SkinnyG's '61 Apache

[62bagger]

Looks great. I love the color.

[Paul Y]

Skinny,

That looks really good.

Nicely done Sir.

P.

[joesscamaro]

The truck is looking awesome! You can really tell that a lot of time and effort went into the prep work. Looks great from here and hope you're satisfied with the paint results.

[SkinnyG]

Puttering in the shop, trying to stay relaxed leading into the new school year (one week left till show time).

Grill center was removed (drilled out the rivets), had slight tweaks and was straightened, the center epoxy primed, PPG Delfleet Flat Black, and the letters sanded up to 1500grit:



(Fender removed because the bed will be coming off for some more chassis work).

Also testing out a multipurpose welder to see if it's any good:

[The Rocknrod]

Very nice grille. Is that a MIller?

[SkinnyG]

Thanks.

No, it's an off-shore "Vevor" brand. In theory it's a 270A welder, which should weld 1/4" in one go easy. I have a 140 Lincoln, but it can't really do much more than 1/8".

I have a 200A TIG for thicker stuff, but I'd like something more skookum for the "quick and dirty" jobs that don't require such perfection.

[SkinnyG]

When I bought the truck, it came with a wack of keys, none of which fit the truck. I drove the truck home, and the keys are still in my office at work.

Today I disassembled the door locks (just pop out a c-clip), and took the locks down to the local locksmith along with the brand new ignition key and tumbler.

Cost to re-key the doors to match the ignition: $140

Cost to cut keys according to the code on the locks: $30

I suppose I can put up with two keys.

At least I have keys.

Also changed out the hood insulators. I was not happy at all with the ones I got here in Canada. I ordered another set from LMC and they fit and stay much better.

[SkinnyG]

Rear bumper arrived today, so I painted that (and some grill fasteners) with the last of the white.

Window rubber arrived as well. Still waiting on windshield. Debating what to do with the rear glass.

[SkinnyG]

61 C10 Apache - Part 27: Painted! - YouTube

[Braunschweiger]

Perfect Job, really nice.

[SkinnyG]

Nothing to report.

[SkinnyG]

Disassembled, blasted, and primed, the headlight hardware.



Blasted, and then primed the headlight adjusters while shaking them in a basket. So much easier.



Blasted and primed the rusty coils:

[SkinnyG]

Got the signal-light/hood-inserts back in.



And I'm experimenting.

[Braunschweiger]

I'm curious what it will be, the truck looks great.

[SkinnyG]

Tentatively set in place with a set of Hella H4/H1's. Will affix when the grill supports are painted 2K black.

[joesscamaro]

Skinny...if you're cutting down an original wheel, please post pics and pointer if you have any. I'm thinking of cutting a deluxe wheel down a couple of inches. Your truck is really looking good too!

[Grizz1963]

Nothing to add.

Just enjoying it all.

Love the shop pic.

[SkinnyG]

Modernize your vintage steering wheel. 17" pencil-thin to 14.5" 1" thick.

First, make a hoop. I took a length of 1" tubing and bent it around the drop center of an old Cavalier wheel (perfect diameter to get 14.5"):



Cut where they overlap with a cutting disc on your angle grinder:



Clamp in a vice and weld together:



Cut and shape to fit:



Tack in place (I used a stack of metal to get the right height, and square):



Fill the voids (I used JB Weld's Plastic Putty, and I also chased and filled the age-cracks):



Start mixing primer:

[88Stanger]

SkinnyG - Thank you so much for the awesome Videos!!! I am not a painter or body guy, BUT I am also going with Flat colors so maybe a bit easier on the body work. with that said, again, thank you so much for the awesome videos!! And Come on Tylenol throw my fiend some free samples!!! LOL

[88Stanger]

Could you give me some details on that supplied air mask? sorry forgot to ask

[SkinnyG]

https://www.turbineproducts.com/brea...fullface-mask/

[SkinnyG]

A bit of a detour from the truck.

SkinnyKid1 just got his license, and then ten days into it, he "nerfed" a curb (and by "nerfed" I think he means "did you even lift, bro?")

So I'm making him do ALL the work (except welding), AND he has to walk the 75 minute trip to school until the car is road worthy again. And SkinnyKid2 has to walk as well, which helps kid1 see the farther-reaching impact of poor decision.

So far, he's into it for a control, a ball joint, and a pair of struts.

Today I had him cut off the bent lip as well as a good lip off another wheel, and I welded them together.

[88Stanger]

Well i am sorry for him, BUT happy that your teaching real life things, actions have consequences and they can suck alot.

[SkinnyG]

A common thread in conversation over the last year has been "every decision has a price; good decision or bad decision, there is always a price."

[Braunschweiger]

We have all learned lessons from actions, whether good or not so good, is part of development. If the rim is so rare, that you have taken this route?
Which looks great, we rarely do it.