Progress pics of my '68 GMC Extend-a-cab

[68gmcdually]

Here are a couple of more pics with the fenders cut and tacked on for final fit before media blasting them. The heel of the drivers side fender is pretty grim, but nothing a sheet of body metal won't fix. The last pic is an idea that we are toying around with for the marker lights for the fenders.

[arkracing]

Did you use a second set of doors for the "ex-tended" part of the truck? A second Roof?

what did you end up doing about the floor? bend it yourself?

Look like a lot of work...but going to be one sweet ride when done

[68gmcdually]

We custom made everything, minus the window frames with regular sheet metal. The floor was kinda tricky because the new frame ramped up behind the cab. We probably would have used a door but didn't have any available at the time, now however I have two. It was a lot of work and I never would have been able to complete it myself, many thanks go out to my Father and his employee's.

[67_C-30]

How did you go about marking the fender for the cut. Looks you nailed it!! They fit great! This is also something I have got to do in the near future, and any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[68gmcdually]

Actually I had virtually no participation in the cutting or marking of the fenders, my dad's employee, Grant did that, he is a mastermind when it comes to things like that. In fact he manufactured virtually everything custom on this rig. In a couple of the pics you can see where he marked it out with tape while it was on the truck, I wish that I was around while the cut was happening but I had to be at work to bank roll this whole operation.

[72MARIO]

Hey I found 2 more of thoes 930 badges if you need them I can tell you where they are at.

[68gmcdually]

Thanks, I have a "decent" pair now but would like to find another pair to get re-chromed. Pass on the contact info if you have it. They wouldn't be at Minaker's by any chance would they?

[LUV2XCLR8]

[Palf70Step]

I'm really liking what your doing. Wanna through one together for me too?

[68gmcdually]

Thanks for all of the great compliments. We are working on putting in the wiring harness and some other internal components then hopefully paint on the cab monday and glass later on in the week. I give it 3 weeks to show time.

[72MARIO]

Tauton Road and Thickson.is Whitby Arts auto wreckers. I would have to call you to explain where the truck is in the pile. I was going to pull them but it look like I would have to remove the fender. They were a good pair to get rechromed.

I got my Stainless line ordered today. The line comes in 20 foot straight lengths. Brake and fuel lines should aways look awesome in SS. I also got the Painless Fan wiring kit ordered.

I am hoping for the endof may. I guess were are both cutting it close for our deadline Eh ?

[68gmcdually]

Thanks Mario: My dad has dealt with Art before in his classic car business. Your right about pulling the fender, either the outer of the inner fender need to be removed, or do what my uncle did and place a pry bar behind the emblem and break the studs off, the other way being the approved way although. Any idea how much they want for them? I am glad to hear that you should be done in May too. Mine would have been done by now but my dad, who is the driving force behind this had a couple of pretty serious heart attacks in February and he spent a while in Sunnybrook and still is not up to working much on it with me at night, plus I have been swamped with work and wedding plans. It is going to be so worth it come June 4 to see it sitting outside that church while I am tying the knot and on June 5 we are leaving for a well deserved couple of weeks away, just sharon and me and the truck (i hope).

[72MARIO]

Well I was thinking of taking a hatchet we use for roofing and a beater hammer. Smack Smack. and just cut the emblems out of the fender. I bet you could get out of there with them for under 10 dollars. Just drop em in the mud on the way out and they would be worth $5. Do you need any new parts for you truck ? You could come down here and we could got to Arts and Bills Truck Shop. Next Saturday is good for me. Oh and thanks fot the TTT. Will get some new pics Sunday. I have to pickup my girlfriend from school up in New Liskeard this friday.So I wont get much done on the truck this weekend.

Sorry to hear about you dad I hope his recovery is speedy. I bet he is just a big of help with you truck as my dad's been with mine.

I have to ask.

How's your wife to be like the TRUCK ?

Later,

Mario

[Brainchild]

that is going to be a cool ride.

