Bubba54's Build
 

I've been on the sight for a short while now. Its been a great help to get me back on my project. In all I've owned the truck about 18 years. I hope I don't get to much abuse for dragging my feet.

When I got the truck it had a nova clip installed, and it had been wrecked. The frame and clip where in pretty bad shape, so I built my own frame. The only part of the original frame is the back section.
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The front clip is from a 79 Camaro.
Attachment 1114436
I boxed the back frame section And went with leaf spring setup.
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Shot of my little guy. He wanted to play with the welder. I think, if I would of turned it on he would of tried it. LOL
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He was always playing in the cab.
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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

This is what it looked like in 1997.
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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

You have a good start. Mine sat for a little longer then that, but thats because it was still my parents. Now its mine and i want to drive it so its getting done.

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

I'll try to get the build up to date. In 2004 I wanted to go with a pro street look.
I had drove the truck just around the neighborhood a little. I never worked on the body just left it in primer.

I was running 29x12.5's and went to 29x18.5's
Attachment 1114445
I constructed the new rear frame section.
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Frame installed.
Attachment 1114449

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Ok, good Im not alone. LOL

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

The trucks gettin older and so is the kid.
Attachment 1114450

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

I have the 57 my dad started on, but he still has his 58 thats been sitting for at least 23 years. Definitely not alone.

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

The truck sat for another long time with no progress. 2012 I got it fired up, first time driving it with the backhalf change. I wanted to drive it again, before starting on the cab repairs.
Attachment 1114460
I got the bed just sitting on the frame for mockup.
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I built I frame for the bed floor. After seeing what others have done, I may just raise the bed floor up high.
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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Still working on getting the build up to date. This is where I started with the body repair.

This was the condition of the outer to inner cowls.
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Started on the passenger side first. Removed the inner cowl and inner to outer cowl.
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Trimmed parts to fit and prepped with weld through primer.
Attachment 1115028
Fit and welded.
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I also replaced the lower section of the outer cowl. picture didn't show it, but the bottom was rusted and had a bit of bondo.
Attachment 1115032
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Not up to date yet, more to come. It takes me awhile to gather all the pics.

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Well, Ill try again with the pics. I'm sure its something I did.
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Attachment 1115047

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Ok, I think I have the pictures Figured out. Sorry about that.

Here is what the Cowls looked like, Before the repair.
Attachment 1115056

Attachment 1115057

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

You've done some nice work on the truck over the years. Now that your back at it maybe some of us can keep you going. How old is you son now and is he into the build??...Jim

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Thanks, Getting on this site has got me motivated, hopfully Ill keep moving forward. The son is 20 now, he's more into girls and video games.

Attachment 1115316

Im sure when it gets on the road he'll get more interested.

Thanks Shawn

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Looking good!
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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Couldn't agree more, they come around in their own time....Jim

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Bubba54, looks great. Sheet metal so far looks is turning out great, next we can get the belt line fixed with those panels.


Shannon

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Thanks Shannon, I still have more to post on the build. Just a pain to organize the pics.

Thanks Shawn

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

More sheet metal work.

Attachment 1115748

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Attachment 1115752

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

I cross braced the cab. Made some legs to attach to the firewall to keep things in place while removing sheetmetal.
Attachment 1116475
Here are some of the parts needed to repair the drivers side.
Attachment 1116476
Replaced the inner cowl, inner to outer cowl, and lower section of outer cowl. Removed cab corner, rocker panel, and rear cab mount. The center of the rocker panel wasn't to bad, but both end where in bad shape. I had to replace the lower rear door pillar also.
Attachment 1116477
Attachment 1116478
In addition, fixed the front ot the rocker panel on the passenger side.
Attachment 1116479

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Installed the front half of the floor and lower half of firewall. I Got the floor kit from direct sheetmetal. It wasn't to bad a bit of trimming though. after seeing what others have done on this site, i think if i do it ever again I'll just make my own floor.
Attachment 1116489
Remove the the crossbracing, Then hung the door to check on the door gap. When you cut the the pillar from the rocker, the cab will move a bit. I welded in this small angle, to hold the pillar and back corner of the cab for good door aligment.
Attachment 1116490
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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Because the drivers side rocker was still in pretty good shape, in the middle, I was able to use a section to replace the lower rusted section on passenger side.

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Still trying to get up to date on the build. getting closer with every post.

