47-55.1 Long Time Coming......

[8man]

Nice work.

I like how it looks, so how will you locate the post on the frame?

[gsinon]

Originally Posted by 8man

Nice work.

I like how it looks, so how will you locate the post on the frame?

I have the latch out of the door still. I was already able to close the door, then reach inside the door and scribe with a Sharpie where the post will need to be. I'll double/triple check it. But with that I should be able to drill the hole and be done.

I do plan on going slightly oversized on the hole so there is some adjustment on the post as well.

[dsraven]

nice work and planning.
I like the plan with the aerosol primer sprayed over to see the outline. I did that on my roof where I needed to cut a straight line across. I used a string to make the line straight between 2 points, then sprayed over the string. when removed it left an unpainted spot where the string was. like you snapped a stringline there. great line to cut along with a zip disc, a metalmax disc or whatever tool that cuts without burning the paint off

[gsinon]

I have been planning on sending all the sheetmeatl out for media blast. The local place is scheduled out about 3 weeks. So I got to thinking, I can d/a strip ot in far less time so why spend around a grand and wait. I have a Festool vacuum sander and a few boxes of 80 grit 3M Cubitron sand paper, so this moring I started.

So far things don't look too bad as I was hoping. The only thing I will need to do is a left side cowl panel replacement that I wasn't expecting. But once all the filler came off there was some nasty hiding that could be fixed, but far easier and the better repair to just replace the panel.

Some in progress pics....

[8man]

Festool's are nice. Moving forward.

[gsinon]

Originally Posted by 8man

Festool's are nice. Moving forward.

Yes they are. Helps keep the dust from overtaking the shop.

[gsinon]

And here is the worst, and I guess most unexpected part found after going to bare metal.

As I said in the last post, I have already prdered the side cowl piece. For the top of the cowl I will cut out all that ugly and fab up a new piece.






Now I have a good understanding of what this piece was doing under the dash. They must have used it as a support for the crap brazing on the top of the cowl.

[dsraven]

I like those strip it discs for that too. Just be careful not to overheat a spot.

[gsinon]

Todays adventure in the sjop was to strip the hood inside and out. Still some detail areas to get to under the hood, but all in all it's done. I'm pleased with the condition of the hood.







I then jumped back on the door. I had already gotten most of the paint off but then I hit a fairly large area of body filler. This became a huge disappointment. It appears as though someone in the past decided to "fix" the dents by drilling holes and pulling. They then loaded the area with some mud that was still about a 1/4". Which makes me wonder how big the dent must havebeen if it was still this deep afterwards.

These leaves me contemplating whether or not to fix it, or just get another door. All those worm holes would need to be plug welded up, all while dealing with any warpage and oil canning that is likely to surface.

[dsraven]

Fix it if it fits the truck.
Flatten the areas, get one of those step drill bits. Drill the holes all the same size. Then make yourself a punch die that side by getting a block of steel, slice a groove in one side wide enough for a piece of sheet metal to slip into, then drill a hole through the block at 90 degrees to that hole so when your sheet is in the slice you can use a pin punch that fits the drilled hole to punch out some circles for filler plugs.

[gsinon]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Fix it if it fits the truck.
Flatten the areas, get one of those step drill bits. Drill the holes all the same size. Then make yourself a punch die that side by getting a block of steel, slice a groove in one side wide enough for a piece of sheet metal to slip into, then drill a hole through the block at 90 degrees to that hole so when your sheet is in the slice you can use a pin punch that fits the drilled hole to punch out some circles for filler plugs.

I am more than likely going to fix it, however someone local to me happen to have a still in the box AMD door waiting to be used. So I now have it and hoping to try and see how well it fits before I move forward.

[gsinon]

When I changed directions with the build and decided to go all in I sold off the old used, well worn bed. A few weeks ago I was dealing with Apicella Design about some of their own manufactured parts, at the same time I inquired about ordering a new bed from them. They made me a deal I couldn't pass up.

Today the Fed Ex Freight truck showed up with the new Mar-K bed. Sire I could have saved a couple hundred bucks on another brand, but the Mar-K products are stellar in fit, finish and everything in between. The metal thickness is good and heavy and it all comes in a nice galvanized coating. Just look at the way they box/crate their products. You can tell they go above and beyond.

[dsraven]

nice.
doors, though, were fit to the truck along with the hinges so if possible use the old iron or at least try the fit on the new parts before you get rid of the old parts

[28TudorAZ]

Wow great work!!!! This truck is going to be awesome.

[gsinon]

Originally Posted by 28TudorAZ

Wow great work!!!! This truck is going to be awesome.

Thanks! It's definitely been a fun project so far.

[gsinon]

With the new bed having arrived I decided to change gears and play with it and let the cab rest for a little bit. In the last few days I assembled it loosely on the shop floor. Then had my wife and daughter come out and help me lift it up onto the chassis.





I then grabbed the tailgate and got it installed as well.




I've decided against the factory hinge mount for the gate. I like them, but want something a little cleaner. So I fabbed up some brackets out of 1/4" thick steel plate I have on hand. They fit the contour of the vertical bed side perfectly, once welded in place they will look like a continuation of the bed side. From the profile they also will blend in with my rolled pan.

[gsinon]

Once the bed was squared up and fit nicely it was time to install the radious bed corners from Apicella Design. To me this really does a great job of cleaning up the end of the bed rails for a finished look.

Before....





During....







And finally the finished look.....

[8man]

Nice work on that hinge.

[youngrodder]

Very nice details on the bed. Sometimes its best to work on something else more fun/rewarding then come back to the frustrating items like the doors later.

Well done.

Marc

[oldman3]

Beautiful job on the bed mod's...Jim

[gsinon]

Originally Posted by 8man

Nice work on that hinge.

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Very nice details on the bed. Sometimes its best to work on something else more fun/rewarding then come back to the frustrating items like the doors later.

Well done.

Marc

Originally Posted by oldman3

Beautiful job on the bed mod's...Jim

Thanks guys. It is definitely a fun project. Once in a while we all need a diversion from the tedious. That's why I jumped on the bed project and got off of the cab, for now.

[gsinon]

Between yesterday and today I pulled off each bed side one at a time and cut them for the wheel tubs I need. I definitely used the old adage of measure 100 times and cut once!! I really did not want to mess up on brand bed sides. But it needed to be done.








With the passenger side done and reinstalled I yanked the driver side off and did the same. The big difference here was I made a template off of the first one with good reference points and it made for a much quicker job.






And now with both sides back on.....







Lastly I installed the gate and just clamped the rolled pan on. It also gives you a good reference for how the new hinges blend in, especially once painted. The rolled pan is hanging somewhat as I did not screw it to the rear cross member, so it is making a bigger gap to the tailgate than it should.

[dsraven]

nice work, its going to look awesome painted. happy you went that route.

[dsraven]

nice fab skills too, by the way.

[youngrodder]

Looks really great. For the money those are the nicest looking tubs for these trucks IMHO.

Well done on refining the look of the back end of the bed.

Marc