What's New in BillyBob's Garage

TRUCK LINKS including vendor sites for old parts, custom parts, and tools as well as sites for classic car and truck organizations

STORE Operating in association with Amazon.com, books, recordings and tools can be purchased.

PLANNING for the restoration including project schedule and cost estimates.

TRAVELS WITH BILLYBOB With apologies to Steinbeck, this area of BillyBob's Garage will be used to log the trips BillyBob and I make together.

WORK-IN-PROGRESS is the restoration of parts of BillyBob that I can accomplish without a garage.

PRE-RESTORATION includes log entries of minor repairs and and adventures between time of purchase and the time when I started restoration, a piece at a time.

JR'S KORNER JR's Korner is the history of BillyBob before I got him authored by my brother, Wm. C. Kephart.

BILLYBOB MAINTENANCE Ever changing detailing, oil change, lube, etc. maintenance routines specifically developed for BillyBob, including required tools, materials and procedures.

PARTS SHOP The Parts Shop is a repository of How-To articles. Things that I have done over and over enough times to have developed a procedure. This gives me a checklist and saves brain cells.

STEALTH SHOP Urban residence design with large integrated shop and separate living quarters for a relative or renter.

Whenever I post a new log entry to the BillyBob site, I inform the various truck forums and maillists I belong to of the update. I'm aware that some of BillyBob's fans don't belong to the forums and maillists and find themselves running around BillyBob's garage, poking into tool boxes and overturnin' oil drums, tryin' to find out if anything new is happening. I've been meaning to rectify the situation for some time now, but haven't gotten off my butt to do it. An e-mail from Duncan Margetts from "Down Under" nudged me into action so if this page is useful to you, you can thank him. Duncan is restoring a 1967 4-ton truck he calls "Edford the Bedford".

BTW, This is the only page on the site where the latest dates are at the top of the list, the opposite of the way the log entries run.

April 30^th 2008  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm finally finished with the interior work phase of this detailing cycle. A new phase, doors and tailgate, is next. Also have some bodywork planned.

April 13^th 2008  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Starting with Confidence" has been posted. It includes glove box installation and cab detailing along with a new ringgear for BillyBob's flywheel and a new clutch install. There's also a sidetrip to the Barrett-Jackson auction in West Palm Beach.

April 1^st 2008  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Bedwood and Parts and Get GIBBS.

March 12^th 2008  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "More Cab and D-train Work" has been posted. It includes more of the cab phase of the detailing cycle, some ignition timing adjustments, some starter work, pulling the tranny for painting and inspection, and my quest to obtain a spare flywheel. I also play around with a navigation gadget for the upcoming Hutchinson roadtrip.

February 29^th 2008  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm still only two-thirds finished with the interior work phase of this detailing cycle. Still planned is more painting of some interior trim pieces, cleaning up of the steering wheel and restoring the portion of the parking brake mechanism that is inside the cab. I am also working on the tranny, clutch and flywheel.

February 13^th 2008  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one is a Zo's Off the Hook Cruise-In, held on sunday nites in north Fort Lauderdale. My second time here but not my last.

January 31^st 2008  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Big Flats Rivet Company and Old Burb Club How-To Page.

January 20^th 2008  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one is the Reflections in Glass XXV Show, a Corvette and GM car show held every year in Boca Raton, Florida. This is the first show that BillyBob and Frankie went to together. Frankie won 1st place in his class.

January 15^th 2008  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Cab Capers and the D-train" has been posted. It includes about half of the cab phase of the detailing cycle, a distributor and starter replacement and the beginnings of my creep towards a clutch replacement.

December 31^st 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm about half finished with the interior work phase of this detailing cycle. Still planned is more painting of some interior trim pieces, cleaning up of the steering wheel and restoring the portion of the parking brake mechanism that is inside the cab.

