47-55.1 My 54

[dsraven]

is this truck meant to be a patina unit or will it get paint?

[8man]

Raven, it'll get paint. The wife already picked the color for my truck.

[dsraven]

haha, nice. the influencer.

[8man]

Yep, and for the last 5 days nurse, except she did have help the first 3 days with the hospital staff. I had an infection as the result of a biopsy. Infection is getting better, only 5.5 more weeks of twice a day antibiotics, and we get the results on Monday, we think.

So, the truck will get to wait, again, while life gets in the way.

[dsraven]

hope all goes well. the truck will wait.

[joedoh]

man robert get better homie

[8man]

Thanks guys. I lost 5 lbs in less than a week, but I don't recommend the diet. I am feeling better and will get back on the 54 when I can sneak out to the shop.

[dsraven]

you lost 5 pounds? i found it if you want it back, haha.
glad to hear you're felling better. did you have a stomache bug or something?

[8man]

Sort of, I had a prostrate biopsy, and lucky me, I'm 1 in a 100, I got an infection from the procedure. After 4 days of IV antibiotics, I am now on a twice a day oral antibiotic regimen for another 5.5 weeks. The real downside is NO alcohol until I finish the horse pills!

So I got that going for me too.

[Rickysnickers]

Late to the party, but hope it all clears up!

[Tempest67]

sorry to hear about the infection, and I hope it clears up soon.

I always enjoy your updates, hang in there.

this will give you some time to plan out your work

[8man]

Thanks guys, and that is just what I've been doing. I walk out to the truck and make a note or two and come back inside.

[dsraven]

hopefully they are ORAL horse pills instead of, well, you know.....

get well soon. take notes in the meantime.

[joedoh]

post the notes!


get better bud!

[8man]

Got the all clear last week to go out to the shop. Started on the 54 while the 48 is at the interior shop.

Got a little done, and will post pics later today, I hope.

[8man]

Got a little metal work done yesterday. The front cowl seams are welded up and ground down. I think ready for a little filler.

IMG_1297 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I got both sides done and started trying to use the HF stud gun to help me pull some dents out of the back of the cab. Take a look.

IMG_1298 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Those little craters are where the studs pulled off when I used my best side cutters to try and cut them off. As you can see, I still didn't get that dent out.

It appears I need a better teacher than Youtube to get this stuff right.

[joedoh]

i hate dents there, its such a strong area and there is no access. you might try heating the area but i guess the stud gun imparted some heat so maybe not. i promise i wont go looking for the blop of filler haah.

you could always cut it and do half at a time.

[8man]

Thanks Russ. I have a couple of ideas I'm going to try before I add filler like the PO did. Man I hate grinding out bondo!

[Tempest67]

maybe try a patch, like the way this is done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrDktTvygdk

[8man]

Thanks Tempest. Fitzee is one of my go to guys for metal work. I haven't mastered his "cut and butt", but I'm trying to.

[Tempest67]

I have a dent in a hood that is directly over an inner brace, and am thinking about doing a 'cut and butt'

Fitzee makes it look so easy

[8man]

Yes, he does, as does Carter Auto Restyling.

What is it about you guys up north that can do this so well?

[Tempest67]

Ha ha, I guess cause we have to learn how to do it because they use so much salt up here.

Thanks for posting, as I enjoy following your work

[8man]

The rumors of me going into witness protection are false. I have been busy with life, picking out and getting a 57, but I'm back on the 54 for now.

The firewall was looking like this:
IMG_1303 (1) by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

But it is now installed.
IMG_1381 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I've also been working on some brackets to attach the rear inside side panels. The 48 had some from the factory and I wanted to try and duplicate them, but they were welded in from the factory and I wanted to be able to get behind them to make sure the lower cab corners got a good coat of everything.
IMG_1382 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
They screw to the cab. I can either weld a metal panel to the outside of the lip, bolt them or build a separate speaker bracket and just use push tabs to attach the panel over the top.

Any thoughts on this as I'm sure the thought of putting speakers and finished panels back there is not unique to me. Thanks.

[dsraven]

Are you familiar with rivet nuts? They work great. Use a little antisieze on the fasteners for final assembly.