Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

I must say, its nice to live in the south! Im working in 45-55* weather! LOL! Just had to rub it in a lil!
Your build is coming along nicely

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

its not to bad here 60's to 70's. we live close to the mountains

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

looking good mister!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Thanks for the jab!

Your killing me!

Thanks Jojo!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Small Update:
I was able to spend a few hours over the long weekend on the cab. I finished the driver side rocker. You can probably see the miss fitment on both sides where the rocker meets the back side of the cab. I'm not sure how I am going to fix this yet, more than likely have to cut it and push the metal out and reweld.(LMC rockers don't fit the best) I then started back on the firewall. I tried 2 times to cut the metal to do an angled detail on the top wire channel. Both times I cut the radius piece wrong and it would fit right so I ended up cutting it off and throwing it to scrap. I'm either going to have to get some thicker sheetmetal (20-18 gauge?) The 22 gauge I'm working with is too thin and wants to warp to easy. Looked like crap! I may just scrap the whole idea for now. I'm ready to move on! I then started filling some more of the holes that won't be used on the firewall. Here are the pics:

Checking the driver rocker fit with a door:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-106.jpg
Finished welding the rocker and ground the welds smooth.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-107.jpg
Rocker panel primered
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-108.jpg
Prepping to fill holes
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-109.jpg
Plugs welded in place
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-110.jpg
Ready for primer
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-111.jpg

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Looking good. Now you see why I had someone else do the firewall and welding ;)

He uses the shrinker to make the metal bend properly. Without it I'm sure it'd be almost impossible to get the radius on the angles correct.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Unfortunately, there are no funds to pay someone on this job:waah:
I think I could do a lot better job if I had a co2 bottle for my mig. One of the biggest problems I'm have is the tig has to get pretty hot before you can make a tack weld. Plus not have my kid home during the holiday to hold it in place while I tack it. I think it would defintely be easier with a roller too. I have thinking about getting one for my shop at work. You know one of those 3 in 1 metal workers that harbor freight has for around $450.Here It will suck trying to get the bend just right and then fitting it at home but I might be able to borrow it for the weekend.
your cab is getting pretty close to Johathon!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Doing a great job Mike..:metal:....I use some flat magnets to hold down filler pieces of sheet metal while I tack them on.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Man you are doing good work there.

I hope to start repairing my rocker panels soon.

Since mine's a daily driver, I will have to do one at a time and have everything done in a weekend and have it ready to drive by mondays...

How long would you say it took you to do one rocker panel?

Also, if you could do it again, would you get the rockers from another vendor? I'm guessing none of them would fit perfectly but have no experience to speak of.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Thanks Jhonny! Yep, the magnets give me an extra pair of hands. You just have to keep your tig torch away from the magnetic field....it will mess up your welds.
Thanks JoJo! If you haven't done rocker replacement before you will need to plan on spending the better part of a day to replace each side. If it is an GM original rocker it seems to go easier than one someone replaced. The reason I say that, you can just track down all the spot welds and drill through the outer layer then pop it off a little at a time. If it has been replaced, it can be very difficult to find the welds...just have to cut it off and grind the welds down. More often than not if the rocker is shot there will be more rust behind there either on the lower pillar or kick panel. As far as the repop rockers, I don't know? I have never purchased any of them but the cheaper ones and the fitment sucks on all of them. I bet Kevin at LFD could tell you where to get some better fitting ones. Of course, if you can find some new old stock ones they would probably fit the best. The worst area is where the back edge meets the cab. Its almost like they made them short. Around 1/8 inch which is too much for me to use filler. I will end up cutting the back area and rewelding the edge on both sides. You really need to plan some time to cut off the old one , clean all the welds, remove rust with a wire wheel or sandblaster (if you have one), use some type of rust conversion primer and then tack it, check fit of the door, then weld up and grind welds, primer paint. If you need any help send a PM or email. I would be more than happy to help.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

It's looking good Mike.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Great job on the rust reapair. and filling the firewall!
Like the primer tip.
keep a her.

haha l spotted a old honda dirt bike from the 80's in one of your pics what is it?
got a pic lol?

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

hopefully be on the road soon, but need to save up for the Ron Francis wiring kit etc. . the easiest way to fix the back of the rocker is as you state, pie cut it, move it out and then patch the piecut and weld it all up. keep at it Mike

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Thanks John!
Not sure what model it is I think its a 60cc? Picked it up at a yard sale. I can take some pics. Maybe you can tell me what it is.
Heath,
Do you have any pics or know where I can get some pics of this "pie cut" technique? Also, you want to tell me about the Ron Francis wiring kit? Is it OEM style or aftermarket using different fuses etc.? Cost? Right now I am planning to use a good factory harness in the cab and for the lights but make a custom harness for the LS 4.8 engine.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

I'd like to know, too...;)

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Just an FYI...we used Tri-plus (keyparts) rockers on my truck and they fit great w/out any cutting. The ones that were on by the PO obviously didn't fit right so we took them out. Expected to cut these but didn't have to and they look good with the door in place.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Just a little FYI...LMC sells Tri-Plus (Keyparts) and they dont fit worth a crap on my blazer either!!!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Most of the tri-plus components have fit very well for me. However, one notable exception was their lower door patch which was HORRIBLE. But i'm sure it depends on the truck/blazer as each one is slightly different and the QC at the factory wasn't that good honestly...

