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Old 03-08-2020, 09:44 AM   #1
8man
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Re: Wife's 48

I looked at what I think were the ones Scott talked about and the clipster on Mongo's garage, but haven't decided yet. I want to get the cab back on with the front clip to look at the space I have to see which way to go.

Thanks for the responses.
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1948 on a S10 Frame, small block with a carb
1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
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Old 03-26-2020, 05:11 PM   #2
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Re: Wife's 48

The 48 is getting a clean up and epoxy primer, so I got back on the 54 body.

Here is the situation, I've patched the rear corners, the CB antenna hole in the roof, the 3rd wiper hole (don't ask, I don't know why), some holes in the upper cowl that looked like mirrors or something was ripped off, and some holes in the rear part of the cab floor, just starting as those should keep me busy for a couple of days.

So I started looking at floor pans. A while back my buddy helped me out by removing the drivers side pan because he wanted to.

IMG_0456 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

IMG_0457 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

So here are the pics. Right now only the firewall is tying the two front floor supports together. I have the floor pans to weld in, but I got to looking at the firewall and MAN the PO cut it up and drilled holes for who knows what.

So I'm thinking I should replace the firewall, cut the floor pans I bought to fit to the new firewall. The riders inner side panel has to be replaced, but the drivers side has a small area at the bottom front that can be patched, since I have to replace the lower cowl anyway it'll be easy to get to both sides for the patch.

1st question, "is that the best solution to all those holes in the firewall?"
2nd question, "do I need to secure the two sides together BEFORE I remove the old firewall?"
3rd question, "since I've obviously never tried something like this, any threads or You tubes I should go look at before I attempt this?"

Thanks
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1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
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Old 03-26-2020, 05:30 PM   #3
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Re: Wife's 48

if you still have the frame I would say bolt the cab down to the frame so you have the correct spacing, brace the cab in an x pattern inside the cab behind the firewall with room to work. what I did on my 57 was run a cross brace just above the floor a few inches, enough to slip a 2x4 under the brace so a long 2x4 could be used to support the cab while working. then run another long brace across side to side between them to keep the cab mount spacing correct. then brace in an x pattern inside the cab behind the firewall with enough room to work between the firewall and the x. same in the doorways. really, you should also hang the doors so they fit the openings before you brace the door openings inside the with the doors on, so you can take doors on and off with te
he bracing still on. you could also cross brace the rear so when the floor is cut out things stay the right shape. on mine there was no floor front to rear, no firewall from the cowl down, and the hinge pillars were cut out at the lower section. I slipped the 2x4's under the horizontal bracing in the door openings and then placed the cab onto a table, sitting on the 2x4's. pic is vague but couldn't find a better one. might be easier to replace the firewall with a bent sheet to match the contours you need if it is that rusty and drilled out. 16ga steel is what I used. same for the floor pans. they are pretty much flat so you could have a metal shop fab something up and slip it in as a single piece. have them bend up a rolled piece for the trans hump while youre at it. leave room for a flange on the trans hump if you wanna bolt it on for easy working on stuff later, or not. the other thing you could do is find a firewall and partial floor pan from a donor vehicle, like an s10, that is similar in width. that way you get floor, firewall, trans hump, seat mounts, etc etc.
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Old 03-26-2020, 05:49 PM   #4
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Re: Wife's 48

as dsraven said, you need to brace this so everything lines up.

From what I see on your firewall, yes there are a lot of holes, but the metal does not look rotted. So, it is weldable, and that would be much easier to weld up each hole, 1 by 1, than replace the entire piece.

When I did my floor, inner and outer fender, cowl area, (cab was on frame) ... I only cut out (removed) 1 piece at a time, that allowed me to weld each piece in the correct place, as it lined up with the surrounding pieces.

It looks like the floor supports look solid as well. So, my suggestion would be to replace the floor piece before you remove any more sheet metal. This will allow you to strengthen that area to the door frame. If you are using stamped replacement pieces, that will allow you to line up the factory stampings.


