Rat repair.

[skyjgmc]

figured I better sub up since Ive been reading your thread for a while. I really like the new wheels, those are my favorite for this body style.

[swamp rat]

Thanks DWilbur and Skyjgmc, Thanks!

[swamp rat]

Well here's something i fought getting the stock front cab support free from that channel at the cab mount, there are 3 small spot welds right below the little strap loop that i think is a bolt guide? anyway it took a long time to get that little piece out but i got it, i donno maybe i should have just cut that little strap off to save some time.

Before i started removal i measured the angle of the inner channel and its about 5 degrees to the cab support.

I position one of the cab supports (universal from Tabco) into place and held my inner rocker, A-pillar and inner kick panel all together , i have the outer support flange nested to the rocker and this is the space at the inside.... wow what a gap!

Anybody know if the Tri-Plus supports fit better?

[BossH0G]

Hi swap rat, like what you done so far, keep up the good work. I'm excited but waiting patiently to see more.

[BossH0G]

Boy that was fast

[swamp rat]

Thanks Boss!

[swamp rat]

So i have spent my life trying not to beat on stuff with a hammer, at work that runes parts

But sometimes ya just gotta say what the heck and start swinging, flattened the inner flanges, marked and re bent them, took a couple try's but got it close enough, then the top plate would not nest properly so i had to spread the legs a little and tap it down with a hammer a bit, the outer flanges had some crown so i had to beat that in as well, I test fit everything looks pretty good.

I have to cut a little bit of the floor out at the firewall and put a patch in so i bent a piece of .050 then called it a night so i could watch the second half of the Superbowl, Go Denver!

Tomorrow i hope to have the patch in before work, then if i have time i got ta think about how to flange some of the floor.

On a side note, I'm running outta Vice grips!

[DWilbur]

Harbor Freight has a air tool that can punch holes and step the edge of the sheet metal. I bought one for punching holes to spot weld in my repairs. It's slow at stepping the edge but get the work done.

[mcbassin]

You are doing a good job of making terrible fitting parts fit. Keep up the good work. I understand your frustration level with the aftermarket parts.

[swamp rat]

Thanks Mike!

Well slow progress, nothing seems to happen fast with me LOL! as soon as i got started i had to stop and make a trip to the hardware store for a swivel air fitting as my straight fitting would not clear my bracing..

Got a couple assy pic's, looking at the inner rocker you can see my latest woops... I trimmed the front a little short... I should have also waited on trimming the inner kick panel too cause i trimmed it before i did my slice cuts and hammer work on the relief of the inner rocker and that changed how the two parts index.

Best part about doing something new is its like an extended Christmas, except i gotta pay for the goodies.

OK i have a question: Is it common to have to trim the bottom of the inner rocker?? I did not trim my stock inner rocker and you can see about 1/4" difference.

[7dee2]

I'd install it as is then fit the inner to the outer rocker pinch weld seam don't trim to much or you may come up short. Ours didn't need hardly any trim at all either side on our C10 project.

[57taskforce]

Mike, your making great progress. Having just done a lot of what your dealing with on my k/20 I know how fun aftermarket parts are as well. I had to trim my inner rocker on the pssenger side but not the driver. All my patches were key parts and I'd rate them 7.5-8 out of 10.

[sboris]

Really coming along! Way to keep at it.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

I'd install it as is then fit the inner to the outer rocker pinch weld seam don't trim to much or you may come up short. Ours didn't need hardly any trim at all either side on our C10 project.

Got a question for ya, did you just temporarily tack weld the lower A pillar in place then fit the outer rocker? I know once welded in place you cant pull nothing apart.

[7dee2]

Nope, we took the best measurements we could bolted it all together and welded it up. I think it would really be a trick to put all this inner stuff temporarily together and then pop a door in place for the outer rocker fitment. Not saying it can't be done but that's not what we did. Somebody told me to work from the inside out and that is what we did for the most part, I felt that was good advise.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Nope, we took the best measurements we could bolted it all together and welded it up. I think it would really be a trick to put all this inner stuff temporarily together and then pop a door in place for the outer rocker fitment. Not saying it can't be done but that's not what we did. Somebody told me to work from the inside out and that is what we did for the most part, I felt that was good advise.

Ok, Thanks for all the pictures they all help!

57taskforce and sboris: Thanks fir the encouragement, its much appreciated!

Just more cutting and fitting today, nothing to post a picture of yet.

[rgunlock]

Hey, you added a name to your signature - don't have to call you swamp rat anymore Based on my own 1st time doing much the same repairs, I think you are doing fine. I don't think getting every part right the first time (for a first-timer) is in the cards. But you learn from this and dial it in. After a retry, I'm sure you'll be satisfied with your result. Looking great Mike!

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Hey, you added a name to your signature - don't have to call you swamp rat anymore Based on my own 1st time doing much the same repairs, I think you are doing fine. I don't think getting every part right the first time (for a first-timer) is in the cards. But you learn from this and dial it in. After a retry, I'm sure you'll be satisfied with your result. Looking great Mike!

Yea when i came here many years ago i didn't think about adding my name, people started calling me swamp and swampy ect, that's my trucks name, i finally got around to adding it.

I'm realizing that things shift and move a lot if your not careful, i have added a few holes as locators to get back to the same spot before i start making scribes or pin marks to cut too, its all coming together, then when its done i will throw carpet over it and nobody will know.

[swamp rat]

Took the weekend off.. Aside form going to the swap meet Saturday and meeting Tim from "1968 Gmc ground up restoration" I spent the rest of the weekend with my wife.

Finished fitting the floor less the outside edge where i want to flange it to fit next to the outer rocker.

Taking my sweet time getting the floor brace and the lower A pillar aligned, measured and checked fit about a billion times, then i tested the outer rocker and its looking really close.

[7dee2]

Looking good Mike I don't think you'll regret the flange type repair way stronger, IMO!

[Molberg]

Looks great bud. If you're questioning fittment... Sheet metal screws are your friend before welding her home. Awesome job.

[swamp rat]

Thanks 7dee2 and Molberg, Molberg its nice to see you on the forum again!

Yes planning on ether screws or pop rivets to hold it together when fitting the doors and welding.

[Molberg]

[QUOTE=swamp rat;7488663]Thanks 7dee2 and Molberg, Molberg its nice to see you on the forum again!

I still "creep" the forums. No section for Nova restoration on this site. Lol
Posted via Mobile Device

[swamp rat]

[quote=Molberg;7488698]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Thanks 7dee2 and Molberg, Molberg its nice to see you on the forum again!

I still "creep" the forums. No section for Nova restoration on this site. Lol
Posted via Mobile Device

Actually there is, the folder is called Alternate Tinkerings.

[mcbassin]

Nice progress on the cab repair. You doing a some killer work. Keep it up!