In case you didn't know, here is the story behind Dean.
I bought my truck last June, I drove 36 and a half hours with my dad to about 15 miles outside the Canadian border, and then back all in the same day(s). It was a crazy trip but it was worth it. I drove it around and worked on it a little during that summer. Along with a new front pulley assembly and a few other goodies nothing truely new. Then had it taken to the body shop to get all his work done.
How the name came about was one day when Allison, Amanda and I were hanging out, after deciding the truck needed a name, I said trucks had to be boys, and from there Dean was decided in lieu of James Dean and his effect on the rodding community.
The rest of the story picks up January 8th, 2006, when I went to go see his progress. I went in figuring I would see him stripped apart, and almost near completion. To my dismay, all that had been done was the bed had been taken off, and then parts were piled on the back, that weren't even mine.
So I started work on it. For the next three weeks I was home on vacation from school, I sanded, grinded, welded and bondo-ed Dean to perfection. A lot was shaved, fabricated, and everything was gone over. Over 180 hours were invested in 3 weeks by myself and Larry Middleton, that helped me get it all done.
After being so close to deadline, the day before I left drive my newly reconditioned truck to come back to Southern California, I was underneath the truck, wiring in the tail-lights and turn signals.
So here is a small list of what was done (In case you couldn't tell from pictures)
-New step-side bed, with flushed top hinges
-1980 Headlights installed
-New doors with no wing windos (Thanks Kevin)
-New bench seat (Thanks again Kevin)
-Flushed sidemarkers
-Flushed antenna mounting hole
-New floor pans
-New bumpers all around
-Hand Fabricated brackets for tail-lights
-Tail-lights from a 1950 Pontiac
-Re-conditioned radiator
-Re-conditioned GM 7.5" posi-differential
-New rims and tires in back
-Fabricated gas tank mounts
-New Front windshield
-New headliner, pillars, sound deadning and carpet.
-New Turbo Mufflers with turndowns
-And just a bunch of other goodies . . .
I would like to thank a few people, because without them, the truck wouldn't be here today.
-Kevin: for inspiring me with Cheyenne, a small tribute to you, thanks for all the help
-Larry Middleton: A premere body man that was as dedicated as anyone I have ever met
-My parents: Without their support, it couldn't have been done.
-Tom from Interiors by Tom: A whole interior in 2 days is madness, a great one, impossible, you completed the impossible
-Eric (aka RPOZ11): Thanks for all the support, as well as my new rear end, it helped a lot !
-John Cruz: Let me use and abuse his shop, and even brough me breakfast one day
-Aaron Cruz: Sanded and bondo-ed about 2 inches, he technically gets credit, right Aaron ?
-Allison: Without coming to see me, and without you telling me every day how cool the truck was going to be, I don't know what would have happend.
And everyone else, I am sure I some way involved you, so thank you too !
Cheers !
Austin
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