Finally my own build thread!

[abadsvt]

Sadly there isn't any updates. I have been working out of town and haven't had much time to work on it. I have the firewall almost completely shaved. After i get it done i will post some pics. The only good news i have is that i have been putting extra cash away so when i am done with this job in San Jose i will have enough $ to finish the truck with an LS2 motor swap!

[TRUCKER-TRUCKIN']

Hey don't sweat it, most of us has the same problem, hang in there your off to a great start. I'll just check the thread time to time, just don't hold out on us.

[Jtrux]

How do you get your welds so dang nice? I've started learning to weld and mine just look like a big slug. Your work is awesome.

[Captain Knievel]

Originally Posted by abadsvt

... I am hoping to have it completed by end of March or first of April ....
Josh

I remember when all our hopes got up back on page 3. Those were good times. I miss those times.

[BigSky71]

[abadsvt]

Yeah I agree. It is very depressing thinking about my truck just sitting in my garage collecting dust. I try to work on it every weekend i am home but it doesn't always work out like that. As soon as i get done with this job i am devoting all of my time to the truck. I haven't lost motovation just don't have the time. That really sucks .

Josh

[Orange]

Updates?

DLB

[Daniel U]

Hey Josh, I just finished reading most of your build. Nice to see another local doing a frame off. Don't loose patience. I wanted my '54 done for the Memorial day show. Maybe I'll make Hot El Camino nites? When my trucks done, I'd like to stop by when you're working on your pick up. How's your buddies A.D. coming along? Daniel U

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by Daniel U

Hey Josh, I just finished reading most of your build. Nice to see another local doing a frame off. Don't loose patience. I wanted my '54 done for the Memorial day show. Maybe I'll make Hot El Camino nites? When my trucks done, I'd like to stop by when you're working on your pick up. How's your buddies A.D. coming along? Daniel U

Hey Daniel! Sounds good, when we both get our trucks done we should take a cruise together! I haven't lost motivation just the time to work on it. I am excited though because this weekend i get to work on it all weekend. I am hoping to get alot done. So where are you from on the Central Coast? Talk to you later

Josh

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by Orange

Updates?

DLB

Not yet but by the end of this weekend i should have the firewall done and maybe start shaving the drip rail. I will post the pics of the firewall when i get it done.
Josh

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by abadsvt

Hey Daniel! Sounds good, when we both get our trucks done we should take a cruise together! I haven't lost motivation just the time to work on it. I am excited though because this weekend i get to work on it all weekend. I am hoping to get alot done. So where are you from on the Central Coast? Talk to you later

Josh

Paso, just up the road from you. I think that'd be fun to do a local cruise. There's a guy from Clovis (Cal 58)I'd like to meet building a 58 with a 55 front clip too. Another from Hollister (stvst)with an AD truck. All within cruising distance. How much longer until you're on the road? I'd like to make the El Camino cruise in Aug.

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by Daniel U

Paso, just up the road from you. I think that'd be fun to do a local cruise. There's a guy from Clovis (Cal 58)I'd like to meet building a 58 with a 55 front clip too. Another from Hollister (stvst)with an AD truck. All within cruising distance. How much longer until you're on the road? I'd like to make the El Camino cruise in Aug.

I still got a little while before i get it on the road. I was thinking about if i get the motor and tranny installed that i would take just my rollin chassis to the car show in Atascadero. We will see. When is the car show exactly? I was in it last year with my chevelle. Maybe i will see you there.

