Rat repair.

[57taskforce]

Great work mike, it's coming together well... I need to go out and get after mine now, been away from it for a few weeks.

[swamp rat]

Well the weather isn't cooperating today, i don't mind having my 220V extension cord strung out from the garage, over the fence to my car cover and hung onto the truck if its a little damp or even a light sprinkle, i never let it touch the ground and its got a very heavy duty plastic sheathing that is very durable and it is in great shape, i inspect it often for cracks and abrasion and i keep the plug end high and dry, I'm always standing on dry plywood when i weld also, but once the deluge of rain starts its time to call it quits, i would like to retire some day...

I have about 1/2 of the spot welds done in the rocker, again no pictures.

[Zane M]

Yea, none of my vehicle "to do" list got touched today.

[swamp rat]

So i finally get a real nice day and what happens? no motivation..

Here's the progress pictures, still have some welding and grinding to do but its coming along nicely. I'm assuming that due to the fact i flanged the floor in i will need to smear the bottom of the flanged area with seam sealer, probably all welded and joined areas i guess.

Also, a pic of my passenger cab corner to show how small the flanges are and why i'm so concerned about sealing the gap up, kinda wishing i spent a little time welding in some extra flange material on the drivers cab corner as i think the stock corners had more material there and sealed the area better.

[swamp rat]

I do have a question, when i epoxy prime the floor and rockers is it advisable to remove the existing weldable primer and black rocker primer first?

[DWilbur]

The black rockers a electro plate black primer. it's like power coat. you can epoxy prime over it. as for the red prime try a test area and see if it sticks.

[swamp rat]

Ok thanks Dwilber

Next time i want to find a can of brush on weld thru primer, this stuff in the spray can comes out way to fast and is not controllable.

[BlueBullet]

I had the same issue with gap on rocker and cab corners. I used the hammer and dolly to rework rocker a little then did some trimming and cleaning up in cab corner and B pillar. Was able to get it closer by doing so. There was ripples on cab corner flange and rocker flange I hammered and ground flat.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by BlueBullet

I had the same issue with gap on rocker and cab corners. I used the hammer and dolly to rework rocker a little then did some trimming and cleaning up in cab corner and B pillar. Was able to get it closer by doing so. There was ripples on cab corner flange and rocker flange I hammered and ground flat.

Thanks, I did rework the rocker a bit, as well as the cab corner, pictures don't show it but the bottom is touching and the top is separated a bit. I'll try and get a pic of that next time.

[First c10]

Originally Posted by BlueBullet

I had the same issue with gap on rocker and cab corners. I used the hammer and dolly to rework rocker a little then did some trimming and cleaning up in cab corner and B pillar. Was able to get it closer by doing so. There was ripples on cab corner flange and rocker flange I hammered and ground flat.

Rat I agree with BB. my aftermarket rocker would not fit. I mean the area that is close to the door jam curved at the flange that welds to the inner rocker.(hope this makes sense). I did my best to make it flat and still have a little gap (as you have seen in my build). Keep up the good work as I thought I had a lot to do, you had to replace big sections.

As for motivation..... we want to see more so keep it up. no matter how a classic truck looks everyone wants it......

Weld-on my friend!!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I'm assuming that due to the fact i flanged the floor in i will need to smear the bottom of the flanged area with seam sealer, probably all welded and joined areas i guess.

Looks like it is all coming together nicely Mike. On my floor repairs, I spread seam sealer on both top and bottom of my welds - figuring the extra insurance wouldn't hurt. My goal for the floor was never to make it appear there hadn't been a patch done. Plus, I sprayed bed liner top and bottom of the floor as well. All of that managed to cover any ugly from my welding pretty well

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Looks like it is all coming together nicely Mike. On my floor repairs, I spread seam sealer on both top and bottom of my welds - figuring the extra insurance wouldn't hurt. My goal for the floor was never to make it appear there hadn't been a patch done. Plus, I sprayed bed liner top and bottom of the floor as well. All of that managed to cover any ugly from my welding pretty well

Well with a flanged floor that's not gonna happen Thanks for the tip on the seam sealer, it will go on the bottom too.