December 9^th 2007  I don't have a new Work-in-Progress log entry for BillyBob yet but some of you may be interested in the latest Renegade Jeep log entry. It's titled "On the Road Again" and covers fabbing up a new hydraulic clutch line and getting the jeep running again after twenty-three months sitting out behind the Krash Lab.

November 30^th 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Engine Lab of Tampa and Roll Your Car.

October 31^st 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I finally completed the chassis detailing phase for this detailing cycle. Interior work is now in progress. Planned is painting of some interior trim pieces, installation of new headliner cardboard, cleaning up of the steering wheel and restoring the portion of the parking brake mechanism that is inside the cab.

October 13^th 2007  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Getting back on track" has been posted. It's been a long, hot, wet summer (on the weekends, anyway) and I haven't gotten much done. This log entry deals mostly with finishing up the chassis phase of this detailng cycle. Specifically, it deals with brake work and painting tasks.

September 30^th 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links
Hollander Interchange and Second Chance Garage.

August 31^st 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm still milking the chassis detailing phase (Who woulda thunk it?) but at least I finally got the brake work done for this detailing cycle. Interior work is coming up. The brake maintenance procedure in the BillyBob Maintenance Log has also been upgraded with both vacuum and pressure methods for brake bleeding.

July 31^st 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link
Ida's Antique Chevrolet Parts.

July 21^st 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Am late with this update which was due June 30th. The Macungie roadtrip put me behind the eight ball regarding work in progress but I'm not complaining. Getting back on track now and my first priority is to complete the chassis detailing phase.

July 8^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one is the summary of the Macungie Run that ties all the daily logs together with statistics, calculations and final reflections on the roadtrip.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the last leg of the Macungie Run, the leg from melbourne, Florida to my Home in Deerfield Beach, Florida with stops to visit friends in Satelite Beach and Stuart.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the Melbourne leg of the Macungie Run, the leg from Palm Coast, Florida to my Aunt Marrianne and Uncle Tom's place in Melbourne, Florida.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the Palm Coast leg of the Macungie Run, the leg from Port Wentworth, Georgia to Palm Coast, Florida south of St. Augustine.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the Port Wentworth leg of the Macungie Run, the leg from Whiteville, North Carolina to Port Wentworth, Georgia near Savannah.

July 7^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the Whiteville leg of the Macungie Run, the short leg from Sue's house in Morehead City to the village of Whiteville, North Carolina, and my visit with Tom Caperton, owner of "Red Chief", a '47 2nd Series Chevy truck.

July 4^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 18 of the Macungie Run, the short leg from Johanna's house in Raleigh to my cousin Sue's house in Morehead City. Johanna and Sue are sisters.

July 3^rd 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 17 of the Macungie Run, the run from Cosmo's in Charlottesville to my cousin Johanna's place in Raleigh, North Carolina where another cousin, Brenda, joined us from the neighboring city of Cary.

June 27^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 16 of the Macungie Run, BillyBob's roundabout path from Chambersburg, Pa. to Charlottesville, Va., courtesy of "Mother". It also reports my meeting Cosmo (Mark) and his red truck.

June 25^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 15 of the Macungie Run, leaving Clearfield with visits to the Flight 93 Memorial and a Cruise-in on the way to Chambersburg, Pa.

June 24^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Days 13 and 14 of the Macungie Run, visits to relatives in Penfield and DuBois and a visit to my home town, Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

June 21^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Days 10, 11 and 12 of the Macungie Run, the layover days at my Brother's place in Monroeville, Pa and the leg from Monroeville to Wadsworth, Ohio.

June 19^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 9 of the Macungie Run, the 300 plus mile run to Monroeville, Pa from Macungie..

June 19^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 8 of the Macungie Run, the last day of the Macungie truck show.

June 18^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 7 of the Macungie Run, the arrival at the Macungie and meeting up with the OldGMCtrucks.com group.

June 15^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 6 of the Macungie Run, the last day of the Blue Ridge Parkway portion of the roadtrip and a run in the dark to Gettysburg.

