Diamond T Progress to date!

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Double D's
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Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Double D's »

Well, just home from cataract surgery on Right eye, so If my fingers miss some letters in my spelling, PLEASE forgive!

Since photobucket does not like me, Don Wilson will be adding the pix in due time.

All of the parts of cab, doors, fenders, hood, etc are back from Paint, and work is going VERY well to date!! Den has painted the frame, built the hydraulic running boards, welded up a fuel tank for the gas generator, that will be mounted on frame.

Image

Image

He has the gray leather seats (long back seat and 2 front seats...) He has been working on it DAILY since just before Christmas. It BLOWS me away, every time I go up to look at it, as to how much he has accomplished.

Thanks SO much, Mr Wilson!
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
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Secondhand Mike
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Secondhand Mike »

He is so talented. It looks great.
Mike and Cherryl Clem
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Double D's »

It is coming along Very well, Mike! Still a far ways to go, but getting there.

Very difficult to take pix of it, as his shop is PACKED with so much stuff. Machinery for parts he is working on, as well as snow plow, mowers, and all of the REST of the things that still need to be installed on the T... Just hope he gets it finished before I DIE!!!! LOL!

Love your Cabin, looks SO cozy! Can't wait to see pix of the inside!
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Secondhand Mike »

Donna it has rained here most days since Christmas and is so muddy we can't hardly walk to the cabin. Rain is forecast for the next week or so. It will be awhile before we are in the cabin. We will be glad though because the wind has blown so hard the last few days it seems like the camper is going to blow over. Winds gusting around 50 MPH. We can't put the slides in because we have it skirted to keep everything from freezing. The wind blows directly on the slides and try's to push them in knocking things off the wall. If it ever does dry out here our next project on the cabin is to get the block foundation waterproofed and get it back filled. Cherryl is ready to get in it. Take care and tell Dennis hello.
Mike and Cherryl Clem
2004 Cardinal 29WBLX
2008 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Long Bed 3500
6.7 Cummins Turbo 4x4 Dually

Rallies Attended - 4
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Double D's »

Will do, Mike!

BTW: Tuesday, we had 58 MPH wind gusts, and steady at 50 mph, and 50º!! Broke a big branch off one of our trees, it came down on the power line and a BIG BOOM and 20 Foot tall Fire ball... power of course went out, 2 firetrucks, 2 ambulances, power truck and 2 police cars! I actually thought a house had exploded... All is well again.........

That is what living in the WOODS is all about!!!! LOL!
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by dfredendall »

Donna, is the Diamond T going to be your new tow vehicle when Dennis is finished? That is so cool. Having restored a couple of older cars I have a great appreciation for the work he is doing. You cannot appreciate how well a vehicle is made until you take it apart. Keep the photos coming.
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Double D's »

Dana, it will be the puller for the most part, but probably not on short runs (which is something we don't usually DO)!

This has been an 8 1/2 Year Long oddessy already at this point. He had one Diamond T truck, found this Freightliner axle in the WEEDS in Central Wisconsin, back in 2008... Spent a CHUNK of change for the axle (had never been built at that point.) Paid a guy to bring it down home here and it sat for more years, then he acquired another Diamond shell, and finally, in the last few years, he has been cutting apart fenders, cabs, expanding the cabs upwards, back to front and side to side...Rebuilt EVERY part of it at this point so far...came right out of his BRAIN... Now it is beginning to look like a TRUCK!!!!! LOL! He will not be finished with it this year, just hoping in the next few years......

His work AMAZES me - one of the things that attracted me to him in the FIRST place over 28 years ago!! Nothing the guy can't do - well except for dancing - poor boy can't dance a LICK!!!! LOL! He is excused from that... lol!

Hoping there will be enough done on it by summer - for him to make a portfolio to put pix in to bring along when we travel. Watch for it!!!!
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by EAW »

The "T" is looking good just like we knew it would. :thumbrt:
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Double D's »

Thanks, Earnie! Will Tell him what you said!
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Big Bird »

I have heard about the project truck for years. Nice to see the work-in-progress pics. It looks just like a Dennis job; no flaws. I look forward to seeing the finished product.
Big Bird

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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Double D's »

Marv, it HAS been a work in progress for years! And truly LOTS of the "behind the screen work" has not been showing any progress, but, necessary...

Perhaps in warmer weather this spring, he can roll it out of the shop and take better pix in the open...

Today's job, is that he thinks he is going to be working on the "spray on headliner insulation''... That has to be done before anything else on the inside.

To be Continued!!!
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by jacknife »

Dennis is a true craftsman ! It should be really beautiful when finished. Then he will have to get the whole rig shown in Trailer Life. :d :d
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Double D's »

Thanks, Nick! Will tell him what you said! LOL! And he had NO paper plans to do this - everything in his head as to what he wanted to do. He decides on what the finished project should look like and then decides on how to DO it! I just shake my head....
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by BMullins46 »

OK Donna, it's time for some updated pics of Diamond T! He's had 4 months of working on it and if I know him he's made some great headway. Let's see them.
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Re: Diamond T Progress to date!

Post by Double D's »

Bill, he HAS done quite a bit on it - got it back from Paint, and has been working on wiring for lights, and making supports and brackets and diamond plate running boards, etc... He had to suspend work on the T for now - and get trees trimmed, (or taken down), and helping nephew with dirt work and setting HUGE concrete blocks as a retaining wall here in town.. I am LAST on the list to get anything done..., but he did spare 2 1/2 precious hours to help me wash windows!

Will make sure he brings his laptop with us in Goshen, so you can see the progress.... Looking forward to seeing everyone.....
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
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