My 1st 68 panel

[jaros44sr]

That wood in the back looks nice didn't know they came that way, did you get the heater box part you were looking for, just came across that part in my parts stash

[richard2717]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

That wood in the back looks nice didn't they came that way, did you get the heater box part you were looking for, just came across that part in my parts stash

They did come that way. Panels got the metal floor strips like the wood floor trucks since they were mainly for cargo delivery. The suburbans did not get the metal strips.

I did get two of the heater box pcs but could still use one more if you have an extra. Let me know what you want for it and I can shoot PP to ya. No rush on my end, as you can see I have my hands full with other things .

I stopped by my parents house the other day because I had not gotten any replies to a few messages I had sent to mom. I was trying to invite them over for dinner today so figured I better go check on them as well. Dad turned 84 in may and very rarely leaves the house anymore. He is the one that got me hooked on this body style truck as well as in the auto body trade in general. I am hoping I gave him enough interest on this project that he might come over and see it today, but not holding my breath. Can't even entice him with a hot meal because he doesn't eat enough to keep a bird alive anymore.

Happy Thanksgiving

[jaros44sr]

OK, I'll get some pics, when I can

Nice to have your parents still around, Happy Thanksgiving

just paying forward, you take care of shipping

[richard2717]

Finally got all of my sheet metal ordered and also bought a bead roller from Eastwood. I want to recreate the rear panels to match the originals on the rear quarter panels.


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[CG]

All the work you are putting in on this panel makes me ashamed I just shoved mine in a corner all done and ready to assemble. Ill probably need a new paint job, or someone that is super handy with a buffer.

[richard2717]

Originally Posted by CG

All the work you are putting in on this panel makes me ashamed I just shoved mine in a corner all done and ready to assemble. Ill probably need a new paint job, or someone that is super handy with a buffer.

Mark
If you really feel that bad just load it up and ship it to me. It will save me a couple hours work

[HO455]

Originally Posted by richard2717

Finally got all of my sheet metal ordered and also bought a bead roller from Eastwood. I want to recreate the rear panels to match the originals on the rear quarter panels.


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Can't wait to see those. Are you retaining the fuel vent canister? I would like to see some pictures of how the fuel lines look behind the those panels if you have the time.
This has become my favorite thread.

[richard2717]

Actually my panel does not use the vent or canister. Single line from the tank to the fuel pump. I think the canister came out in later years. Sorry for the confusion, the pic I posted with the bead roller is from a Suburban I cut up and was just to show the panel I was speaking about.

As far as the lines they look like this (pulled from a 72 suburban)

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[richard2717]

While waiting for my other parts to come in I have been looking into new wire harnesses. Looks like that is going to be pricey as well. This one has been hacked up pretty good and I want to get rid of the old glass fuses anyway.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by richard2717

Actually my panel does not use the vent or canister. Single line from the tank to the fuel pump. I think the canister came out in later years. Sorry for the confusion, the pic I posted with the bead roller is from a Suburban I cut up and was just to show the panel I was speaking about.

As far as the lines they look like this (pulled from a 72 suburban)

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Nothing to be sorry about. I should have remembered that the vent canisters didn't show up until 71 or 72. Thanks for the pictures. They will help me build one for my Burban.

[richard2717]

Originally Posted by HO455

Nothing to be sorry about. I should have remembered that the vent canisters didn't show up until 71 or 72. Thanks for the pictures. They will help me build one for my Burban.

I am pretty sure I have a couple of these still if you want me to check. Shipping should not be too bad

[HO455]

My concern with using a used one is right now I have a clean fuel tank and lines I wouldn't want to add a source of debris. That being said I have never actually had one in my hands to know if rust inside of them is an issue.

[CG]

Originally Posted by richard2717

Mark
If you really feel that bad just load it up and ship it to me. It will save me a couple hours work

Tiny thread jack coming …

My panel right before I brought it home from body and paint. Doors and fenders hanging on the wall. Wall art hasn't moved in years. They are covered with blankets and I have a wall of those tall two door office metal cabinets in front of them. Panel body was carefully stored out in the barn and over the years all the covers have come off and its just sitting under one of those Costco 10x20 vinyl garages that has no sides on it. Going to need serious paint clean and buff … Possibly new paint.

