Project Vitamin C-10

[Alan's Classic]

Started working on the rear wheel tubs. I used a zizz wheel to cut off bolts that were spinning. Then scraped all undercoating off.



Some prior attempts at body work by PO's



I used this air hammer bit (it's my mobile plannishing hammer) to help massage the metal back into shape. I used a big piece of iron (frame rack) as a back plate while using the hammer.



Here is the metal almost back in shape and some of the tools used in the process. I also used a ball peen hammer.



Here is what the other side looked like when I started on it.



Also primed the column.



And then based with the same color as the gauge pods. This is base only no pix of it cleared yet.

[TimE]

Looking good!!

Wish I had your skills Alan. I'm trying though!

[Captainfab]

Hey Alan is this something that can be bought or was it custom made? Is that a regular air hammer you use it in? Your truck is coming along nicely. This thread is one of the ones I have to check everyday.

[kizer]

Say its not so..... Ford parts in your Chevy.

Never mind I have ford parts in my Jeep so Who am I to talk. hahahaha

I posted this a while back when I found it, but here it is again. Just to give you more ideas to kick around.



Some info on this page
http://www.cj-8.com/forum/showthread...=18796&page=12

Latches seem to be from a mazda.
Paddle handle from a Jeep TJ. Says he went with a TJ since its metal opposed to a YJ that uses plastic. YJ are the square headlight model just in case you don't know the difference.

Of course I'd center it on the inside of the bed, but using a Jeep handle it would give you a more narrow throw unless of course its to long. I didn't measure it or put any research into it. Just another idea.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by tiggamonsta

What about using a couple door actuators attached directly to each latch. You could hide a button or make it remote activated. Then there is no handle or rods to deal with.

Thanks Tigga, have you seen this done? Any pix? I'll give it some thought. Thanks for the idea.

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Alan

For a handle/latch on your tailgate, you could possibly use a universal paddle latch like is used on toolboxes and comercial vehicles. I've used them on custom toolboxes and such that I've fabricated. I usually buy that type of hardware from these guys
http://www.austinhardware.com/catego...%20&%20Catches

They have ones that actuate rods or cables. You might have to search a little bit to find the one you want. I believe they have a warehouse in GA also. Just an idea

Thanks Captain for the link. I'll look at it and see what I can come up with .

Originally Posted by kizer

Say its not so..... Ford parts in your Chevy.

Never mind I have ford parts in my Jeep so Who am I to talk. hahahaha

I posted this a while back when I found it, but here it is again. Just to give you more ideas to kick around.



Some info on this page
http://www.cj-8.com/forum/showthread...=18796&page=12

Latches seem to be from a mazda.
Paddle handle from a Jeep TJ. Says he went with a TJ since its metal opposed to a YJ that uses plastic. YJ are the square headlight model just in case you don't know the difference.

Of course I'd center it on the inside of the bed, but using a Jeep handle it would give you a more narrow throw unless of course its to long. I didn't measure it or put any research into it. Just another idea.

Thanks Kiser for another option. I'll keep it in mind and do some reading.

[kizer]

I just figured cable would be easier since you can wrap it any which way you want. The only draw back I can think of if the cable ever came loose off the pin side. Off the paddle side you could always unscrew the paddle and reconnect it or tighten it.

Rods would last forever if taken care of, but setting them up initially might be a pain in the butt unless of course you have a screw/nut type of adjustment.

[joe231]

hook us up with a password for your protected galleries, please?

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by Strodder

I use Smugmug.com. I had it for years and never had a problem with storage. I can download as much as I want. If you mention my name (Dennis LaRossa) as a reference I'm pretty sure you will get a discount. Last time I referred someone I got a discount for the next year, and so did the person I recommended. And I think it's cheaper than Photo Bucket.
Check out my Smug Mug gallery's at www.belair.smugmug.com

Thanks for the info. I did breeze thru the pics. Ther's some cool stuff there. I'm with Joe we need access to the VIP section. I'll check into smugbug when I have time. BTW what is time I don't have any.

If there is a will there is a way. I forgot I use to use picasa. I'll use it till the other clears up.

I made a cab lift bar. I didn't have any metal to build one then Shannon (Sdailey) came home one day with this big piece of metal and was what I needed. The clevis on top came with the bar. It might come in handy some day. The bar is nothing fancy by no means, but will serve a purpose.

I get lucky every now and then laying a bead.



Nothing is adjustable. WARNING it will flip over by pivoting on the bolt. Not with the cab of coarse, I know that was what ya'll were thinking. I was moving the lift a little and noticed it looked like a big scale and all of the sudden it went over. Just glad the kids or my hand wasn't in the way. I use a strap to hold it in place until I get it positioned in the cab.

[Strodder]

I get lucky some times too. Nice bead. Looks like you need one of these.

[Racinaround]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

What can you tell me about the Ortho Hood
Is that from the Truck that Tobey Butler Drove? It looks about that vintage?

