55.2 Chevy 3100

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by papastrk

Well, you have gone and done it now. You will just have to measure and weld your way out of trouble. That's all I can tell you. Have fun!

I keep thinking I was supposed to write something down...ah measurements!!!j/k.
Ya, I've got some work ahead of me. Actually lookin forward to it.

Today I got everything on the drivers side off. Now if I can get a nice day out side. I'll sandblast the hard to get to places. The weather here has been a mix of really cold low teens w/snow, then next day warm 50's sunny. It's been the weirdest winter I've seen. So....hopefully tomorrow.

[Flames97]

Tiny little update, Not sure if its worthy or not. Things seem to be going in slow motion. I tried to work on the truck today (Brushed rust treatment in the cab brace), Then got called back to the house and ended up doing other stuff around the house. I did however order some parts while I was around.

Yesterday there was good weather so I was able to sandblast those rust areas in the cab that are hard to get to.(inside the lower hinge pockets, inside the cab corners and the step bracket.)
The driver's side cab brace at the front was starting to rust through. This is exactly why I went as far as I did even though some of it on the outside looked fine.

[fabguy]

looking good . Even ordering parts is progress forward

[Flames97]

Thanks fabguy,
I love getting parts in the mail.
I ordered a inner door bottom for my passenger side. It looked fine until I sand blasted it and found out it wasn't so good. And two more pieces for the cab. I didn't order an outer door skin, I figured I'd try and make my own.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[papastrk]

You probably made a good call on making your own outer door skin. I bought Brothers and they were 20 gauge with notches cut in the fold over edges rather being shrunk to form the correct curve. I've been trying to find time to blast my hinges so that I can repair a door with this skin, so I can't tell you much on what to look for in the way of fit. The door skin looks to have a bow in the skin, so they may have to be wheeled to get that contour right. If you only replace the very bottom of door skin, you may not have to worry much with fit. Some of the others may be able to help you on this. Do you have access to a bead roller to fold the new skin? A metal brake will get the lower edge folded, but you may have to improvise on front and back edge. The thing that concerns me is getting a dolly inside the door to hammer the spot welds as you go.

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looking good.
Kim

Thanks Kim

Originally Posted by papastrk

You probably made a good call on making your own outer door skin. I bought Brothers and they were 20 gauge with notches cut in the fold over edges rather being shrunk to form the correct curve. I've been trying to find time to blast my hinges so that I can repair a door with this skin, so I can't tell you much on what to look for in the way of fit. The door skin looks to have a bow in the skin, so they may have to be wheeled to get that contour right. If you only replace the very bottom of door skin, you may not have to worry much with fit. Some of the others may be able to help you on this. Do you have access to a bead roller to fold the new skin? A metal brake will get the lower edge folded, but you may have to improvise on front and back edge. The thing that concerns me is getting a dolly inside the door to hammer the spot welds as you go.

I have that same brother door skin for the other door. Bought it long ago and haven't put it on yet. I saw in one thread that someone made thier own so for the other door thought I'd try. I'm a little worried about getting the edges bent and ready to put on. I don't have a break, I may fab something that might work. I at least thought I'd give it a try anyways. I bought a 4ftx4ft piece of 18g for $23 and a door skin was like 30ish. Just have to see how it goes.
Thanks for looking.

[Flames97]

where was I?? Ahhh yes. Trying to patch up large holes

Here is what I've been up to. Started on the inside because of the access to the area. Since I removed all the step and hinge it allowed me to work on it easier.






this pic is of the outside.

[Flames97]

Here is the patch I made for the outer drain portion. I got the main piece I made in and then found a pin hole of rust, which was replaced with the triangle piece.
As I was welding in the main piece that side was thin and in places hard to weld, so I wondered if I was gonna have to do that.
Here's the progression.

[Flames97]

Also made some new replacement pieces for the front step area. I don't have a break so I used a vice and some angle iron. Then, used my hand to start the bend and hammered evenly to get it just right. Worked well. I used 3/4" tape to mark the bend, just so happened to be just right.



Final product

Quick mock up pic

[fabguy]

Nice work, the metal work looks awesome.

[Kim57]

Very nice fab work.
Kim

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by fabguy

Nice work, the metal work looks awesome.

Originally Posted by Kim57

Very nice fab work.
Kim

Thanks guys,
It's been a while since I've done this kind of work. Kinda been nice to start on these areas for practice, before I start the cab corners.

[made2drag]

top notch work! im loving the frame!

[Flames97]

Thanks man, I really appreciate it.
I'm gonna update with some pics soon.

I was checking out your build. Can't wait to see your swap.

[Flames97]

Well since I'm on here might as well throw some pics up. I'm also stuck in the house today with the my little girls because of them being under the weather.

Little progress, I committed to welding in the inner part and the hinge, Tried to get the outer put on last night and ended up working the snags out of something else.
Here is the pics for now though.

[Kim57]

Nice repair.
Kim

[Flames97]

Thank you Kim.

[ChuckDriver]

Great work!

[Flames97]

Thanks ChuckDriver.
I'm trying...feels like slow motion sometimes.

[Stepside Jim]

Looking good, I really enjoy a thread that shows the progress from beginning to end. Keep up the good work. Jim

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by Stepside Jim

Looking good, I really enjoy a thread that shows the progress from beginning to end. Keep up the good work. Jim

Thanks for the kind words Jim. I'm defenetly a fan of your build, I like the fab work you've done.

Sometimes I feel like I update too many small things. But like you said, I too like reading build threads like that. I enjoy seeing how people did it right down to the small details. It's also documentation for me. And maybe it will help someone someday.
Thanks for looking.

[Flames97]

I managed to get the outer hinge pocket on.

[Flames97]

Here's the inner, Had to make a few template's out of card stock before I got it how I wanted it. Also added some metal to the outer so it would be easier to make the inner and have it all tie together. You'll see what I mean in the photo's



I did weld this completely in, this pic doesn't show that.

[butchp]

I just read your build I am about where you are in the build.