55 2nd serie GMC

[Woodbutcher]

That's a nice mod, I'm likin it.

[JML55]

The weather as been so nice this weekend that i decided to put the truck outside and blast the rest of the green paint off. Around the windshield and dash are done. Will do the back window tomorrow.

[Woodbutcher]

That looks like a Princess Auto pressurinzed sandblaster. How does it work for you?? Do you have an air dryer upstream?? I have one but haven't tried it yet.

[JML55]

Originally Posted by Woodbutcher

That looks like a Princess Auto pressurinzed sandblaster. How does it work for you?? Do you have an air dryer upstream?? I have one but haven't tried it yet.

It work fairly good with some small modifications. This is the second one i get from them, the first one was the smaller version and the sand worn thru the shot off valves right away. They use teflon inner part in their valves. Not very bright idea when you sending sand thru them. This one i think uses the same valves so they may have to be replace soon, i also upgraded the gun to a better quality one. I don't have an air dryer just a couple of good water separators and try to use it on very dry days.

[JML55]

I'm done with the blasting for now , i think. Spend the last few days sanding the whole cab over, mostly by hand, my fingers are so sore right now. I know now why i don't want to be a body-man. Today i put on a coat of etching primer and top it up with a good primer, got to keep the thing from rusting on me. Still got to do the roof and the back of the cab.

[bobinbc]

It's a shame having to do it over and a TON of work as you know. If it's any consolation I'm sure it'll be even better this time around. Hang in there J-M, the fingers will feel better soon.

[53chevy~17~]

Looks like its been a fun build. Hope mine turns out that good when im done.

[JML55]

Originally Posted by 53chevy~17~

Looks like its been a fun build. Hope mine turns out that good when im done.

Fun i don't know about but interesting for sure and learning things along the way.

[53chevy~17~]

Thats true but i think in the end its worth it to make it your own and do all the work then buy one thats already restored.

[JML55]

Very little done on the truck in the past few weeks. Spend time getting the house and yard ready for winter, looks like cold temperatures are here now and snow should be here pretty soon too. Today i got the back of the cab striped of the old paint and bodywork that was done by the last body man. Applied a coat of etching primer , tomorrow i will try to do the roof.

[JML55]

Today was more sanding and priming. Got the roof sanded and prep for primer, the roof was fairly quick to do. Build a platform to do the work on the roof made the job much easier to do. I even let the wife snap a picture of me but couldn't get her to do any sanding.

[OrrieG]

That picture is posed because the dark blue sweater does not have any sanding dust on it! >8^))

Good progress on the primer, I haven't been smart enough to build the platform, I just drag a ladder around.

[JML55]

The last couple weekends was spend doing some bodywork. It's a little slow but I'm getting there. The back of the cab had quite a few dents that needed attention. The fire wall is getting filler also to try to smooth all the seems out. Since I'm in doing the bodywork over i decided to replace the rocker panel/steps. They had been replaced about 15 years ago but were starting to show a lot of pitting from rust. The PO used the two pieces rocker and step witch left a welded seem at the edge of the rocker that i didn't like, it also give me an excuse to use my new plasma cutter. The new rocker panels are one piece.

[JML55]

Finish pass side rocker panel tonight, took a little longer to do then a thought. Had to make sure every things line up properly so there was a lot of double and triple checking before a got the thing welded in. Had the door on and off a couple a times and also install the front fender. I was also trying to keep the welds on the back side, except for the edge at the floor it got welded for the back.

[OrrieG]

Looking good. That section under the back window is a bear to get right, curves in 2 planes in changing radius. I used my truck for years bouncing bricks, fire wood, camping gear, etc. off of that section. Lots of hours in mine there, too.

[BC Toy chest]

Some gr8 work you got goin on and I really like your grill treatment with that exhaust stack shield. PLZZ keep the pictures coming.

[JML55]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Looking good. That section under the back window is a bear to get right, curves in 2 planes in changing radius. I used my truck for years bouncing bricks, fire wood, camping gear, etc. off of that section. Lots of hours in mine there, too.

Thanks, you are right that back of cab section was full of dents but i think we got it pretty good. One more coat of glazing putty and it will be there.

[JML55]

Originally Posted by BC Toy chest

Some gr8 work you got goin on and I really like your grill treatment with that exhaust stack shield. PLZZ keep the pictures coming.

Thanks man, i try to really pay attention to the details when i do a mod so it actually looks like it could have been factory build.

[OKGMC4]

OK, so has your fender always lined up with the rocker like that or did you have to massage it a bit? My fenders hang below the rocker about 1/4" each side and I've seen this on several trucks before so I know mines not unique. Not looking forward to fixing it but it has to look as nice as yourrs does or it will drive me crazy.

[JML55]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

OK, so has your fender always lined up with the rocker like that or did you have to massage it a bit? My fenders hang below the rocker about 1/4" each side and I've seen this on several trucks before so I know mines not unique. Not looking forward to fixing it but it has to look as nice as yours does or it will drive me crazy.

I don't remember if the fenders were hanging lower then the rocker when i first got this truck but it also drives me nuts when i see trucks that guys put tons of money and labor in it and the lines don't line up. It took some massaging to make then line up good. That why you want to set and mock-up everything the way you want before it time for paint. Its all in what the eye perceives.

[JML55]

More body work this weekend. Well like most guys here i had gaps issues at the cowl and top of the fender area so I welded a 3/16 spacer at the edge of the cowl so the gap between the fender wouldn't look so large. Had to do this only on pass side ,drv side is good.

[JML55]

I have been wanting to replace the pass door for a while now but cannot find an other one in better shape. There was a lot of warpage in the lower part from old rust repairs and to much blasting i think. So there we go I'm making my own door skin. Cut the old skin off today, fixed all the edges. The bottom was quite rusty. AT the same time i fixed the lower hinge one nut was striped from having been on and of too many times i guess. Tomorrow I'm going to a friends place he has an English wheel so we'll be putting some curve in the new skin we're making. I put a brace inside at the top where i will be welding the new skin, it will keep it from warping to much.

[kgmunro]

NIce job..can't wait to see how it turns out.

[OKGMC4]

I think all these trucks have a gap issue on the pass side at cowl / fender. My driver side is good as well. Yours is really looking good.

The curve in the door skin is very slight. You don't need an english wheel. I warped mine slightly on the top of a wooden sawhorse until the curve was right. This re-skin job kind of sucks. I've done it a couple times and don't wish to do it again any time soon.

[addicted2dunes]

If you're worried about warpage again..... Glue it, don't weld it.