Body repair advice
 

I have a 68 Chevy short bed step side that I am going to rebuild back to its former glory my plan is to restore it back to factory at least as far as I can I don't have the original motor or transmission but the biggest issue I have is the damage that happened to the cab. I have been searching for a donor for parts but there is nothing in my area and I know that replacement panels are not the best fitting from my past experiences but I can make them work. The main reason I want to save the cab is my wife and I are the 4 members of the family who own this truck and my sun will be the 5th. Enough of the back story here are some pictures of the damage that happened in the short time the family did not own it. Not only did he smash her he decided to strip all of the chrome off and for some stupid reason the vin tag

Re: Body repair advice
 

Look up pdr repair guys
The ones that are really good can do most repairs with no repaint the repair area
One guy to look at is man of steel on YouTube

I will recommend new corners and rockers if your going to paint it it would suck 2 to 5 years have your restoration ruined from not replacing these high rust areas

Re: Body repair advice
 

When I start this project I'm going to do a frame up restoration I just don't want to be replacing the back panel if I don't have to this damage is a little more extensive than what I have worked on. Thanks for the tip I will check it out in the morning.

Re: Body repair advice
 

Stud gun / Steck studlever / heat / hammer and dollies and time will bring that back .

https://steckmfg.com/product/20014-studlever/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsC7vrgXj_0

Re: Body repair advice
 

It's very hard to "Eat the whole elephant" Why not get it running and driving. Make it fully functional and safe. Then start on the cosmetics. Repair the body panels one at a time while still driving the truck. It's easy to get discouraged with the truck blown apart.

Re: Body repair advice
 

Thanks Grumpy old man I will watch the video in the morning on my PC is there any way to replace the vin tag or to get a copy of the original build sheet the kid that wrecked her spray painted the inside of the glove box

Re: Body repair advice
 

She drives it has a 80's 305 with 1a 4 speed manual I would not hesitate to take it to work 100 miles round trip but she really likes her gas I do drive it around my little town and take her to the farm every so often

Re: Body repair advice
 

If it has the original seat and or the gas tank has never been out of it before you may get lucky and find a build sheet in the bottom or back seat springs or tucked behind or under the gas tank somewhere. That is the only real hope for finding out what it was born with.

Vin tag replacement is a no-go conversation on this site for legal and a myriad of other reasons. Please don’t engage that conversation further.

I agree with grumpy on the cab repairs. Most of my upper passenger cab corner got munched by the bed at some point in my trucks’ life. I was able to get it back pretty decent by doing what grumpy suggested.

Re: Body repair advice
 

I think the vin tag he is referring to is actually the spid.

Re: Body repair advice
 

That is a valid possibility, if that’s truly the case obviously that topic is just fine. If referencing the metal plaque, their in lies the no-go.

Re: Body repair advice
 

Thanks for the help I will check out the gas tank and see if there is a build sheet there I looked at the seat and did not find it in the springs. It is sad to me that in the 4 years this truck was out of the family so much of its history was lost

Re: Body repair advice
 

That is very unfortunate, not everyone has the understanding or perspective to appreciate things like the spid, or even at times just caring for something old like these trucks. An old truck has different significance to different people. Some beat them into the ground and don’t give a damn because I’m their eyes, they are already old and worn out. Others (just about everyone on this site) appreciate them for the truly cool things they are and appreciate them and doing everything possible to keep them going. It’s too bad it looks like maybe your truck got an owner of the former example as opposed to the latter.
That said, most of these old trucks can be made nice again with enough time and money. Good luck in your project!

Re: Body repair advice
 

Thanks for the information I have planning my build and have been slowly getting supplies that I know I will need and after looking at the tool link Grumpy posted it looks like I have a good reason to buy a new toy. This site truly has a lot of members with a wealth of knowledge I definitely will be asking more questions I'm sure I will run into issues along the way but it will be worth it in the log run and will be a good project to do with my son

Re: Body repair advice
 

For the dented cab I would pull the bed off and get the truck on a frame rack and pull the dent out. The body shop can also measure the frame to make sure it's still square at the same time.

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I would slowly strip the spray bomb off the glovebox. Going slow you may be able to recover the info

Re: Body repair advice
 

What would you use to clean the spray bomb off? Here is a picture of it but looking at it I'm not sure if it is there or if it is just the glue

Re: Body repair advice
 

That's not coming off without destroying the print , you do still have the vin tag in the door jam ? why would someone spray silver paint inside the glove box ?

Re: Body repair advice
 

That almost seems like a teenager move right there. Makes no sense but then again, we've all seen a lot that makes no sense.

Re: Body repair advice
 

Saving this :metal:

Re: Body repair advice
 

Nothing to loose on the spid, you could try a razor blade strait up and down a small scraping action. Another possibility sanding with 600 wet dry paper.

Re: Body repair advice
 

;)

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=738955

Re: Body repair advice
 

No I don't have the vin tag on the door that is why I asked about a replacement but the truck is titled and licensed. If I remember correctly he was 17 or 18 when he got the truck and when I bought it at auction they started the bidding at $5k everyone there knew who owned the truck and that I wanted it back I ended up paying $250 for it got to love living in a area where everyone knows who you are and your in-laws :lol:

Re: Body repair advice
 

I agree 100% with the statements above. Can be saved with the above tools. Then get a color match done and have them put it into a 2K spray can. Apply 3 or four coats, let it dry for a few days and buff away.

Re: Body repair advice
 

I know the autobody industry has came a long way since the last time I work on body panels about 25 years ago is there any specialty tools I should be looking to buy?