55.2-59 Bucks 55 build

[Jason 56]

I like it! Looking good

[57FleetsideC4]

Bed corners look really nice! Great work.

[6DoF]

the cut n rounded bed corners is easily my new favorite "unnoticed mod" for these old trucks. those things that are so much better, but only ppl who know will catch. hell, once painted i'm not sure i'd have easily noticed.

[mrbuck]

Just about finished up the rear end of the truck today. Got the tailgate hinges, hidden latches, and all the little patches/ removal of the old latch and chains out of the way.
Also got the roll pan welded in, it still needs bodywork but looks good covering up the rear of the frame and the gas tank hangin out underneath.

[mrbuck]

Next up is to tear the whole bed down and start the body work on it. All the metal is in great shape, just needs a few small dings hammered out and a skin coat.
While the bed is off I’ll be welding up the exhaust. Any ideas on a good exit point for it? I was thinking about notching a rectangle tip into the bottom of the step, but not really sure about that.

[dsraven]

Personally I always try to exit the exhaust at the rear because there are noxious fumes plus corrosive that are in the exhaust. Not to mention the black crap that likes to stick to your paintwork. If exiting out of some bodywork part then think really about some sort of flex for the piping because the body doesnt flex like the exhaust does. A lot of newer vehicles have a flex joint somewhere close to the front to allow the engine to move under torque without affecting the whole exhaust system so it bangs around against stuff.

[mrbuck]

Thanks DS. I am leaning more to just dumping the exhaust under the bed somewhere

[mrbuck]

Got an extra day this weekend due to the rain, so I started stripping down the body. I got both rear fenders and the steps all stripped to bare metal in about 5 hours. Used a combo of 80grit on a DA but mostly 4” stripping disc. One fender had a repair done with some kinda crazy gummy epoxy, or something clogged up 2 pieces of paper before getting threw it.

Today was not fun but satisfying these fenders are in excellent shape for the age.

[Joe Pass]

Good progress

[mrbuck]

Started the most joyful process of stripping the paint off the body this weekend. Was able to knock out the entire bed, front fenders and the hood. To my surprise there was only 3 baseball sized bondo spots all on the passenger front fender. With a little hammer and dolly work they can be eliminated. The dent in the front of the hood is a different story, it’s gonna take some lovin’.

[mrbuck]

Got the doors and cab left to do next weekend. Then I can start tackling the body work. So far rust wise I haven’t found any surprises. I do have two small spots right where the inner hood support meets the hood nearest the hinge, but it’ll be a easy fix.

[mrbuck]

Not to bag but it was a beautiful weekend here in northern Ca. 75 degrees on Saturday. Eat your hearts out. (ayes I sure well be on fire again soon, but it was a damn nice weekend.


Finished stripping the cab this weekend. With some help from my kid. Now it’s time to start hammering out some dings and get ready to epoxy.

[Joe Pass]

Enjoying our weather....good job

[mrbuck]

It’s been I while, how bout an update.

Got the firewall ,inner fender skirts and inside of the cab all painted.

[dsraven]

Nice color. Is it solid or metallic? Looks solid in the pics.
Keep knuckled down and it will be done before you know it.
And keep those updates coming, they keep us slackers motivated.

[mrbuck]

Thanks raven, it’s hard to get a good picture of the color , but yes it is a metallic with a little pearl in it too.

[mrbuck]

Mounted the cab back up, now it’s time to start putting pieces back together. It seems like this is the tenth time I’ve had the cab off and on in the last few months.

[dsraven]

That looks awesome especially out in the sun.
Is there a other color going on the bare spots or you just wanna paint the pieces that show outside all at the same time in order to have them exactly the same?

[mrbuck]

Originally Posted by dsraven

That looks awesome especially out in the sun.
Is there a other color going on the bare spots or you just wanna paint the pieces that show outside all at the same time in order to have them exactly the same?

Right now the plan is to polish all the exposed sheet metal and clear coat it. The steel of this truck amazes me how straight and clean it is. I really want to show it off. Plus it’ll look cool as F.

[dsraven]

Do you have a plan on how to stick clear coat to polished steel? Looks like you have it figured out, just curious. Looks great so far.

[mrbuck]

Well it kinda an ol’ hot rodders secret. It’s not clear coat but a lubricant call Gibbs brand. I read of one guy who drove 30k miles in the east coast, wiping down with Gibbs once a month or so, and after 3 years no a spot of rust not even spider veins. That’s my plan at least

[mrbuck]

Spent the last 2 weekends getting this old gal all wired up, gauges install and hooked up. And kilmat sound deadening installed on almost the entire cab.

[mrbuck]

Fired the old girl up today.

It’s a good day

Also made the mount for seats and tossed them in just to see

[Joe Pass]

Nice......good job

[mrbuck]

Got all the glass installed this week and front end put together, headlights and park light installed. Starting to look pretty mean up front. Now I’ve switched focus to the rear and working on getting the bed dialed in.