June 13^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 5 of the Macungie Run, the second day of the Blue Ridge Parkway portion of the roadtrip and an exciting finish.

June 12^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 4 of the Macungie Run, a cool mountain run and meeting up with old friends. It's the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway portion of the roadtrip.

June 11^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 3 of the Macungie Run, a fairly comfortable 278 mile leg thru Georgia's heartland from Savannah, Georgia to Commerce, Georgia. BillyBob is still running good.

June 10^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 2 of the Macungie Run, a hot 207 mile leg from Saint Augustine, Florida to Savannah, Georgia. BillyBob is still running good.

June 9^th 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents Day 1 of the Macungie Run, a tiring 376 mile round-about leg from Boca Raton, Florida to Saint Augustine, Florida with whistlestops in Melbourne and Satelite Beach.

June 2^nd 2007  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Busy, Busy" has been posted. This is mostly odds and ends, a tweaking entry. Getting BillyBob ready for the Macungie roadtrip. There is also coverage of the Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson auction where my boss got a couple of classics.

May 31^st 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link
Restoration Battery.

April 30^th 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I've been gathering parts and supplies for BillyBob's first big roadtrip in June. The "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle with parking brake and brake hydraulics work is still not finished. I did get the radio and antenna installed and the vacuum windshield wiper assembly too. Managed to get a loose exhaust header pipe connection snugged up without breaking any bolts. I've got a slipping clutch to attend to. A Stovebolter's work is never done.

April 22^nd 2007  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents a historic Old GMC Truck Summit at Yeehaw Junction, a meeting up of three members of the OldGMCtrucks.com forum at a famous, if obscure, Florida crossroads.

April 9^th 2007  I don't have a new Work-in-Progress log entry for BillyBob yet but some of you may be interested in the first Renegade Jeep log entry in over four years. It's titled "Bulking Up" and covers intake system enhancements, mirrors, shifter, and clutch work that still isn't quite done. If you enjoy reading about me making one mistake after another, there's a lot of that here too.

March 31^st 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link
D-Rust-It.

March 26^th 2007  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Creature Comforts" has been posted. No progress on the chassis phase of this detailing cycle in the past two months. Skipped ahead to some interior work. I got the vacuum wipers working again and installed the vintage am radio I got thru eBay a few years ago.

February 28^th 2007  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Got the bed work finished up for now and am working on the planniung for BillyBob's first big roadtrip in June. I Am still dragging out the "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle with parking brake and brake hydraulics work still undone.

January 31^st 2007  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Auto Parts Request, Fastenal and LEDtronics, Inc..

January 23^rd 2007  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Bedded down" has been posted. Made limited progress on the chassis phase of this detailing cycle with the bed installation. Most of the episode deals with painting the bed and then installing auxiliary parts and tool boxes.

December 31^st 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Am still working on the "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle with more parking brake and brake hydraulics scheduled. Bed floor boards have been test-fitted and are currently in the finishing process.

December 26^th 2006  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents the ride to and from a Christmas on the St. Lucie River. I am invited up to Stuart, Florida almost every year to spend Christmas Dinner with old friends Bill and Fay Clark. This usually takes a hour each way on I-95 but, with BillyBob's help, I managed to turn it into a five hour beach cruise.

December 4^th 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Six foot bed that never needs made!" has been posted. Still working on the chassis phase of this detailing cycle. The second half of this episode deals with installing a new bed floor in BillyBob finally (I took the old bed out in 2001).

November 30^th 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Antique Truck Club of America, Roadtrip America and Roadtrip USA. I think next year will be BillyBob's first long roadtrip adventure to the ATCA National Show in Macungie, PA. These three new links are part of my preparatory research for that trip.

October 31^st 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Am still working on the "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle with more parking brake and brake hydraulics scheduled. Bed floor boards have been ordered and will be installed sometime in November if everything goes according to Hoyle.

