Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Paul,
Coil "wire" is a shade over 21mm, coils are 10 1/2" with the truck sat on them, 11" with the truck on the jack.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Thanks Ian,

I mistakenly took your 10 1/2 measurement as the free height.

Looks like they are the ones I need then!

P. :D

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

I got the outer rocker removed today, as expected there's a bit of rot to repair.

Attachment 1523534

What I didn't expect was the bottom of the A pillar. Once the outer rocker was removed I found a suspect looking patch, a good poke with a screwdriver and "hey presto" a hole, oh b****r.

Attachment 1523535

I got these from Martin a while ago, looks like I'll be needing then all.
Any advice on what to do, or what to avoid would be greatly appreciated

Attachment 1523536

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

It must be body work season in England. :lol:

It's a bummer that you never find a "good" repair under a thick layer of Bondo. Seems that its always a cobbled-up mess. I'm sure I'll find lots of suspect body work once I dig into mine. Keep up the good work!

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Im just about to start the same work Ian. Turns out I may need to order up a couple of additional patch panels. If I do is there anything you need?

Definitely body work season, though Im in Scotland - close enough!

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Correction... it's body work season in the UK. :metal:

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

I have yet to start m bodywork repairs, and I know my bedside is boogered, as well as many other patches, but every time I see anyone else like you, Paul, Martin find bodges, I just want to spit feathers.

I am sure you will deal with it as well as you do everything else Ian.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

I guess this is just the "joy" of owning old vehicles. At least these trucks are reasonably easy to work on, compared with some old cars.

Mind you it would be nice to find one one part that needs less work than was expected.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

It certainly appears to be Johnny :lol: Mind you I live much closer to Bill than Martin, Paul and Rian (I'm about 50 miles due South of the Scottish border) and Rian, Martin and Paul are so far South they're almost in France :lol:

Thanks Rian I hope so, there is definately no shortage of help and support on here (including recently from your good self):thumbs:

Indeed Bill the joys of restoring old trucks. I've replied to your PM, will definately need some extra patch panels :waah:

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

It looks like parts of my Truck are going far and wide . I am so lucky that I got a rust free cab , even luckier to find one in the UK . Good luck Ian , just take your time .

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Ian, I was thinking about why I never considered how much distance there could be between you all. Is it because we assume that European countries are geographically small when compared to the US and Canada? Or is it because I myself have a London, Stratford, Essex, Exeter, Norwich, Rochester (NY), Newcastle, Durham, Sheffield, Ayr, Scotland, and even Paris... all within a couple hours drive. :lol:

FYI, its a beautiful day here. Work is quiet, so I'm away from my desk. I'm just heading out to the shop to do a little job on a "Colchester" lathe. ;)

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

It looks like typical truck rust that we see a bunch of over here. No big deal,
you'll get it done with no problems. Keep the doors handy to check fitment and hopefully the floor braces are in decent shape. Rock on Ian… you got this.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

True.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

It's amazing how many places share the same names, I have both Quebec and Toronto about 20 minutes drive from me!


Thanks Clem I think this will definately be a case of measure twice cut once :lol:

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

I've managed to make a bit of progress on the rust repairs this weekend. Most of the time has been spent playing "find the spot weld", (drill - cut - repeat :lol:).
The bottom of the front pillar was rotten which is a "blessing" of sorts as cutting if off makes fitting the repair section easier. In doing this I have found yet more filler and fibreglass cunningly disguised as steel.

Attachment 1526052

I trimmed the floor to give me enough space to fit the repair section, one of the floor supports needs a repair, but nothing to worry about.

Attachment 1526053

What I did find was that the bottom of the rear pillar sort of gets in the way, which is a shame because with the exception of a small repair it's in really good shape.

Attachment 1526054


Plan B cut it off carefully and then weld it back on once the floor is sorted, I've cut it below the crease where the outer rocker sits so it will be an easy fix.

