Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...

[Bomp]

Once you get the new frame you will be soooo glad you did.
Its always best knowing you didn't settle, You did it the right way.
Great Progress Don!
Instagram the new sander

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

Nice work Brotha!!! Looking killer awesome! Yeah..The PO before the PO(Get it? lol) was an idiot...ugh..lol...well...gives me an excuse to buy more trucks right!?! LOL!

Thanx TJ... And yep I got it, I think!

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Nice progress!!!

Originally Posted by likaroc13

x2!

Looking good, Don! Glad you were able to get back on it. That does really suck about the frame, but at least you have options. Don't know what that PO was thinking.

Thanx guys! After Mulling over what little I know about the history of my truck, I believe it was a shop (with the PO's blessing)that did the previous build and repaired the Front End that hacked the frame... The same shop was installing bucket seats and hacked a hole in the floor to install an auto shifter from a F#%d...

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

nice work there buddy. i know you'll get that frame thing worked out, its a bummer now but it will soon be part of the blur of fixing up your truck.
stay after it and let me know if you need something or if i can help you out.

Thanx Clem! ...and I will be in touch...

Originally Posted by Bomp

Once you get the new frame you will be soooo glad you did.
Its always best knowing you didn't settle, You did it the right way.
Great Progress Don!
Instagram the new sander

Thanx Doc! I find myself unwilling to settle with the frame in it's current state, and replacing is more cost effective than repair...
Be watching Instagram later and I will post a pic for ya...

[Ta2Don]

Called dwcardfan this morning and struck a deal for a frame… Should be a road trip in the next 2 weeks or so to grab said frame...

Played Hooky today from the Studio, , and took care of a couple of things on the Boss' (read Wife's) to do list…

Then snuck out to the shed to put some time in on the driver's door…Worked out the bottom corner issue, then moved onto filling the holes for the custom trim that were in the door… While looking at the size, I had an epiphany, 16 penny nail heads...

I have a bunch from previous building projects, since the purchase of a framing nailer the 16 pennys have been rusting in the coffee can that is their home... So I rescued 6, put them under the Wire Wheel, then tacked them in place...
Hmmmm, could turn this into a Mad Max Truck...
All 6 welded, all 6 trimmed down… 4 ground and ready for glaze putty and primer…2 to go...

[dantimdad]

Thanks for the idea!

I knew it was going to be a pain to weld up all the trim holes. This will definitely help.

It just dawned on me. If you hold the nails on the back side of the hole and puddle weld from the front, there should be a lot less mess to clean up.

What do you think?

Steven

[Ta2Don]

I thought about that but didn't have a 2cd set of hands available... will keep that in mind should the need arise in the future...

[dwcardfan]

Looking good brother. I think you will make that September deadline.

[dantimdad]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

I thought about that but didn't have a 2cd set of hands available... will keep that in mind should the need arise in the future...

Luckily, I have a 13 year old that I taught to weld. I'll hole 'em while he burns 'em.

Steven

[Ta2Don]

That is Awesome!!!

Get 'em started young...

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

That is Awesome!!!

Get 'em started young...

X2 get'em started young!

[McMurphy]

Don,
On filling holes, I took someones advice and went to the hardware store and got a $3 copper pipe sleeve. Then I took it home and beat it flat with a coat hanger between the two sides of copper. I use this as a backing when I filling holes because the weld wire and metal wont stick to the copper.

The coat hanger is so I can get it into odd places if needed, and hang in on my welding cart....

Just passing this along in case you had not heard of that neat trick yet.

[Ta2Don]

Thanks Sarge!

I hadn't heard of that one, and the coat hanger part is genius...

[Modges'66]

Lookin Great!!!
I see a lot of block-sanding in somebody's future!
Keep on it!

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by dwcardfan

Looking good brother. I think you will make that September deadline.

Thanx Brother!
That's still the plan…

Originally Posted by Modges'66

Lookin Great!!!
I see a lot of block-sanding in somebody's future!
Keep on it!

Thank you Sir!!!
Learning as I go...

[rusty76]

Looking good. Looking good!

[zippeay]

Looks great!

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Looking good. Looking good!

Originally Posted by zippeay

Looks great!

Thanks Guys!!!

[Ta2Don]

Life has been tumultuous at best recently... Not much chance for Truck time, but I did pull the trigger on a secondary project… A friend needed some cash and he offered up a Ratrod project that I had shown an interest in at a reasonable price. It's a 47 Dodge on a Chevy S10 frame… no motor or trans… The gears started turning, slipping, moving, anyway, the plan is to get this running and legal so I can flip it and bank the profit for my Garage fund...

