Previous owner '68

[raggedjim]

I didn't want to start any body work on the floor until I had figured out completely how (and if!) the bedsides were going to fit and bolt up. So, armed with carpenters tools and kitchen utensils, I started fitting the bedsides. Once I got one side relatively square and level I installed the other side and the front panel.

[raggedjim]

Then the scary part, trying on the tailgate. Definitely a proof of concept moment.

Tailgate was a bit twisted, so I took the come-along and tweaked it a bit. I got it within 1/8th", hopefully that will be enough.

I need to get some shoulder bolts for the flange bearings on the tailgate but they seem to be working well.

[raggedjim]

And last for today, I worked on the tedious process of figuring out how to latch the tailgate. Not the most elegant solution but I think it will work. Now I just have to do the other side!

[72 tigger]

Nice fab work!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Nice fab work!

Thanks! I enjoy it much more than body work.

[loudchevy]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Thanks! I enjoy it much more than body work.

I would agree with this statement. Nice progress on the bed.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by loudchevy

I would agree with this statement. Nice progress on the bed.

Thanks!

[zicc1835]

I too like the mods,, coming together nicely

[raggedjim]

Other side done. I always seem to struggle with the second part of a pair. I guess it's the pressure to make them match, somewhat.

[raggedjim]

Well, the cold and rain drove me back into the garage. I decided to try to build a side marker fuel fill. It's been done before so no real revelations except it takes more time than you would think. Not completely done but it's getting there.

[raggedjim]

Then I worked on the filler neck housing. Painted it and waiting for the paint to dry. Maybe not the prettiest but I think it will work.

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Well, the cold and rain drove me back into the garage. I decided to try to build a side marker fuel fill. It's been done before so no real revelations except it takes more time than you would think. Not completely done but it's getting there.

lookin good.....

[raggedjim]

Great weather today so back on the bed!

I had to shorten the front panel of the bed by 3/4" because all of the stepside bed panels are setup for wood beds.

[raggedjim]

Then I disassembled the bed, again! My wife thinks I'm making mistakes because I keep putting it together and then taking it back apart. But we all know, it is part of the process.

[raggedjim]

Then I started welding and grinding some of the unwanted features on the bedsides.

[loudchevy]

Nice work, Roger.

[raggedjim]

Worst kinda update, no pics. More work on the other bedside. If you want to know how it looks go to post 215, hold your laptop up to a mirror and look at the post in the mirror. Basically the same.

Also flipped the bed floor and started scraping undercoating, one of my favorite things...

[raggedjim]

Once I had the floor flipped I started wirebrushing the bottom to get it ready for POR15. I had to cut out one of the cross sills to allow the blazer tank to fit and also cut out the center section of one of the front sills because it was full of rust flakes. Once I had it sprayed down with rust converter and dried for 24 hours I got it coated with the POR15.

I have a way to cap the front cross sill but haven't done it yet. I'm glad I cut it out so I could treat the rust that was hiding under it.

Some how ended up with one small dot of POR15 above my eyebrow. They say it won't come off but it will, it just also happens to require a layer or two of skin to come off with it!

[raggedjim]

I had the original cross sills from the wood bed of the truck and took one of those, cut it down, and welded it in to the cross sill I cut. Kinda looks like it belongs there!

[zicc1835]

this bed looks great coming along nicely.... time and effort paying dividends

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by zicc1835

this bed looks great coming along nicely.... time and effort paying dividends

Thanks, but I would not recommend to anyone to do this. It's labor intensive and a steel bed doesn't have the same impact as a nice wood bed does.

But I'm all about using what I have and trying to make things work, even if it may not be the smartest thing to do.

[raggedjim]

I haven't posted much lately, but almost all my effort has been trying to get the bed floor straightened out. It's getting there, slowly!

I started with Duraglass fiberglass filler over the welds, than used Evercoat Z-grip filler for leveling/depitting. Not looking for perfection but it needs to be something I'm not ashamed to look at!

[raggedjim]

Also worked on the never-ending steering wheel. I think another top coat and some polishing will get it done.

[raggedjim]

I had bought a turn signal lever from somewhere years ago but never used it because it looked cheap. The chrome lever is fine but the plastic knob is wonky.

[raggedjim]

So my wife had a bunch of purses she was taking to the local Angels Attic (kinda like Goodwill but they sell donated items then use the proceeds to help people with their medical care). She has a fairly efficient method of ensuring we will never know the horrible effects of excessive wealth. She purchases things she must have, stores them for 2-3 years, then donates them to the Attic. Brilliant!

So I snagged a purse for myself. I mean, not for me, all I wanted was the cheap plastic handle.