Mother-in-law Restoration 1970 Datsun 2000

[mitch_04]

My mother in law has been a God-send recently. My wife is on bedrest due to pregnancy complications, has been since week 9 (she's 16 weeks now). She can walk around and do little things, but no lifting or walking up stairs. Our 2 year old son's room is upstairs, so my wife can't carry him upstairs or even go up there with him to put him down for naps, get him up from naps, get him to bed for the night, or wake him up in the morning. She can't lift him into his high-chair, although she did figure out a way to get him in that is pretty nifty. It involves climbing a chair, stepping into the high chair, then climbing out onto moms bent leg. She can't take him for walks in the stroller, but she can let him play outside while she watches.

My mother in law has been helping out a ton. She comes over to put him down for naps, takes him to daycare, watches him when we need a break, and loves every minute of it! My son will grow up loving his grandma, there is no doubt. She seems to have unlimited patience...she was a teacher though. She retired this year, which worked out well given the current situation.

My mother in law and I didn't originally get along. I was the "bad boy" type and her daughter was/is the good little Christian girl. I tried to be polite and such whenever I was around her, but she wasn't giving. After about 9 months of dating her where daughter, I just let go and was myself. Started giving her a little sh*t every now and then, making fun of her for being a teacher (rival school from where I went, I got her a shirt that says "worlds goodest teecher) and so on. She ate it up, loved it. Ever since we have gotten along very well.

[mitch_04]

No pic worthy updates, but I am still plugging away. Cut and adjusted the rear drums, cut the front rotors, and put new wheel bearings/races in it as well.

[mitch_04]

More updates, still none worth pictures. Replaced transmission and differential fluid, tossed in a little Lucas gearbox additive while I was at it. Assembled the air cleaner and put the hood on, as well as some of the interior, so she could give the grandkids a ride in it tomorrow. I'm waiting on a 1/4 panel, so there isn't much else to do.

[Akpilot]

Mitch_04

Looks very good, I'm in the same boat not much body work experience either, but have been welding a long time. Hope mine looks that good, I like your inner rocker support you made I have 4 each to make.

Ak

[mitch_04]

I have to make them on the front behind the fender patches I put on earlier. I am waiting until I pull the fenders to do those.

[mitch_04]

Some shots of it assembled so the grandchildren can get a ride in it this weekend. It will stay like this until I finish the drywall in my garage, then it will be moved in there to be disassembled, hopefully for the last time!!!

[spl310]

Awesome, but give the old girl a bath!!

[mitch_04]

Then the bare metal would rust!

[mitch_04]

Well, I have my rear drivers quarter in. The inner fender/wheelhouse was very rough, took quite a bit of patching other pieces to get it to work. Some more pounding to do on the metal before it is as straight as I'd like it, but it'll work for now. Next is lower ball joints, idler box, and brake hoses.

For a little reminder...











Now the work, I'll let the pics talk.























And lastly, a shop mug I painted for another customer as a test panel. I will be doing one for my mother-in-law in the color the Datsun as well.

[Gregs672000]

Wow, just like on TV... A few minutes later everything is fixed!

[dbrick]

Nice work, what color will you paint it?

[mitch_04]

House of Kolors Platinum Pearl

[Linda]

Congrats on your skills. I'll bet your mother in law is realizing that you are a good guy afterall!
Keep up the work, and it would be nice to see the maiden voyage ride

Linda

[sleepyzzz]

man that is nice. great body work and i bet the paint will be too

[mitch_04]

Thanks everyone! Just put new brake hoses, clutch hose, lower ball joints, and idler box bushings in it, nothing really worth taking pictures of.