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by daverod

Somebody slap him.

Originally Posted by Dudewith4x4

Dam dude. Just read your whole forum and your my Hero! lol but really Im just 16 and Im in auto body at school and I think I wanna do it for a living but you make it easy!

-Ross.

Ps. Smokey and the bandit= best movie ever besides Road Warroir.

Thanks Ross, Smokey and the Bandit Rocks!!

Originally Posted by tiggamonsta

You have done some awesome work. Think about jumping in the truck with the wife and cruising done a country on a sunny warm afternoon. I remember living up north and feeling the winter blues. You can push through this.

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

that sounds like the last month for me...
hard to get motivated when it is in the single digits!

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Originally Posted by i90wrench

Hang in there dude! Awsome build. We had 20" snow with 50 mph winds over christmas. Frozen water sewer then furnace quit at house, -20 deg a few days. But been up to the 40's the past week and bunch of broken cars in shop. All my "projects" under 8ft drift. Spring is coming! We all get down this time of year. (holiday bills)

It wasn't that bad here.

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Been a bad winter for all.

Originally Posted by bubba327

Hey Alan, Do not give up the ship!! I think Idaho winters are rough until I read of the Midwestern and Canadian guys threads. Theirs is much worse.
Get a SAD sunlight and do some winter light therapy while you are on the computer at night. It really does help my patience level and mood improve when my winter depression hits.
With a project the size of like yours and working for a living It can easily burn a guy out. Take a little break -your not on the clock and it is supposed to be fun!!
I used to laugh at my Father-in-law and his 1 year projects, 5 year projects and 10 year projects. I am understanding these things better now that I am older.
Hang in there, I enjoy your thread.
Bubba

Originally Posted by daverod

I wonder if welding without your helmet on counts as uv therapy

LOL I've been there. Never burned my eyes, but got a bad skin burn. We learn from our mistakes.

Originally Posted by NuBomb

It might be time for a North GA mini meet or something. Nothing is so bad that some BBQ and Beer couldn't fix.

You got me thinking. We have a community building that can be rented here in town. It's a big building with bathrooms, kitchen, stage and tables with alot of parking. Any other thoughts?

Originally Posted by Woogeroo

mmmm, bbq.

ya'll be sure to write me... about this bbq meet.

-W

Originally Posted by ruffrida2005

were doing the same thing over here in Cen Tex. going to a place way cooler then Hooters. Gonna be a mini meet.

That sounds like alot of fun.

Originally Posted by Racinaround

What can you tell me about the Ortho Hood
Is that from the Truck that Tobey Butler Drove? It looks about that vintage?

Can't remember the drivers name. My old neighbor use to drive the hauler for Charles Hardy Chevrolet here in Dallas GA. My neighbor was also a bodyman at the same dealership and did the body work on the NASCAR truck. He's the one that got me on the pit crew for Mark Gibson's #59 ACRA car.

Thanks for all of the support guys. I believe we all go thru these times from time to time. I went and got a part time job at another body shop close to the house to make some extra cash (to pay bills). It will help me out some and get him thru the snow/ice damage.

[kizer]

That is why I have multiple photobucket accounts.

Storage = The amount of stuff you have on their server.
Bandwidth = The amount of data they display in a given period.

For example. You upload an image that is 1meg. Now 100 people view that 1meg file you stored = 100meg in bandwidth.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by kizer

That is why I have multiple photobucket accounts.

Storage = The amount of stuff you have on their server.
Bandwidth = The amount of data they display in a given period.

For example. You upload an image that is 1meg. Now 100 people view that 1meg file you stored = 100meg in bandwidth.

You should try SmugMug too. You'll love it.

[Dinos63]

ALAN, NICE WORK

[ruffrida2005]

nice bead you put down Alan, I took the bed off my truck yesterday to start work. I'll have to post the welding skills my buddy did on it before I bought the truck. i lifted the back of the frame up and the c-notch cracked. He used C-channel for it. I'm thinking about doing a back half if I dont put a step notch in.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by Strodder

I get lucky some times too. Nice bead. Looks like you need one of these.

That would be nice I built the shop to accomondate one, but the more I think about it I'd like one of these. It's a mid rise scissor lift. LINKY I found 2 on CL for $1000 ea. If I had the $$ I would have one of each. Just can't do anything right now. My wife quit here job this past week. So it will be really tight.

Originally Posted by kizer

That is why I have multiple photobucket accounts.

Storage = The amount of stuff you have on their server.
Bandwidth = The amount of data they display in a given period.

For example. You upload an image that is 1meg. Now 100 people view that 1meg file you stored = 100meg in bandwidth.

Thanks for clarifing that for me.

Originally Posted by Dinos63

ALAN, NICE WORK

Originally Posted by ruffrida2005

nice bead you put down Alan, I took the bed off my truck yesterday to start work. I'll have to post the welding skills my buddy did on it before I bought the truck. i lifted the back of the frame up and the c-notch cracked. He used C-channel for it. I'm thinking about doing a back half if I dont put a step notch in.