Thanks Shawn

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Man you've done a lot of work on the truck over the years. Keep up the good work, you'll be driving it soon!!!!!

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Lot of nice repairs, you will be glad you did it a few years now the road you won't have to make repairs, nice job....Jim

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

jmsaunders,oldman3, Thanks. Being on this site and checking out everyones truck builds is keeping me motivated.

Thanks Shawn

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Did a little repair to the bottom inside of the passenger door. The outer skin was fine. I think the inside bottom rust is pretty common with these trucks. It looks like the bottom door seal must hold the moisture.

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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

You are 100% correct on that seal holding moisture, 90% of doors just like yours, nice repair...Jim

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Worked on the front cab mounts. Trying to get the cab mounted so i can go on to fitting front clip. Used the recessed washers that came with the floor kit. Made spacer bushings and welded it to the washers.

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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Working on the rear cab mounts. Im not going to use the original style shackle mounts, so I made solid mount.

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I have removed the seat riser and the peice that goes across the back of the cab, so i added a peice on the bottom to tie the cab supports together.

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Boxed the cab supports and added the same recess washers as the front mounts

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Working to get the cab mounted solid, before doing any more cab repairs or door alignment.

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Thought i would post something a little different for a change, something shiny.
Here is my dash insert. Its made out of a 1/2 inch aluminum jig plate. I did a kinda of random swirl with a rolloc disc. Im still playing around with what LED lights Ill use for the indicators, not sure wich ones Ill use yet.

Attachment 1122667

Anyway, I think it will be a much better setup than this.

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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Just about done on my belt line repair. Still need to chase a few pin holes and do a little more blending. I Put on a coat of primer for now, its been very hot and humid lately.

Here are a few pics.
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Shawn

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Last year we took a trip to Classic Parts. I live in Missouri near ST. Louis, Classic Parts a few hours west straight across Missiouri. Picked up some new fenders, the shipping cost is crazy on there oversize items. Now that I have been on this site and have heard some of the horror stories on fenders fit, I think I should have tried to find some originals. Anyway, I have bolted the clip together but havent fitted to the cab yet, hoping for a good fit. All the patch panels Ive got from them have been a pretty good fit. Hope the fenders are the same.

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Shawn

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Looking real good Shawn. Really coming along on this.
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Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Shawn, super nice repair job on the belt line. Biggest problem with fenders is getting them set at correct angle, not to high/or low in the front, so the lines match better to the hood. Leave everything loose, adjust, etc. then bolt down tight. Hope that helps....Jim

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Everything is looking great. Nice work

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Shawn , everything looks great. Glad the beltline worked out. Keep up the great work.

Shannon

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

focusedontheprize, Jim, Bam, Shannon, Thanks guys, Appreciate the kudos and advice. Even though I've been welding for a long time, the sheetmetal work is a whole other deal. You guys have some great looking trucks, and the sheetmetal work in your builds have been a great help. Anyway, thanks again and keep the pics coming.

Shawn

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Looking good Shawn.:metal:

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Time for an update, I’ve been working on the bed installation and running board mounts. I have owned the truck for about 20 years, and have never had the running boards on. Never drove it much so it didnt bother me. To me these trucks don’t look right without the boards. Here are a couple of pics of the running boards.

It’s finally looking like a truck.
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps07b3f866.jpg
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1beac565.jpg
The running board brackets are made from 1 x 2 x .120 wall steel. Right now they are just clamped to the frame. I will weld them on later after final fit. I may also add some gussets as needed.

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4c110b57.jpg
Here is a little jewel I scored from work. It was a base plate for a proto type machine that was disassembled. It has a ¾ steel top and is on casters, works great for a welding table and a solid platform for my vise.

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4725f257.jpg
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20e501b6.jpg

Sorry about poor quality pics, another thing i need to work on.

Shawn

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Moving along...Jim

Re: Bubba54's Build
 

Thanks Jim, slow but I'm gettin there. A little more detail on the running board installation. Slotted the running board mount brackets and cut pieces to weld to the bottom of the boards. Welded in pieces of bar stock to drill and tap for mounting the boards to the mounts.
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...psb2aed0e7.jpg
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...psd4ad7786.jpg
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1cab5fd2.jpg
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b671930.jpg

Next I’ll be working on the raised bed floor, wheel tubs, and bed mounting.
Shawn