Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[bguild]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Now see, that's what I get for not consulting the board before forging ahead. Great idea, Chip! Might not be too late, I'd just need to find a local shop that can do engraving. I know my sign maker buddy in Sedalia has an outfit that's done that kind of thing for him. I'll do some investigating.

I will be in Sedalia next week if you need me to drop them off.

[sduckworth13]

Very nice Vic, you do awesome work. I never had a doubt that you would get it to fit like a glove, I only wondered how awesome it was going to look once you got it done.

[sduckworth13]

Vic, I'm usually available on the weekends or after I get off work if you need any help moving the cab around. Just let me know.

[jlsanborn]

Love this thread! Functional, tasteful and tidy. Doin it right man.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Love this thread! Functional, tasteful and tidy. Doin it right man.

Thanks!

[Xeen]

I'm glad to see the floor and firewall being installed this is a major milestone in the project.
Soon no one will ever know it used to be nothing but rust held together with hope and a prayer LOL.
I can't wait to see the rest of the cab work, good stuff man!

[Low Elco]

Yee-haw! Progress! This year, we'll have a chassis AND a cab at the Nats!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Yee-haw! Progress! This year, we'll have a chassis AND a cab at the Nats!

I'm hoping to drive it there this year.

However, not as much progress today as I would have liked. Started out this morning doing maintenance stuff. When I shot the epoxy the other day, I had a few fisheyes. I knew the surface was clean and the problem turned out to be my much neglected air line. So I ordered up some new line and a new drier setup. I'll parallel it onto the existing setup and only use it for paint. To save a buck I rebuilt six Milton quick connect couplers I had on hand. When you're as eat up as I am, it takes two hours to disassemble them, turn down the mushroom ends, glass bead all the brass and install new rubber washers. I only needed three, but while I was at it...

Next up was changing out the tongs on the spotwelder for the close-in work on the firewall. After that I was able to finish welding the firewall to the floor at the tunnel interface and ground it down smooth. Fitted up the lower right front door pillar and started to tack it in place. As I was doing so, my favorite Speedglas welding helmet went into convulsions and began a death spiral. Thought it might be batteries as it was working half heartedly, but new ones didn't make any difference. A few more tack welds and it was toast. So now I'll be using the backup until I can get a replacement lens. It's always something.

[jlsanborn]

Bummer on the helmet! How old is it? I've had my Speedglas since 2005 and used it almost every day at work for the first few years.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Bummer on the helmet! How old is it? I've had my Speedglas since 2005 and used it almost every day at work for the first few years.

I've had it for about 8 or 9 years. Like you, I used it quite a bit at first as I was doing a lot of contract welding after being laid off. Can't complain about the service, though. It's been a great tool and has more than paid for itself.

[jlsanborn]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

I've had it for about 8 or 9 years. Like you, I used it quite a bit at first as I was doing a lot of contract welding after being laid off. Can't complain about the service, though. It's been a great tool and has more than paid for itself.

You're right about that. The day I got mine my welds were better and it's still working perfectly. If it ever bites the bullet I won't think twice about anything else. Cab is looking great!

[sduckworth13]

Looks great Vic, you make the metal work look flawless.

[Low Elco]

Always sucks when your favorite helmet craps out. Still miss my Jackson Executive Variable. Fantastic lookin' work, Vic!

[Vic1947]

Set the cab back down on the floor rails today to make ready for the rest of the lower door pillars, rockers, kick panels and cab corners. Test fit of the rocker panel was as expected, not too bad but will need some massaging. Cut the bracing out on the passenger side to make way for the new pieces. Trimmed and fitted the right side kick panel and it is about ready to spotweld in place. Noticed on Scott's thread he's making serious progress on his firewall, so I spent a little time this afternoon cutting and bending material for his patches.

[sduckworth13]

Looking good Vic, I appreciate you taking the timeout today to make the firewall patch.

[mcbassin]

Super work on the cab! I hope your rockers turn out better than mine. They fit the cab great but not so good on the doors. Keep the pictures coming.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Super work on the cab! I hope your rockers turn out better than mine. They fit the cab great but not so good on the doors. Keep the pictures coming.

I know what you mean, had the same problem on my previous build. This one I plan to hang the doors and make sure it all lines up before I go nuts with the welder.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

I know what you mean, had the same problem on my previous build. This one I plan to hang the doors and make sure it all lines up before I go nuts with the welder.

If you can, mount the cab on the frame and check your fender to door gap too. I ran into some problems with that too. I used all GM sheetmetal on my truck but my gaps aren't close to what I want.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

If you can, mount the cab on the frame and check your fender to door gap too. I ran into some problems with that too. I used all GM sheetmetal on my truck but my gaps aren't close to what I want.

For sure! On my silver truck, the door gaps turned out pretty good, but I failed to test fit the cowl before everything went to paint. Bad mistake. Had to section it and have it repainted at the very end of the build. Not the time to be doing that sort of thing.

[Xeen]

It looks great Vic, damn fine job sir.
I'm stoked about the progress I can't wait to see the cab completely finished!
I can't wait to see you work your magic on all the little dents and dings in the cab, I would like to see some raw metal shots of the before and after of some of the repaired areas.
I am really looking forward to the bedside sectioning.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Xeen

I'm stoked about the progress I can't wait to see the cab completely finished!

Thanks, Brian. I'm sooo ready for it to be finished also.

[Low Elco]

I had the same cowl problem. Looks tee-riffic, keep it comin'!

[Vic1947]

Did the spotweld boogie today. Finished around the perimeter of the firewall and spotted the right side kick panel in place. Also massaged the rear lower door pillar and got it tacked into position. You can throw a cat thru the gap, but it will weld out okay using a copper backup. Plenty of room to get behind the panel. Tomorrow I head over to Scott's place and see if we can get the passenger side f/w to match the driver side. The panel and the pinchweld flanges are done and just need final trimming and assembly.

[sduckworth13]

That looks great Vic, everything looks so clean. Your firewall looks awesome!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

That looks great Vic, everything looks so clean. Your firewall looks awesome!

Thanks, Scott, we're going to make yours look every bit as good. See ya tomorrow.