My 50 roadster pickup build

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

very nice work so far! Like all the smoothing you did!

Thanks for the kind words.

[oldman3]

Need to take a short break, back in a few to post more pics.

[oldman3]

OK, I'm back, full belly and all. Since I now have a digital camera I went to take a couple pics of my hinges, so you can see the screws I was talking about.

Pic 1 is the bottom hinge
Pic 2 is the top hinge (here you can also see the finish work on the dash)

[oldman3]

Pic 1 Back on the pickup body. I have cut off the windshield header, and will cut off the 3" taped area for my chop.

Pic 2 Top piece that was removed.

[oldman3]

I decided to make a cut thru the A pillar to just as it got to the body line (where stock windshield rubber goes). This allowed me to bend in the A pillar to align with the top piece. This way I was still able to maintain a nice round curve for the glass (part that's welded). Here I've clamped the top piece in place.

[oldman3]

This is a critical part if you chop the windshield area.Make sure you check the angle of the A pillar on both sides (looking from the front). They must be the same angle. Also check the inside angle on the part that is leaning back. You must also check the glass area, make sure you maintain the height across for new class. I left my center steel bar in mine until I had everything welded solid, including the header cover plate. (This allowed me to push up the top until the measurements were the same, then clamp.) I removed the center strip later so I could V butt the glass.

[Indian113]

That's what I wanted to hear!!

[Indian113]

Jim,You'll never know how much I appreciate the pictures and details of what you did to get this done!
Ray

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Jim,You'll never know how much I appreciate the pictures and details of what you did to get this done!
Ray

I hope this helped you, in what you want to do to yours. It's hard to explain sometimes on how you did things. When you get ready for yours let me know, we can look at pics together to decide how you want to attack yours. Jim

[Indian113]

Thanks!

[62ChevyII]

Looks nice, especially the finished product, your interior looks very nice! So did you add anything up front other than tying it in together with the strap in the door opening and the angle iron under the dash?

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by 62ChevyII

Looks nice, especially the finished product, your interior looks very nice! So did you add anything up front other than tying it in together with the strap in the door opening and the angle iron under the dash?

No that was it. The A pillar as a whole is fairly rigid, with the extra material for hinge, etc. Depending on the vehicle if there was room, it wouln't hurt to add some type of bracing.

[bensimmons_05]

Very nice truck, great ideas and the workmanship to make them happen. LOOKS GOOD!

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by bensimmons_05

Very nice truck, great ideas and the workmanship to make them happen. LOOKS GOOD!

Thanks for kind words.

[oldman3]

Sorry for posting late tonight guys, it's been one of those days. Todays post will also be short, but meaningful, I hope.

Now back to the windshield header. I went back and got a piece from top and welded in the part that had been cut off earlier.

[oldman3]

This doesn't show to well, but I had cut small triangular pieces of 1/8" thick metal and was welding to the header, to make an arch to this corner.

[oldman3]

Here you can see how I tacked this all together to form the shape I was after for the header.

[Indian113]

Lookin good,I'm going to print off this entire thread when your done!

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Lookin good,I'm going to print off this entire thread when your done!

Better watch it, the tree lovers will be after you.

[Indian113]

I get ready to start working on mine I'm going to give you a land line call and bend your ear on some ideas I have going thru my head.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

I get ready to start working on mine I'm going to give you a land line call and bend your ear on some ideas I have going thru my head.

When ever your ready, PM me and we will swap numbers. I'm not the brightest light in the pack, but I put out a little glow.

[oldman3]

Going to be installing new latches in the doors. I chose to use bear claw type latches. I had used them before and they worked good. Make sure you buy good quality to start with, not the cheap crap.

My install is a little different from most, as I will be installing mine the opposite of most.

This shows the opening I cut for installing latch.

[oldman3]

This is the piece I made with the latch. I chose to mount mine in the back body door opening. I will show why a little later.

[oldman3]

Here everything is welded in place.

[Indian113]

Post #134 shows that knob pretty good,you have to look for it.I like that idea!!