Here are a few pics and the next post will be an update on this build... Just wanted to show proof that I haven't been just sitting around...

too bad the pedal car wasn't included...

[TJ's Chevy]

Now the challenge is gonna be if ya REALLY SELL IT brotha!!! LOL! I guarantee you take it for a drive an you might have a change of mind...just sayin.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Life has been tumultuous at best recently... Not much chance for Truck time, but I did pull the trigger on a secondary project… A friend needed some cash and he offered up a Ratrod project that I had shown an interest in at a reasonable price. It's a 47 Dodge on a Chevy S10 frame… no motor or trans… The gears started turning, slipping, moving, anyway, the plan is to get this running and legal so I can flip it and bank the profit for my Garage fund...

Here are a few pics and the next post will be an update on this build... Just wanted to show proof that I haven't been just sitting around...

too bad the pedal car wasn't included...

That's a cool looking rat project! My dad got suckered into one of those deals as well. His is just sitting now though due to some possible wiring or fuel-related issue. It's a 30's Dodge with a '90 Dakota chassis/drivetrain.

[Ta2Don]

Thanks Guyz… This early in the game, I have to admit, the hardest thing for me to get focused on is whether to keep it looking basically stock or to do a radical change…
The following pics are of 2 different ideas… Just need to weigh my options, need to determine which build will result in the higher dollar amount at sale...

Any and all input is welcome!

[clemdaddy]

buddy, i'd flip it as a roller. the more you do the less you'll make and the more time you'll spend doing it...

it shows real good right now, let it be someone else's vision.

unless you secretly want it yourself?

3 months. 3 weeks and 3 days

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Thanks Guyz… This early in the game, I have to admit, the hardest thing for me to get focused on is whether to keep it looking basically stock or to do a radical change…
The following pics are of 2 different ideas… Just need to weigh my options, need to determine which build will result in the higher dollar amount at sale...

Any and all input is welcome!

I think it looks cool in "stock" form.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

buddy, i'd flip it as a roller. the more you do the less you'll make and the more time you'll spend doing it...

it shows real good right now, let it be someone else's vision.

unless you secretly want it yourself?

3 months. 3 weeks and 3 days

x2! If you follow Clem's lead, be sure to share some pics on Facebook. Or did I already see it there? I'd like for my dad to see it. I think he has a friend looking for a rat project, but I'm not sure how involved he wants it to be.

[dwcardfan]

I am with Clem. The more time and money you spend the less profit you will make. I think the main reason for doing a rat rod is the fun of making it your on vision. Like he said unless your are secretly wanting it your self (). Plus it will take away time from your 65. But anyway my vote would be keep it stock.

[markeb01]

I happen to love that body style, the roundish windows and the way the doors fit in the cab, but I'd be cautious about investing much time or money for a profitable flip.

I've seen trucks like these go through owner after owner because there's no aftermarket support, and there are limited potential buyers compared to something more mainstream.

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

I think it looks cool in "stock" form.

x2! If you follow Clem's lead, be sure to share some pics on Facebook. Or did I already see it there? I'd like for my dad to see it. I think he has a friend looking for a rat project, but I'm not sure how involved he wants it to be.

Thanks for the input and yes I have been posting on FB some…

Originally Posted by dwcardfan

I am with Clem. The more time and money you spend the less profit you will make. I think the main reason for doing a rat rod is the fun of making it your on vision. Like he said unless your are secretly wanting it your self (). Plus it will take away time from your 65. But anyway my vote would be keep it stock.

Thanks Donnie... Hope to get with you in the next week or so to do the frame thing!!!

Originally Posted by markeb01

I happen to love that body style, the roundish windows and the way the doors fit in the cab, but I'd be cautious about investing much time or money for a profitable flip.

I've seen trucks like these go through owner after owner because there's no aftermarket support, and there are limited potential buyers compared to something more mainstream.

Thanks for your input Mark, valued to say the least...

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

buddy, i'd flip it as a roller. the more you do the less you'll make and the more time you'll spend doing it...

it shows real good right now, let it be someone else's vision.

unless you secretly want it yourself?

3 months. 3 weeks and 3 days

Thanks Clem, the value of your comments are...
Thanks also for the kick in the backside with the countdown…

Thanx Guyz for keeping me focused…
It will be a quick build with very little of my own taste thrown in… Once this is flipped, It will be time to get shop built then I can focus on my ratrod…