'50 chevy 3100

[Matt_50]

New bed and I also got a radiator too, needed to see what clearance I had for cooling stuff.

[joedoh]

nice job on the repairs, rust repair is the worst

[Matt_50]

Thanks, I still have a long way to go. I have done some practice, latest practice piece...

[GreasyLikeaBurger]

Are you using flux core wire? Looks pretty slaggy. I would also recommend stitch welding, it takes longer but it leaves a cleaner finish and less chance of warping panels.

[Matt_50]

Yea flux core, I know, not the most recommended. Inside I have stuck to stitching. A friend then comes in over mine and he's fast, makes longer stitches until its all nice.

He made sure it was all structurally good. I've been on my own for small stuff.

[Matt_50]

Got some bed sills couple days ago. They are from a 54 or 55 but they fit inside just fine. From what I've found, it looks like the difference in the years is sill height, and maybe board widths. Width difference is fine with me, height can be adjusted with the blocks. And it didn't cost me anything!

[Erics51chevy]

Free is for me!

[Matt_50]

I spent a few minutes on the "new" sills. For my bed I needed to drill holes in the new front sill to mount to the bed. The bed sits much better now, still need proper blocks, using 2x4 pieces now. I'm not mounting the bed yet, but I'm doing the odd thing or two here and there in between the bigger things.

Tomorrow I'll buy some seam sealer for the interior! I only have one more hole to patch, for old E brake.

[8man]

It's coming along nicely! Congrats.

[Matt_50]

Well, I wanted to work on the truck a bit.. but it was 100 degrees and I just wasn't feelin it lol just one more reason I need a shop.

Got the seam sealer though. Dynatron 550.

[Matt_50]

I decided to flatten all my welds as much as possible. I spent the free time of two days grinding metal and welding spots that needed attention. Flux core welding may be economical for a beginner but it sucks. I used a whole tube of dynatron, I think I went a bit much and I tried to clean it up and feather it out... I'll have to sand a little more than I wanted but it's all good.

All the patching and welding has really taught me how to weld better. Or it's taught me period. Next time I have a project I'm buying full replacement pieces though, less welding. At least this is solid and will be covered with carpet.

[joedoh]

looks great. remember that carpet on a floor like that takes maybe 20 minutes to install. dont even try to take the door edge strips out (screws usually rusted), you can usually just tuck the carpet under them with a screwdriver. there are pegs along the firewall to hold the carpet, just a slit in the carpet and it slides over.

for carpet, you can find remnants big enough at boat shops, but really buying carpet isnt more expensive than bedliner, I bet its cheaper actually. the bedliner will probably seal any holes you missed though.

[Matt_50]

Those screws did break! I removed them to replace the floor. Fill holes and stuff was part of my justification lol I actually think I did ok but between the sealer and the liner I think it is worry free. I've had this can of bedliner for forever, I called company to make sure it was still good before I opened it.

Next issue is addressing my driver door. Started a thread on it for advice, I'm a beginner in dent removal so my fingers are crossed I don't mess it up.

[Matt_50]

Some updates. We had several days of 100+ weather lately and I've gotten very little done.

I've been seeing brown interiors in a lot of trucks in the projects here and I've been really thinking about going the same route. So I got a couple different shades. I got passenger side door painted and I think I'm definitely leaning towards brown.

A tad more black paint and I'll call the floor and firewall done!

I think I may be painting dash brown before I start to run wires. And I'm finally going to set up my steering linkage in a few days.

Anyone know of any truck pics with a brown interior and green exterior?

[Matt_50]

I had to see the dash brown and I love it!

[Matt_50]

As I said in another thread, I changed my mind on using the c10 suspension. It works and is super easy to install, and if you buy the right stuff you can suck the wheels in, but I decided to spend money on stock suspension instead. I will get power steering, keeping the c10 gearbox, and disc brakes.

I installed the suspension this morning. I think it will be easy to work on hanging off the frame than in the grass.

[joedoh]

looking good! I have some repairs in the same area, thanks for such great photos of the work

[Matt_50]

Thanks, I used a spot weld drill bit on the floor, well I tried. For this piece I used a regular drill bit and went slow and didn't go through all the way. I probably took 3 times longer than an experienced person but I was real worried about messing up on the body. I wasn't as worried with the floor.

[Matt_50]

This morning I started on my cherry picker cab jig. I copied what others have done. I mentioned in another thread that when I was under the truck I noticed my passenger side cab support was rusted through.

So I ordered another, and after getting some advice here, I plan to lift my cab with the cherry picker just enough to roll chassis forward, then set it back down and roll it onto it's firewall. This'll be a perfect time to clean and undercoat too. Here's a pic of cab support and of my jig.

[Matt_50]

Got my new support in. I don't think I'll have much time this weekend but maybe Monday.

[Matt_50]

I rolled the cab over. Kinda scary lol but it is easy to get to the support now.

[joedoh]

hey man, progress is progress!

[Matt_50]

I had mentioned making "arms" for my brake assembly to extend it to brace to the dash. It's ugly but I got it done. Used metal from my donor frame, pieces that still had a lip from where it was a channel. Pretty thick and the extra edge I feel gave it some stability.

I probably over thought it but it's installed. Spent a long time bending them into shape. Clamp, hammer, check it, hammer again. I also put the original brace in too. Even with the brake assembly out, I couldnt get it back in with out some trimming. Maybe I fixed it wrong. It rusted in two where it bolted to firewall. Right down the crease, only rust it had. I cleaned it up, used anouther piece over them and welded it back together.

Anyways, both are in and painted. I also did some sanding on a couple bondo spots. Remember that hole I filled in where maybe an antenna went? I'll try to sand and finish it tomorrow.

I've got a couple other spots to fix, I think I'll have them on tomorrow too with pics.

[Matt_50]

It probably takes me longer than some but that spot where I filled in the hole is turning out nice. I have a slight low spot and I'll be done. I'm using very little bondo at a time, then sanding and repeat. I needed to use more at first but I had had that problem before of using to much and then I would have to sand a lot. I'm learning.

Also patched in a spot that can't be seen with fender in place. I'll finish it next time, I jump around a bit, let welds cool.

Also tackled the door today, the big spot I mentioned before. A real pain and I had to walk away a time or two. I'm hoping it'll all smooth out real nice. I'll admit, the welds sucked. Some pin holes but I had to leave it. I kept burning through. I was able to somewhat reach in the door and built up the back side though. I'm getting better, but it will be a while until I have even half the skill as some of the guys on here.

I'm hoping to have all my little spots fixed and done by the time I start on corners. Between the inners and outers, I'm going to try to make the inners, it might take a couple of weekends.

[vintovka]

The light coming in the cab corners reminds me of a house i once owned. Soooo Glad mine were in such good shape. I also made sure the weep holes were clear this last 50+ years