Wife's 48

[8man]

Ok, I went ahead and put two more supports on the back wall of the 54 cab. The 48 oil canned like crazy, so I'm hoping this will stiffen it up so that will stop.

IMG_0654 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

But my primary goal this week is to get the two rear fenders ready for primer and as little "bondo" (tm) as possible. I'm not a fan of filler if I can avoid it. Bad experiences as a kid with my first car.

So I cut the tails off of a fender that Jesse needed the center to repair the spare tire divot in one of his rear fenders and I worked on them first. There were welding repairs, dents galore, so here they are after a few hours.
IMG_0655 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
IMG_0656 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

They are pretty smooth. I can feel some areas that will need some filler if I use them, but they are pretty good.

I felt good enough about the work to spend the next 2 days on the riders side rear fender. Welding stuff.
IMG_0657 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Working with body hammers and a dolly to get out a crease and some dents.
IMG_0658 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The following picture shows some old weld repair by a PO, and a cave in at the bottom I worked out.
IMG_0659 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

This is the old weld repair after some more hammer, dolly and then THANKS JAN, the shrinking disc.
IMG_0663 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

This one is of an area where I was using the shrinking disc in process. It is much better after more shrink discing.
IMG_0662 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Those two dents on the left were worked on some more and the old weld patch as well.

IMG_0658 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

[NorCalGal]

Robert,your work looks real good.

[Tempest67]

nice work, keep it going

[oldman3]

Great job...Jim

[8man]

Thank you all.

I'm going to hit it with a DA today to see how it finishes up.

[OutlawDrifter]

Looks like you're making good progress!

[8man]

Thank you.

[8man]

Put the drivers side rear fender on to see how it looks with the ZR2 rear axle.
IMG_0672 (1) by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
That fills up the that fender just right.

Then I started on the riders side front fender for the 54 to see what I have with this one.
IMG_0673 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
That is the front lower corner. That piece sitting there loose was broken off from the lower part of the fender with the damage from being hit. I've worked on the fender to get it about right and started on that backer piece. Who knew using a hammer and anvil would cause the curve to grow or shrink? I think I got it about right before I welded the two ends together. Now to finish the curve to that fender and the piece can be reattached to the piece still in the fender and then spot welded back into place.

[mongocanfly]

Axle width looks good..

[8man]

Thanks Greg.

[NorCalGal]

Starting to look like a truck.

[8man]

Thanks Jan. When I get that riders side fender smoothed out to my satisfaction, I'll put it on, check the body lines and it'll be time for some real paint.

[Tempest67]

nice body work.

keep it going

[8man]

Thanks Tempest.

I did a little more on the RR fender today, I think I'm going to prime it now and see what I have. There are some imperfections, but they are getting pretty small.

[Tempest67]

it is a process, and shooting primer always feels good.


I didn't want to use my hood hinges cause they made the back of the hood stick up, so I made some prop rods on the weekend. Pics to come soon

[8man]

I have 4 front fenders for the 54. I've been through them multiple times, trying to decide which ones were the best. Well, it comes down to this for the riders side.
IMG_0676 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

and this
IMG_0677 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

So, after messing around a bit, I decided to do it right.
IMG_0678 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Here is the patch welded in and ground down. The metal I used was some scrap from a patch panel, and the line is where the old steel rolled in a little. I ground as much as I dared to get it smooth, but it'll take a little filler.
IMG_0679 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

And here is the cracked lip with the new steel from another scrap, you can still see some of the black primer.
IMG_0680 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

And that was my day.

[8man]

Back on the 48, I figured out using the NSS switch for a back up switch, so I needed back up lights. I went to the jungle and found two small very bright LEDs to use and here they are:
IMG_0681 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
They are small, very bright and best of all the wife liked them.

While I was there I also test fit the tailgate chains, yes this truck will have chains. While back there I noticed numerous holes, including one on the side not in this picture.
IMG_0683 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I don't know what they were all for. I don't think I need any of them and should plug them prior to paint. Am I right?

[8man]

Worked on the hood. The riders side corner of the hood had been damaged and welded back, and when it was, it was short of where it needed to be.
IMG_0720 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

So using a Dremel and a cut off wheel to make as thin a cut as possible, I cut it loose, and added some filler.
IMG_0722 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Can't tell in this picture, but the gap front to back is almost spot on, I will need to do some more work on the fender as it appears to have been repaired there too and is off a little as you can see in the first picture.
IMG_0723 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I'm going to check gaps one more time, but I think I'm good on gaps and need to move on from fitting stuff and get it painted so I can put it together.

[NorCalGal]

Good to see an update from you��

[8man]

Thanks Jan. I've been doing a lot of sitting and looking at gaps trying to figure out how to make them better. Then when I get them better I'm trying to take enough notes to be able to put them back when they are painted, without destroying the paint job. I have a friend who is having surgery tomorrow, and the will tell when I get to paint because he is supposed to help me since I don't mind labor, I just don't paint!

[8man]

Ok, I've been absent for way too long. I was waiting on a buddy to help me with the finish body work. He's been sick and I've been waiting. Well, yesterday I decided to move on, and today I got the fenders back on.

Yesterday I took the bed off with the fenders on it so I would have something to hold the fenders while I hammered and dollied them.
IMG_0734 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I sprayed a little black paint on both fenders to see where I had dings.

IMG_0736 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
You can see a few dings right on top in this picture.

Well, after a several hours with hammers, dollies and sandpaper, this is what I had.
IMG_0737 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Another few hours with the hammer and dolly and those lows were better.

IMG_0739 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I finally have the lows lifted pretty well and the highs bumped down so that my sandpaper on a long board was cutting it all. You can see the "scratches" in the paint on this picture.

A coat of epoxy primer and they look like this.

IMG_0740 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Laura came out and while she was there inspected the work and couldn't find the dings. I think another round of sandpaper and another prime and they won't need filler at all.

So I tried my hand on the hood. I quickly found out I can't reach as far with it on the truck and I'm not ready to take it off, so no picture of it. I think the 48 is about ready for a little filler in a few places and then paint.

[NorCalGal]

Looks like you and I are neck in neck on our builds. You are getting very good at hammer and dolly work.

[OutlawDrifter]

Looking good!

[oldman3]

Nice job on the fenders...Jim

[dsraven]

Nice work.
If you wanna get a good idea of what it will look like with paint just wipe it down with some wax and grease remover, really wet, then look at the reflection.
You prolly already knew that but maybe it will help somebody else lurking, haha