With 2011 behind us, a few days off, and some mild Colorado weather lingering I pulled the yard truck out and started cleaning the property before working in the shop. It’s been sitting out back for about a month but after a few cranks it fired right up and even though the back was full of branches, Orville and I took off for a joy ride. How could I resist?

It was so nice out when we got back that I pulled the tractor alongside the garage in anticipation of protecting myself from the Winter wind as I intend to get to this from time-to-time before Spring. Ever since I built this thing I’ve been procrastinating gearing it down. It’s really just too fast to work with - even in first – so I’ve continually debated between either adding an offset jackshaft or installing a tandem transmission. The offset jackshaft will allow me to work with the compact 10″ span between the trans and the rear without having to change the rearend setback, but the second, inline trans is really the way to go from a functionality standpoint.  Whichever option I commit to, it’ll get done this time around since I’ve already started tearing back into it.

The ’36 has been getting it’s fair share of attention, but it’s been a repeat performance on the driver’s side door of work that has been done to the passenger side door. So far on this side since my last posting I’ve:

1. shaped the lengthened door to its opening:
   
   
2. built the inner structure such that that it was stable enough to remove from the opening. This let’s me continue shaping and finishing it at a more comfortable height and flip it over to get to otherwise hard to reach areas, etc:
   
   
3. started on the hinge pockets for the suicide treatment:
   
   

 
I’ll be keeping at it as time allows after family and other priorities so stay tuned.