Bkndsdls' 64 Build - 9+ years strong

[ruffrida2005]

The guy really knows his stuff, my buddy just said he's not all that good at welding. But I've thought about going to one the of the pipe fitter unions down in Austin that do teaching.

I would really like to go to the Hobart school.

[bubba327]

OK guys ,
I was a welder a very long time ago right after high school and now my welding is marginal at best .
My beads are not pretty anymore but they hold.
I have had a few teachers and employers who were not competent to do what they taught,but sadly that is the case sometimes.


Bkndsdl , lets get this truck fixed!!
But, we are gonna need pictures of your welds and repairs for OUR on-line inspections

[ruffrida2005]

I will agree with Bubba on this on. I've been 6 days long enough to lay some beads.

[Bkndsdl]

Well, guys, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit longer for weld pics.......As you'll see, I've a long way to go before I get to weld anything.

Here's the '66 parts truck. I have a lot of areas on this cab that are usable.



After cutting two bolts and working with two more, the cab is ready to come off.

[Bkndsdl]

A low-tech transportation method........



And start cutting.

[Bkndsdl]

Man, squirrels get into everything. They got through the cab and made a nest in it.......



Here's where they got in. One of the PO's decided they wanted one of those tall whip CG antennas. They needed a hole.........here it is. Made with a drill bit!

[Bkndsdl]

All that, for this. This is in MUCH better shape than the replacement cab.....



Man that's a lot of spot welds!!!

[Bkndsdl]

The lower section of this panel is the only area that I could find replacement panels for. The upper section is rusted too, but they don't make patch panels for that so I'll have to do a bit of thinking there.

Here's the patch panel and where it will go.

[Bkndsdl]

Originally, I was going to cut off the top half of the cab fresh air vent section of the replacement panel and use the bottom section for alignment purposes, then since this area won't be seen, weld in a patch between the bottom and lower sections of the vent. But, after looking at the bottom of the vent and how bad of shape it was, I decided just to buy the lower section new, and remove it from my new/old patch panel.

Many, many spotwelds, cuts, knicks, busted knuckles and a few blood blisters later, here's what I've got. This was in no means easy.....but I think I'll be happier with it. It sucks that this is one side........I'll have to do it all over again for the other. Hopefully It'll at least go faster now that I know what to look for.

[Bkndsdl]

Next purchase is about 10 of those $4 spotweld remover drill bits from Harbor Freight. They work really well.

[Bkndsdl]

Here's a closeup shot of the spotweld drilling tool. It works well, but sometimes I have to re-sharpen the point on the spring-loaded guide bit.



I use a hammer and centerpunch when drilling spotwelds; it keeps the spotweld drill in the right place for drilling.

[Bkndsdl]

I thought for a while about removing the dash, but was too nervous about drilling all those spotwelds and getting it back in the right place. Well, the rust is so severe under the dash in the fresh air vent areas, that it just made sense to remove the dash. It went a lot easier than I thought; I now wish I would have done it before the cab got blasted.

Here's the spotwelds holding the dash to the cab at the window channel. There were a lot of them, but they were very easy to get to.



Here's the dash removed. There's a lot of work here............





Here's the side of the dash. I will get that rust off and prime this. Wish I would've done it sooner......

[Bkndsdl]

The removal of the dash will give me a lot easier time getting to the areas that need the most work. Ugh...........Long way to go.

[ruffrida2005]

And you cant find a better cab somewhere. That one is rough.

[Bkndsdl]

Not down here.....well, not one that I can afford anyway.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Bkndsdl]

Well, the other inner kick panel came free a lot easier than the first side. Way quicker.......here's what I ended up with.



And this is why I went through so much trouble to remove these from the donor cab......this is what came out of my cab. Swiss cheese, anyone?



The kick panels aren't in pristine shape, but at least they hold most of the original shape. I can rebuild these. My originals were gone so far that I couldn't have just repaired them in place.

[Bkndsdl]

I am really surprised at just how easy the kick panels came out of the cab without any real cutting, it was all spotweld drilling that got them out.

Here's the results after the kick panel was removed. Since I can get to these areas, my plan is to get my small siphon blaster out and sweep these areas then primer them. I am also leaning toward spraying some rubberizer in them, especially the cowl vent itself. What do you guys think?

[Bkndsdl]

Been raining here quite a lot, not been able to do much on the truck this week.......

[Bkndsdl]

Check out my early Christmas present!



These things cost a LOT. But, I grill a LOT.

[Captainfab]

That's cool looking, I've never seen one like it.

[Bkndsdl]

It's not the green egg, but an offshoot called a Cypress made by Bayou Classic. It works the same, though. I've already cooked some on it, and I plan on making the Thanksgiving turkey on it this year.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by Bkndsdl

It's not the green egg, but an offshoot called a Cypress made by Bayou Classic. It works the same, though. I've already cooked some on it, and I plan on making the Thanksgiving turkey on it this year.

I was wondering why it looked a little different. Green eggs are awesome to cook on. I don't have much experience with them, but my Dad used his a bunch. Is there a big price difference between the two? Thanks, I'll be over later for some BBQ. J/K BTW nice progress. I have a cab if you decide to go another route. Offering it just in case. Looks like your on a roll.

[Bkndsdl]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Is there a big price difference between the two?

Yeah, a pretty big difference. When you buy an Egg, that's all you get - the Egg. With this one, I got a stand, a reversible grill grate, a indirect pan, and the side shelves for around $300 less than the Egg alone. All the stuff that came with it costs extra for the Egg. Mine's basically the same thing as the Egg, just another brand. I cooked a brisket on it today for about 9 hours, and used about 80% of the charcoal I put in it. The rest can be used next time I fire it up.....that alone is worth it to me. Not to mention the brisket turned out awesome, and I can eat on it for almost a week for lunch........more money for the truck!

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Thanks, I'll be over later for some BBQ. J/K BTW nice progress. I have a cab if you decide to go another route. Offering it just in case. Looks like your on a roll.

C'mon over with that cab, and I'll cook something for ya and have it waiting for you!

[Bkndsdl]

Man, I seared some steaks for the first time on the grill........I will never go to a steakhouse again!

[Bkndsdl]

Ben a while since my last update. Haven't done much of anything on the truck, but I am planning to blast/prime a bunch of parts this weekend. I am having to rent an air compressor, mine just isn't powerful enough. For $68, I get a gas-powered compressor capable of 16.5psi@ 90cfm. I am going to rent it on Saturday and keep it until monday morning. I will be blasting the cab where it's turned a bit (has to be kept outside, no shop), and since I have it for two days, will get as much blasted as possible. Gonna be a long weekend!