I hope this helps, and keep us posted
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Old 03-27-2020, 05:58 PM   #5
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Re: Wife's 48

oof. I just had a full body shiver thinking about all that repair.
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Old 03-28-2020, 08:49 AM   #6
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Re: Wife's 48

Thanks Joe, now I don't even want to go out to that cab!

Just kidding, it'll be a challenge. Wish I could have found a 54 cab that wasn't so rusted out.
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[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204

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Old 03-28-2020, 11:45 AM   #7
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Re: Wife's 48

Wow..that one pic looks like looking thru a screen door...I think that's what my 54 cab looks like to though...
I agree with others ..even with it on your cab dolley you really need to x brace it..you'll be amazed at how floppy itll get when you start cutting stuff loose..looks like you've got lots to keep you busy...I'd be tempted to just do a firewall swap...that's alot of holes and welding..leading to alot of heat warp..and with a firewall swap you can get a setback for engine clearance at the same time..
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Old 03-28-2020, 11:53 AM   #8
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Re: Wife's 48

With a firewall swap you can also bump it out for more foot room.
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Old 03-28-2020, 01:12 PM   #9
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Re: Wife's 48

Thanks Greg and Raven.

I have thought about the firewall swap over and over. I'm removing the rest of what was rusted and cut out by my buddy now. I'll decide later today.

Raven, do you have a suggestion on a firewall for more leg room? I'm kinda tall and that may swing the vote.
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Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
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Old 03-28-2020, 05:23 PM   #10
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Re: Wife's 48

I am getting spoiled, I have 3 bad cabs already and I chose this 4th cab because it needed the least work. now I am considering using that other grain truck cab because it doesnt need a lot of work either... and my 1 ton cab is almost perfect too.

54-55.1 cabs though, I think you take what you got. keep up the good work!
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Old 03-28-2020, 06:14 PM   #11
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Re: Wife's 48

Thanks Joe.

Well another day in the shop. So it was a good day, even though I didn't get much done.

I took some measurements prior to cutting out the rusted out chunk of the drivers side firewall.
IMG_0458 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

This is what I was left with.
IMG_0459 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Then I started fitting the floor panel in place. These things don't fit very well! About 2 hours of fitting, cutting and grinding and it fits pretty well. Ignore that piece of angle laying on the pans, I was just looking for level.
IMG_0460 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

So I sat and stared for the longest and finally I came in the house to check prices and availability of firewalls. There are just so many holes in the drivers side it's not funny, and the riders side is just as bad. I have NO idea what the PO was doing with all of those holes! I found a "stock" firewall at Classic Parts for $380 shipped to me. Right now I'm leaning toward that.

But before I do, please tell me what I'm missing on replacing the firewall. I have to drill out some spot welds on both sides and along the top. Then plug weld the new one in place unless I want it slick and then I'll have to weld it solid so it can be finished.

Before I take the old one out I need to cross brace to hold the cab in place until I can get it out and in. Will 1x1 square tube work for the cross brace?

The new floor pans will need to be cut down and flanged so they can be spot welded to the bottom flange on the new firewall.

How well does a reproduction firewall fit? Is there an option to get one that will fit better or are they all "cut, grind and re-fit until your are happy with it"?

I'm not lowering the truck, I'll be using the tall cab mounts, so I don't think I'll need a lot of engine clearance.

So what are the thoughts?
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1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
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Old 03-28-2020, 08:27 PM   #12
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Re: Wife's 48

1x1 tubing will be fine for x bracing..i think everything will be cut/grind/fit/repeat/repeat/repeat...until you get it like you want it..if you go stock firewall you can overlay your old one on the new one to see how close it is,,,and use it for a pattern
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Old 03-29-2020, 08:38 AM   #13
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Re: Wife's 48

Thanks Greg.
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Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
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Old 03-29-2020, 10:31 AM   #14
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Re: Wife's 48

If you have a metal recycler close you could see if they have anything for bracing. I h,ve used black gas line before because it was cheap.
You could also just cut the old one out shy of the spot welds, like leave a flange, then plug self the new one to the flange, or use body adhesive.
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Old 03-29-2020, 11:21 AM   #15
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Re: Wife's 48

Thanks Raven.
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1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
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Old 04-01-2020, 05:23 PM   #16
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Re: Wife's 48

Got on the 54 today. Ordered the new firewall, should be here next Thursday, I hope.

