1948 Chev extended cab with attitude

[Chance48]

Loving it.....you prep all your sheet metal with tiger paws? You ever use ospho? I was gonna send my cab to be blasted but I'm thinking I'll clean it up by hand and use some ospho. I believe that will do the trick while saving me a lot of headache. Then I'll be able to do it in sections as you are. And I'm thinking primer then filler. I know that's a topic to be debated, but I like the filler over epoxy idea. Scuff it with some 60-80 grit without going through it.

Really like the contoured front bed apron. That's the kinda touches that make the difference.

Chance

[Big Daddy Bear]

Originally Posted by alaska gasser

I found some other build pictures that showed 2 1/2 to 3 inch taller bed sides, but I didn't like them. They looked too tall to me so I settled on the 2 inches.

Yes, I agree, it could be easy to get too much!! So, that is why I am interested in seeing yours from the side when you eventually get it settled with the door in place.

I am a ways out before I get to that point, so wanted to tag in so I could follow and see where yours ends up!

[alaska gasser]

I'm not a rancher, but I brought a whole bunch of horses home yesterday.





This is exactly what I saw in my head when I opened the hood and saw this.



I just wish the truck was ready to drop it in.

[dug224]

Beautiful engine!

[elpound]

Love it!

[youngrodder]

Nice engine Eugene...Looks very nice.

Marc

[ptc]

That has got to be the best looking motor GM ever put out. Somebody was really thinking of 'style' back in those days. The finned covers really are perfect on it!

[alaska gasser]

Originally Posted by ptc

That has got to be the best looking motor GM ever put out. Somebody was really thinking of 'style' back in those days.

I agree. Last fall, I considered putting the 383 SBC blower motor in that I had in my Thames panel, but just couldn't do it.

[alaska gasser]

It's been a busy weekend.

I finished boxing the back of the frame.



I got the new rear sill and installed it. I raised the floor 2 inches



I made my own mounts for the rear sill, so the factory ones were removed and used as front bed mounts.



Behind the right rear tire I cut an access hole to reach the fuel connections.



I got the upper rolls welded on the bed.



There is a factory gap at the top of the stake pocket.





It had to go away.



And then I added a teardrop end cap



The front stake pockets are just squared off from the factory, so that had to be remedied also.



The curve at the front of the bed continued into the rolls at the edges.





Back to the shop and continue weldin and grindin.

[roushinator]

Awesome work!

[ptc]

Coming along real nice!

[Big Daddy Bear]

Looking good!!

[youngrodder]

Looking good Eugene

Marc

[dug224]

The attention to detail continues to impress and is a great motivator. thx dug

[richards72chevy]

I really like the modifications.Reminds me of the vehicles that were in rodders journal magazine.

[alaska gasser]

It has been a productive couple weeks.

To make the tailgate 2 inches taller, I found a tube the same diameter as the old bottom round and added a 1/4 inch rod in between.



I then added sheet metal to both sides to box it in.





I added hidden latches.



Created the top of the Drivers window / door.



Cut off the end of the drivers side dash and welded it to the door.





Got it molded in and finished up.







Got the drivers inner window frame made.



Now I'm in the process of finishing the bodywork and primer on the tailgate and both inner door window frames. This was the last major fabrication left on the project. Now it's time to start finishing......oh everything.

[ptc]

Originally Posted by alaska gasser

It has been a productive couple weeks.

.................. This was the last major fabrication left on the project. Now it's time to start finishing......oh everything.

Your project is Looking good! ---- The rough-in stage is almost as long (or longer than) the finishing stage and then comes FINAL ASSEMBLY! .... I am saving all my "TO-DO" lists that I have made up for myself so I can look back on everything someday.... Its about 22 pages so far! Ill have a phone book by the time Im done!!!

[II_Slow]

The first thing that comes to mind is "ambitious SOB"! Great job on that thing, doing everything your way. I'm normally not a fan of stretching, chopping, etc. on the early trucks but for some reason your proportions seem to suit me. I love that W-series engine and what you've done with it, and it's certainly period correct. And I really like how you brought the dash and doors together, and reworked the steps and gaps on the cab to bed. Sort of inspirational to see what can be done with metal once you commit to doing it. Just get it really close in metal, dress it up with a little filler. Keep it up!

[youngrodder]

Looks good Eugene.
Keep at it.

Marc

[dug224]

Love the tailgate solution..

[alaska gasser]

I've been busy cleaning up a lot of loose ends. Also, the metal work and body work on both doors is done and they are ready for primer. I pushed the truck outside in preparation for the final sandblasting of the door jambs, back of the cab and the bed sides as they are 16 gauge.







Let the blasting begin.





The race is on as I want to take it to a large show on August 7th and we hope to leave state the end of September.

[elpound]

Sure is looking awesome!

[alaska gasser]

The cab, front fenders and hood are blasted and bodywork continues.

Meanwhile I finished the bodywork on the doors and got them in primer.





Once in primer I wanted to see how different they are from a stock one now.









Best guess, I have around 165 hours in each door at this point. I'm a little concerned that if someone runs into me, the insurance company will hand me a stock door and figure they are done.

[Advanced Design]

Yes, that is a lot of time investment the insurance company likely won't consider....
A very cool truck being created!

[alaska gasser]

I am doubting being able to make the Aug. 7th together date due to the amount of bodywork still to go and drying times between all the primer / paint coats. Even so, when I dug out my front pan, I remembered Chevy screwed up on the design and I can't stand it. I was going to leave it for now , but just couldn't do it.







No clue why they left the big flat spot on the end of the passenger side. Made a quick pattern of the driver's side, found some metal the right thickness, welded it on and voila. Honest, it was welded all the way around after the photo.



Lookin like it should have from the factory.