October 2^nd 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Status Quo" has been posted. About half-way through the chassis phase of this detailing cycle. Also performed a tuneup on BillyBob. I know it's not much but I'd rather report some limited progress to BillyBob's fans than let too long an interval pass with no reports at all.

September 30^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link Old Ride.

August 28^th 2006  Work on BillyBob this summer has been slow despite the good weather in these parts. Both Renegade and BettyLou have been immobile and getting them back on the road has been taking up the lion's share of my shadetree garage time. BettyLou is back roadworthy again but Renegade is still down and since I won't have a BillyBob log entry ready for some time yet, I thought I'd offer up BettyLou's first log entry, Into the Breach, for those who are interested.

August 28^th 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Not making any progress on the wheel refinishing project in the past two months. Am working on the "chassis" phase of the detailing cycle and have more parking brake and brake hydraulics scheduled. Working on Renegade and BettyLou has been cutting into quality BillyBob time.

July 31^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new link U.S. Radiator.

July 16^th 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Them's the Brakes" has been posted. Finshed with the wheelwell phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle with this log entry. Most of the episode deals with parking brake restoration in the driver side wheelwell area.

June 30^th 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still haven't made any progress on the wheel refinishing project in the past two months. Am still working on the "wheelwell" phase of the detailing cycle and installing new (and refinished) parking brake parts.

May 31^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links CLASSIC PARTS (formerly Chevy Duty On-line) and 1954 Chevrolet Advance-Design Trucks.

May 21^st 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Wheelwell Workout" has been posted. About half way through the wheelwell phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle with this log entry. Did some front fender work and added a front license plate and plate topper as well.

April 30^th 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Didn't make any progress on the wheel refinishing project in the past two months. Finished the body detailing phase of the detailing cycle and am now on the "wheelwell" phase. Besides refining the procedure, I intend on installing the fine emergency brake parts that fellow ole trucker Robert French from Perryville, Arkansas sent me last year.

April 1^st 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Paint and Diversions" has been posted. Finished the body phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle (almost) and I'm moving on to the Wheelwell phase in the next log entry. In the course of this log entry, procedures for body detailing have been refined and a wheel bearing packing procedure have been added as well. The fastener inventory page has been updated too.

March 31^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Chevrolet Truck Service and Old COE Trucks.

February 28^th 2006  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still making limited progress on the wheel refinishing project and am continuing in the detailing cycle. I am still in the body detailing phase having decided to give BillyBob a new coat of Rustoleum paint while I was at it. I am about seventy-five percent done with that effort.

February 14^rd 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Paint and Wire" has been posted. Still trudging thru the body phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle and I'm still not finished putting a new coat of Rustoleum on Him. This log entry is more Sand, Prime, Paint a section. Then repeat the process for the next section but I've also solved the long lingering charging system problem, I think. Also rigged a better way to run ground wires to the parking lamp assemblies too.

January 31^st 2006  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Callie's Kustoms and Del City.

January 3^rd 2006  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "Makeup Makeover" has been posted. During the body phase of BillyBob's detailing cycle, I got carried away with touching up the paint and now I'm about half finished with putting a new coat of Rustoleum on Him. This log entry is mostly Sand, Prime, Paint a section. Then repeat the process for the next section. I've learned a few things since the last time I did this five years ago and I'm getting a slightly better finish this time but it's still a "farmer's paint job".

December 31^st 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still making limited progress on the wheel refinishing project and am continuing in the detailing cycle. I am still in the body detailing phase having decided to give BillyBob a new coat of Rustoleum paint while I was at it. I am about half done with that effort.

December 1^st 2005  My brother JR has written up another one of the misadventures he had with BillyBob before he sold the truck to me. A classic story of one thing after another going wrong. It's called Turnpike Blues.

November 30^th 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Advanced Design Engineering and Auto Air Colors.

November 6^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry "The Krash Abides" has been posted. Engine bay detailing and body detailing tasks are covered. The Parts Shop nuts and bolts inventory page has been updated and so has the BillyBob Maintenance Procedures for engine and body detailing. A separate page "Live from Hurricane Alley" with my reflections on the Hurricane Wilma experience has also been posted.

