62 K20 Fixer-Upper

[bsarts]

Well, I had a bit of a set-back,but was able to come back and make some good progress. I decided that the best way to remedy the inner rocker issue was to cut out the front half of it and the floor panel inner rocker portion would replace it. So I got the die-grinder and cut it out and, and as I was trying to pull the front portion of the outer floor panel out from behind the lower pillar, I learned the hard way about the burr that a cut-off wheel will leave on the bottom edge of the metal as the piece I was reefing on broke loose and my hand hit the burr and it cut through my glove and through the tendon behind the little finger knuckle. 8 weeks of recovery time later and I'm back at work, but I did manage to use some of my time off to get some work done on it.

[bsarts]

I decided to tackle the roof above the windshield. They don't make a patch panel specifically for the pre 64s and I knew that the 64 and later patches would work with some extra effort and I think I made the right choice in not trying to utilize both ends of the patch with the sunvisor holes. I cut out about a foot from the pass. side where metal was good and had more freedom with modifying the dr. side end at the corner. I read the other threads that detailed the roof skin removal and was curious as to what I'd find in the way of mouse nests,( with this being a north Montana ranchers' truck and all). I didn't have a mouse house, I had a mousy condominium complex, complete with a deceased former resident. Now I know why the original seat was replaced, because all the stuffing got tore out and put into the roof! It was kind of a nasty job cleaning it out because of the several decades worth of mouse poo packed into the seam above the windshield, also dangerous because that dried out stuff can make you sicker than hell if you breathe in the dust.

Anyway, I got the inner and outer pieces put in and had to fab a little piece for the pillar beyond where the roof patch would reach, it looked kinda rough before it went in but, considering my abilities and experience, I was pretty proud of it, it filled the hole and looked pretty good when it was welded in. I cleaned up under the roof skin and painted it with some rust converter and put some insulation up there and welded it back down.

[bsarts]

Roof continued

[bsarts]

A couple more

[cwcarpenter98]

Oh man, that's a lot of grossness from the mice! I'm probably going to find a nest or two once I dig into mine.
So did you use the 60-63 outer replacement piece and the 64-66 inner piece (with the incorrect ends cut off)?
Your repair looks great. Unfortunately, I think I'm probably going to have to do something similar with my truck

[bsarts]

Thanks! Yes I used a 60-63 outer and a 64-66 inner with one end cut off and the other end modified. If I remember correctly, I don't think it was even long enough, If you needed both ends then you might have to lengthen it.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by bsarts

Thanks! Yes I used a 60-63 outer and a 64-66 inner with one end cut off and the other end modified. If I remember correctly, I don't think it was even long enough, If you needed both ends then you might have to lengthen it.

Ok, thanks! I actually have both inner and outer corners of the windshield that's solid from a donor cab. I just need the middle section, so I will have to order that section

[bsarts]

Tackled the cab corner, something, sometime, hit the door and moved along to the corner and tried to fold it on over. I got a patch panel for it and briefly had fantasies about seeing if I could straighten out the rest. My limitations were quickly shown to me and I ended up making the little patch above and also another at the back side.Pretty happy with how it turned out. It's so nice to not see all those wrinkles....

[Captainfab]

Looks good.

[bsarts]

Thanks, Capt.

[roll_the_dice]

Just read through your build so far. I am impressed with your lack of fear tackling all the welding jobs, especially the roof! Very impressive! Keep up the good work.

[bsarts]

Thank you! But after 25 yrs. of welding and fab work as a diesel mechanic, I would still have been really shy about some of those jobs without seeing cortcomps' roof removal thread on this forum and gibson63s vids on youtube.

[caseyjones]

That's a great truck - awesome work on the sheetmetal too!

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by bsarts

I work a 15 day-on / 13 day-off schedule, so my posting here will be rather sporadic. I was so busy working on this thing during my last time off that I hardly took any pics. But I did some more dent flipping on the hood and started on the cab floors. I got the driver's side outer floor piece in and was going to start on the rocker for that side and realized that the inner rocker portion of the piece I just spent a day and a half putting in is defective, its' bottom edge does not reach down far enough to meet with the bottom edge of the outer rocker. I called Classicparts.com and explained to them what my problem was and got nowhere with them, I sent them pics and measurements so they can see that it ain't right and they said that all of the outer floor panels,(driver's side), that they have on the shelf measure up like mine so that must be the way they're supposed to be. I spent a thousand bucks with them on these patch panels and they won't be seeing another dime from me.

EXACTLY the same issue i have!! I just never called them, guess i was assuming what they would say. I just plan to extend and cut as i need, unfortunately.
Your's is looking good so far!

[bsarts]

Long time no posting, lots o' working. Thanks to a bout of the Corona, I got some more time at home to get this project moving forward. I started out doing some repair work on the doors and fenders so I could get them mounted and check the gaps. Drivers' side door was pretty bad between my repair on the rear pillar and the door skin, took a little welding to build up the edges and get it closer.

[bsarts]

Got it to where I felt that the gaps were good enough for my taste all the way around then stripped everything and tried to get it all faired out and ready for primer.

[bsarts]

Then I caught the Corona and was down for a couple weeks, but that meant I had to stay home for about a month and when I got better, I hit it hard and got it in paint.

[cwcarpenter98]

Bummer on getting the 'vid, but I'm glad to hear you got through it. The extra time on the truck proved quite fruitful. It looks like it was never hit on that door

[bsarts]

Thanks, Christian.

[bsarts]

Finally got the bed and tailgate painted and am celebrating the end of paint and bodywork, Woo Hoo! Then did some final alignment of body panels and the fun of re-assembling the cab interior, so nice to see it coming together.

[60short]

That color, and the interior / exterior contrast looks great!

[bsarts]

Thanks! I don't think any of those colors are stock but they still look old school and I'm really happy with them. The exterior color I got from my daughters' bike.

[The Rocknrod]

Oh ya that color combo does indeed do the trick. Very nice

[72cs20]

Excellent work!

[bsarts]

Thanks, guys!