Project 59 Apache "1st Build"

[Kim57]

I like the new dash. Just keep at it and you will get it in.
Kim

[waybad]

me look it too

[Tri5Nerd]

Mike, You're doing things I wouldn't think or have the nerves to do, keep it going.
BTW: It's really impressive to see how far you're come with fab work. I remember when you were first learning how to weld, now look at the work you're doing.

Damn good job man.

Tri5

[Fat Mike]

Thank you guys! I am getting excited because the welding is getting alittle easier, just need more practice. Got more done on the dash this morning and have made a template for shaving the gas door. Will post more pictures later.

[Fat Mike]

Finished welding in a patch panel on the dash and welding up the seam that I had not finished.

[Fat Mike]

Also got the gas filler door welded up again.

[65Pickup]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Oh yeah when you hammer on dolly to stretch the metal, hammer only the HAZ (heat affected zone). The haz is the area where the metal changed colors from the heat. Back to keeping the metal cool while welding if you can't touch it with you bare hand its too hot to weld in that area. Skip around man, patience is a virtue is serious when doing patch work.

That will be 50 bucks and I do take checks.lol

Great descriptions, can't wait to try this. Is a flux core wire feed a poor choice for this type of work any reason why? For the number of people you helped with this, getting $10 from everyone may pay for your build. Thanks for the education.

[Kim57]

Looking good Mike.
Kim

[Fat Mike]

Trying to get the cowl shaved again. Cut the inside of the louvers out and roughed in a piece to weld in this evening.

[_Ogre]

inspiration for you fatmike



mine is all duraglass filler.
seam sealed the top and bottom seams,
welded end seams

no wipers?? how do you get the snow off your windshield in NM?

[Fat Mike]

Rain is what I am always worried about. Did you weld along the top seem? I am going to weld the top seem and remove the area where the screw holes are so I can weld it in with no visible seems.

[_Ogre]

did not want to grind out a 3 ft long corner weld
i used seam sealer on the top and bottom flange, no welding except for the side seams.

realistically? i drive my truck all summer in michigan and use rain-ex.
i have never turned my wipers on. i keep them on and parked down on the windshield rubber.

truk did the hot rod power tour, it rained from indy to muskegon, never turned them on.
i keep them there in case i pass a truck going thru a mud puddle.
even then it would take me longer to find the wiper switch than for the rain-ex to do it's work.

[Fat Mike]

Thank you for the info!

[Fat Mike]

Finished up the shaved cowl. I plan on welding this in so that it can not be removed after I have the cab blasted.










Now I just need to do a little bit of metal finishing and weld up a few holes.

[Fat Mike]

Also metal finished the gas filler door. Wasn't real happy with the way it came out so I will have to hammer it out a bit and metal finish again.

[Fat Mike]

Has anyone ever seen this done. Very excited to try it. I don't like the way the front of the cowl tapers off. So I am going to make it go straight across and tie in to the front firewall after I shave the whole firewall.

[hotrod1]

Amen. I am curious to see how that turns out.

[Kim57]

Nice job on the cowl vent. I'm going to weld mine in also.
I like your idea on the firewall mod. I may have to copy it.
Kim

[Fat Mike]

Got the panel roughed in and ready to weld in. Welded just the passenger side in because I had to go to work. Plan I making up the driver side panel this evening.

[_Ogre]

fatmike
sorry i didn't see this last night...

don't shoot me, i'm only the messenger



pic borrowed from tonka build

[Fat Mike]

I am going to have a hood that flips to the front. Not to worry.

[_Ogre]

my bad...

your on your own for that.
i've heard the flip forward hoods for 55-57 do not fit 58-59

[_Ogre]

but anything can be modified

[Fat Mike]

Got the driver side panel fabbed and welded in.






Next thing on the menu will be getting a sheet of 16 gauge metal so I can shave the firewall and tie the sides in very clean. Also plan on recessing the firewall 3".

[hotrod1]

are u looking to get rid of the lower cowls?