"Slowly but Surely" Big J's build thread...

[Big J]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Seems like alot of work if it leaks, can you polish out the pits or are they deep

Thanks for the HBD. They're deep. It'd remove too much material. I found a new one for 89.00. I'll probably go that route.

[hgs_notes]

I wonder if they make a sleeve for those like they have for the engine vibration damper?

[Big J]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

I wonder if they make a sleeve for those like they have for the engine vibration damper?

I found some Speedi-sleeves but I'd have to have two, they'd sit where the seals ride. 45.00 each..... If it were cheap enough I'd go that route. Post up if you find something cheaper.

[Big J]

Got a little bit done today. Mainly getting it ready to take to the media blasting place. Filled in the hole in the top of the bedside and a couple other screw holes. Someone had cut up the tranny cover where the shifter goes through so I bent that back out and welded it up.

[49m]

where you getting it media blasted and what are they charging.

[Big J]

Originally Posted by 49m

where you getting it media blasted and what are they charging.

Before I tell who and how much, lets see how it turns out....

[Big J]

Well I got it back from being blasted today. I thought I was done replacing metal..... I thought wrong. Talk about wanting to smash something. I was a bit upset, lol... I've since calmed down though. I reckon its best to find the other rust now than under my new paint in a few months. The top of the outside window frame, more bed area, tops of the bed rails around the top holes. On top of all the fun going on with that it actually started to flash a bit on the way home.... So I unloaded, at almost dark, busted out the gun and shot the epoxy. I had some light but not quite enough. First time using this particular gun too... Took me a minute to get used to it. Yep I've got some runs here and there. At least its covered and can't rust, lol.... I still have to use chemical stripper to do the outside bedsides. I didn't want to risk warping them. I'll post up some pics tomorrow. I didn't have time to snap pics.

[Yukon Jack]

What a bummer about the additional rust, but your right, better to find it now. Every project has set backs unfortunately. I hardly ever have anything go as smoothly as I think it should go.

[Big J]

Heres the good and bad.

[49m]

Ive got some pieces of bed floor if you need it. Know will you say where you got it blasted and do you recomend it. I am going to get my truck done when I tear it down.

[Big J]

Originally Posted by 49m

Ive got some pieces of bed floor if you need it. Know will you say where you got it blasted and do you recomend it. I am going to get my truck done when I tear it down.

I've got some left over from the stuff I got from Jim but I might need more, lol... thanks for the offer. Still haven't found my box of extra pumps and pulleys.
For the sand blasting..... If your prepared to see the worst then go for it. If you think the metal is good enough then stick with a DA and chemical stripper..... I got it done at E&M Fabricating across the river in Madison. I do recommend them, he did a good job, nothing warped or blasted to nothing. Even got all the nooks and crannies underneath.

[Big J]

Well after staring at the pretty new white epoxy all day I'm in a much better mood. As for my new found rust, "Just a thing"......... Started tearing down one of my doors tonight. I rememberd having a issue of Classic Trucks with the order of removal, helped alot, lol.... I think after some tlc my vent wings will look nice.

[Chevyman63]

That tub does look good. Can't wait until mine is at that point.

BTW...nice work.

[vtblazer]

Hang tough J, like you said, better to find it now for sure.

You've gained skillz through all this, those rust spots got nuthin' on you.

[Big J]

Alrighty then...... A fellow board member (family member, lol) donated a truck roof to the cause with a good top windshield piece. Its the same as the blazers. Not an easy thing to remove as its held on with 59 spot welds. I'll need to pick up some new bits before tackling the existing winshield frame. I also plan on using the truck top skin to make a hard bikini top. Picked up some nos trim rings from my favorite uncle last weekend too...... Heres the pics....

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Big J

Alrighty then...... A fellow board member (family member, lol) donated a truck roof to the cause with a good top windshield piece. Its the same as the blazers. Not an easy thing to remove as its held on with 59 spot welds. I'll need to pick up some new bits before tackling the existing winshield frame. I also plan on using the truck top skin to make a hard bikini top. Picked up some nos trim rings from my favorite uncle last weekend too...... Heres the pics....

What's your thoughts on the inside pc., is it the same as a Blazer/Jimmy top rail?

Nice Uncle...

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

What's your thoughts on the inside pc., is it the same as a Blazer/Jimmy top rail?

Nice Uncle...

No it's not, on a pick up it rolls right into the inner roof line.

Nice work with the spot welds J, blazer frame is waiting.

[Chevyman63]

Wow...wish I had one of them there uncles like that.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

No it's not, on a pick up it rolls right into the inner roof line.

Nice work with the spot welds J, blazer frame is waiting.

Is there enough metal to make the bend up

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Is there enough metal to make the bend up

That's a good question...

Last truck cab windshield frame I looked at, it didn't seem doable but I wasn't faced with zero other option's at that time, so maybe I didn't look 'enough'.

Anything is possible when the need is there, you've got the skillz dude, make it happen.
You need another puzzle to figure out.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

That's a good question...

Last truck cab windshield frame I looked at, it didn't seem doable but I wasn't faced with zero other option's at that time, so maybe I didn't look 'enough'.

Anything is possible when the need is there, you've got the skillz dude, make it happen.
You need another puzzle to figure out.

Ya, ny wifey calls me the problem solver, but it IS the last pc. of rust on the Jimmy

Thank you for the skillz comment, there is always a way, if the need and desire is there

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

That's a good question...

Last truck cab windshield frame I looked at, it didn't seem doable but I wasn't faced with zero other option's at that time, so maybe I didn't look 'enough'.

Anything is possible when the need is there, you've got the skillz dude, make it happen.
You need another puzzle to figure out.

Ya, my wifey calls me the problem solver, but it IS the last pc. of rust on the Jimmy

Thank you for the skillz comment, there is always a way, if the need and desire is there

[Huck]

Jason, don't go nuts on small holes by cutting out if the structural integrety is there. You can seal with POR15 and bondo which will prevent future issues. Cutting and welding is fine when you have no other choice structure wise but if section is solid---no real need.

[Yukon Jack]

I can't wait to see the hard bikini top - sounds very interesting!

[Big J]

Originally Posted by Huck

Jason, don't go nuts on small holes by cutting out if the structural integrety is there. You can seal with POR15 and bondo which will prevent future issues. Cutting and welding is fine when you have no other choice structure wise but if section is solid---no real need.

I probably could go that route but I believe its worse than the pics look. Plus it will allow me to POR15 the inside when I get it apart..... I wish I could make myself go the bondo route.... All those spot welds are going to be a PAIN!

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

I can't wait to see the hard bikini top - sounds very interesting!

It shouldn't be very hard (we'll see ). The main thing my plan requires is that a person would have to be able to bolt the back side mounts to a roll bar. I'm using an aftermarket roll bar out of a truck and its got light tabs. So no problem for me.