savannah, Georgia to Commerce, Georgia. BillyBob is still running good.

June 10^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 2 of the Macungie Run, a hot 207 mile leg from Saint Augustine, Florida to Savannah, Georgia. BillyBob is still running good.

June 9^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 1 of the Macungie Run, a tiring 376 mile round-about leg from Boca Raton, Florida to Saint Augustine, Florida with whistlestops in Melbourne and Satelite Beach.

June 2^nd 2007  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Busy, Busy" has been posted. This is mostly odds and ends, a tweaking entry. Getting BillyBob ready for the Macungie roadtrip. There is also coverage of the Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson auction where my boss got a couple of classics.

May 31^st 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link
Restoration Battery.

April 30^th 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I've been gathering parts and supplies for BillyBob's first big roadtrip in June. The "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle with parking brake and brake hydraulics work is still not finished. I did get the radio and antenna installed and the vacuum windshield wiper assembly too. Managed to get a loose exhaust header pipe connection snugged up without breaking any bolts. I've got a slipping clutch to attend to. A Stovebolter's work is never done.

April 22^nd 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents a historic Old GMC Truck Summit at Yeehaw Junction, a meeting up of three members of the OldGMCtrucks.com forum at a famous, if obscure, Florida crossroads.

April 9^th 2007  I don't have a new Work-in-Progress log entry for BillyBob yet but some of you may be interested in the first Renegade Jeep log entry in over four years. It's titled "Bulking Up" and covers intake system enhancements, mirrors, shifter, and clutch work that still isn't quite done. If you enjoy reading about me making one mistake after another, there's a lot of that here too.

March 31^st 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link
D-Rust-It.

March 26^th 2007  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Creature Comforts" has been posted. No progress on the chassis phase of this detailing cycle in the past two months. Skipped ahead to some interior work. I got the vacuum wipers working again and installed the vintage am radio I got thru eBay a few years ago.

February 28^th 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Got the bed work finished up for now and am working on the planniung for BillyBob's first big roadtrip in June. I Am still dragging out the "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle with parking brake and brake hydraulics work still undone.

January 31^st 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Auto Parts Request, Fastenal and LEDtronics, Inc..

January 23^rd 2007  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Bedded down" has been posted. Made limited progress on the chassis phase of this detailing cycle with the bed installation. Most of the episode deals with painting the bed and then installing auxiliary parts and tool boxes.

December 31^st 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Am still working on the "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle with more parking brake and brake hydraulics scheduled. Bed floor boards have been test-fitted and are currently in the finishing process.

December 26^th 2006  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the ride to and from a Christmas on the St. Lucie River. I am invited up to Stuart, Florida almost every year to spend Christmas Dinner with old friends Bill and Fay Clark. This usually takes a hour each way on I-95 but, with BillyBob's help, I managed to turn it into a five hour beach cruise.

December 4^th 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Six foot bed that never needs made!" has been posted. Still working on the chassis phase of this detailing cycle. The second half of this episode deals with installing a new bed floor in BillyBob finally (I took the old bed out in 2001).

November 30^th 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Antique Truck Club of America, Roadtrip America and Roadtrip USA. I think next year will be BillyBob's first long roadtrip adventure to the ATCA National Show in Macungie, PA. These three new links are part of my preparatory research for that trip.

October 31^st 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Am still working on the "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle with more parking brake and brake hydraulics scheduled. Bed floor boards have been ordered and will be installed sometime in November if everything goes according to Hoyle.

October 2^nd 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Status Quo" has been posted. About half-way through the chassis phase of this detailing cycle. Also performed a tuneup on BillyBob. I know it's not much but I'd rather report some limited progress to BillyBob's fans than let too long an interval pass with no reports at all.

September 30^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link Old Ride.

August 28^th 2006  Work on BillyBob this summer has been slow despite the good weather in these parts. Both Renegade and BettyLou have been immobile and getting them back on the road has been taking up the lion's share of my shadetree garage time. BettyLou is back roadworthy again but Renegade is still down and since I won't have a BillyBob log entry ready for some time yet, I thought I'd offer up BettyLou's first log entry, Into the Breach, for those who are interested.

August 28^th 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Not making any progress on the wheel refinishing project in the past two months. Am working on the "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle and have more parking brake and brake hydraulics scheduled. Working on Renegade and BettyLou has been cutting into quality BillyBob time.

July 31^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link U.S. Radiator.

July 16^th 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Them's the Brakes" has been posted. Finshed with the wheelwell phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle with this log entry. Most of the episode deals with parking brake restoration in the driver side wheelwell area.

June 30^th 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still haven't made any progress on the wheel refinishing project in the past two months. Am still working on the "wheelwell" phase of the detailing cycle and installing new (and refinished) parking brake parts.

May 31^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links CLASSIC PARTS (formerly Chevy Duty On-line) and 1954 Chevrolet Advance-Design Trucks.

May 21^st 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Wheelwell Workout" has been posted. About half way through the wheelwell phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle with this log entry. Did some front fender work and added a front license plate and plate topper as well.

