Project#1: Bright Horizons - 68 Swb big block on Air!

[VA72C10]

And during.....after to come tomorrow. Worst area I need to take pics of.
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[Jastos]

OK now I am officially excited. No more injuring yourself!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Jastos

OK now I am officially excited. No more injuring yourself!

COOL!

1st post by the Owner of the truck!

Glad you're excited

I will do my best to not injure myself further (although I skinned up my ankle today on a burb's jagged rear wheel well while leaning over doing some grinding )

[VA72C10]

More
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[VA72C10]

It's not all good though
Two spots I didn't see before when looking at the cross sils while it was bolted to the frame. Not bad at all though...

And frame is clean...just needs a little more cleanup in a few areas before paint...they painted it but not up to my standards

[VA72C10]

Here's some of the tools I used (most were put away already) and a picture of the bed sill patch made and in place ready to weld (tomorrow hopefully)
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[VA72C10]

The patch fit closer on the left until I started cleaning up that side to be able to weld to....the metal simply disapeared....I'll get it though

Here is one last area I worked on today.....right side taillight area....it was missing metal so I made and welded a patch in there also....no before's....only "during's"
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[VA72C10]

The last is a quick shot of primer in a can since it looked like rain again....with a wipe of filler this will look great! Oh, and those welds don't look so hot because I forgot to turn the gas on that time I turned it on right after I took the picture (helmet off so I could see the ugly welds
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[VA72C10]

No filler in any of the pictures....I figure whoever buys this bed wil media blast or sand it down before final bodywork and paint. It'll be super nice once I get the last two patches done...
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[NewType72]

thats a fairly clean fleetside metal bed too bad i prefer my wood bed over the metals im sure someone will be happy to have it

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by NewType72

thats a fairly clean fleetside metal bed too bad i prefer my wood bed over the metals im sure someone will be happy to have it

Have a guy coming tomorrow to look at it. Seems very interested and a serious buyer so we will see...

Will have some completed bed pictures tomorrow.

[VA72C10]

Some more parts....
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[Bennett68C10]

Good luck with your business, can't wait to see how your first truck turns out. Also, nice pile of parts you have there.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Bennett--G4L

Good luck with your business, can't wait to see how your first truck turns out. Also, nice pile of parts you have there.

Thanks, going to turn out the best product I possibly can....getting help where I don't have the experience like paint.

I've got a few piles of parts takes a lot to build a truck . Will keep organizing and posting them as I go and as the project continues so guys who are considering a project can see what goes into each truck.
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[VA72C10]

Working on finishing the bed now. Really happy how the patch came out...

One more to go...
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[ECU PIRATE]

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may be heading down the same route as you once I can get a new spot in the country and build a detached garage. One of these Saturday's, I am going to jump in the car and ride down to Midlo and check you out.

[tantrumpipeline]

definitely in for this,looks like a great start

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by ECU PIRATE

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may be heading down the same route as you once I can get a new spot in the country and build a detached garage. One of these Saturday's, I am going to jump in the car and ride down to Midlo and check you out.

Originally Posted by tantrumpipeline

definitely in for this,looks like a great start

Thanks! Not everything went as well as the first patch found some more pits wjen looking through and seeing light. Thankfully they are small areas I can fill with weld then grind. It was mid 80's but in the sun felt like a lot more

Was working on the other patch and got a good patch panel made with the shop's metal brake...but found the rust went further so decided to scrap that for a larger patch. The brake wouldn't allow me to bend it tight enough so I will "section" it....taking some out of the middle to drop the raised area down. Looks like it will fit great after I do that and I willl call the bed finished...

The guy who wants to purchase the bed couldn't get off work early enough to come today....hoping tomorrow or sat.
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[NewType72]

man the new piece in the last picture posted even has that same old school bend from rough and tough years lol now that's a true restoration great fab work man lookin goof and it's just a cash maker not the project itself lol I can only imagine what the finished truck will be now

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by NewType72

man the new piece in the last picture posted even has that same old school bend from rough and tough years lol now that's a true restoration great fab work man lookin goof and it's just a cash maker not the project itself lol I can only imagine what the finished truck will be now

hammered it one time trying to get it to pop into place...will tweak that back when I get it welded in place.

I am doing my best to improve as a welder so I can complete everything myself instead of relying on help from the body shop owner (who is more than willing to help)

I know this is just a cross sill on the underside of the bed which really never will be seen....but if I'm going to do this...I'm going to do it right!

[NewType72]

and that's the attitude that makes you a great candidate to do an adventure like this kudos my man

[big_al_71]

great job!!!

[FrankieD]

In my life I have had chances to start a business but never took that leap of faith I always stuck to the safe and secure road it take's a person with a passion and a special wife that will put up with the long hours. good luck

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

great job!!!

Thanks, and glad to hear a potential future customer approves

Originally Posted by FrankieD

In my life I have had chances to start a business but never took that leap of faith I always stuck to the safe and secure road it take's a person with a passion and a special wife that will put up with the long hours. good luck

Thanks! I won't be giving up the cabinet business entirely as I can make a decent amount for a small amount (time) of design or consultant work. But am devoting the majority of my time to the truck business. I've been spending a minimum 20 hours a week online looking for parts for over a year anyways. And these trucks are definitely a passion for me!
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[VA72C10]

Here are some more parts pictures
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