Hey everyone, I know my truck isn't the best or the most original but here's a little of the story, I bought this truck on December 13th 2015 so I could drive in the spring while I took my M109a3 apart and paint it. Once I got the truck
![12391202_1026432430728273_5448859352385069009_n.jpg 12391202_1026432430728273_5448859352385069009_n.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412254-17bd40f31ca15650e117523e9bdb199f.jpg)
I got to looking it over and seen that it really was extremely nice and very clean. I then decided to restore it to the best of my abilities. I started pulling parts, sandblasting and painting. I started to buy the few things missing and a few more that I just wanted.
![ss 20151213_200721.jpg ss 20151213_200721.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412256-d102ff338cfffa47dda9379dc022b779.jpg)
![ss 20151213_200744.jpg ss 20151213_200744.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412257-06d139485bd13263dbff1708c1f98582.jpg)
![ss 20151222_075443.jpg ss 20151222_075443.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412258-66d59502c081cac70b3d130206f02a61.jpg)
Ok, You get the point, If it wasn't there I bought it. Now I had all the parts and the smaller items were all painted and looking pretty good so because the weather was still in my favor I decided to give the painting a go. I put the tent up and sanded the exterior of the truck and the door jams. I'm saving the interior for summer time after the M109a3 is done.
![ss2 20151225_123513.jpg ss2 20151225_123513.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412265-54a8cd4ec10c637121d14bc172807360.jpg)
![ss2 20151226_115153.jpg ss2 20151226_115153.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412266-bf6012112636405472aeaafdbc1bf9f5.jpg)
![ss2 20151226_132131.jpg ss2 20151226_132131.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412267-b4fc524700f68a6e328586c522537309.jpg)
![ss2 20151226_144815.jpg ss2 20151226_144815.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412268-e87d1cb34ad218fb7135227d2d263c31.jpg)
![ss2 20151227_105846.jpg ss2 20151227_105846.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412269-fe0b994846f567291e60caa596e6d7b0.jpg)
The primer and the green were both done on December 26th and the brown, black and most of the reassembly were done on the 27th. It took a total of 2 days for the actual work but due to the heavy rain on the 27th it took all day for the 2 colors. I didn't finish the installation of the extras till it was almost dark on Sunday! I did get to take a few photos before the sun went down but it was before I had all the stuff installed.
![20151227_151040 002.jpg 20151227_151040 002.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412270-67625b8a7e233cc3fffd86925c4661c7.jpg)
![20151227_151050 002.jpg 20151227_151050 002.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/410/410938-3a81985f5319e68cd777c97658a06e94.jpg)
![20151227_151102 002.jpg 20151227_151102 002.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/410/410940-fe9333daf8dac2250f00d64f8a7bc239.jpg)
![20151227_151111 002.jpg 20151227_151111 002.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/410/410942-d0c27b098fd87a176f609dccb9812877.jpg)
Now that the exterior was done, I started on the interior (not painting) but the weather has taken a turn for the worst and it has brought me to a crawl. Here are a few pics of what has been done over the last couple weeks.
![ss3 010816 20160108_195543.jpg ss3 010816 20160108_195543.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/411/411486-bcd61a70905aec7c5bce118b27235883.jpg)
![ss3 20151220_202819.jpg ss3 20151220_202819.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412274-5e81433735997e6d063943837a0595cc.jpg)
![ss3 20160101_162124.jpg ss3 20160101_162124.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412275-faa64cc080acb60251e5b724fcaf4049.jpg)
![ss3 20160103_082039.jpg ss3 20160103_082039.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/412/412276-d0f43666aa846cd0adb37264500c2a4f.jpg)
![ss 001.jpg ss 001.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/411/411659-34b3967a27a0c9b49b5e225464bf7369.jpg)
![ss 002.jpg ss 002.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/411/411660-0ab81c6174ff9ba962517f65025db806.jpg)
![ss 003.jpg ss 003.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/411/411663-4506c04ff46b6a8a4d40ac402da1b72d.jpg)
While I had the dash and gauge cluster out I cleaned all the frame work behind, checked all the wires and changed all the lights. I still have to put a new socket in the voltage gauge but everything else is good. I still have miles left to go on this truck but it is such a nice truck and represents our Military so I have to make it as nice as I can.
I am now getting it ready for a big indoor car show in March so over the next 9 weeks she'll be getting a new windshield, seals, the steering column cleaned and painted plus a new shifter and turn signal lever. I'm also installing 2 new 6TL Interstate batteries plus door panels and JATonkas seat covers for now. I am having the embroidery shop embroider our group name into the headrests.
Thanks for taking the time to look and read. I couldn't tell you how much fun this has been and still is. As with my M109a3 the project just never ends even if you think you have it all their will always be that one more thing!!!