April 30^th 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Didn't make any progress on the wheel refinishing project in the past two months. Finished the body detailing phase of the detailing cycle and am now on the "wheelwell" phase. Besides refining the procedure, I intend on installing the fine emergency brake parts that fellow ole trucker Robert French from Perryville, Arkansas sent me last year.

April 1^st 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Paint and Diversions" has been posted. Finished the body phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle (almost) and I'm moving on to the Wheelwell phase in the next log entry. In the course of this log entry, procedures for body detailing have been refined and a wheel bearing packing procedure have been added as well. The fastener inventory page has been updated too.

March 31^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Chevrolet Truck Service and Old COE Trucks.

February 28^th 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still making limited progress on the wheel refinishing project and am continuing in the detailing cycle. I am still in the body detailing phase having decided to give BillyBob a new coat of Rustoleum paint while I was at it. I am about seventy-five percent done with that effort.

February 14^rd 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Paint and Wire" has been posted. Still trudging thru the body phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle and I'm still not finished putting a new coat of Rustoleum on Him. This log entry is more Sand, Prime, Paint a section. Then repeat the process for the next section but I've also solved the long lingering charging system problem, I think. Also rigged a better way to run ground wires to the parking lamp assemblies too.

January 31^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Callie's Kustoms and Del City.

January 3^rd 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Makeup Makeover" has been posted. During the body phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle, I got carried away with touching up the paint and now I'm about half finished with putting a new coat of Rustoleum on Him. This log entry is mostly Sand, Prime, Paint a section. Then repeat the process for the next section. I've learned a few things since the last time I did this five years ago and I'm getting a slightly better finish this time but it's still a "farmer's paint job".

December 31^st 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still making limited progress on the wheel refinishing project and am continuing in the detailing cycle. I am still in the body detailing phase having decided to give BillyBob a new coat of Rustoleum paint while I was at it. I am about half done with that effort.

December 1^st 2005  My brother JR has written up another one of the misadventures he had with BillyBob before he sold the truck to me. A classic story of one thing after another going wrong. It's called Turnpike Blues.

November 30^th 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Advanced Design Engineering and Auto Air Colors.

November 6^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "The Krash Abides" has been posted. Engine bay detailing and body detailing tasks are covered. The Parts Shop nuts and bolts inventory page has been updated and so has the BillyBob Maintenance Procedures for engine and body detailing. A separate page "Live from Hurricane Alley" with my reflections on the Hurricane Wilma experience has also been posted.

October 31^st 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Making limited progress on the wheel refinishing project (inclement weather) and am continuing in the detailing cycle (finished the engine bay and am now in the body detailing phase). Also planning for projects farther down the pike.

September 30^th 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Meguiar's RX Plus and Stockton Wheel Service.

September 19^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Wheels of Progress has been posted. This covers wheel priming, filling, sanding and painting operations including pinstripping, tire mounting and balancing. Also did some engine compartment detailing in this episode. A new Parts Shop procedure for re-finishing the wheels has also been written to act as a guide for doing the other five wheels.

August 31^st 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Making better progress on the wheel refinishing project and am back to the beginning again in the detailing cycle. Also planning for projects farther down the pike.

August 3^rd 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry All that glitters has been posted. This covers more charging system tinkering (including smoke and fire!), exterior trim, door handle, mirror and glass detailing, and more wheel restoration work. Again, BillyBob's Maintenance Page has been updated.

July 31^st 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Electro-Tech and GMC CCKW.

July 7^th 2005  A short entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. BillyBob and I went to the 1^st Annual NAPA Auto Parts Super Summer Show held at Crabby Jack's in Deerfield Beach, Florida on July 3^rd 2005. I only took pictures of one truck, a neatly done Advance Design rat rod.

June 30^th 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still making slow progress on the wheel refinishing project and the detailing cycle. Also planning and gathering parts for projects farther down the pike.

June 25^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Cab Doodads an' other things has been posted. This includes more charging system investigation, tune-up routines, more wheel restoration work and interior detailing. Again, BillyBob's Maintenance Page has been updated. Also got a pile of parking brake and overdrive tranny parts.

June 14^th 2005  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents BillyBob's attendance at the Benefit Car Show for Ray Kelly held at Tree Tops State Park in Davie, Florida on June 12^th 2005. This time, I didn't have to go alone. John Ray and I convoyed down there together in our look-alike trucks.

May 31^st 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links eMachineShop, Garage Junkies Forum and Rusty Iron Workshop.

May 13^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Chassis Chazzmeteria has been posted. This includes more chassis detailing work, some charging system investigation, tire carrier restoration and the beginnings of the wheel restoration project. Again, BillyBob's Maintenance Page has been updated and a chassis bolt grouping has been added to the Nuts n Bolts: Inventory Organization page. I also met a couple of stovebolters this past month - Gwyn Reedy from up Tampa way and John Ray from right here in Boca Raton.

