Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

They're in nice shape...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

I am pleasantly surprised, the jambs will only need to be scuffed before painting.

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Great progress, strong work.

Has anyone ever done door glass without the metal channel attached to the glass? And found a way to put some sort of insert in the door to accommodate door glass with out the metal channel?

Don't want to hi-jack the thread, just an unfiltered thought.

NC

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

I believe the one piece door glass conversions don’t use a frame around the glass

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Getting a little color on some parts...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Welded up some extra holes and the wing window bracket inside the door, more bodywork and sanding...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Coming along good....I'm at the blocking stage with one....close to paint....seems like it never ends...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Finished up the driver's door this weekend, all that's left is the passenger door. Won't be long and everything will get some high build primer and the final blocking can commence...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Getting some of the front end sheetmetal ready, the inner fender walls got a coat of satin black on the back side and some SEM Rock It bed liner for undercoating. I rolled it on to keep the mess to a minimum...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Prepping the core support, inner fenders and filler panel for paint...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

With some sealer and color. A couple runs on the inner fenders stalled progress, I let them dry overnight so they can be sanded out. I'm hoping to get some more color and matte clear on everything today...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

That's looking great......

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

I came to the conclusion that my body working skills are not good enough to achieve the final result that I'm looking for. It's a bitter pill to swallow because I take pride in my abilities, but for this build to move forward I had to enlist some professional help. Since the truck is blown apart I'm bringing a couple pieces at a time instead of the whole truck. When the front fenders are done I will bring in the rear fenders and swap. In the meantime, I will keep doing what I can.

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

maybe if you pick up a spare hood or fender and practice body work on those to bring your skills up to par. I personly think you can do it.... it just takes quite a bit of practice .. its the only way you're goin to learn. But you do have the skills

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

I know how you feel Black Sheep, my body skills suck but seem to get better little by little, knowing when to stop sanding has been hard for me to grasp, painting scares hell out of me but I decided its the only way to learn, Be brave "Just Do It", think I'll be happy with a 20 footer I did my self, we'll see.

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

I know I can do it. Honestly, I'm getting burned out from spending my nights and weekends working on it. To make room for working on the truck, I have my hot rod stashed at a buddy's place an hour away, I drove it for exactly one weekend in the past year and a half. I miss hanging with my friends at cruise nights and car shows. I miss taking a rip through the countryside, just because I felt like it. I love hanging out with my friends and family. The prospect of doing without for another summer is stressing me out. This is supposed to be fun.

I finished my GTX almost 20 years ago, I suppose I had more energy and ambition back then...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

After sanding out the runs, I repainted the inner fenders and core support. The temperature was a lot better for painting and it laid down nice. The color is Ford HP White with satin clear, it almost has a pearl look to it. As the paint was drying I cleaned up the front of the motor and polished the tanks on the radiator.

I got the core support level with the cab, now to get it centered and square...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Nice...Jim (also posted on the other thread)

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

A quiet day in the garage after finishing up yardwork...

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Very nice work on the truck! GTX looks sweet too.

Many of us have been there...do I work on the project or take this Saturday to go to a car show or cruise in? Getting burned out and keeping going. I’ve tried to do a balance (some summer cruise ins or shows, winter project building with no time pressure) and then I enjoy the project build more. Of course the build goes more slowly.

Then I’ve also set a goal to make a specific show or event, which helps keep me motivated, then burn the candle at both ends to make it. That has worked for me on several projects. To make it, I selectively hire help or farm out some work. That feels more like work and project management to me, though like I mentioned, it has worked to get one “done”.

Enjoying your work and continuing to tag along!

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Front fenders are done! I picked up the fronts from the body guy and dropped off the rears. When those are done I will bring him the doors. The truck will be ready for paint soon.

In the meantime, I am taking care of a bunch of loose ends. I finished up the dome and courtesy light wiring, stripped and reprimed the radiator filler panel and blocked out the steps and tailgate so they are ready for another coat of 2K.

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

Moving right along...Jim

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

That’s startling to look like a real truck again :)

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

looking good.....

Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
 

My brother in law Ronny made some custom bed rail end plugs to match my tail lights (60-61 Chev passenger car lenses). We trial fit them, after he chamfers the end that goes into the rail they will be polished