Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.

[Frizzle Fry]

Nice! Full side view?
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[OLDIRON69]

Just read thru the entire build,awesome work.

[wutnxt]

Dude you got some skills......Truck looks amazing

[shrunken66stroker]

Thanks guys. I take a full side view tonight for you Frizzle. I got the patch all tacked. If you do this take it slow. As soon as you start cutting the fender you relieve stress in the metal and it wants to flatten out. I tacked from top to bottom and used a hammer and dolly to make sure kept the contour of the fender.

[shrunken66stroker]

Then I had to see what the bumper would look like so I cut 1 1/4" out to tighten it up. It looks like I'll have to extend the ends of the bumper about 2" to get them where I want. I may have to take a little material out of the middle of the top because it's tight to the grill support. It would go a little better with the lines of it as well.

[shrunken66stroker]

The top bumper line was bugging me so I cut it to match the grill support. Here's a profile view for you, Frizzle. The wheel is still a bit back from the center of the wheel well but it makes a huge difference. Once it's done I'll take a real camera out and get some good pics. I love it... now for the other side.

[chad64chevy]

i think that looks great! i think its funny that i have been thinking these very samethings that you have done, the bumper moved in and closing the front fender gap! but i have been to lazy to try any of them! that an i had feared that if i messed up i would be $h!! out of luck, you have skills for sure and diff. showed me that it can be done!!

[shrunken66stroker]

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

i think that looks great! i think its funny that i have been thinking these very samethings that you have done, the bumper moved in and closing the front fender gap! but i have been to lazy to try any of them! that an i had feared that if i messed up i would be $h!! out of luck, you have skills for sure and diff. showed me that it can be done!!

Get on it! It's a nice little weekend project.

[redneck6]

wow just wow . amazing talent . might have to steal fender and bumper idea . if i keep looking at all theses build treads with thes subtle mods i will never be done .

[blackmopar]

man i wish i could give mine that much love - i just keep kickin her in the shin and putting her away wet!

those mods look superb!!

[65Pickup]

Great pictures and text, very instructional. Now I have to go look at mine...amazing how the bumper didn't line up. Great fixes

[ratty 46]

Wheelhouse & bumper ... done very nicely. Such a slight change but one that'll make the opening much more pleasing to the eye. Chev II's were like this too.

Ratty 46

[samuellg1977]

I wish I had the patienc and the eye for this stuff. You, Sir, are an Artist, and that ride is your blank canvas.... go ahead and paint your Mona Lisa, Brother!!!
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[Frizzle Fry]

Definitely an improvement. That lip relocation worked out well. I've done the bumper tuck like that but not the re-arch. Nice touch! Looking forward to seeing it further along and with the hood on to get the full effect.
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[wutnxt]

Dude not only do you have mad skills you have a great eye for detail......I think both the fender and the bumper are sweet....So whats next now ?

[shrunken66stroker]

Originally Posted by wutnxt

Dude not only do you have mad skills you have a great eye for detail......I think both the fender and the bumper are sweet....So whats next now ?

Thanks. I'm going to extend the bumper ends back toward the wheel well, then I still need to cut up the fender on the driver's side to match. After that I'm not sure. Drip rail, pinch weld on the bottom of the cab, hood? We'll see.

[Dinos63]

geez duude you are a machine!!

[Strodder]

Looks great Greg.

[shrunken66stroker]

I've had some time lately so I've been hitting it hard. It's been 113 degrees the last three days and brutal to work in. What can you do when it's that hot? Go buy stuff. I payed a visit to Tuckers Trucks today and got a wiring harness. There were a couple sitting out front too. 60 Panel and 5-6-7 GMC stepper.

[Alan's Classic]

Awesome ideas and craftsmanship. Ordering parts in the AC beats working in a hot shop.
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[exoticmetalworx]

i guess that since how my truck is sitting i never noticed this big gap good work dude!
hopefully my truck doesnt get blown away

[gostranger]

awesome ideas and planning your truck is going to look awesome so many "small"!!! improvements will really set your truck apart keep up the great work!!!! i cant wait to see it when it is done!!

[66farmer]

I have a few questions.
1. What did you use to cut the fender
2. After cutting was it hard to get the fender back into shape again
3. After your finished with the bumper will it be chromed or painted
4. How much did you cut off the frame

Thanks your doing a great job

[shrunken66stroker]

Originally Posted by 66farmer

I have a few questions.
1. What did you use to cut the fender
2. After cutting was it hard to get the fender back into shape again
3. After your finished with the bumper will it be chromed or painted
4. How much did you cut off the frame

Thanks your doing a great job

I used a new 4" cutting disk on a grinder. I like to start a job like that with a new one because the larger the disk the straighter the cut. The disk is 1/16" thick and if you take it slow you won't get much warpage. I used tape to lay out the lines and serve as a straight edge. When you're welding it back together make sure to leave a 1/16" gap. If you don't leave a gap the panel won't align with the others and two pieces tend to tighten up toward each other as you go. Keep a hammer and dolly next to you and after every tack tap the next area so it buts up perfectly. This will allow for proper alignment and give the panel a little time to cool off between tacks. Take your time.
I'm going to paint the bumper. I'm thinking about getting the grill chromed if it's not cost prohibitive. I cut 1 1/4" out from between the bumper mount and the radiator mount. That tightened it up and then I shaved a little off the top to make it match the grill support. Hope this helps.

[shrunken66stroker]

The front wheel well is proportionate to the rear and looks better. I just have to finish weld and grind them flat.