55 TF Stretched Cab/Fleetside/LSx/Trailblazer Frame

[hotrod1]

can you explain how you did it? Looks like you welded a piece of metal to the dent area for pulling, is that correct?

[dug224]

Man!!! How fast was the guy backing up?? Working on one you already had finished is not as fun as a new project. Keep us posted on the manhours.

[Kim57]

That sucks.
Was the guy driving a semi?
That's one huge dent.
Kim

[ricott]

Originally Posted by hotrod1

can you explain how you did it? Looks like you welded a piece of metal to the dent area for pulling, is that correct?

Yes, I welded a small piece of metal (actually a number or pieces) to the affected area. I am using the techniques laid out in a small book called "Metal Bumping". It is a handy guide and works quite well. Their method uses a hammer and dolly, and has you begin at the last damage, and work your way back (you pull the dent in reverse order from how it was created). The dent folds back out and, if done correctly, can result in minumal bodywork. The quarter was so damaged that I was unable to get at it with the hammer and dolly on this round, but I hope to take Tuesday off and get this close.

[ricott]

Originally Posted by dug224

Man!!! How fast was the guy backing up?? Working on one you already had finished is not as fun as a new project. Keep us posted on the manhours.

Actually it was a college age girl in an XTerra. My son called from school and said I wouldn't believe what happened. What I couldn't believe was she didn't cut and run - props to her for doing the right thing! You are so right about a redo. I just wanted to work on the "new" project (my truck), but several body shops would not take the GTO, and the one that said yes said it would not be complete until August 1, so I figured I would do the work and be done with it. Eric is coming up to help me next weekend.

[Bomp]

Sorry to see all the damage to the GTO.
By the looks of what you've done so far, the right guy is doing the repair.
I will have to check out that book ,"Metal Bumping", sounds like a few good tips are in there.

[ricott]

Took this afternoon off and got the quarter almost completely pulled out. There is still a dent in front of the wheel well, but that should come out pretty quickly this weekend. Saturday I hope to make the final pass on the sheet metal. There will be some metal shrinking going on to get it where minimal body filler will be needed. I hope to get it close enough on the bulk of the panel to just use Slick Sand - but the part at the top of the door will need filler.





I have 10 hours pulling this to this point. As always, more to come.

Ricky

[Baldeagle SR]

Looks good. How do you plan on shrinking the metal? Thanks Rich

[dug224]

Save some of the fun for you son! dug

[ricott]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Looks good. How do you plan on shrinking the metal? Thanks Rich

I use a #2 tip on my Aceletene tourch. I heat a spot cherry red about the size of a nickle, then using the hammer and dolly strike the center part of the heated area, next work around the heated area with the Hammer/dolly. last step is to cool the area with water (or you can air cool it - it just takes longer). I think it will take 20 to 30 spots to get the affected area where I want it.

[Baldeagle SR]

Thanks for the info on shrinking. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

[dsraven]

hey guys, post up some pics of sheet metal work. I am stalled out since feb and need a kick start. was hopefully gonna get going again today but the work phone just never stops. gotta learn to say NO. ha ha. oh well,a couple of brake jobs and I'll be back at it, hopefully.
dennis

[Low Elco]

The Key to Metal Bumping. Here's the link- Nice work!

Martin BFB The Key to Metal Bumping Manual...

[ricott]

Thanks Low Elco for posting that link. That is a great little book and the results are obtainable if you just take your time and think it through. I hadn't really planned to post additional pictures of the GTO, I just wanted those that follow these builds to know I wasn't sitting at home watching TV instead of working on my truck in the garage. Since my last post I've only worked on the car for an additional 3 hours (moving my college age daughter from one apt to another, ect, ect!!!). But I think that is all behind me now. I'm off all of next week, so beginning Saturday evening I will post a picture of the status each day (mostly to hold me accountable), through next Thursday. I would like to have the car in final primer by next Thursday (before we take off for the 4th).
Insurance Co estimate to fix (time): 57.5 hours
Total time to date: 13 hours

Ricky

[shadow1967]

Sorry to see your bad luck. Good luck for Columbus deadline. I save a link to your GTO build for when I get to mine.