Here is the driver's side kick panel. I had no idea what it looked like behind that stuff.
IMG_0464 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

That is some type of carpet glue the PO used. It was almost 1/4" thick in places. After an hour with a paint scraper and some 3M general purpose adhesive remover and then a wire wheel, this is what I have.
IMG_0466 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

About 4 holes to patch. The rest is solid. Who knew? With the way my luck has been going on this truck I wasn't sure.

The rider's side was so rusted I knew it from the git go.

IMG_0465 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I'm ready to start fitting the new kick panel, so it will be ready when the firewall gets here.

They used the same glue on the ceiling.
IMG_0467 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

You can still see some of the carpet strands that didn't rot away! I'm planning on having the pros at Brazos Valley Restorations blast and prime the cab. We'll see if it comes off with that.
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1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
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Old 04-01-2020, 08:04 PM   #17
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Re: Wife's 48

Making progress Robert...Jim
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Old 04-02-2020, 09:49 AM   #18
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Re: Wife's 48

looks like you are moving forward......keep it going
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Old 04-04-2020, 04:59 PM   #19
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Re: Wife's 48

Welded a support piece in to keep the cab stable. Then I removed the firewall, supposed to be getting the aftermarket one next week. Then I cut out the rusted out portion of the rider's side kick panel and then cut, fit and spot welded in the aftermarket piece.

IMG_0469 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Re-checked all my measurements and sure enough, the aftermarket piece is cut on a slightly different angle than the original. So I get to make it fit the firewall when I get it in.

On a separate thought, I'm trying to get a CNC cut 14 gauge floor piece to go in from the cross support at the back to the toe kick of the new firewall. I'll know more next week on that, but I think it would stiffen the floor some, replace the bent up floor that's left, do away with rust issues and with the firewall out would slide in and hopefully fall in place if my measurements are good.
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1954 Cab, 53 Front and Bed, 50 Doors, S10 Frame, Power TBD
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Old 04-04-2020, 10:02 PM   #20
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Re: Wife's 48

Hi Robert . . . . I've been reading your builds . . . . .

so, Bryan, Tx ; One of my older sister's son 's , daughter is a local Cop there at Collage Station PD. And, I've only been to Bryan - once , back in the mid 60's . I had an Uncle that lived in Bryan , many years ago.
I can kind of relate ; but moved out west back in the late 80's ( and, we're staying here in AZ - - - no tornados) .

(my Uncle Hershell Eskue . . . . and, Courtney Nakos , Collage Station PD )
(you never know) .

Great job on both trucks - - keep building ; I'll keep following along …….
you're doing Great …………….. jim
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Old 04-05-2020, 09:46 AM   #21
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Re: Wife's 48

Thanks Jim.
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Build thread: "]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=746899&highlight=wife%27s+48[/URL]
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Old 04-06-2020, 07:37 PM   #22
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Re: Wife's 48

Big magnets will be your friend holding that firewall...then use the clecos...firewall looks good!
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Old 04-06-2020, 07:39 PM   #23
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Re: Wife's 48

Looking Good Robert!


Mark
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Old 04-07-2020, 11:54 AM   #24
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Re: Wife's 48

Funny discovered just he opposite. I have a 53 cab with 48 doors so my plates don't fit right. We could have swapped.

Marc
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Old 04-07-2020, 01:03 PM   #25
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Re: Wife's 48

Thanks Mark.

Marc, why didn't you tell me? I would have gladly swapped.
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[/URL]http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=840204
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