1948 Chev extended cab with attitude

[b-mac]

Amazing build.

That flat spot on the front splash guard was for the front license plate bracket to mount to. My stock metal has two bolt holes in it right there.

I also figured you'd go another direction with that...I always felt the front bumper stuck out a little far. I pulled mine in a 2 inches, and trimmed the same off the back off this splash guard.

[lv2tri2]

I like what you have done, a lot of work, but it is going to be nice.

[alaska gasser]

After a few hours work (about 35) since May 29th, I finished the bodywork on the bed.









I also finished the bodywork on the cab last Saturday morning (about 200 hours) since May 29th and took it into work for primer.















A good friend of mine helped with the cab when he could. When he first walked in and saw it, he said "Wow! Every square inch of this thing has to be worked."

[alaska gasser]

It's been quite awhile, but things have been a little crazy since I last posted. I was working full time and then on the truck up to about 1-3 am every day until we left Alaska in October. (That also included packing, selling stuff, repairing the property to sell and finishing the Airstream enough to be roadworthy) After arriving in New Mexico, we started remodeling our new house and then found a 4,000 square foot building Nov. 7th that we remodeled in 5 weeks to open my wife's new quilting store. Prior to leaving AK, my camera died and we finally found the charger and were able to get the pic's downloaded, so here they are.

After blocking out the truck, I*sealed it with DP90 and then sealed all the edges.







Back into primer.



Smoothed the front cross member also.



Smoothed out the stake pockets and joints.



Sandblasted the running boards for primer. They look better than they are due to lots of cracks and about 6 layers of paint.



Sandblasted the hood and shot it with DP40. It doesn't show up well, but the both rear edges of it (right and left) were bent down.



I cut cork gasket material to help fill the gap between the inner support and outer sheet metal after I removed the remaining brittle bonding material that had been there. Then I "glued the cork in with windshield urethane and added an extra bead along both edges of the inner support.



I don't have any pic's, but that really tightened up the outer sheet metal. I then held a heel dolly on the inside of the back lip and beat the heck out of the metal using directional hammer strikes towards the back lip. This slowly straightened up the downward bends it had and kept the metal tight and from stretching and getting floppy again.

Then the whole hood was body worked, including the inside. I hate seeing a nicely finished vehicle and when you look at the inside of the hood, it looks like the surface of the moon.



After the final blocking, I moved the truck out to Brenden's shop. My buddy that I mentioned earlier that helped with the bodywork as I was quickly running out of time to get it in flat black and get out of Alaska before winter hit.











More to come.

[youngrodder]

Glad the move went well...Great progress.
Thanks for sharing.

Marc

[Flysocal]

Holly crap this is a cool build can't wait for more progress

[ptc]

Looking Good ---- welcome to NM!~

[alaska gasser]

Thanks all. Probably won't be able to post the rest of the pic's till Sunday, our 1 day off.

[alaska gasser]

The plan when starting the truck was to build a rat rod and save some time and money on bodywork. That quickly changed to making the body smooth, but not super straight and shooting it flat black. Then drive it for awhile, work the bugs out, finish up the loose ends (make the trim around the windows fit, install power window mechanisms, install a hidden gas filler door, fully straighten out the body, etc.) Jackie always hated the flat black plan. One night at Brenden's he over heard her talking about the color she wanted to see it in. Once the truck was in black sealer again, he called and told me he would shoot it any color I wanted, mentioned how close to straight it really was and that he felt black wasn't the right one. He*said he kept envisioning it in the color he heard Jackie mention. I went out, looked at it and*agreed with him. I*then borrowed color books going back into the 60's from another friend, took them home, gave them to Jackie and said pick a color. I had already chosen a dark charcoal for the interior and firewall as I wanted the dash and firewall in finish paint prior to*assembly.









​​
On went the exterior finish color, 2015 GM Laser blue. Jackie was really stressed and said*she was worried she would not choose a color I would be happy with. I think it looks great.



Doors back on.







Turning blue.







Bed on. It looks like a long bed, but it's a stock length short bed. One person mentioned it looks like a land yacht now. With the back fenders and running boards on, it looks a lot more proportionate.













Just after taking these pic's it started to rain and I couldn't resist the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

[URL=http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/JLHunter1969/media/Extended%20Pickup/Es%20Camera%20297_zpsccktla2t.jpg.html][/UR

Got the back fenders on and took it home to install the motor. Then back to Brenden's.





Many thanks to Brenden and Tom for all their help!! A truly great couple of guys.





Here is where my camera died. We got the front fenders and hood buffed and installed before the truck went into the trailer two days later to leave Alaska. I need to find the last couple pic's that are on Jackie's camera and then shove it out of the garage and get a few of it together here.

[oldman3]

gasser, color looks great and the old saying "if mommy ain't happy, nobody's happy". applies more that we care to admit..Jim

[Advanced Design]

I like the colors on the truck. Looks very good! Nice to have some talented buddies help make it happen.

Did you miss Alaska this winter?

[MIKESAD50]

Looking very nice, like the color.

[youngrodder]

I have always been partial to blue hue's. The progress looks really good.
Now you need to show us more pictures...

Marc

[ptc]

Great Job and great color choice! - I wish I could find a body and paint guy as enthusiastic as yours around my parts.... all just too lazy to care about any of it unless theres BIG $$$$$$ involved, then they wake up.

[alaska gasser]

PTC- They enjoyed working on it since it wasn't another Neon with collision damage. I would recommend Brenden to anyone. I'm picky, but I think he is worse.

As requested, here are some more pic's. I came across these of the right front fender I used.





Had a few minutes the other day, so I shoved the truck out enough to get a couple new photos.















Here is one of our new house. I sure miss my big shop, but love the weather. It's 69 degrees today.



Gotta love the attitude it has.

[oldman3]

Came out very nice, love the blue. Won't be long now, you'll be running down the road...Jim

[youngrodder]

Great pictures Eugene....It does look mean..
Nice work.

Marc

[alaska gasser]

Thanks everyone.

oldman3- Hopefully I'll be able to drive it next year as there is no spare time or money with getting the new business off the ground this year. We opened a large quilt shop called "A Quilting Stitchuation."

I'm trying to trade my big enclosed trailer for something that I can drive this year and enjoy the great weather here.

[alaska gasser]

When I started this build, I really didn't know what year the truck was, so I guessed it was a '48. When they finally found the title for it, it turned out to be a '52. About a month ago while at a friends house, I saw something on his wall that caught my eye. I immediately asked if he would sell it and was promptly told no. Several further questions received the same response. He said it took him 20 years to finally get his hands on it and it wasn't going anywhere. Fast forward to the present day. I loaded up an item I was sure he would want and went back to try again. Upon arrival, a deal was quickly struck and I now have this for my truck.



I'm going to reregister it and use it. I can't believe the odds of finding a plate with the right year and with that number on.

Now I just have to decide what to paint it. I'm thinking of going back to the original tan and red, but am unsure. Thoughts?*

[crestronwizard]

Very Nice!

[nvrdone]

id leave it as is. nice contrast to the truck

[alaska gasser]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

id leave it as is. nice contrast to the truck

I'm leaning toward a polish and coat of clear.

[Rods57]

Looks cool the way it is. I found one years ago at a yard sale that has never been registered or used.

[alaska gasser]

That is a nice find. Hope the price was as good as the plate.

[alaska gasser]

Most plates were stamped with Land of Enchantment and this one has Official on it.*This made me wonder*if it was off a government vehicle. I was able to contact the gentleman I got it from and he confirmed it was on a firetruck. I will contact DMV and see if they will allow me to use it or not. If not, I'm still glad I was able to find it.