[Bomp]

You're a better man than me on working a large area.
I'd a cut out a big chunk of it and messed it all up with a patch.
Following your thread I bought that Metal Bumping book and have since re-watched all the "favorited" vids on YT.
Your build has again got me learning new things or at least a good refresher course. It keeping me keep my game up.
Thanks.

[Baldeagle SR]

Ricott Read your thread on your corvette. I had no idea they made a new frame for them. I have been in the closet to long. I have a 95 corvette that is sweet to drive. I am looking for a 68 to 72 El camino to restore. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Bomp

You're a better man than me on working a large area.
I'd a cut out a big chunk of it and messed it all up with a patch.
Following your thread I bought that Metal Bumping book and have since re-watched all the "favorited" vids on YT.
Your build has again got me learning new things or at least a good refresher course. It keeping me keep my game up.
Thanks.

Bomp...you gonna try that metal bumping at work in the chamber? lol

Ricott-nice work!

[_Ogre]

man, that sucks, big time
on the bright side she didn't hit the door too
nice work on metal finishing it ricott

[ricott]

Yesterday was a good day - between the rainstorms. I finished pulling the quarter out. I'm happy with the final results. You can see the flash rust from the rain. I did cheat to speed this up.

Originally Posted by Bomp

You're a better man than me on working a large area.
I'd a cut out a big chunk of it and messed it all up with a patch.
Following your thread I bought that Metal Bumping book and have since re-watched all the "favorited" vids on YT.
Your build has again got me learning new things or at least a good refresher course. It keeping me keep my game up.
Thanks.

Well Bomp, I cheated. I cut the absolute worst part out - for two reasons. I needed to get behind it to Porta power the Jam into final position, and I want this repair done with minimal filler. I have a hull of a 66 LeMans at my friend's salvage yard that I used for sheet metal when I was building the car. About the only thing left that wasn't completely beat up was this part of the Driver's Quarter - and it was slightly dented.





The door Jam came out great.



Like I said, the rain is killing me (Flash flood watches/warnings today and tonight). I have to get my 55 cab braced up to move it out of the garage - so I can move the GTO in. So today I'll be working on the Truck cab bracing while it pours rain outside. As always, more to come.

Ricky

[ricott]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

man, that sucks, big time
on the bright side she didn't hit the door too
nice work on metal finishing it ricott

Thanks for stopping in. Unfortunately she did get the door, but it is really small around the door handle/lock. It will be an easy fix.



Thanks everyone else for your comments. If someone could tell me how to list multiple quotes in a response that would be great!

[_Ogre]

nice work on the door jamb, i missed where she hit the handle.
from what i see not a problem, more of an aggravation

[ricott]

Well the weather yesterday (Sunday) did not disappoint - if you like rain. We got slightly over 6 inches. While I watched it pour, I braced up the cab and made the first cut on the firewall. At least something was accomplished. I wound up switching my days off to next week (that work thing again), so when we get back Sunday (July 6) I plan to hit it hard on the GTO before I leave for Goodguys -Columbus.





As always, more to come.
Ricky
Time Sunday: 6.5
Total time: 81.5

[sqrlnts]

Man you are flying through this, keep up the great work and thanks for documenting.

[ricott]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Ricott Read your thread on your corvette. I had no idea they made a new frame for them. I have been in the closet to long. I have a 95 corvette that is sweet to drive. I am looking for a 68 to 72 El camino to restore. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

I bought the 58 vette in 1985 and it was a basket case. We got it put back together and running (small block, 4 speed , no power anything). My wife had a list of things she wanted in this car (power disk brakes, power steering, Power windows, AC and, gulp, an auto). A local builder let me drive his 59 with a corvette correction frame several years ago and I was SOLD! I intended to build it next, but I really wanted to do the truck first. Good luck with your next project - I really like your truck.

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

Man you are flying through this, keep up the great work and thanks for documenting.

Thanks for the kind words. Like everyone else (when working on their projects), I don't think it is going together fast enough. Once I get the GTO out the door (again), I want to hit it hard to get the sheetmetal hung.