October 31^st 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Making limited progress on the wheel refinishing project (inclement weather) and am continuing in the detailing cycle (finished the engine bay and am now in the body detailing phase). Also planning for projects farther down the pike.

September 30^th 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Meguiar's RX Plus and Stockton Wheel Service.

September 19^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Wheels of Progress has been posted. This covers wheel priming, filling, sanding and painting operations including pinstripping, tire mounting and balancing. Also did some engine compartment detailing in this episode. A new Parts Shop procedure for re-finishing the wheels has also been written to act as a guide for doing the other five wheels.

August 31^st 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Making better progress on the wheel refinishing project and am back to the beginning again in the detailing cycle. Also planning for projects farther down the pike.

August 3^rd 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry All that glitters has been posted. This covers more charging system tinkering (including smoke and fire!), exterior trim, door handle, mirror and glass detailing, and more wheel restoration work. Again, BillyBob's Maintenance Page has been updated.

July 31^st 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Electro-Tech and GMC CCKW.

July 7^th 2005  A short entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. BillyBob and I went to the 1^st Annual NAPA Auto Parts Super Summer Show held at Crabby Jack's in Deerfield Beach, Florida on July 3^rd 2005. I only took pictures of one truck, a neatly done Advance Design rat rod.

June 30^th 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still making slow progress on the wheel refinishing project and the detailing cycle. Also planning and gathering parts for projects farther down the pike.

June 25^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Cab Doodads an' other things has been posted. This includes more charging system investigation, tune-up routines, more wheel restoration work and interior detailing. Again, BillyBob's Maintenance Page has been updated. Also got a pile of parking brake and overdrive tranny parts.

June 14^th 2005  Got a new entry for the "Travels with BillyBob" section. This one documents BillyBob's attendance at the Benefit Car Show for Ray Kelly held at Tree Tops State Park in Davie, Florida on June 12^th 2005. This time, I didn't have to go alone. John Ray and I convoyed down there together in our look-alike trucks.

May 31^st 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links eMachineShop, Garage Junkies Forum and Rusty Iron Workshop.

May 13^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Chassis Chazzmeteria has been posted. This includes more chassis detailing work, some charging system investigation, tire carrier restoration and the beginnings of the wheel restoration project. Again, BillyBob's Maintenance Page has been updated and a chassis bolt grouping has been added to the Nuts n Bolts: Inventory Organization page. I also met a couple of stovebolters this past month - Gwyn Reedy from up Tampa way and John Ray from right here in Boca Raton.

April 30^th 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I never seem to make anywhere near as much progress as I plan to so I'm still plannin' to replace tubes and tires, one at a time, and refinish the wheels again as part of that process. I'm almost done with the spare tire carrier. Need to finish the brakes (rear wheels) and I need to finish sealing the windshield. There's more interior work and I'm still thinkin' 'bout the bedwood.

April 8^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Still Maintainin' has been posted. This includes more cleanup and detailing work from BillyBob's year-long windshield exercise. Again, BillyBob's Maintenance Page and Parts Shop page has been updated. This is mostly a putzing around episode . . . just little improvements.

March 31^st 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Gener-nator, Magnetic Oil Drain Plugs, Memphis Equipment and Three-Wire Alternator Advantages.

February 28^th 2005  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Still plannin' to replace tubes and tires, one at a time, and refinish the wheels again as part of that process including an extra wheel I recently picked up. Also still have to finish off the rear portion of the framework (spare tire carrier) the brakes (rear wheels) and I need to continue the grille bodywork. There's more interior work and I'm still thinkin' 'bout the bedwood.

February 18^th 2005  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Just tryin' to Maintain has been posted. This includes cleanup and detailing work from BillyBob's year-long windshield exercise. As a result, BillyBob's Maintenance Page and Parts Shop page has been updated (an' we're not finished yet). The next episode will be a continuation of this process. There's a few new things too just to keep the momentum going.

