Project Checkbook 2: 1971 SWB BB Cheyenne

[68Gold/white]

Finding a good drivers door can be tricky. Good Pass side doors are abundant, drivers side, not an easy fond..

[tristan]

The only media blasting left to be done is the inside cab roof and the inside back of the cab. So far the revelations beneath the black paint haven't been all that encouraging although certainly not beyond redemption. I have given up on my search for new doors and will be ordering new door bottoms and lower skins today for obvious reasons.

[tristan]

worst.rocker.repair.ever = McGyver in L&R replacement outer rockers over the rusted out original inner and out rockers, and then fill in the resulting large gaps with seam sealer, body filler and probably roofing cement.

[tristan]

Mixed bag here: drip rail is solid and the only rot in the windshield channel is some fixable stuff in the lower corner on the drivers side. Evidently something in the HVAC box assembly leaked as can be seen in the firewall rot. The only bad karma in the floor is on the passenger side along the bottom of the kick panel.

It now looks like I am going to have a pretty substantial investment in rust repair on this project. However, all of this mess was well hidden and a lot of it would have remained lurking on the truck if I didn't have it disassembled and blasted down to bare metal. I guess it is better that I know then if I did not.

[nds1968]

It's not that bad, I had to patch up my rockers, cab corner and toe kicks along with a spot on the fire wall and rear window opening. Are you against using repo doors, they are $350 each plus shipping from Nsane Hot Rods.

[tristan]

Media blasting is now complete and nearly everything now has a coat of black primer to prevent flash rusting and highlight flaws in the metal for future repair. The engine and chassis are now power-washed and steam-cleaned. Looks like I need a set of original big block valve covers, anyone got a pair with no dents?

Next stops = starting rust repair and paint on the engine block and the parts of the frame that were hidden by the cab and bed. The C-10 instrument panel has been sent off to Tom Garris for a rebuild and the inner and outer HVAC boxes will soon go off to FL for the same.

[tristan]

I guess it's progress when the primer turns from black to grey. The good news is on the hood, outer cowl, tailgate and front fenders which were all in good shape with only minor work needed. I got the instrument panel back from Tom Garris and the picture doesn't do much justice to his beautiful work. The tach circuitry was fried and he put in new electronics for me.

[tristan]

The bad news is on the cab and bed where the shop continues to find more rust damage. Both the drivers and passengers side floors require patching and the passenger A pillar is also going to have to be replaced. They haven't tackled the rockers or doors yet but Classic Industries patch pieces are ready and waiting. The rust hole in the firewall has been welded up and ground smooth. One curious finding from the prior "restoration" was that fenders and some other sub-assemblies that are supposed to be bolted on were instead welded on, and vice-versa for some other items.

I am going to look at a replacement bed from a junker soon as it is probably not worth patching the original. If that doesn't work out then Classic Industries will get another nice order.

[72 tigger]

Hopefully they won’t find any more rust!

[IronCanine]

Late...but on board!

[tristan]

Been a couple of months so I went over today for a visit. The long-time guy who worked on my Jimmy and now this truck has moved on so I got to meet the new guy today. He seems very competent and is making steady progress as the ugly rust repair phase of the project continues.

He has succeeded in straightening out the back panels of the cab which had been dented outward from the inside. I am still trying to figure that one out because the damage occurred in an area that ordinarily would be behind the gas tank. Poltergeist? He has also yanked the crappy rocker-ectomy carried out by some butcher and preliminarily welded in new inner and outer rockers on both sides. He has been checking the doors for fit and says all looks good.

[tristan]

Both doors are getting new bottoms. The body guy reports that the replacement pieces that I bought from Classic Industries are fitting well with only minor modification needed.

[tristan]

He has also cut out the swiss cheese AKA the passenger footrest area and all is now new metal. My takeoff bed floor from a 1970 has made its way to the shop. There is some rust around the wheel wells but the bed appears to be in much better shape than the original. However I am reserving judgement until after it is media-blasted as paint truly hides many sins.

[tristan]

It looks like rocker replacement has been completed and the replacement drivers side door has been repaired and test fit. The gaps look excellent.

[nds1968]

Looking good, lots of work went into those doors.

[tristan]

Rust repair and door fitting are now completed on the cab. It has been shot with the final pre-final finish paint primer coat. The shop has switched to using a high-gloss epoxy primer that takes a few weeks to fully dry but which reveals spots needing attention much better. One small operation needed to turn a 1972 door into a 1971 model still needs a little more work.

[zicc1835]

lookin gooood

[tristan]

Attention has now turned to the bed. The replacement bed floor has been stripped and media blasted. It had some dings and some rust around the wheel wells which is being repaired. The front of the bed has been filled and sanded out. When they have completed both repairs then the bed will be disassembled and the floor switched out. Anyone need the old one?

[IronCanine]

Looks great!!

[Dave]

Any updates? Excellent work and progress being made. Where's the shop at in PA?

[tristan]

Thanks for asking. I hope to have some update pictures soon of the work on the bed. The project is nearing a "next steps" decision point: paint or drivetrain/chassis cleanup? I probably can't afford to do both simultaneously. The C-10 is being restored at Fort Pitt Classic Cars in Sharpsburg, PA.

[tristan]

Body work is almost done now (he said hopefully) with only a few hours left on the bed floor. The replacement floor that I bought was very sound but had rust damage under the wheel wells. That has all been repaired. While I was tempted to make them go away, the factory spot weld dimples along the bed channels will live on.

All prep work has been done to "fine driver" status but attaining even that standard has been extremely costly due to the extent of repairs and disassembly necessary. All body parts are now being staged for final prep work and (again hopefully) paint should be flying soon.

There is a great article in the current issue of Hemmings Muscle Cars regarding why quality bodywork is so expensive which I recommend to anyone considering a professional restoration on any vehicle.

[tristan]

The chassis and drivetrain had been painted early in the restoration but of course removing the cab, bed and front end revealed areas that could not be reached from below when the truck was intact. I am going to have the engine and transmission removed so that the engine and exhaust manifolds can be repainted. I am also going to have the previously unpainted areas along the top of the frame cleaned up and painted.

[IronCanine]

Thanks for the update. This is going to be nice. You'll never regret going the extra mile...just like the Jimmy.

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by tristan

Body work is almost done now (he said hopefully) with only a few hours left on the bed floor. The replacement floor that I bought was very sound but had rust damage under the wheel wells. That has all been repaired. While I was tempted to make them go away, the factory spot weld dimples along the bed channels will live on.

All prep work has been done to "fine driver" status but attaining even that standard has been extremely costly due to the extent of repairs and disassembly necessary. All body parts are now being staged for final prep work and (again hopefully) paint should be flying soon.

There is a great article in the current issue of Hemmings Muscle Cars regarding why quality bodywork is so expensive which I recommend to anyone considering a professional restoration on any vehicle.

nice progrees coming down the home stretch