Looks like your back, welcome back. I remember what it felt like to come home.

Thanks and let us know your progress on your truck. I'll keep my eyes open.

Well today was one of my daughters Bdays and tommorrow is our neighbors daughters Bday (not Sdailey's). All the guys that came had a meet and greet in the shop while the women folk talk. Then we came in for the party. I couldn't miss that.

[Strodder]

I found my 9,000 lb lift used for only $1,500.00, and it was only a year old. I lucked out finding it. When I started my shop, my wife said do you really need the lift. My son didn't have one in his shop, and he did OK with out it. I said I'm not going to lay on the floor you do what I do. I've been a mechanic for to many years to work on the floor. I always worked with a lift in all the shops I worked in. After she sees me working with the lift she says "I don't know how our son works with out one" I'm not trying to talk you into buying one, but once you have one you can't be with out it. Look for a used one when your ready. The mid rise is nice, but it's best for brakes, and tires. Like you said it would be nice to have both.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by Strodder

I found my 9,000 lb lift used for only $1,500.00, and it was only a year old. I lucked out finding it. When I started my shop, my wife said do you really need the lift. My son didn't have one in his shop, and he did OK with out it. I said I'm not going to lay on the floor you do what I do. I've been a mechanic for to many years to work on the floor. I always worked with a lift in all the shops I worked in. After she sees me working with the lift she says "I don't know how our son works with out one" I'm not trying to talk you into buying one, but once you have one you can't be with out it. Look for a used one when your ready. The mid rise is nice, but it's best for brakes, and tires. Like you said it would be nice to have both.

I agree the 2 post lift has alot to offer. I've worked on both. Doing body work or panel replacement I have found the scissor lift to be more beneficial to me. The post get in the way when working the sides. And doesn't get in the way when not in use. My shop is a 30X30 and it's tight with all my crap in there. When working on the last Miata I did I borrowed another guys lift while he was on vacation. Man it was great not kneeling down on the concret all day. I could stand up and do what ever I needed. A 2 post lift wouldn't fit this job very wheel IMHO. I could block the sides and open doors without fear of the doors hitting the post. I could use padding on the post, but they still get in the way. Do you have that problem doing bodywork on your 2 post. Thanks Strodder for the thoughts.

[ruffrida2005]

Yeah I got back 3 weekend ago, Cant wait till april for my month leave, gonna tear the truck down. It's at my parent's so I'm gonna use my dads shop. I'm trying to get my wife to take all the pictures so we can get a build thread, I'll keep everyone updated.

[Strodder]

I thought a lot about what lift I should get. I looked at 4 post, 2 post asymmetrical, and scissor lifts. I chose the 2 post because it had the most benefits. It does get in the way a little some times, but not that much. The asymmetrical configuration helps. That means the car is set back when lifted. The front arms are short, and the back arms are long. For me I needed to take truck bed off on every air bag job I did. The lift worked out great for me over all. But it depends on how you will use it. I would choose the same lift again.
A little side note: I worked for Snap-on Tools for 9 years selling Diagnostic Equipment, and was a Cornwell Tool Dealer for 2 years. I saw more shop equipment than you can image.

[jgh64pkup]

a buddy of mine dug a eight foot hole in his shop and put an underfloor two post lift in his its pretty nice i think he said he got it for 500 used

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by jgh64pkup

a buddy of mine dug a eight foot hole in his shop and put an underfloor two post lift in his its pretty nice i think he said he got it for 500 used

That sounds like alot of work.

Well it has been a while since my last post. I figured I'd give ya'll a break from all the pix. Also my honey do list just got bigger. My wife wants to paint the kitchen cabinets black. That will take a while. I told her my truck will never get done at this rate. (jokeingly)

I've been busy with this and that. I got some more cabinets for the shop (cost $0.00) Also getting the Miata ready for track day at Talledega Grand Prix April 6. I can't wait. I will have some video to post.





Also got some more sheetrock put up so could build a shelf for the TV so I could get it out of the way. Also trimmed out the door with some rough sawn pine.



I did work on the cab a little and seam sealed the right door jamb. I'm really dreading all of the sanding on the cab and then prime again and sand some more.





I also need to know if I can get one of these dust boots where the master cylinder bolts to the firewall. I'm probably blind, but I couldn't seem to locate one.

[protrash64]

Hey Alan....have your wife tape off the kitchen, and just roll in there with the gun loaded up. Is it going to be flat black with pinstripes?

[4dranch]

Welcome back Alan..
I like your shop. So do you race the miata??

[Strodder]

Nice cabinets Allan. When do you have time to use your Lap Top in the shop? I have a TV in my shop too. I watch the Speed Chanel most of the time while I'm working. Or should I say I listen to it. ;