Attachment 1526055

The repair section is currently clamped in place, I need to mark cab floor for its final cut and then it will be good to tack in place.

Attachment 1526056

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Didn't realise how far North you were Ian.

Looking forward to your updates.

P. :D

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Ian, At the pace we are all repairing these trucks and all the past 50+ years worth of bodges, there will be a bunch of decent trucks out on the UK roads soon.

I am shocked at the amount of ****e repairs you are finding on your truck.

Guess we all have our own demons to fight with these trucks.

Thank goodness for this forum and the members on here.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Looking good Ian . You'll soon have it done at the rate you are going.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Nice job Ian.

Im glad your ahead of me with this. Now I have a good reference for starting the same job.

Seeing as the weather was OK over the weekend I spent it outside working on the chassis. I'll update my thread tomorrow.

Couldn't agree more Rian, this forum is a god send!

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Ian, you're brave man cutting off the bottom of the pillar... but I see you logic in doing so. I'd be afraid of getting things out of position, but I guess you'll have straight edges to mate up to again. Your repairs are looking good.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Before I can finish the passenger side floor I need to deal with the rear cab support first. The tin worm had been gnawing on it a little.

Attachment 1527858

Rather than replace the whole thing I thought it would be better to replace the rusted out bit, that way I could save the mounting flanges which are the datum points for the inner rockers and rear pillar.

I cut out the rusted part plus a bit to get back to good sound steel

Attachment 1527859

And then welded in the new piece in

Attachment 1527860

Attachment 1527861

Next the inner rockers

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Looking good Ian . I know the pain you are going through , but with your skills it won't be long before you have it all back together

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

I had a couple of jobs to do before I could fit the inner rocker/floor.

The tim worm had been chewing on the bottom of the pillar, I'd cut it off for access so it was easy to repair,

Attachment 1528539

I repaired this with a piece of steel scavenged from something else I'd cut off (it was the right gauge)

Attachment 1528540

I also put a repair section in the bottom of the kick panel

The PO had done the usual fibreglass and bondo repair, The repair panel isn't the greatest fit, but with a bit of cutting and jiggling (that's a technical term :lol:) it ended up ok

Attachment 1528541

Attachment 1528542

Didn't quite get it finished though, my welding mask decided to throw in its hand. Boy that arc is bright when your screen doesn't go dark. So that's me stuck until I can get a new mask next week

Attachment 1528543

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Looking good Ian . I know this is a silly question but did you check the batteries. I had to change the batteries on my mask the other day , as that stopped going dark one minute it was working then the next ti wasn't , with no sign or hint the battery was going . 2xCR2032 batteries later and it was fine .

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Add another to the growing list of welding hats throwing the towel in.

Mine did the same thing last week, seems that if you are going to have one that is solar powered it occasionally needs to see the Sun....who would have thought it.....

Keep going Ian!

P. :D

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

I've the opposite problem with mine. It wouldn't go light! At the price they come in at these days I may buy another as a spare. I've a LOT of welding to be done!!! Can't risk not being able to weld.

Good work though Ian. This will be my guide when the time comes.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Ian, I feel your pain.

I let Mickey next door use mine before, of course it came back broken, now he only gets that one when he asks.

We all have our rusty crosses to bear it seems.

Keep the faith mate.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

While waiting for my new welding helmet to arrive I tweaked and clamped the inner rocker and clamped the rear pillar that I had sawn off to get access to fit the inner rocker.

Attachment 1530932

Once my new helmet arrived I was back in business.

Attachment 1530933

I've tacked the inner rocker/floor in place and welded the bottom of the rear pillar in place.

Attachment 1530934

I've also welded the new bottom section of the front pillar in place although for now it's just tacked until I'm happy with the outer rocker.

Attachment 1530935

This is currently held in place with three self tapping screws until I am happy with the door fit.

Attachment 1530938

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Looking good Ian . I believe you are going to my mates on the 21st to collect your door , are you going to try the replacement door on or use the one you have for now .