January 31^st 2005  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links Amos Advantage, Burgie's 1964 Chevy C60, and OldSub.

January 21^st 2005  Over a year ago, I started a "Travels with BillyBob" section. Only had one trip logged when BillyBob went into the long windshield repair epic. I decided it was time to log another short trip so, just for the heck of it, I entered BillyBob in a local car show, the Pompano Beach Elks 5^th Annual Car Show.

December 31^st 2004  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. I'm still touching up BillyBob's Rustoleum paint, here and there. Still plannin' to replace tubes and tires, one at a time, and refinish the wheels again as part of that process. Plan to continue to finish off the rear portion of the framework (spare tire carrier). I also have to try to finish the brakes (rear wheels) and I need to continue the grille bodywork. There's more interior work and I'm also starting to think about bedwood.

JR is on a roll and he has sent me another story, this one a bit off-topic as it is about my first car, a '59 Ferd, but it is more about the mechanical nature of our family than about the ferd and, as always, funny. It's called Now for something completely different.

December 21^st 2004  A new Work-in-Progress log entry Aught-three Leftovers has been posted. I really cleaned out BillyBob's garage with this one. All the log entrys that were started (but not finished) when the year-long windshield epic began have been merged into this one grab-bag episode to clear the decks for new work.

And a special Christmas treat for those who like old truck adventures, JR has written another episode about when he owned the truck that is now known as BillyBob. It's called Six days on the Road . . . or, at least a few hours.

December 10^th 2004  The BillyBob Truck Links page has been updated with the following new links AccessoryLand, Praise Dyno Brake, Vintage Chevy Van Club, Soup that Chev! and Rusty Truck.

November 20^th 2004  The final windsheld-related Work-in-Progress log entry, Windshield Epic - The Good (Fini) has been posted. There are still some windshield details to take care of but BillyBob is back on the road as a daily driver. Work on BillyBob will slow a bit but not stop as JR and I have a family business to attend to that will consume a considerable amount of our time in the coming months.

October 31^st 2004  BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending. Now that the windshield job is winding down, I will be touching up BillyBob's Rustoleum paint, here and there, from the abuse it's taken from welding and grinding debris. Gonna replace tubes and tires, one at a time, and refinish the wheels again as part of that process. Plan to continue to tidy up the engine bay as well as finish off the rear portion of the framework (spare tire carrier). The gas tank is emiting fumes so I guess the filler and vent tube rubber needs replacing again. I also have to try to finish the brakes (rear wheels) and I need to continue the grille bodywork.

October 25^th 2004  Introduced a new area of BillyBob's garage called "BillyBob Parts Shop". The Parts Shop is a collection of How-To articles on the repair/restoration of individual parts and subassemblies and the first article is about my methods of Degreasing, Derusting and Cleaning small parts (nuts 'n bolts).

October 3^rd 2004  The next Work-in-Progress log entry, Windshield Epic: A Gasket too far, has been posted. I really wanted this to be the last windshield entry but, it was not meant to be, I guess. This is a long one. Over three months of repair and despair are khronicled. Grab a beer an' start cryin' in it for me since I can't drink myself anymore.

September 30^th 2004  The most popular page on the BillyBob site, BillyBob Truck Links has been updated with the following new links Fifth avenue Internet Garage, The Jalopy Journal, and Jim's 1959 Chevrolet Apache 32 Longbed Stepside Pickup.

August 29^th 2004  The first entry on this new page is . . . Well, this new page! But beyond that, BillyBob's Restoration Planning page has been updated with the next two month's planned activities and the last two month's spending.

"Beyond this place, there be dragons." I'm not going to go back and try to reconstruct the entries for updates before this page was created.

You can email me at  webmaster@laroke.com

Issued Sunday August 29, 2004

copyright © 1996-2008 Larry Robert Kephart all rights reserved