Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[snipescastle2]

Vic,
I have an alternate Idea, if you are open to it....my right bedside is pretty straight, and since I'm not on a "deadline" I would be willing to trade with you so you can "proceed" with your build, after all, you have helped me out, time to return the favor!

Ben

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by snipescastle2

Vic,
I have an alternate Idea, if you are open to it....my right bedside is pretty straight, and since I'm not on a "deadline" I would be willing to trade with you so you can "proceed" with your build, after all, you have helped me out, time to return the favor!

Ben

Thanks for the offer, Ben. Pretty sure I've finally fixed the bedside I have, so replacing it with another is not likely to change things. My current theories involve either the frame or the reproduction floor. I need to remove the cab and bed to expose the frame mounts and do some measuring. Or better yet, haul it back to the frame shop and have them put it on the rack and assess the situation. At least they might be able to identify the source of the problem.

[texasld]

Maybe it's just the holes in the repro floor you put in the cab. I know on my floor extensions the holes were about a 1/2 to 3/4 off. could you pull the bolts and shift the cab to get it all sitting correctly and then check your bolt holes? I know then you are looking at another bag of worms, but it's a start. You have this one in the bag, I know you!

[snipescastle2]

Vic,
The offer still stands, if you need me to measure my original steel floor for the carriage bolt spacing, I can do that too, but it'll be after 6:00 tonight...
Ben

[jlsanborn]

Oh man, not the update I have been looking forward to! Let's get that cab plucked and see what's up. Once you know what needs fiddlin' with you'll execute and be right back on track.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by texasld

Maybe it's just the holes in the repro floor you put in the cab. I know on my floor extensions the holes were about a 1/2 to 3/4 off. could you pull the bolts and shift the cab to get it all sitting correctly and then check your bolt holes? I know then you are looking at another bag of worms, but it's a start. You have this one in the bag, I know you!

Originally Posted by snipescastle2

Vic,
The offer still stands, if you need me to measure my original steel floor for the carriage bolt spacing, I can do that too, but it'll be after 6:00 tonight...
Ben

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Oh man, not the update I have been looking forward to! Let's get that cab plucked and see what's up. Once you know what needs fiddlin' with you'll execute and be right back on track.

Thanks for all the suggestions, offers of assistance and encouragement, guys.

That said, I've discussed the situation with the wife and the most practical course of action is to mothball CRLS and get to banging on the '57 Ford. It is much farther along and I'm more confident I can get it on the road for the Power Tour. Once I get the build thread started for it, I'll post the link for anyone who may want to follow along. When we return from PT in June, I'll pick back up on CRLS and get to the bottom of the mystery. Later!

[Elliot949]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Thanks for all the suggestions, offers of assistance and encouragement, guys.

That said, I've discussed the situation with the wife and the most practical course of action is to mothball CRLS and get to banging on the '57 Ford. It is much farther along and I'm more confident I can get it on the road for the Power Tour. Once I get the build thread started for it, I'll post the link for anyone who may want to follow along. When we return from PT in June, I'll pick back up on CRLS and get to the bottom of the mystery. Later!

Hey Vic... Can you get me a couple of shots straight down the L&R sides of the truck?... It needs to be perfectly straight down the sides...

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Thanks for all the suggestions, offers of assistance and encouragement, guys.

I'm not discounting the possibility of the frame or the cab floor or the fact you said the bed is as straight as it can be, its probably an optical illusion in the pic itself, but looking at this pic and paying no mind to the headboard the bedsides just don't look parallel, actually the driver bedside and headboard also look more than 90* too. I'm sure you'll figure get it out.

I don't care what your working on i wanna follow it!

[Elliot949]

I hate the fact you need to pull off of this awesome truck... But I am also interested in the 57... make sure I get the link to it... but man I think we can figure this out ... looks like you are only off about 3/16"... it has to be in the Cross sills...

[jlsanborn]

It's another grand attribute you have and live by Vic. If you're gonna do it, do it the way you think it oughtta be done. Little ding in the schedule but it'll be ( . )( . ) when it's done!

[jlsanborn]

Also meant to say that your mock up photos look friggen awesome from here and they motivate me! Ordered exhaust fixins and some tools yesterday... questions coming...

[Dean'smeanmachine]

hope you get the ford done in time. power tour? lucky you!

[Xeen]

It sounds like the truck was T-Boned at some point, it happens but it's sad that it wasn't repaired properly when it happened.
Did the frame shop say they would make it right for free since they missed it when they had it in their shop?
I'm sorry to hear that the truck has to go on the back burner until summer, I know you were hoping to drive it by the beginning of summer not at the end.
On the bright side you get to finish the 57, I know that one has been a long project and it will be satisfying for you to finish it up after all these years, plus gas is cheap right now so it won't cost you an arm and a leg to gas up the big block for the tour LOL!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Xeen

It sounds like the truck was T-Boned at some point, it happens but it's sad that it wasn't repaired properly when it happened.
Did the frame shop say they would make it right for free since they missed it when they had it in their shop?
I'm sorry to hear that the truck has to go on the back burner until summer, I know you were hoping to drive it by the beginning of summer not at the end.
On the bright side you get to finish the 57, I know that one has been a long project and it will be satisfying for you to finish it up after all these years, plus gas is cheap right now so it won't cost you an arm and a leg to gas up the big block for the tour LOL!

Could very well be, Brian. I haven't even contacted the frame shop. No need to stir that pot until I have the time to take it to them.

Scott came over this afternoon and, along with Kathy, we managed to swap out the vehicles. No mean feat, I'm here to tell you. No brakes, shifter linkage, or steering on the truck, plus the entire route was uphill. Used floor jacks, two low-buck homemade wheel dollies and the mighty four banger Ranger. Numerous times, one or another of the wheel dollies would stop while the truck kept going. Had to reposition everything and make another run at it. Eventually it made it into the upstairs garage where it is now resting comfortably.

