Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by bguild

Looking good. I am in the process of dissecting my donor roof. I might need to take you up on that spot welder soon. Are you going to be working on the truck tomorrow? If so I might swing by and say hi.
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Yep, I'll be here all day. Drop by anytime. Shop is sort of a mess. Had to rearrange everything to make a spot for Silver.

[Low Elco]

Work looks great!
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[Low Elco]

Is the Auction this weekend or next? Good luck either way!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Is the Auction this weekend or next? Good luck either way!

Thanks, Chip! Auction is a week from today. I'm sporadically doing cleanup and a couple of minor fixes to things I've been too lazy to work on up until now. Our storage rental expired yesterday, so we're keeping the Streak here until probably Wednesday. We could check in on Tuesday, but the weather looks better for Wed. Don't know what to expect. Kathy is openly rooting for a no sale. I can live with it either way.

[Low Elco]

Daaaaang! You better keep her! (The wife!)
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[bguild]

I was bummed I didn't get by today to say hello. I started watching the news about Boston and it was so interesting I ended up not sleeping at all last night.
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[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by bguild

I was bummed I didn't get by today to say hello. I started watching the news about Boston and it was so interesting I ended up not sleeping at all last night.
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Totally understand, I watched coverage this morning from 7-11 before finally heading downstairs. Drop by whenever you get the chance.

[Vic1947]

The clouds are moving in and the temperature is steadily dropping. High for tomorrow is supposed to be low 30's so I took advantage of the beautiful morning and rolled CRLS outside and took a can opener to the lid. Sparks scorched the abandoned mouse house in the gap between the inner and outer roof panels, but no harm done. Vacuumed about five pounds of loose rust and mouse droppings from the around the edges and surveyed the situation. Note the 3/8" thick layer of filler along the cut above the driver side door. Underside of the roof in that area shows the bondo that oozed thru the holes they drilled to pull a dent. Thankfully, it looks like the new outer roof skin and the inner header panel will take care of 95% of the rot. Rest will have to be handled via patches. Fortunately, Brian G. had several pieces from his donor roof that he re-gifted to me. They will make the patch process go much more quickly. Time to break out the spotweld cutter.

The cab corner on the driver side is a joy to behold. Haven't decided whether to weld up the gaps and massage the bends or just cut it off and put a new panel on. Happily, that's not something I have to decide today.

[knomadd]

YIKES! That patch looks scary. If it fits better than it looks, I'd just finish the install. If it doesn't fit well, cut it out.

[Low Elco]

YUMMY! Out of the fryin pan, into the fire! Nuthin but a step for a stepper! Watch and be amazed, boys, watch and be amazed.

[Low Elco]

You gotta massage the bends anyway, as I recall. A little slice and tweak, no biggie. When you gonna do the floor? I'd like to see that process. On the one hand, it seems like a lotta work. On the other, bang, bang, you're done! As always, if you need help, holler!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

You gotta massage the bends anyway, as I recall. A little slice and tweak, no biggie. When you gonna do the floor? I'd like to see that process. On the one hand, it seems like a lotta work. On the other, bang, bang, you're done! As always, if you need help, holler!

Right now, the tentative plan is to prep the cab for media blasting which includes adding some 1x1 braces and gutting out non-structural sections of the old floor. I also need to slice up the bed and tack it back together. Then off to the blasters. That's where you come in. I'll give you heads up when the time comes. Hopefully, you can bring LBT and we can load the frame, cab, bed and assorted pieces on a trailer for transport. I feel hamstrung because I no longer have a hauler. (Which is the raison d'etre for CRLS.)

After I get all the parts back, I'll post the step by step on the floor / firewall replacement. As slow as I am, it may be a while before that happens.

[Low Elco]

I can bring LBT and a trailer big enough for a bed anytime, no prob. If you need both for a few days, no problem. Just let me know!
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[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

I can bring LBT and a trailer big enough for a bed anytime, no prob. If you need both for a few days, no problem. Just let me know!
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Will do ...and thanks a million!

[RatRod68]

so i take it this one isn't staying a driver either? lol

[bguild]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

so i take it this one isn't staying a driver either? lol

I am thinking the same thing lol.
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[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

so i take it this one isn't staying a driver either? lol

OK ...it's morphed a teensy bit from the "just make it safe and drive it" plan, I'll admit, but I'm sticking to the driver part. Will take photos with a load of lumber in the back, I promise.

[RatRod68]

the wood bed doesn't count as a load of lumber. lol

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

the wood bed doesn't count as a load of lumber. lol

OOOHHH!!! Snap!!!!

[Vic1947]

Continued with drilling spotwelds around the roof skin perimeter. Slow going as I was having to stand on a milk crate. The workshop has a low ceiling nearby and every time I bumped my head it would make me jump. Nonetheless, I managed to window the rotted area above the door and test fit the patch. Looks like it will make a good repair. Will have it blasted with the rest of the truck so I'll have nice clean metal when I weld it in.

I finally got tired of being in an awkward drilling position, so I set aside my tools and started removing the steering column and the remaining parts that were attached to the cab. I'd cut a window into the floor on Wednesday when it was nice, so I dropped the cherry picker boom thru it and hooked it to a piece of angle iron. Assisted by my able helper, Kathy, we lifted the cab off the frame and set it on the floor. I can now stand flat footed and drill spotwelds till I'm blue in the face.

[bguild]

I feel for you on the spot welds. I have mine all done. My hand has blisters from holding my drill. After the inner and outer panels and roof I am Spot welded out. When you get ready to do the roof let me know. I can come over to help you sit it in place.
It's looking good!
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[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by bguild

I feel for you on the spot welds. I have mine all done. My hand has blisters from holding my drill. After the inner and outer panels and roof I am Spot welded out. When you get ready to do the roof let me know. I can come over to help you sit it in place.
It's looking good!
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I'll let you know for sure! Headed to Sedalia tomorrow with a 74" long strip of sheet metal for your truck. My finger brake is only 48" so I need to use my buddy's 8 footer to put a 90 in it. After I get back, we can fit it up at your place whenever it's convenient. I'll bring the shrinker and stretcher over to do the curves at each end. We can also spot weld it in if you're ready. Or later if need be. I plan to go to Topeka on Monday to help Xeen drop his 5.3 into the truck now that his redesigned adapters are done.

[bguild]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

I'll let you know for sure! Headed to Sedalia tomorrow with a 74" long strip of sheet metal for your truck. My finger brake is only 48" so I need to use my buddy's 8 footer to put a 90 in it. After I get back, we can fit it up at your place whenever it's convenient. I'll bring the shrinker and stretcher over to do the curves at each end. We can also spot weld it in if you're ready. Or later if need be. I plan to go to Topeka on Monday to help Xeen drop his 5.3 into the truck now that his redesigned adapters are done.

Awesome!!! Please don't go to Sedalia just for me. I will hopefully be able to work on it some next week. I will be busy Monday thru wed but hoping Thursday and Friday I will be working on it. I still need to get the rust cleaned up and buy some dynamat and primer/sealer
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[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by bguild

Awesome!!! Please don't go to Sedalia just for me. I will hopefully be able to work on it some next week. I will be busy Monday thru wed but hoping Thursday and Friday I will be working on it. I still need to get the rust cleaned up and buy some dynamat and primer/sealer
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Nope, we planned a trip to see my Dad anyway, so just taking care of a little truck work on the side. Give me a call when you're ready. Won't take long to fit the piece in.

[Xeen]

Heck yeah now you are cooking with gas!