So the weather chanel said by 3 it was gonna start raining again, so i get out there about 10, all the welding gear, 10 minutes later i'm outta gas! Oh well.. Got a new cylinder today instead, bought a new 4.5" grinder too made in Germany called a Metabo (Ma-Ta-Bo) got the 8.5 amp version, should last a lifetime, my old Skill i bought when i was 18 has served me well thru the years but the cord has been replaced, the housing is cracked in 2 places, it vibrates becase the bearings are wearing out, and the switch does not lock onto the on position any more..

[7dee2]

Looking really good Mike a lifetime grinder would be great, was it spensive?

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

a lifetime grinder would be great, was it spensive?

$225, about the same as my right angle 20V Dewalt Drill. The 6 amp version was about $150, there was one more powerful that was a bit over $300, the 6 amp version has a smaller body and is lighter, probably would have been fine with that one.

[DWilbur]

Matabo makes good equipment my Brother has several of there tools.

[swamp rat]

Its been windy and wet out so being as last time i moved the welder across the side yard i kinda chewed it up a bit caus its a mush pit, so i decided it was time to put some better wheels on my shop welding cart, i wanted wider swivel casters but the hard ware store didn't have any.

Here's a feature if the Metabo grinder i like, a quick detach safety shroud..

Hope to get back to the truck tomorrow pending weather..

[Vic1947]

Looks like you could ride on that welder all the way to New Yawk Citty!

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Looks like you could ride on that welder all the way to New Yawk Citty!

Its made my life a bit easier! still need better fronts tho but its livable!

The driver floor is pretty much welded in now, i have been fighting a few bouts of porosity that i think maybe my heat and feed were too high, i have turned them down, it seems to be better, now i need to go back over some of the spots with a light under the truck to insure no pin holes are present.

Question: seam sealer before epoxy primer or after?

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

...Question: seam sealer before epoxy primer or after?

After. Always best to get the epoxy on the bare metal first since it's your last line of defense against moisture. The seam sealer will adhere to it just fine.

Everything is looking great! Having lived up there for almost two years I know all about the weather you're dealing with. Kudos for hanging in there.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

After. Always best to get the epoxy on the bare metal first since it's your last line of defense against moisture. The seam sealer will adhere to it just fine.

Everything is looking great! Having lived up there for almost two years I know all about the weather you're dealing with. Kudos for hanging in there.

Thanks again Vic! Today was a nasty one, high winds and cold rain, no work done at home, Just weekend OT and a severe lack of sleep.... .

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

...Today was a nasty one, high winds and cold rain.

No kidding! Remember my brother-in-law Rick that lives up by Seabeck and came down with me to see your truck? This is his backyard and his brand new car. If I'm not mistaken, it's the ONLY new car he's ever bought - and may well be the last.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

No kidding! Remember my brother-in-law Rick that lives up by Seabeck and came down with me to see your truck? This is his backyard and his brand new car. If I'm not mistaken, it's the ONLY new car he's ever bought - and may well be the last.

Yep i do remember, i thought about posting a pic of a car that a guy died in after a tree fell on him but couldn't bring myself to do it, feel bad for his family whoever he was, he had his baby with him but the baby survived because he/she was in the back seat. Even the ferries were taking water over the top of the car deck, (video below) The very reason i took down the 11 trees i had on my property and thankful my neighbor took the one out of his front yard too..

I used to think nothing of the wind when i lived in eastern Wa but around here i have had a change of opinion, watching these trees come down where you live is kinda spooky especially the big ones..

http://www.king5.com/story/news/loca...erry/81751312/

Nothing done today.. just rest.

[BossH0G]

Hi again swamp rat, awesome progress on the truck. I also like the upgrade to the welding cart, its awesome. I been thinking about getting the cart, and now I'm thinking about doing the same thing.

[swamp rat]

Fair warning on that cart its not super heavy duty as far as the structural support on the upper front corners of the cabinet right above the top drawer corners, it can bend a bit in shipping from side load, i had to return the first one i ordered and had UPS'ed because my local H/F was sold out when they were on sale, and the bottom where the gas bottle sits has a slight bend to it now, absolutely meant for the cement floor, i have been a little rough on mine i guess.

Thanks for the comps!

Not much to report but i cut down the cab reinforcement and reworked it on the passenger side so i can get into the driver side better and finish it up.

[BossH0G]

Thanks for the info on the cart, mine will probably be in my shop mostly. I do have a nice cement pad outside in front of my shop thought about 18x24.
Here's some cool tools eBay item number 322040819339