I'll be working on the new build thread in the evenings after the whistle blows. Not much there yet but it's now listed in my signature. Later!

[Cash3481]

Vic,
I bought $6600 worth of sheet metal a few months ago in June. My friend had a terrible time with his rear crossmember. Eventually, classic parts admitted they had a bad batch of them and he got another one sent to his home. That didnt work either so they promissed him another on the next batch. Months later... No contact and he was constant with his contact and finally he had to go get it since I picked up his stuff for him. Reason I say all this is that it took them 4 months to get good one in and he told me they bought that one from another supplier after his repeated attempts to get it replaced.
I love classic parts and they usually take care of me, but I wasn't the broker of that deal just the transportation so they didn't want to talk to me.
All of this to qualify me saying that the rear crossmember bolts wouldn't line up correctly and he had to massage them and the bed sides and it still didn't work.
I didn't read all the issues you had with your bed but it might have contributed to your situation. Just don't assume the metal has the holes in the correct places. If I'm out of line I appologize. Happy New Years.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Cash3481

Vic,
... Reason I say all this is that it took them 4 months to get good one in and he told me they bought that one from another supplier after his repeated attempts to get it replaced. ... Just don't assume the metal has the holes in the correct places. If I'm out of line I appologize. Happy New Years.

Hey Mike, I'm with you all the way. I've had so many fitment issues I no longer assume the part is correct. And your statement about different suppliers is right on. They may say they all get their stuff from the same place, but there are differences for sure. Vendors like LMC, Classic, Brothers, Southern KY and etc., etc. all end up with a bad batch of panels from time to time. So it's wise to shop around if possible.

[Elliot949]

Vic I know this is on hold but I know you were looking for a pair of hood hinges and I found a pair that would be great for this truck... PM sent... Dan

[Gregski]

Fab Skillz = MAD !

[Elliot949]

Ok Vic... Lets get this rolling again... Need Help?... I will come up and Help...

[Elliot949]

Hey Vic... I know the Ford is consuming your time trying to get all the little annoying issues worked through but have you any idea when you are going to get back on CRLS?

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Elliot949

Hey Vic... I know the Ford is consuming your time trying to get all the little annoying issues worked through but have you any idea when you are going to get back on CRLS?

It will probably be awhile yet, Dan. The new car is sitting in the middle of my workspace, so I need to make a decision about what stays and what goes. I've used storage facilities in the past for my overflow, but I'm not really a fan of that... and neither is our insurance company. My inclination is to move the Ford on down the road via private buyer, consignment or auction once I've sorted the last of the bugs out of it. I can tell already it will never be a "long hauler". And it seems a shame to just take it to the same weekly cruise-in's over and over for half the year and stash it away during the winter. Regardless, it will be a few months before I can make room for CRLS in the shop.

[Elliot949]

Kewl... I hate to see the Ford go... that is such a Sweet car but I get it...

[Possmguts]

I see the last post was about the end of August... Has there been anything done since then on this truck? I spent the morning looking through this thread and I gotta say... I want to call the scrap yard to come and mine now... 2 years into it and no one helping me at all, and this beeing the first real build I've done, I feel like I have done a horrible job so far on mine.... and I spend my entire weekends, every weekend in the garage.

The parts about the fitting and massaging body lines are Killing me!.

I do like the hood you've done. I'm working on mine now, and after a bunch of welding I have a big tin can... Added some bracing and will do some expanding foam under the braces to see if that helps. But if not, its gonna be a PITA to un-do....

Any way... such a great job you have done. I hope you are still at it...

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Possmguts

I see the last post was about the end of August... Has there been anything done since then on this truck? I spent the morning looking through this thread and I gotta say... I want to call the scrap yard to come and mine now... 2 years into it and no one helping me at all, and this beeing the first real build I've done, I feel like I have done a horrible job so far on mine.... and I spend my entire weekends, every weekend in the garage.

Nothing has happened with Crusty since it went into mothballs. (See the forlorn shots of it parked upstairs next to the wife's car.) I finished my '57 Ford last year, went to a few cruises/shows and now it's slated to run thru the Mecum auction a week from today. Assuming it sells, I'll have the space and funds to pick back up on CRLS. I've had a lot of time to think about the direction I want to go with it and right now, I'm leaning toward switching to 5 lug, discs, new rolling stock and LS power.

I looked thru your thread and you've done some great work. If it's any consolation, I've never been happy with any build I've done. I think that's what drives me to do better on the next one. A good chassis builder buddy of mine told me many years ago, "No one looks at your stuff closer than you do." I know it's true, but it's tough to remember when you know where all the warts are.

I've always done 90% of the work by my lonesome just because I'm a picky bastard. That said, I'm lucky to have great friends willing to assist on the other 10%. The garage is my sanctuary and I never consider the time to be wasted... even when I'm leaning up against the bench and dreaming about how everything is gonna come together.

Originally Posted by Possmguts

The parts about the fitting and massaging body lines are Killing me!.

I do like the hood you've done. I'm working on mine now, and after a bunch of welding I have a big tin can... Added some bracing and will do some expanding foam under the braces to see if that helps. But if not, its gonna be a PITA to un-do....

Any way... such a great job you have done. I hope you are still at it...

Your hood looks great. Kinda reminds me of a similar treatment I saw on B!tchin' Rides as I recall. Hope the bracing works. Just be sure to use the two part 3M expanding foam and not the Home Depot stuff. Like they say in poker, "No balls, no blue chips."

[jlsanborn]

Yessss!