Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Maybe I missed the plan on this, but what are you going to run for a fuel filler?

I'm actually thinking about what to do with my '50 since it's going to have an under bed tank and I'm not a huge fan of the through-floor fill necks

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Thanks!

Still have useable saddle tanks from the RV and even if we don't use that set up I'm sure it will be something similar. Also toying with the idea of running another tank all the way in the back between the rails.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

It’s an attack of the Green Slim!! I wanted to treat the lower large patch panel cavity upside down so the slim could seep into the pinch weld. We always spray the can dry when using this stuff so the remainder of the can went in between the roof panels and pillars. It will get a second coat but needed to do this prior to the welding of the panel.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

I didn't really answer your question earlier. The RV saddle tanks have a welded on neck and I'm not sure they will work with the flatbed. The other style tank I'm thinking about would be more like a semi with a screw on cap type fill.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Is that the Eastwood Internal Frame coating?

I was thinking about what to spray inside right above the mirror by removing the visors and spraying in from there. .


Eastwood also sells this stuff:

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-rust-enca...html?reltype=3


I almost pulled the triger on this today for the same purpose, .

http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-hea...-in-black.html



Not sure what is better and why, any thoughts about one VS the other?
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Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Yes it is and here is a link http://www.eastwood.com/internal-fra...arent_id=25961

We needed this kind of product for my 1/2 ton project and decided to use it again for this one.

Some of my reasons for using this product are I've used it before, the color you can tell where it is and where it ain't. This stuff does go on sale and if you buy enough you can get free shipping as well at times so the price was right for us (got 5 cans for under $75 delivered) . It has been around and I think has more favorable reviews?

Other than that I have no opinion except for as much time and effort that goes into fixing one of these cabs I think you would be foolish not to use something. :crazy:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Brett, you're making some great progress! Why don't you stop working on yours and come down and work on mine! :lol:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

What's next I'll be right over! ;)

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

We went from nipples to scar tissue! :lol:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

you using an arch welder?? :)

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

I was wondering if it was a battery charger and some coat hangers. :D :lol:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Man it's a tough crowd out there and yes we know it ain't pretty, my boy (who's better than me) and I don't claim to welders! ;) In his defense he was welding over his head and it is solid! :lol:

I'll give you one guess who got to grind all that off! :waah:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

More panel prep the lower is now ready to go. We needed to fill some holes in the upper outer patch.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

You guys are definantly kicking butt on the thing!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Is this even possible? :haha: I told a buddy today about you and the swamp rat beating us up for the awful weld job and we all had a good laugh. :lol:

I'm guessing it was just a bad weld day and debated on posting it (Good, Bad & Ugly you know). So after we checked to see if their was any wire left in the machine we moved on as you will soon see.

Thanks man we are ahead of the thread a little. Gonna keep working the cab but looking into the next phase some.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Ive seen guys put 3 or 4 car batteries in series and weld broken frames on the trail in a pinch.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Ok, i hope you didn't take my post badly as i didn't mean to come off in a bad manner, i know when it comes to body i can't weld for crap. i probably wouldn't have posted that at all but your comments about nipples and scar tissue earlyer made me feel you wouldn't get upset about it. :)

EDIT, Overhead welding isn't easy, i suck at it.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

No kidding that's resourceful! I wouldn't have thought there was enough current, good to know.

No worries and yes I was pocking fun at us it looked like a tumor was forming! :lol:

You know he did have to listen to me whine when I saw it and we had a little talk about trying to keep weld puddle down. :thud:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

A shot of weld thru and we’re ready to screw them into place for the final time.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Goodbye pass thru, upper is ready to weld.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

I just hope I can get my grips back from there. If not then I’ll cut’em off and fish the pieces out.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Looking good Brett! I'm hoping to get something going this weekend...

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Great work! I'll be watching this build.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Inspiring work, makes me think i may be able to do it myself if i ever get to that point with my current progress..

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Thanks Mike you going to make some more linkage progress? I updated your thread with an idea.

Thanks Trekster.

I'm sure you can especially if the opening doesn't go too far into the roof area.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

1st round weld, weld, weld.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Knocking it out!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Thanks man.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

And weld some more. We did manage to get the grips backs without cutting them. A telescoping magnet was the ticket!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Now that we are getting down to starting the frame shortening process I’m having second thoughts about all the frame splices and frame repair on my trailer towing 4x4/work type truck. I now know its doable with the K3500 frame and would probably be fine but I’m debating if we should or if just using a C30 frame is the better option? The K3500 splice job is going to have to be a farm out for us (started the quote process) as we just don’t want to be plagued with frame problems after the K30 is built.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

No comments on the frame statement above? Just thinking out loud and starting to finalize plans for the next phase.

So back to the cab after 2 rounds of weld, grind, weld & grind this is how the inner upper patch is looking (tumor removed). ;)

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Cutting down the K3500 frame should not be terrible, and can be plenty strong (in fact stronger than factory) if done with correct fish plates and a good welder.

That said, when you start getting into multiple cuts and splices, you increase the probability of something going amiss. With the C30 frame, a lot of the hangars and so forth line up with factory holes, which allows you to keep things aligned pretty well.

Either way, what's best is what you're comfortable with. On my last project (as you know) I did the original frame with modified hangars and such. On my current one, I'm building a hybrid frame from a different generation truck and a metric G-body. So I'm not really biased :lol:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

I agree with what Jjorgensen52 said. On my 76 I did a step cut to help make it stronger. I used to work in a heavy truck frame shop and we used to straight cut them up to a certain length. All the ones we did got sleeved with minimum of 1/4" cold rolled. On super long rigs, we angle cut them. None of them ever got fish plates either. They never had any come back and they had been doing truck stretching/shortening and frame altering since 1979. We had a dump truck come in that they built in the mid 90's that had been rolled. The frame was straight where they stretched it and didn't start to be roled and twisted until after the sleeve ended. We saw all kinds of mangled trucks, and fixed 98% of them.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

I agree 100% so after a lot of consideration and a pretty big frame fab quote (6 splices w/fish plate and the right rail repair, 2 of the splices were to add 72 frame horns) from one of the better welders in my area I have decided to finish scrapping the K3500 frame. :thud:

We are going to try and acquire another C30 133" frame (new plan A?) and if that doesn't fly then we'll go with standby plan B (use my blue C30) for the frame. This new direction does simplify some things and complicate others but its all good cuz there is a plan right???

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

More cab progress, the large back patch is looking fairly flat! Saweet!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

It's coming along nicely!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Nice!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Thanks you guys! We’re thinking it should hold a window OK, here’s how the upper is looking just needs a little more luv on the lip and filler will catch the rest. ;)

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Looks like it should hold the window gasket just fine.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

This is how the entire back panel looks.