Recently I decided to buy my old truck back and start restoring it once again. Life has been crazy, but I realized that I need a vehicle to reach my new goals. I finally have some solid short and long term plans for life, and the truck is the key. I'm currently sitting with friends watching "I Love Lucy", and need to get off the computer and get ready for bed. A few quick updates and some photos.

Today was the day I cut out all the household wiring and light switches that my friend put in to start the engine. I ended up installing a racing switch panel from Summit Racing Equipment. The ignition switch is hooked up to the power for the distributor, and the start push button is hooked to the starter solenoid that actually starts the engine. It works quite well. I got a used battery from Pull A Part to save some money, and it leaked acid the first time I charged it. I returned it the next day, but they didn't have any more that would fit. I ended up drilling holes into the tops of the lead terminals and bolting the battery cables to them directly. The battery is way too big, but works great. I can finally start the truck without using light switches.

I still need to replace the harmonic balancer, hook up the new reverse lights to the switch panel, refill the rear differential, tighten the engine mount bolts, and do some wiring clean up. I'll throw some pictures below.

The new oversized battery. Cables are too short, so I just have it sitting in the engine bay for now. Starts and runs great.

New switch panel, in it's temporary hole. I used stainless steel screws and drilled the holes bigger to fit the bigger screws.