51 Chev on a S10 frame, named Dale

[Tempest67]

OK, so now the engine is in place with the trans, the rear end is in with lowering blocks, and the front end is all new with 2 in drop spindles...time to bring the cab home.

Just an FYI, the S 10 frame is in my 2 car garage, under the 4 post hoist that my 64 Lemans is sitting on, and the 51 is up at my brother's farm.

So I went to the farm, removed the front clip and doors, and brought the cab home. and a big Thanks to Hussey for the engine hoist cab lifting bracket that I made from 2x4's....works like a charm

[Tempest67]

OK, now on to the rusty cab.

This was a truck that spent its life in Manitoba, and I would think sat in a field for the last 30+ years, so the rust was typical.

I replaced the front cowls, inner braces, inner kick panels, on both sides as well as the front drivers side floor, and the entire rear floor. The only flooring that was decent was the front passenger side.... but I had to make a battery box top as it was missing.

[Tempest67]

I was hoping that the rear floor could be patched, but when I removed the factory seat frame it became clear the the entire floor was needed.

So, here we go, first I drilled out the spot welds for the 3 rear support brackets of the cab, and made a paper template of the floor. (2 pieces of metal)

Then I traced the patterns onto some sheet metal, rolled some beads, and welded it to the floor.

When this was done, it looked OK, but the floor has some 'play in it', as the seat frame obviously provided much support for the floor.

So, I installed another cross member from side to side of the cab, about 6 inches behind the rear of the transmission access plate.

I then sprayed some undercoating black paint over the underside of the floor

[Tempest67]

I also replaced the cab corners, inner and outer.

You have all seen cab corners replaced before, and this truck is no different.

I strongly recommend doing this with the cab sitting on the firewall....I had to stand on a milk crate a few times, but sure beats lying on the floor.

[Tempest67]

OK, now this truck is designed by my wife, and she really does not like the blue, she is OK with the Patina look, but she wants the colour of the truck to be that soft green , called Ocean Mist.

So I started experimenting on the tailgate. (the colour green in the pics is NOT Ocean Mist)

First I cleaned and prepped the tailgate and painted flat black (pic was taken before paint was dry, that is why it looks shiny), then painted it red oxide (with a brush), and then added some oranges and yellows.

I then sprinkled road salt (I saw it lying around the in the garage) all over the tailgate. This is to prevent the Green paint from reaching the red oxide, and hopefully leaving a 'patina' look.

Once the green paint dried, scrape off the road salt and sand to your desired level of patina.

Here is the experiment,