[68gmcdually]

Sharon actually liked it in its original 250 inline 6 three on the tree form better than what we have done for some strange reason. I am sure that her views will change when it is complete. Also she really doesn't like dual wheels on a pickup she thinks that it now has child bearing (big)hips, hence the personal licence plate on order "68BIGHIP" As far as next Saturday goes I probably have to work, being in a tourism related business stinks but I will try and back out of it and get someone to cover my truck since parts hunting sounds like more fun to me. Also my dad is doing great, I am at the shop right now helping him load up for Stirling Flea Market this weekend, my parents are taking there Bill Hirsch paint line and Flex liner stuff and vending which I am happy that he is still able to do it right now.

[68gmcdually]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

How did you go about marking the fender for the cut. Looks you nailed it!! They fit great! This is also something I have got to do in the near future, and any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

After asking an expert, namely my father about the cut I now know the secret. All they did was take a piece of metal about an inch wide and about 4" long, drilled a hole 3" from the end and inserted a pencil into it, then ran the piece of metal along the boxside and the pencil marked the cut line 3" out. Pretty elementary when you think about it, but it worked.

[LONGHAIR]

That is called "scribing" and it can be done with a compass just as easily. You just line the parts up so they are in proper relation to each other (touching at the highest point) an set your compass to the widest gap. Then just pull it along the edge you are trying to copy.

[68gmcdually]

You could use a compass but making stuff from scraps lying around the shop is much more fun. We probably would have used a compass however but didn't have one around at the time.

[crews]

WOW!! Great pictures and what a great project!! I guess I need to venture in this forum more often to catch up on everyone's latest progress....

I sent a pm regarding the rear fenders and your thoughts on how to attach them. I am really impresssed with the overall fit and form that the truck has taken with the dually fenders. You ( and the crew helping) did an outstanding job on the alignment of the fenders.

Are you planning on lowering it at all? ( I hope I didn't miss the fact that it is a 4wd somewhere..that would make that question look stupid )

Are you planning on trimming the inside fender lip of the original bedside? I know on the "factory" duallys ( later models) they actualy trim the wheel opening for tire clearance.

Anyhow- keep us informed as the truck nears completion. Great job !!!!

[68gmcdually]

Thanks crews: I will go into better detail about the fender mounting on Monday or so. As to the height of the truck: that is a bone of contention right now. The only way to make it sit lower would be to channel the box even more than it is now, seeing as though I used a factory cab/chassis the frame comes up behind the cab considerably ( We chopped about 3/4" out of the box crossmembers already, I would imagine that in a year or so we will take the floor out of the box and set her down to where she belongs, either that or air bag it which won't give us much as the cab is up so high to start with, and you are right is not a 4X4. I was worried that everyone would think that it is though with the height factor. It sits about the same heighth as my '97 Ford F-250HD work truck.

[72MARIO]

You can get the rear springs Dearched and for the front get drop spindles or even a 3/4 ton spring. I believe a 1/2 spring might also fit in there too. I kinda like the way it sits.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

......... I kinda like the way it sits.

Looks like a truck ready to do truckin stuff.!

[68gmcdually]

Just got back from the trade show, ready for a nap before dinner. I am going to leave it the way it is for now and see how it performs the idea behind the truck is to haul a car trailer with my buddy's original '60 Ford F-100 on it to attend some shows. The '60 drives really nice but top speed is about 40 miles an hour, even after the rear end gear swap. Needless to say I don't want to downgrade the springs since I need them to handle the weight.

72MARIO: How was your trip to New Liskeard Friday?

[72MARIO]

Loooooooong.

But good. She is home for good too. Got her stuff all unpacked in her parents place saturday. She starts her new job in Aurora monday. Should be good. Now it's goig to be tought finding time to finish the 67.... oh well it will get done.

Shoot me a PM if you can get saturday off.

later, Mario

[68gmcdually]

I finally got to sit in the truck on real bolted down seats a few minutes ago. Man did that ever feel good. Won't be long now till it might move under its own power.