Well, it’s been just a bit of time since my last update hasn’t it?

First, happy new year, second don’t worry. Work, a lot of it, in fact, has been going on while I’ve been away from the computer.

First thing’s first, as you may have seen on Instagram the truck is back from paint.

The professional paintwork was done by a local dealership painter (Al) here in Whitby that does custom work on the side at his home shop.

Al was recommended by Blair at Taylor’d Customs who’s been using him for his own personal project lately.

Considering what he started with Al did an absolutely phenomenal job on the firewall, inner fenders, doors, dash and roof.

Getting the truck back looking like a million bucks was the kick in the pants I needed to get back into the garage consistently.

Within days of the truck coming back, it didn’t take long for the urge to install the inner and outer fenders to become too great to ignore.

However, before the front end could go back on I had to figure out a rather important piece of the puzzle; the radiator.

Because of my front-end swap, a stock radiator was out of the picture. Similarly, because of my accessory drive, a mechanical fan was also out of the picture.

Thankfully, because I have Andy McJannett and Performance Improvements on my side, a solution wasn’t hard to find.

Andy suggested that I go with a ProForm Parts 1-2-3 series radiator set up for Projet Why Wait.

The 1-2-3 series or radiators are designed as a universal drop-in, save for a few minor trims that needed to be made to my already heavily modified radiator support.

The ProForm 1-2-3 kit also includes all the various relays, connectors and plugs to control the provided fan. I’ll be using my factory PCM to control my fan, but it’s nice that everything you need is included.

Just in case.

Clearly printed instructions are included as well, and it’s rated for 600hp. Quite a bit more than I need. For now.

Finally, as if everything else wasn’t enough, the radiator is also fitted with a steam port. An important feature for vehicles with LS V8 motors like mine.

Under the hood, the radiator is a snug fit, but there’s enough space for it all to work. And, being an all-in-one solution there’s no reason for me to fuss with it again.

Issyfab Speed & Engineering will be handling both the plumbing and wiring.

I’m very interested to see how Jeff (at IssyFab) manages to make it all work, but he assures me it “won’t be a problem”.

With the radiator selected and fit I could install the inner and outer fenders and loosely bolt everything together.

Because the rad will need to come in and out, I’ve left the grill off. For now.

After the front end was installed I had a local pinstriper, Stripes By Square, come by and line up the truck between the Mazda Rally White and patina blue paint.

The stripe really ties everything together. The Navy pulls from the darker blue found within my patina and provides great definition.

It’s great to see this render become closer and closer to reality.

As always, all that’s left is everything else but I’ve got a few things up my sleeve as the truck approaches road-worthy status this year.

That’s right. I said this year. I really want to drive this truck in 2022 and its foot to the floor to make it finally happen!

Thanks for the support so far and look forward to more in the land of Why Wait this year.