Josh

[Daniel U]

http://www.atascadero.org/index.php?...327&Itemid=890
Here's the link

[abadsvt]

Man is it good to be back working on my truck!!!!!! I have been making some progress lately and thought i would share. I have shaved the firewall, almost done shaving the drip rail (I have another day or so), and i have completely comited my self to designing and building a complete new dash. My friend and I removed the dash yesterday. So now I have to make something work or I am screwed. We got alot built yesterday though. We built a the first part of the new dash and designed the two "humps" for the dash. The entire dash is going to be made out of steel. No fiberglass and wood. I am going to keep the dash pics until the dash is all built. I think it will look alot better having a start to finish pics but i will give you my inspiration pic that i am going towards. I am also ordering all of my sheetmetal body parts next week so I can start finishing the door gaps with new door for the drip rails. Anyways here is a few pics of the old dash and I will get a few shots of the drip rails and firewall.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Man that is a sweet dash whats the rest of the truck look like???? BTW looks like a lot of work...

[bad6772]

hey josh , cant wait to see the progress ,i love this build.can you give any tips on shaving the drip rails?

[72CSTC5]

No turning back now!!

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by bad6772

hey josh , cant wait to see the progress ,i love this build.can you give any tips on shaving the drip rails?

I only have a few tips. 1 is to only cut off about 4-5" at a time then tack it up. 2 is turn down you welder so it isn't very hot. The metal is kind of thin and since you are tacking the edges of the metal it burns back really easy. 3 is after you tack it all up and start grinding is smoth be carefully not to grind to much. Especially on the edges of the door. Good luck and it was pretty easy so you should be fine.

Josh

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

No turning back now!!

I know. I guess we will see if I made the right choice

Josh

[FRENCHBLUE72]

My question now is how are ya gonna keep the water out .......... This is a complaint that everyone with shaved drip rails has asked....

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

My question now is how are ya gonna keep the water out .......... This is a complaint that everyone with shaved drip rails has asked....

Well that is a good question. I guess it is a good thing that this is mainly a show truck and will not be driven in the rain. . No really that is the first time i have heard that complaint. I will have think about that. The only thing i can think of is that even shaving the drip rail the door is still recessed a 1/4" so water will still run over the top of the door in theory and a good tight fit with the weather stripping and the door jab will also probably help. I will let you know what i find out.

Josh

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Please do keep me uptodate on the water as I would like to shave mine but it rains most of the year here in oregon..

[Hart_Rod]

Josh - Your PM box is full.

R

[Mordachai]

as for the driprail thing. A buddy of mine who has done a lot of customizing has said the same thing about cutting off a little bit at a time, but he recomended doing 2"-3" pieces. a bit more time consuming, but you'll have less distortion along the rail line once you're done. He told me first time he shaved a rail off a 68 was back in the late 80's only he didn't think about the construction of the truck, and he cut the whole front rail off. that rail is made of 3 pieces (or two depending on where) of metal flanges coming together, one piece being the headliner. he said as he finished his cut, he realized the headliner was now dropping in the cab and was a real ***** to get back together.

Anyways, back on topic, he also suggested that I take some flat sheet and cut it into strips to help secure the opening where you cut the rail off. He sugg that I drill small alternating holes on either side of the rail line to spot weld the piece on the inside, to help hold the shape and to fill that area better. He said a slight z shape would do well, then once it's spotted in place, you can weld it up.
Another trick to getting that nice shape, is once you have the rail completely shaved and ground it to get some small wire, or larger half round and bending it to shape and then welding that over your shaved rail. It will have a nice crisp line and easy to work in the paint stages. (of course that's an old rodders trick to making peaked hoods)

Do like abadsvt said and turn your temp way down, it also helps to place a wet towel around your work area to help absorb some of the heat, or use some of that high dollar heat-fence. if you use the towel be sure to ring the towel out and keep using cold water.

Also as for the water getting in, you can take a look at the construction of the truck and there is a space where you can put a second weather seal in the door jamb. There are a few areas where you might need to modify it, by cutting and reshaping, or by building metal up, but it will make for a good seal and I'm sure if it's water tight in FL, it would perform well in OR as well!

|M|

[Scott68-93-97]

Killer truck, nice job on the frame and the rear cantilever bag set up, that front crossmember is awsome, nice job on the tank mounts too, I like to see people doing things the right way.