Project: DIY '68

[Mac93]

Picked up a 1978 c10 donor truck last night. Plan is to use the axles off it and put under the '68. Even came with wheels. Interior is suprisingly in really nice shape too. Been taping off things I don't want over-spray on, sanding..and more sanding. Dad suggested I make a list, that way, when I finish something and cross it off, I know I made progress.

[Mac93]

Originally Posted by kxmotox247

Looks good! I've got to do a fender cup on my other truck so I'll stay tuned.

I did inner and outer rockers on my truck and had to do relief cuts like you did. Supposedly I bought the premium outers. I'd hate to see the ones that weren't premium.

I got to installing the fender cup today. I cut the fender at the body line, and than did the same on the patch. I went to mate them up and notice that the fender cup patch appeared to be about 3/8" too small... Like it shrunk. So had to get creative and cut some relief cuts and open the patch up.

[Mac93]

Decided to match up the inside of the fender edge, tack weld it and move my way around towards the grill. It's all welded up and ready to be prepped for paint.

[kxmotox247]

Cool. Something for me to watch for on the fit. Thanks for posting the pics!

[68Gold/white]

Look'n good!!!

[Mac93]

Originally Posted by kxmotox247

Cool. Something for me to watch for on the fit. Thanks for posting the pics!

No problem.

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Look'n good!!!

Appreciate it!

Primed the cab, pass. fender, and insides of the doors. That means all is primed except the tailgate, which has a nice shallow dent right in the middle..not sure what to do about that. For this batch of priming, I did 4:1:10%, instead of 4:1:1. I wanted the primer to lay out a little smoother, and I was happy with how it has laid out. I didn't prime the floor or behind the gas tank (floor mat and gas tank will cover it all up). Also laid a guide coat on too, let it dry tonight and sand tomorrow. I'm happy with the pass. fender, after I installed the fender cup patch.

[Mac93]

Got pretty burned out with sanding, icing, sanding, icing, etc, hence not getting anything done on the '68 for almost a month. Going to get back into sanding and paint the truck next Wednesday and Thursday. In my time off from the project, bought a(nother) work truck, 1983 K20 flatbed. Been dinking around on that and chasing small issues and cleaning it up. Re-decked and painted the flatbed.

[gdavis]

I know how you feel about sanding. I sanded and sanded for 3 or 4 months. But one day it will be over.

[Mac93]

Originally Posted by gdavis

I know how you feel about sanding. I sanded and sanded for 3 or 4 months. But one day it will be over.

That one day will hopefully be Wednesday haha. Surfing through the forum, I see some members have a lot more work to do than mine. I'm right now trying to stay with ONE body panel and finish it..move to the next one..and so on. Its easy to get side tracked and "oh I have a little filler left, let me go fill this or that..".

[gdavis]

yea you don't want to start skipping around. That way all is ok when you get done with each panel.

[gdavis]

All your rust spots are common on these trucks. No matter what state it seems like they are the same. Good luck and keep it going.

[Mac93]

Originally Posted by gdavis

All your rust spots are common on these trucks. No matter what state it seems like they are the same. Good luck and keep it going.

The rust overall was very minimal IMO, but in the common areas. I have made some drain holes in areas where water and crud collects.

[Mac93]

Yesterday was the BIG day, Paint day. One of my dads good friends came over to give some much needed advice for shooting metallic paint. This was my first painting experience, so I wasn't setting high expectations. I used a two stage Medium Metallica Blue (506). Overall, I am very very pleased with how the paint turned out. The true test of the paint job will be when it gets outside into the light.

[Mac93]

Some more pictures. The haze inside the shop when painting was very impressive. Also when your eye lids start sticking, you know your face is too close to the panel your clear coating..

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Coming along nicely dude!

[mcbassin]

Very nice work on the paint! I use a full face respirator to avoid exposure to the eyeballs. Some that stuff is deadly, literally. I bet you felt good to have such a big milestone done.
Nice squarebody too.

[Mac93]

Originally Posted by Justin@EntropyRad

Coming along nicely dude!

Thank you

[Mac93]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice work on the paint! I use a full face respirator to avoid exposure to the eyeballs. Some that stuff is deadly, literally. I bet you felt good to have such a big milestone done.
Nice squarebody too.

This was my first time painting so I thought a respirator would be sufficient. Big relief to have the truck painted! Now its time to work on suspension which will be a milestone in itself.

[swamp rat]

I really dig that color!

[Mac93]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I really dig that color!

Thanks, it's code 506 (Med. Metallic Blue).

Got the cab put on the frame today.

[Mac93]

Got the cab and bed bolted on. Doors are hung. 1/2ton suspension is in the truck.

[Mac93]

Got the bed bolted down, rear bumper attached, installed front soft break lines and miscellaneous things on the interior.

[tinydb84]

I forgot about this thread. Looks amazing. You work fast!

[Mac93]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I forgot about this thread. Looks amazing. You work fast!

I did too..Thanks for the compliment. I try to get work done on the weekends, but other priorities have come up.

[Mac93]

Dad has got the brake lines plumbed over the past week. He did a pretty good job. I went through the lines today and tightened it all down. Next weekend my goal is to paint the grille, front bumper and front part of the fenders white. Picture is of the proportioning valve in the front. Only picture I have of the progress.