Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England

[ibrown50]

What wasn't the same was the repair panel. Now I know pattern parts can be variable, but the drivers door inner was about 3/8" -1/2" bigger than the door and the the trim looked like it had been done with an axe..........and it cost be about $80 including shipping to the UK. I actually thought they had missed a tool out when there were making it there was the right amount of metal it was just all in the wrong place.



Nothing to do but cut it up rework it (lots) and use only the pieces I need.



When I'm working I often get so caught up in the job I often forget to take pictures at different stages



I made a patch panel (can you guess which one)



And tacked it in, I won't finish weld anything until I've had the door back on to check the fit.

[ibrown50]

I got as far as cutting and tacking in the front portion of the inner, so barring the finish welding the inner is done







And that's all the work I'll get done on the truck this year.

So it only remains for me to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2019. May you get everything you need and most of what you want.

[MacQuigley]

Your getting there Ian. Nice work.

Ive been beavering away the last week and I do need to update my project as well. At this rate we will definitely be finished before Martin and Rian!!!!!

The North Rules!

[realvc]

Great looking repair patches. Your body working skills are awesome.
All I've done is buy a few parts and do a lot of thinking about the next step.

[Palf70Step]

Looking good Rian. Yeah they off centered then I guess so us plump Americans can get in and out easier.

[ibrown50]

A quick up-date (while I remember),

I thought I'd get away with 2 corner repairs on the outer skin but it turned out much worse than I thought and ended up replacing the whole lower section. Doing the outer skin in 2 halves is not the most efficient way but hey-ho.





Once everything was tacked in place I hung the door back on the cab to check alignment and fit (I forgot to take a photo) and the fit was really good. Once happy with the fit I fully welded the inner.



I had weld the outer skin a little at a time, as the welds cooled and contracted they pulled the skin inwards making the skin concave and creating a hollow. So it was weld a little, hammer and dolly back out weld repeat until done. The access to the rear of the door skin is really restricted, you have to wedge your arm through the larger hole at the top. If only my arm was a foot longer and I had an extra elbow I might have avoided this bruise the sacrifices we make for our trucks




The outer skin still needs a little work but the shape is 95% there

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

If only my arm was a foot longer and I had an extra elbow
Attachment 1869810

Just a foot longer? Id have gone with extendable and you had 4 pair of them. That would just about be enough.

Nice work though Ian.

[forestb]

But then you would have to spend all of your time fighting crime.

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by forestb

But then you would have to spend all of your time fighting crime.

Im not the biggest superhero fan, but wasnt Doc Ock a villian?

[forestb]

I think you will have to decide for your self if you want to use your powers for good or evil

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by forestb

I think you will have to decide for your self if you want to use your powers for good or evil

Good point, though I propose a 3rd option, for good, evil or hot rod/car building!

[ibrown50]

Thanks guys I laughed out loud reading your posts ( while watching DC Titans on Netflix )

[mjh1965]

Looks good Ian . I know what you mean about the weather it’s been crazy. Looks like you and Bill will be both driving yours soon
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[realvc]

Glad to see your progress on the truck.

[MacQuigley]

Looking good Ian. Door looks good. I managed to damaged the paint on one of mine yesterday. I have to open it over a wall and I didn't take into account my bulk inside when I was wiring. Door dropped just enough to hit the wall, so Ive some painting to do.

Gas filler repairs look good. Good tip on bending it first. Wish Id done that. I welded it in the top first then bent it into shape in place once it was hot.

[Palf70Step]

Nice job Ian!!

[Grizz1963]

Excellent as always

Was looking back in your thread yesterday, at where you have come from and all you have done.

Impressive

[ibrown50]

Originally Posted by realvc

Glad to see your progress on the truck.

Thank you Vince

Originally Posted by MacQuigley

Looking good Ian. Door looks good. I managed to damaged the paint on one of mine yesterday. I have to open it over a wall and I didn't take into account my bulk inside when I was wiring. Door dropped just enough to hit the wall, so Ive some painting to do.

Gas filler repairs look good. Good tip on bending it first. Wish Id done that. I welded it in the top first then bent it into shape in place once it was hot.

Oh nightmare, your truck is clear over base a real pain to repair

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice job Ian!!

Thanks Bill

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Excellent as always

Was looking back in your thread yesterday, at where you have come from and all you have done.

Impressive

Thanks Rian, it's small steps but I'll get there eventually

And speaking of small steps, I have the door check and cab back panel to paint before I reassemble the cab. While sanding I discovered some bondo.... you know what comes next, a hole



It wasn't actually as bad a the passenger side was so was a relatively quick repair, the usual cardboard template transferred to steel and welded in place.





I got it and the fuel filler into primer

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

Oh nightmare, your truck is clear over base a real pain to repair

Tell me about it Ian. Thats going to be fun. Even my mates that are painters dont like doing it and every time Ive tried its reacted badly.

Your cab is coming along nicely. At least I didnt have any repairs to do to the upper body. Nice work.

[ibrown50]

A very quick update, I got the drivers door back on, it fits well. After the repairs it had thats always a relief. I painted the pillar and the rear of the cab too it’s funny but with the doors back on it feel like I’m moving in the right direction again

[MacQuigley]

Looking good Ian. Will be ready by the end of April after all!

[Grizz1963]

That is so bloody nice Ian.

You and Bill are inspiring for sure.

Wheels day next weekend.......

[ibrown50]

I try to keep my "non-truck" posts to a minimum but thought I would share these pictures.

I was lucky enough to be in Washington DC for Easter, I'll be the first to admit I don't go to church as often as I should but go Easter and Christmas for definite, so we had wondered what we would do this year. In England the Easter Sunday services tend to be late morning or early evening, however, we discovered that the Capitol Church were holding a sunrise service on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial starting at 06:30 and have done it every year for the past 41 years.

Sharing the sermon and listening to the choir (with a couple of thousand very friendly strangers) while watching the sunrise was a experience I will remember for the rest of my life, it was truly moving and by the time we sang amazing grace there wasn’t a dry eye amongst the many thousand there.

I’ve posted a few pictures below

[mjh1965]

Washington DC is on my hit list . Looks good

[Grizz1963]

Thank you for posting up Washington report Ian.

That has to be quite an experience

And to immerse yourself fully, including the emotions will make a mark on your heart to both enjoy and be proud of in future.