Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks, appreciate you following the build. Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

oldman3, I love the convertable top. I often thought about it if I ever found cab with a damaged roof. Looks good.

Shannon

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks, appreciate it.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Cool mini-Carson top!

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks, Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Anyone who has one of these old trucks, knows how hard it is to get the hood to fit even close. Since I had a large gap at the cowl, I chose to add steel to the cowl and have a nice gap at the hood. In spots the steel was as wide as 1/4" and others about 1/8".

Pic 2 passenger side view

Pic 3 about center.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

A few days later, here is the cowl and header in primer.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Hood, cowl, windshield area and top of doors in primer.

Pic 2 Here I've sanded, and it's ready for another coat of primer.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here I've got the dash in primer.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Now I've moved to the running boards. This is the back running board bracket, it didn't fit right to the 54 running boards, so I cut, bent and welded it back (both sides).

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

This is the bottom of running boards. You can see how bad the old mounts were. I removed the old stuff, and welded in 1"X2" rectangular tubing in its place. I marked the location holes, drilled and welded in studs.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

This is how not to use bondo. The side of the running board was straight, but for some reason the PO added all this dough.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I wanted to extend the running boards into the front fenders. I took 2"X2"x 1/8" angle, cut one side down to 1/2" and clamped it to the old board.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

After triming angle to length. I installed thin sheet metal to the fender, drilled mounting holes and bolted to the fender.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 I then cut sheet metal to fill in the gap.

Pic 2 Additional metal and all tacked in place. It was also welded on the back side to secure lip to board.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here it is all finished and in primer. I forget to mention that I extended the runners out to match the curve of the fender. I used different sizes of metal strap and welded to the board, metal finished, etc.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Both boards in primer, here you can see the extended runners a little better.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Mounted back on the brackets and to the fender.

Pic 2 Full view.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Since I was using a 52 frame and 54 bed, fenders and running boards, the filler piece between the bed and boards, was not standard. One on the left is the stock 54, on the right is the stock 47-53, and in the center, my home made filler piece.

Pic 2 Frontal view of the same pieces.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

My filler piece installed. I chose to cut my piece at the end of the bed, with the same curve as the cab. Also in this view you can see the frame and opening to the floor.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I ended up making three panels to cover all this stuff. Here you see the two small panels, and there is a panel that connects this side to the other, so you don't see down between the bed and cab. It's all bolted together and can be removed if needed.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Well, that's today's post. Let me know what you think about the boards, good or bad. Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I think that is real good timing we have been working on the running boards for a while trying to get them to fit right aint been fun.You helped me out thanks.
Joe

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Mine didn't fit so good either, one closer that the other, it was easier to make them look like they fit. Glad it helped.... Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Jim,how many beers did you drink while you sat and thought all of these details out? :lol: there's no way I could afford to have you build my truck for me-you do too nice of work,way more attention to the details than I would

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

oldman3, That is the way I like to do my running boards, make them fit the profile of the front fender. Looks good.

Shannon

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks you for the thoughts. Haven't you heard beer is good for the brain:lol:. Really doesn't cost that much more, just a little time (if you're doing it yourself). I'v always told myself I couldn't afford to hire me.:lol: I'm a long way from rich, just have a lot of time to think some things out (not all of them are good). Lots of ideals I get from mags I read, believe me there are people a lot better than me. Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks Shannon, appreciate you checking it out. You are the man when it comes to metal work, very nice stuff. Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

oldman3, Thank you and keep up the pictures.

Shannon

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Posting early today. Pic 1 Here I was back working on the doors again. The door on the right has had paint remover applied and is ready for body work. Door on the left is next in line.

Pic 2 Same as above only the front side showing.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

A few days later and presto-chango, this is how they look. Ready for sanding and final gray primer.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Door jambs all primed and ready for sanding, then final primer.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Door in final primer before paint.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Back side of original grill frame with bars, needs a lot of TLC.

Pic 2 With most of bars removed.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Grill bars have been removed, front one has been stripped of the old chrome and blasted, four more to go.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Grill frame blasted and ready for primer. I had welded up the holes for the old running/signal lights.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Grill bars all cleaned and primered.

Pic 2 Grill frame in primer.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

This pic show how I shortened the bumper brackets to pull it closer to the grill.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

The front bumper (which I'm using) has been shortened 3" per side, and top cut down by 1", and bumper bolts heads cut off and bolts welded.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I welded the bumper bolts flush with face, then welded the back side, then a large washer was welded to help distrubute the load, and not pull thru.