Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Great work!!!

If you want better fitting panels buy from Tri Plus. I had LMC rockers and cab corners on a cab and cut them off. The tri plus ones fit perfect with no modifications. Not all have had that success but pretty much everyone with the LMC panels have had a LOT of work to do...

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Those were Tri-Plus panels.... In all fairness since I had to do so much panel replacement, I cant really blame the fit on Tri-plus.

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Wow, like I said, I could only speak to my experience. Every truck was different from the factory and gaps weren't as nice as we make them when restoring these trucks either.

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Nice work on the panel fitment. I have a bunch of that to do on my project. Keep the pics coming!

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

looks great, keep up the good work! it is very time comsuming getting everything to match up and look good but you will be happy you did as you already know!

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Next I went on to correct the door to rocker gap. As you can see from the first pics it was about a 1/4" gap. Adjusting in the door was not an option because it would cause the crease in the lower part of the door to not align with the crease in the cab corner.

I ended up having to cut the entire rocker in half lengthwise and add a 1/4" patch in between. Here are the pics.

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Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

More. I dont have any good pics of the rocker welded. I will take some and post them later.

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Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Next I needed to replace the drip rails. After searching for repops it was apparent they were either nonexistent or they were made from inferior material (22ga thin steel). I had tried to patch them earlier and just did not like the idea so I decided to make my own.

I started with a sheet of 18ga I cut a 1 1/2 x 60" slice I cut with the plasma.
Attachment 616015

Next I needed to roll 1/8" back on itself to give me the profile I needed to match the original.
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Next came the 90deg edge that directs the water run off along the channel.
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Then I used the stretcher to make the radius around the top and rear of the door .
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Finally all welded in
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Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Fantastic job!!!!!

You are really tackling this challenge!

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

wow GREAT work ,I'm having some of the same issues had to put a backer plate in cab corners as they were a bear to get to fit and gap was a little much, and I have about the same amount of gap at back of outer rockers, glad I seen how you fixed this since I was scratching my head about it. once again great work, and this is what is great about this board you can see how others deal with similiar issues.

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Nice work on the drip rails and rocker panel! Man that must have taken some serious time.

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Thanks guys. It is a labor of love as you all already know. I had hoped to get Jezebel done by October but that is in doubt now since I got a new job at work that is costing me my truck work hours. But hey, it pays the bills right?

Steve

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Thanks mcbassin, the rockers took about 6 hours. Surprisingly the drip rails only took about an hour and a half each.

Steve

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Next was the pass drip rail but that process was the same as the drivers side so I wont boar you guys with that.

I am happy to say that with the drip rails done I have met a milestone in this build. Jezebel's rust repairs are COMPLETE! Whoohoo!:metal:

Now on to the fun stuff. First in line was the dash. I wanted to remove the ash tray and relocate the stereo. My plans are to one day install a flip-up screen stereo. I don't think, in the stock location the screen will deploy completely vertical. It looks like the screen would hit the dash pad. To fix this perceived issue, I cut out the stock stereo opening then flipped it over and welded it lower in the dash where the ashtray use to be. This should allow the screen to fully deploy.

Cut area marked
Attachment 619341

Entire area cut out.
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Stereo opening flipped and welded in at the ashtray location
Attachment 619343

Completely welded in
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Welds ground down and ready for body work
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Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

The next task was to remove the dash speaker grill. This will smooth the section of the dash between the defrost vents and should look pretty cool.

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Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Next was the gas cap filler. Pretty standard stuff, a concave circle, weld and grind smooth.

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The purpose of this pic was to show that the circle was concave and not just a flat piece. This does not show it too well.
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Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

The last pics for tonight are the dash welded in at the windshield pinch weld. Standard stuff, weld through primer on both surfaces. Then rosette weld through the holes that I created in the windshield track as I removed it from the 71 GMC.

I noticed the spot welds from Jezebel's AC dash and the windshield track from the 71 GMC aligned really closely. This was surprising considering these two truck were built two years apart.

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Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Nice work! Looks like she might make CTC after all.....:D.

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

very nice work! Coming together very nicely!

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

looks great man!!

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

awesome work! feels good doesnt!

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Thanks Rob, I don't think she will make CTC. At least CTC 2010 anyway :lol:. There is still a LOT to do.

Thanks. Every time I check that blazer of yours she looks better and better. I have not ever been a fan of that color blue but I think that has changed since seeing your truck.

Thanks bro! Not as much fab work as your truck but you appear to know what you are doing :lol:. Great work man.

It absolutely does. After this long and wondering if I can get the cab back into one piece, it was a beer moment...

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

cool i am happy for you!

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Nice fab work. outstanding progress!

Re: Project "Jezebel"
 

Time for another update.

Started filling holes and bodyworking the firewall. Going for the minimalist/smooth look. Starting to look pretty decent if I can say so myself.

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