[richard2717]

Mark,
I hope to get to that point soon (yea right). I would think as long as nothing has been rubbing on the paint a guy that knows how to use a buffer should be able to bring it right back to perfect.


but on a good note, trucking company just emailed and said they will be here in the morning with all my goodies. Here is hoping nothing is damaged. All the smaller stuff is supposed to be here Friday so I am hoping to get a good chunk done this weekend if possible.

[CG]

Ill be watching, this is a great build!

[richard2717]

I forgot to mention yesterday that my new bead roller came in from Eastwood. It seems fine for a starter machine but it is not something that I would want to depend on day to day. That being said, I have never used one before and it looks like there will be a bit of a learning curve but should not be to bad once I get everything figured out. Ran a pc of 040 aluminum thru it yesterday afternoon just free handing it by myself. This rig looks like it will take 2 people to operate correctly unless I want to pony up another $300 to get the motor with foot pedal.


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[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by richard2717

I forgot to mention yesterday that my new bead roller came in from Eastwood. It seems fine for a starter machine but it is not something that I would want to depend on day to day. That being said, I have never used one before and it looks like there will be a bit of a learning curve but should not be to bad once I get everything figured out. Ran a pc of 040 aluminum thru it yesterday afternoon just free handing it by myself. This rig looks like it will take 2 people to operate correctly unless I want to pony up another $300 to get the motor with foot pedal..

That doesn't look bad to me. I was wondering how many wrinkles would be normal for something like that. Grooves look pretty sharp and defined.

LockDoc

[richard2717]

Well good news is freight truck showed up today with my core support, outer cowl and floor. Bad news is wrong floor was sent and had to reject the whole load. They won't let you reject just the wrong pcs. Was hoping to start work on it this weekend but will have to wait until next week now. No big deal, vendor was very helpful getting it resolved right while the trucking company was here. Just glad I noticed it before i signed off on everything. I was so intent looking for damage I almost missed the fact it was a high hump floor instead of low hump.

[CG]

UGH, how disappointing!

[richard2717]

Originally Posted by CG

UGH, how disappointing!

Well..... I have been trying to get to this point for 8 years now so i guess another week won't kill me. I give them an A+ for speed of shipping even if not completely correct. The truck freight stuff shipped out from Woodall on Monday and arrived here today. The smaller goods that shipped FedEx shipped from Roanoke VA on Monday and they won't be here till tomorrow if tracking is still correct. I still have not grasped that the freight beat fedex here.

[richard2717]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

That doesn't look bad to me. I was wondering how many wrinkles would be normal for something like that. Grooves look pretty sharp and defined.

LockDoc

Leon,
What you can't see in the picture is the 1st bead I pulled thru, I had it clamped way to tight and actually sheared thru the aluminum. I have also learned that you can't practice with aluminum if your finish panel is steel. They react totally different in the roller. I still have to order a sheet of 18 ga steel to make the panels. The only drop i had here was 16ga and the roller did not like it at all so I did not push my luck with it and damage the machine.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by richard2717

Leon,
What you can't see in the picture is the 1st bead I pulled thru, I had it clamped way to tight and actually sheared thru the aluminum. I have also learned that you can't practice with aluminum if your finish panel is steel. They react totally different in the roller. I still have to order a sheet of 18 ga steel to make the panels. The only drop i had here was 16ga and the roller did not like it at all so I did not push my luck with it and damage the machine.

I bet it will take some practice. Yeah, 16 is pretty heavy. Keep us posted on the progress.

Bummer on the parts.

LockDoc

[richard2717]

Well the truck freight went back but Fedex did show up today with the smaller stuff. I can go ahead and work on the inner cowl/ lower kick panel area until the new freight arrives.

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[richard2717]

New truck freight shipment supposed to be here in the morning

[HO455]

It looks like there's going to be a panel, panel party!