April 30^th 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I never seem to make anywhere near as much progress as I plan to so I'm still plannin' to replace tubes and tires, one at a time, and refinish the wheels again as part of that process. I'm almost done with the spare tire carrier. Need to finish the brakes (rear wheels) and I need to finish sealing the windshield. There's more interior work and I'm still thinkin' 'bout the bedwood.

April 8^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Still Maintainin' has been posted. This includes more cleanup and detailing work from BillyBob's year-long windshield exercise. Again, BillyBob's Maintenance Page and Parts Shop page has been updated. This is mostly a putzing around episode . . . just little improvements.

March 31^st 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Gener-nator, Magnetic Oil Drain Plugs, Memphis Equipment and Three-Wire Alternator Advantages.

February 28^th 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still plannin' to replace tubes and tires, one at a time, and refinish the wheels again as part of that process including an extra wheel I recently picked up. Also still have to finish off the rear portion of the framework (spare tire carrier) the brakes (rear wheels) and I need to continue the grille bodywork. There's more interior work and I'm still thinkin' 'bout the bedwood.

February 18^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Just tryin' to Maintain has been posted. This includes cleanup and detailing work from BillyBob's year-long windshield exercise. As a result, BillyBob's Maintenance Page and Parts Shop page has been updated (an' we're not finished yet). The next episode will be a continuation of this process. There's a few new things too just to keep the momentum going.

January 31^st 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Amos Advantage, Burgie's 1964 Chevy C60, and OldSub.

January 21^st 2005  Over a year ago, I started a "Travels with BillyBob" section. Only had one trip logged when BillyBob went into the long windshield repair epic. I decided it was time to log another short trip so, just for the heck of it, I entered BillyBob in a local car show, the Pompano Beach Elks 5^th Annual Car Show.

December 31^st 2004  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm still touching up BillyBob's Rustoleum paint, here and there. Still plannin' to replace tubes and tires, one at a time, and refinish the wheels again as part of that process. Plan to continue to finish off the rear portion of the framework (spare tire carrier). I also have to try to finish the brakes (rear wheels) and I need to continue the grille bodywork. There's more interior work and I'm also starting to think about bedwood.

JR is on a roll and he has sent me another story, this one a bit off-topic as it is about my first car, a '59 Ferd, but it is more about the mechanical nature of our family than about the ferd and, as always, funny. It's called Now for something completely different.

December 21^st 2004  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Aught-three Leftovers has been posted. I really cleaned out BillyBob's garage with this one. All the log entrys that were started (but not finished) when the year-long windshield epic began have been merged into this one grab-bag episode to clear the decks for new work.

And a special Christmas treat for those who like old truck adventures, JR has written another episode about when he owned the truck that is now known as BillyBob. It's called Six days on the Road . . . or, at least a few hours.

December 10^th 2004  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links AccessoryLand, Praise Dyno Brake, Vintage Chevy Van Club, Soup that Chev! and Rusty Truck.

November 20^th 2004  The final windsheld-related Work-in-Progress log entry, Windshield Epic - The Good (Fini) has been posted. There are still some windshield details to take care of but BillyBob is back on the road as a daily driver. Work on BillyBob will slow a bit but not stop as JR and I have a family business to attend to that will consume a considerable amount of our time in the coming months.

October 31^st 2004  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Now that the windshield job is winding down, I will be touching up BillyBob's Rustoleum paint, here and there, from the abuse it's taken from welding and grinding debris. Gonna replace tubes and tires, one at a time, and refinish the wheels again as part of that process. Plan to continue to tidy up the engine bay as well as finish off the rear portion of the framework (spare tire carrier). The gas tank is emiting fumes so I guess the filler and vent tube rubber needs replacing again. I also have to try to finish the brakes (rear wheels) and I need to continue the grille bodywork.

October 25^th 2004  Introduced a new area of BillyBob's garage called "BillyBob Parts Shop". The Parts Shop is a collection of How-To articles on the repair/restoration of individual parts and subassemblies and the first article is about my methods of Degreasing, Derusting and Cleaning small parts (nuts 'n bolts).

October 3^rd 2004  The next Work-in-Progress log entry, Windshield Epic: A Gasket too far, has been posted. I really wanted this to be the last windshield entry but, it was not meant to be, I guess. This is a long one. Over three months of repair and despair are khronicled. Grab a beer an' start cryin' in it for me since I can't drink myself anymore.

September 30^th 2004  The most popular page on the BillyBob site, BillyBob Truck Links has been updated with the following new links Fifth avenue Internet Garage, The Jalopy Journal, and Jim's 1959 Chevrolet Apache 32 Longbed Stepside Pickup.

August 29^th 2004  The first entry on this new page is . . . Well, this new page! But beyond that, BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending.

"Beyond this place, there be dragons." I'm not going to go back and try to reconstruct the entries for updates before this page was created.

You can email me at  webmaster@laroke.com

Issued Sunday August 29, 2004

copyright © 1996-2024 Larry Robert Kephart all rights reserved