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

What did you go for as a Helmet Ian?

Mine is definitely capote so am looking for a replacement.

P. :D

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Looking good Ian. You should be finished just about the time Im ready to start.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

As Martin has mentioned above I am collecting a door from his mates home on the 21st, this is the one kindly "donated" by Rian (thanks mate :thumbs:) and then delivered to the north side of London by Martin to make it easier for me to collect (thanks also:thumbs:) it saves me about 80 miles of driving each way but more importantly it saves me crossing (or going around) London which is easily 2 hours each way.:hh:

I still have a 550 miles and about 10 hours of driving to do. Also while I'm that far down I'm calling at Langys Rod Shop to collect some stuff for Bill and me. Should be a Grand Day Out

Attachment 1531320

I have trial fitted the old door, I hope the doors don't vary too much

Attachment 1531321

The gap between the bottom of the door and the rocker should be ok with a bit of a tweak, Next job is to remove the outer rocker and drill the holes for the spot welds

Attachment 1531322

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Looks good Ian. Wish I was that far along.

BTW Ive been onto Steve re getting some suspension parts in. Would it be easier if I get him to hold onto my patch panels and tie them in with the suspension parts?

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

just read your comments re welding mask. That's so funny as mine packed up whilst welding the rocker panels on Mark's 63, I had to get a new one too. When im not using the mask I now leave it near a window to keep the battery charged up.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Rather than take a chance I decided to wait until I had collected my "new" door before welding the outer rocker in place.
So Saturday morning up at 05:00 and on the road at 05:30. I drove to Watford to Langy's rod shop to collect some rust repair panels and a (brand new) 67 rear bumper :metal: , then across to Welwyn Garden City to Martins friends (mums!) house to collect the door kindly given to be by Rian, then back home, arriving home at around 16:45 having covered just under 600 miles. :clap: The things we do for our trucks!



I genuinely love this hobby, it's full of generous, helpful people, always ready to lend a hand, give advice or simply offer support and encouragement. Rian is a great example of this, giving me his spare door, a pallet truck and one of his famous care packages (consisting of a T-shirt a baseball and bat) the door also came complete with a couple of repair panels and in true Rian style he refused any kind of payment. Thanks mate. :thumbs:

Attachment 1535383

Attachment 1535384

I managed to get the door hung this evening, about 20 minutes of fiddling and it's pretty near, a few tweaks and it will be spot on.

Attachment 1535386

I mentioned on Martins thread the other day just how handy motorcycle lifts can be, for fitting a transmission, an axle and when fitting a door on your own they are the perfect tool. And apparently they're ok for lifting motorcycles too :lol:

Attachment 1535385

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Good news on getting the door . Dropping the parts at Dave's mums was not a problem . Dave is a good friend and always ready to help . You are right about the bike lift I use it more than my Trolly jack . Mind you I do still use mine to lift a bike as well .

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

I've not done an update for a while so here we go

The outer rocker is now fitted permanently, I drilled a bunch of 1/4" holes, and then marked the hole positions on the inner rocker so I could sand the minimum amount of the E-coat primer off to allow me to weld. Welds were dressed back with carbide burr as it leaves a little indentation which looks like a factory spot weld when painted.

Attachment 1544117

Attachment 1544118

Attachment 1544119

The door has been on and off more times than I can count but it's necessary to constantly check the gaps. It was back on again so that I could fit the cab corner, you may remember a few posts back I pulled about a half inch of filler out of the passenger side corner. It was pretty much flattened, I had knocked it out as best I could but it still wasn't perfect. I have used the profile of the patch panel to get it better, but it still needs work

Attachment 1544120

Attachment 1544121

I also have this gap to fill where the rot was removed but the repair panel comes up short

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Patch work is looking good.

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Nice repair to the rocker and rear corner Ian

Re: Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England
 

Metalwork looks good