Project: SUT (Simple Utility Truck)

[1964C10]

Well I was finally able to get back into the garage and spend a little time on my truck. Ok so I really didn't have the time but what the heck!

Here is some progress on my bedsides, the lip that bolts to the bed floor is almost completely gone on one side and I didn't have the money to buy new complete inner panels, I am welding on a new lip. This is my second experience welding sheet metal and learning how to deal with heat. It looks ok I guess but I learned what not to do and hopefully the second lip will look better.

This is what I started out with.


This is what I ended up with.


You can still see it glow from where I was grinding....nawww that is just the flash from my camera, cool effect though.


The PO had just welded in angle iron to the sides and bolted that in place, hence the grind spots up higher.

This is the other portion that I still have to do


here is the complete side

[chevy_mike]

Glad to hear you are working on it again and didn't sell it. Hope it won't come down to that.

[1964C10]

Hey Mike! Thanks! So far I am holding on and at least getting it to the point someone might be interested in it lol. How is yours coming along?

[chevy_mike]

Slow. Got the chassis done, need to get the engine and tranny cleaned up, painted and goodies put on. Then I can start with the body.

Since getting our dog in Feb. I have had so little time to spend on it.

[Alan's Classic]

Looks like you did great job!!

[1964C10]

Thanks Alan!! Now comes the hard part, getting it stripped and wire wheeled, I have a little sandblaster so I can do a few corners but I have no idea how to get into the hard to reach places yet.

[rbeau30]

I am finding that the undercoating is really hard to get off with a wire brush, It is almost like a tar, that just gets stuck in the wirewheel and smears to the side. I am probably going to get a small sandblaster as well because I can't afford the sandblasting time (80/hr).

I tried a 15 dollar wheel that had some heavy duty looking tines on it, but it didn't work at all, the wire brush that I attached to my drill worked better for removal, although my arms hurt after a few hours of taking the wire brush to my truck. It also does noty get into the corners and I think I will finish those corners with the small blaster that I am saving up for.

[Alan's Classic]

On undercoating I use a mapp or propane torch and warm it up some, but not too hot and use a putty knife to scrap the stuff off. Use your best judgement.

[1964C10]

Thanks guys! I agree it is a pain to get off! and wire wheels don't work at all. Some of mine is flaking off but I am not sure about the rest. I like the idea of torching it and scraping it off, I wonder if a heat gun would work and be safer, I will try that and let you know. Thanks for the tip Alan!

[Alan's Classic]

Spread the heat out evenly. Remember not too hot, just warm. I don't want you to warp the metal.

[1964C10]

Thanks Alan! yep I can warp it all by my lonesome self with my mig welder.

Any ideas how to get it clean inside the stake pockets as well as the vertical support at the end where the chain bolts too? I was thinking about hitting it really good with a high pressure cleaner and the using phospo to get the rust converted and get my hand in there with some sand paper as best as I can and then come in with a brush of rusty metal primer and coat it really well and then do that again with black paint. Do you think that will be good enough for the kind of truck I am building?

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by 1964C10

Thanks Alan! yep I can warp it all by my lonesome self with my mig welder.

Any ideas how to get it clean inside the stake pockets as well as the vertical support at the end where the chain bolts too? I was thinking about hitting it really good with a high pressure cleaner and the using phospo to get the rust converted and get my hand in there with some sand paper as best as I can and then come in with a brush of rusty metal primer and coat it really well and then do that again with black paint. Do you think that will be good enough for the kind of truck I am building?

Why not try your sandblaster? If that doesn't work will a small wire brush (tooth brush size) fit in there to knock the scale off then use the rust converter.

[1964C10]

I will try the sand blaster but it has a nozzle type handle so it will only go about 5-6" inside and my compressor is not all that powerful so to get all the way to the top I think will not be possible. I will the try the small wire brush idea and see if like you say I can't get at least the scale knocked off. My thought is that if it hasn't rusted bad in these past 40 years it probably won't now, is that a valid assumption you think?

[mojakeke]

Looks like you are getting it done!!!!!!!!

[1964C10]

Originally Posted by mojakeke

Looks like you are getting it done!!!!!!!!

Thanks mojakeke! I got alot done on my bed this weekend, hopefully pictures soon. I am installing composite fencing material which is different then I have seen others do. It's thinner so I needed to fab up some extra cross sills and supports. Pictures to follow!

[1964C10]

Well over the course of the week I was able to finish the wheel wells for my truck. It's going to be a work truck so I only took out the dents and did not put any bondo or body filler on them to smooth them out. I think they turned out ok, it's just Rustoleum Regal Red rattle can red. This is what I started out with:



This is how they look now. I painted the inside black and then covered that with rubberized undercoating from 3M, bought it NAPA they say it's good stuff. It sprays ok and stays rubbery but does not rub of black. Not sure if I am going to use it anywhere else though.


They are not as glossy as they should be since I haven't waxed them yet, I am waiting 1-2 weeks before doing that to give the paint time to cure.

[1964C10]

Well she is up for sale....sighhhh....here is the listing...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...ct=4320&cat=11

[chevy_mike]

Man, sorry to hear it. I had hoped things would work out and you could finish it up.

Been there, done that. Sold a mint '69 Camaro during my divorce. Got a great woman now who supports my car habits.

Good luck and hang in there.

[1964C10]

Thanks Mike! I appreciate that! Yeah I am hanging on to some of the parts I managed to collect, just waiting for the next one

[Alan's Classic]

Hang in there man!! There will be another truck in your future.

[1964C10]

Thanks Alan, Now I know what to look for in my next buy! On a side note, do you think my truck is priced ok?