[Liberty Garage]

After Les Schwab removed the old tires from the rear rims, the wheels were worse off than originally thought. If these were going on a road worthy vehicle, I'd get better wheels. Since it is going for a low speed parade rig, they can be made to work (at least temporarily) but will require care and caution. The condition of the wheels meant that powder coating is out, as they understandably will not powder coat a wheel that is deemed unsafe.

The other day i spent about 3 hours wire wheeling the wheels externally, yesterday about the same amount of time was spent wire wheeling them internally and also using a hammer and chisel to get the really stuck rust deposits off, especially in the lock ring grooves. Finished off with a good coat of rust fix. Today will clean and treat the lock rings and start painting the wheels.

The plan right now is to carefully assemble the tires, wheels and lock rings and put the loader bucket over the wheel (fairly snug) and using only as much air pressure as required, when the lock rings are in position, mig weld in at least four places. I know it's a bit hillbilly, but I'm determined to get this thing up and moving on its own this month.

Ideally better wheels will be located at some point, possibly enough to have duals, and at such time the new tires can be moved to the better wheels.

The first day of wire wheeling my back was really stiff, so yesterday I covered the seat of a shop bar stool and put the wheels on that while i worked. Much easier and more effective and today my back is feeling much better.

Yesterday afternoon, I took the little box off of a garden trailer and placed it on the back, wanted to see what that would look like and it seems about the right size. In order to get it placed, i had to cut the flange off an angle iron cross brace and went thru a half dozen 4.5" abrasive wheels, whew!

I like the look of the box and think when the back wheels are on the proportions will be ok. I'm not liking the height of the bus seat and will probably take the seat back apart, cut the frame down and then put the upholstery back on.

Starting to look like a 1 ton roadster pickup doodlebug the Clampetts might have owned.