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

The door gaps around the rocker were good and over all the panels fit in there with only a few mods but the real problem is here in these pics:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-112.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-113.jpg

I'm sure there are problems with all the aftermarket sheetmetal parts. I just want you guys to see what I am talking about. These edges "should" be flush.
I think I can fix it just matter of cutting and pulling and rewelding.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

this is the part of my build that I am not looking forward to... I will be asking a lot of questions when this comes up! I don't think I would have noticed it. At least not until it was too late :lol:

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

nevermind...saw it after I wrote ;)

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

So what is your next step on this truck?

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

i left my factory rockers and patched as needed... should've bought new rockers. would much rather have these fitment problems. looking good!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Next step will be to finish roughing in the cab. By that, I mean I won't do any finish body work until it is mounted on the frame. I plan to clean the other side of the shop and rearrange things so we can fit the frame inside and start rebuilding suspension, brakes, and rear diff.

Thanks Brian,
I could have gotten away with trying to straighten the driver side but the passenger lower pillar was shot. We are like 95% rust free on the cab. Still have a little area on the passenger kick panel. Still lack major body work on the cab corners where it has been mistreated or dropped when moving it around.

Right now I am focused on getting my lower unit fixed. I had to pull the prop shaft and replace the water pump. Hope to get all the parts in for it by next week. Here are some crappy pics of it I took with my phone:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3.../Photo0022.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3.../Photo0023.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3.../Photo0024.jpg

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

I can store the boat and one camaro here, so it helps you with shop space.... :lol:

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Hey if you do some boat repair you may want to talk to HighPerf4X4. He was having an issue with his boat, and could use some advice. The place that worked on it for him didn't help him out much.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

You must have a big shop buddy! Yes I need to get rid of all the junk that is filling up space in my shop.;)

John,
I only do boat repair when I tear it up ...dang it! I would be glad to offer my 2 cents to help if I can. I hate to have people wrenching on my stuff if you know what I mean....even oil changes.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

not a big shop just helping you gain space :lol:

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

:agree:

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

DIY all the way i say

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

I shelled the gears in my lower and upper unit last summer. It's a Mercruiser Alpha1 outdrive. Got any tips for that repair? :lol:

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

I'm not too sure about that one, if the case isn't damaged you should be able to do it yourself. I'm not too sure about whether or not it requires backlash or shimming with the gear sets. That is probably like setting up a rear differential. You may be able to pick up an outdrive complete and just bolt it up and go? Really depends on what you have for a budget.
This is where I buy my parts:HERE
There prices are about as cheap as you can get. I really hate dealing with H and H. Baats are bottemless money pits and they really never pay you back.:waah:

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Check this out. Complete Alpha1 replacement drive by SEI with 1.47 V8 gear ratio with 3 year no questions asked warranty for 1200.00

http://www.sterndrive.cc/Merchant2/m...lphaSterndrive

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

CHEAP! go for it!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Holy crap, i can not believe that i have not posted in such a long time, anyways, glad to see so much work done on the truck, and good choice on the copper primer, that is the best stuff on the market to this day, i know, i tried everything out there, worth the money trust me,. I know all about the boat thing, i tore the leg off of my silver line, hit a rock pennisula on the lake, ouch. anyways, just have to let you know, everything looks great and remember aftermarket is aftermarket for a reason, you have to FIT it, not them. Also i sure could use a camaro, let me know if you got a spare, or a 70 chevelle, Later.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Thanks Nuke! Sorry to hear about you messing up your boat too. How's the projects going? I just got the prop and the prop shaft back from the shop. Supposed to be straight less than .002" runout and the prop looks new. Still
waiting on the rest of the parts to come in next week to rebuild it.

Hope to get back on this project next week, we are going to some salvages tomorrow to find a radiator and some other parts for my kids 86. I'm also going to the scrap yard to try to find some 18-20 sheetmetal for the firewall. I have been working with 22 gauge and it's too thin for the angle detail. If I decide to sell one of the Camaros you will be in line too.

Got most of the parts for the lower unit
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...Truck/prop.jpg

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

nice shiney parts, and ya, 22 gauge is way too thin, you should use 20 gauge normally and 18 also. I use both on my things. Sure wish my prop was that shiney. Did you change the pitch on it, more torque or speed? With mone i needed the torque.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

No, It was set up perfect before, the prop was worn and had some dents alon the edges...you know how they get beat up on rocks. Anyway, they welded the whole perimeter and made to the oem specs. We'll see how it runs next week hopefully.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Well, I'm still waiting on parts to come in for th outboard so I took one last stab at making the wire channel angle detail. I picked up some thicker sheetmetal at a the scrap yard, I think it is 18 gauge. Anyway, I got tired of making templates and taking them to work to cut my sheetmetal so I made a little table for my bandsaw. Now I can cut sheetmetal at my shop! I then started fabbing the pieces for the angle (2 left and 2 right). I was able to roll the inside radius around my argon bottle to get the shape close. I then tacked it all in, then staggered my welds about every 2-3 inches till it was done, then ground the welds and primered, it will still require some hammer and dolly work but that can take place on the frame. It took around 4 hours total. Hope to get my lower unit parts in tomorrow or thursday so I can get that out of the way. Next on this will be the cab corners, they need straightened and possibly some rust repair, even though I haven't found any, that doesn't mean it's not there.....on to the pictures:

Bandsaw before the table added
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...k/69-112-1.jpg
Plate cut for table
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...k/69-113-1.jpg
Table welded and installed
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-114.jpg
Tacking the angle detail
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-115.jpg
More
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-116.jpg
Ready for welding solid
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-117.jpg
More
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-118.jpg
Completely welded
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-119.jpg
Welds ground smooth
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-120.jpg
Primered
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uck/69-121.jpg

Re: 1969 Short Wide