1947 ford ranger...

Like the fact you are using the old lock and keys for a key ring.

A chrome ring, as per the original, would fit in nicely. Challenge is going to be to find something to repurpose.

Nice work as always Dez.

P.

I’d not thought about a trim ring for it, was gunna leave it as is. The hole I cut is 40mm dia, same as the OD of the placcy bit of anyone can suggest anything.

Although the key is the same shape as an Mx5 and other parts are shared so this might be too. Which means the aftermarket Mazda stick on tat factory probably makes something that would fit.

Leaping back into some bigger bits now. After doing a few little finishing off bits of welding I’d missed on the bed, anything that was underneath was coated in either bedliner or epoxy, as well as the front of the header panel that would be inaccessible up against the cab back once fitted.
The bed was then dropped back on and the tailgate fitted. George threw a bit of epoxy about on the bits that would be covered by the fenders, just as a base coat. It will all be entirely hidden by the fenders, and will probably get raptored over anyway.







This is step one of George’s patina factory-


A lotta different epoxy colours, which will be further mixed and blended to match the cab.

There is much goes into building up the layers of finish, including impersonations of TV chefs.



The fenders were also loosely bolted on to allow the finish to be carried across.




I’d done some more of the repairs on them before they went on, but they’re not totally finished as I ran out of time before I went away. Still, the faked paint can be faked in again later...

Looking Good, huge progress over the last few  weeks,  Would a Chrome or Brass bezel from a Yale lock work, I don't have one to hand to measure but seems about right.

I'm not into fake patina or a low stance, but really enjoying this build and the result you've achieved so far!

Tbh I don’t like fake patina myself either as a rule, but I think there’s a big difference between faking in a few panels to match Some already existing amazing patina so the complete vehicle ‘gels’ and taking a grinder to your 90s vw and putting rusty paint on plastic bumpers. One is acceptable And one isnt, I’ll let you all decide which!

Just measured a Yale bezel the external diameter on the one I had was 45 mm,  or if you have a lathe you could turn down one of the finger pull Yale bezels to the appropriate diameter, the brushed aluminium ones  were made from extruded bar.

Cracking job. My personal preference would be for a more standard ride height, but that takes nothing away from my admiration of the job you have done and the standard of your workmanship. Very impressive. 👍

Gotta let him keep some secrets, but it involves building up layers. It’s not too labour intensive but a fair bit of faffing around with lots of drying time involved.