1970 SWB : Porterbuilt to the Extreme "Double E"

[mikeleeshields]

Here are the pictures of the bottom finally all welded up, then seamsealed and undercoated. Im ready to turn this beyatch over now and finish it.

[mikeleeshields]

The first three are some of the cancer that was repaired on the top of the window seal. The last one is of the lower portion of the window seal which i am sure will not be very fun.

[mikeleeshields]

While I am waiting for someone to help me flip the cab over I decided to finally start dismantling the frame to get it ready for all of the Porterbuilt goodies that should be close to arriving.

[Hardesty454]

That looks great! What did you use to make the repair panel? 19g flat? Or is there a place that makes that
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[mikeleeshields]

Thanks
I used 16ga metal. To make it I used a cut off wheel, a hammer, a vice, and some vice grips. I know really primitive but after it is welded and ground down, you can't tell.

[mikeleeshields]

- I fixed some of the rust that was plaguing the lower part of the window sill.
- I have started to strip the crossmembers from the frame. Man everyone was right those rivets are a pain to remove.
- Next step is to have the frame blasted and painted. Found a local shop that will blast, prime and paint the frame for $150.

[Rochlow]

Looks good. I repaired similiar rust on my cab.

[Bennett68C10]

Nice looking build, good job on the rust repair
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[mikeleeshields]

Thanks guys. Can't wait to get a shipment from Nate. Then the real fun starts.
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[mikeleeshields]

Got a lot done this weekend. I patched some more rust on the firewall and also added the filler plate to round off the passenger side. I will cap it off once I get it back from the blaster and find out where the porterbuilt hinges will mount.

I also stripped the frame, holy crap, that is a pain. Waiting on my tie rod notches so I can weld them in and get ready to send this frame off to the blaster.

[mikeleeshields]

I got my linkage notches in the mail today, thanks Dave. Now I can weld those in this weekend and have this frame finally blasted and painted.

I am going to work on stripping the paint of the engine next and get it repainted. Any suggestions on how to do so the best way?

[mikeleeshields]

I got the linkage notches welded in this weekend. Now I have to get it to the blaster. Hopefully by next week I will have a nice shiny frame.

Debating on painting the frame black or a color, anyone have suggestions?
I am thinking of flat red for the outside cover. Here are some frame possibilities I have been thinking.
- Black frame with red components
- Red frame with silver/grey components
- Silver/grey frame with red components

[Hardesty454]

I love colored frames. I had a thread about colored frames pro and cons. The issue with colored frames (powder coat) is if there is any kind of dirt, rust, water etc. it will show through. Over time if the coat isnt 110% perfect rust will burn through and it will need to be redone. Paint is another story as you can re coat as you go but is less protective. If its a show only truck you have 0% issue of water getting into any area the coat wasn't perfect.
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[STOCKISH]

Nice progress on the rust repair. Its coming together nicely.

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by Hardesty454

I love colored frames. I had a thread about colored frames pro and cons. The issue with colored frames (powder coat) is if there is any kind of dirt, rust, water etc. it will show through. Over time if the coat isnt 110% perfect rust will burn through and it will need to be redone. Paint is another story as you can re coat as you go but is less protective. If its a show only truck you have 0% issue of water getting into any area the coat wasn't perfect.
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I am going to paint it. I plan on driving every day in the summer when dry of course. I may go with gloss black and colored components.
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[mikeleeshields]

I finally shipped the frame, cab, and various body parts to the sand blaster. I also spent the day stripping and painting engine parts. Once I get the frame back I cant wait to get my Porterbuilt shipment in so I can start bolting parts on. I want a rolling chassis once again.

[mikeleeshields]

Here are a few pictures of this weekend's progress. Once I get the parts back on this engine I will post some of the finished product.

[mcbassin]

Very clean work on the cab repairs Mike. I know how much work you had to do to get that done. It's funny how a series of pictures makes it look easy. I saw enough of them to make me think the same, till I did my own cab.

It takes a bunch of hours to get it done. Congrats!
I like the plans for your chassis too. subscribed.

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very clean work on the cab repairs Mike. I know how much work you had to do to get that done. It's funny how a series of pictures makes it look easy. I saw enough of them to make me think the same, till I did my own cab.

It takes a bunch of hours to get it done. Congrats!
I like the plans for your chassis too. subscribed.

Thanks. It definately is not as easy as pictures make it look. This is my first welding experience also, so I am learning as I go. I am sure I will have more to fix once it is sandblasted this week.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by mikeleeshields

Thanks. It definately is not as easy as pictures make it look. This is my first welding experience also, so I am learning as I go. I am sure I will have more to fix once it is sandblasted this week.

Very good work for your first welding job. I hope you don't have too much more to fix.

[mx289]

very cool build....

[mikeleeshields]

Thanks guys. More to come after the upcoming weekend.
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[mikeleeshields]

I am still waiting on the call from the blaster about the frame and body parts to come in. I painted the engine this weekend. I painted the valve covers, intake, and water pump universal red. Unfortunately this is not red enough, it is too orangey. I am supposed to be getting my paint from Eastwood tomorrow which is pin-up red, which i hope is bright deep red. That should look good against the black frame and engine block.

Talked to Dave at Porterbuilt, he said they are supposed to start working on my parts this week. I hope so.

[ridinlow68]

You're making some great headway! Once you get your PB parts you'll have a roller in no time. I'm in the same dilemma as you about what to do about colors for the frame. I'm still unsure as well, I definitely want some color on there somewhere.
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[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by ridinlow68

You're making some great headway! Once you get your PB parts you'll have a roller in no time. I'm in the same dilemma as you about what to do about colors for the frame. I'm still unsure as well, I definitely want some color on there somewhere.
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My thoughts right now are:
- Frame is low gloss black
- All Bolt on frame cross members and suspension parts are to be bright red (except rear notch)
- Engine block is low gloss black
- bolt on engine parts are bright red
- Body to be flat red
- I want to take the rims I have and have them powdercoated flat black.
(I am sure the last couple steps will change before I actually get to that point)