A different approach to a LWB to SWB conversion

[9teen69]

Yo VIP...ninja skills! Sorry I just watched Vanilla Ice goes Amish

[Joesjunk]

Very nice work. I like how you are saving the original paint

[65standard]

Thanks for the good words everyone. I just started on the left bedside tonight. I hope to have the SWB conversion complete in two weeks. Then on to the electrical and heater box issues to complete the trucks rescue.

[bodydropped68]

Originally Posted by Joesjunk

Very nice work. I like how you are saving the original paint

Originally Posted by 65standard

Thanks for the good words everyone. I just started on the left bedside tonight. I hope to have the SWB conversion complete in two weeks. Then on to the electrical and heater box issues to complete the trucks rescue.

AWESOME

[65standard]

While working on the left side, I thought a would take a few more pictures to help others understand better.

[swamp rat]

If ya don't mind my asking, when your laying over the metal did you have the skin side up so you could follow the sharpie line? or did you have a guide line on the inside so you could see where your placing the dolly?

I have to install a lower door skin section and the width to the folded edges side to side (front to back) is about 1/8 to 3/16 wider than my stock door skin, i'm trying to figure out the best approach to fold a skin in a straight line on one side to take up that width difference.. Thanks!

[65standard]

Yes, I had the outer skin face up so I could see my sharpie line and then I slowly tipped the edge down little by little with pliers. Once I got it tipped over 45 degrees, I used my hammer and dolly to work it more and more.

To avoid cracking the paint off, don't hit the edge at the heel, hit closer to the toe. This will also give you a softer corner where it is not so sharp. More like the factory corner with a small radius.

[Dads79GMC]

Those are great pictures! They truly demonstrate your skills and how you're tackling this process - excellent. Mike

[VA72C10]

Just catching up to this. Love the work and excited to see the finished product. from junkyard to jewel in a short period of time!

[Cooper Restorations]

Nice Job

[65standard]

The front edge completely tipped over and ready for plug welding. The only paint loss is where the edge had to shrink while tipping and then re stretch as it tips all the way over. The outer face is still good. After a slight paint touch up, it will look factory original.

[hamjet]

Originally Posted by 65standard

The front edge completely tipped over and ready for plug welding. The only paint loss is where the edge had to shrink while tipping and then re stretch as it tips all the way over. The outer face is still good. After a slight paint touch up, it will look factory original.

Great work, that would be a great invention. Patina touch up spray in a can. it would match the faded, dull patina paint...

[shawno72]

Wow wow wow!!!

[Ozzy2013]

Awesome work wouldn't believe it possible if you were not documenting it !

[farmtrucks]

Fantastic work!!! I have thought this would work for years but afraid to try. What are you using to make your cut with? Also, are you using just regular nose channel locks or the wide jaw ones for crimping body panels?

[motorcritter]

I stand in awe. I used to watch my uncle, a master body man, do amazing stuff in his garage. This is stuff like he would have tried, and probably aced. As to the welding- I got certified out of high school, so I could work on the (then new) Alaska Pipeline. I never did do that, but I have kept my hand in welding (no pun, dammit) all along. But not like that- I know my limits, and work within them, and I'm too damned old to bother with extending my envelope. So far. Great looking truck, I'm a patina/old skool fan myself, so this is truck porn for me.
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[ole dollor]

Originally Posted by motorcritter

I stand in awe. I used to watch my uncle, a master body man, do amazing stuff in his garage. This is stuff like he would have tried, and probably aced. As to the welding- I got certified out of high school, so I could work on the (then new) Alaska Pipeline. I never did do that, but I have kept my hand in welding (no pun, dammit) all along. But not like that- I know my limits, and work within them, and I'm too damned old to bother with extending my envelope. So far. Great looking truck, I'm a patina/old skool fan myself, so this is truck porn for me.
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truck porn works for this old guy to..... hay we gota have something.

[65standard]

Left bedside is now shortened.

[Boog]

This side looks great too Tony. The panel should be stronger near the rear few inches of the panel so there's less chance for panel warp when welding. I like it. Now, what kind of trick do you have up your sleeve to smooth and paint that welded strip to blend and match the old paint?

[CaliCode]

your truck had no idea what it was in for the day you rescued it...i bet every night, when you turn off the lights in the garage, its hitting that happy dance

[jjzepplin]

Fantastic work sir! Are you keeping it 8 lug?

[lolife99]

Looking forward to the side marker mod.
Excellent work!

[sduckworth13]

You know this would make a great " sticky thread" in the paint and bodywork section. Awesome work on the bedsides.

[shawno72]

I agree ^^

[motorcritter]

This is like watching a master at work- hell, it IS watching a master at work. I'm doing a '69 GMC C2500 right now, it'll stay a long bed, but there's some dings and scuffs that need mended. If I ever get the urge to 'make' a short bed, I think I'll give this method a try- I tend to be patient and detail-oriented, and challenges don't scare me off. The frame weld, though, I think I'll just use the 'usual manner' to accomplish that. I know my limits, that's probably kept me alive this long. Not really, just lucky in quite a few cases.

Artistry in steel- ain't nothin' like it!
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