55.2 Chevy 3100

[Flames97]

Small update since last post.
Between being busy with kids, other projects and a little work in there, I've been trying to get a something done (couple hours here and there).

I managed to cut some off the brake pedal mount so it could fit back where it was supposed to be. Welded a couple tabs, one on the original bracket for the brake pedal assembly to frame (because of boxing the frame), and another small for the brace on the aftermarket pedal assembly (since I cut that portion away).
Then flipped the frame over with the chain hoist. I've gotten about 90% or more welded fully and ground down on the bottom of the frame now. That takes time!!!
Not sure that this is even that post worthy but...small progress anyways. I'm ready to be done with the frame and move on to something else.

[papastrk]

I don't know what welding machine you are using, but it will lay a nice bead. And the guy under the hood ain't bad. Looks good. Won't be long and you will be plowing snow banks. LOL!

[Flames97]

Thanks papastrk,
I use a Miller challenger 172 that I bought back in 2000-01ish. It's a good little machine. I was a carded welder at one point in my life, but let it go cuz i just didn't need it.
I was far enough along to push snow with it:-) so far this winter if it was drivable I would have been able to drive it most of the winter...it's sad how little snow we have. Not normal!
-Aaron

[papastrk]

Did you finish up the four link frame bracket mods? I think you were going to move them up on the frame. I read where the track bars on bagged suspensions need to be as long as possible due to large suspension travel. I guess the rear end will move quite a bit laterally if too short. I don't think bags would stand up to too much side to side movement. I didn't notice a track bar bracket welded in on your frame. Will you bolt it in place? Stay warm while welding the rest of the frame.

[Kim57]

A little at a time and you'll be surprised at what you can get done.
Looks nice.
Kim

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by papastrk

Did you finish up the four link frame bracket mods? I think you were going to move them up on the frame. I read where the track bars on bagged suspensions need to be as long as possible due to large suspension travel. I guess the rear end will move quite a bit laterally if too short. I don't think bags would stand up to too much side to side movement. I didn't notice a track bar bracket welded in on your frame. Will you bolt it in place? Stay warm while welding the rest of the frame.

Yep, I finished that when I was reworking the whole rear suspension. And basically I moved everything up from its original location so it should all be the same as it was just an inch higher on the frame. And the track bar bolts to the lower bolt on one of the front 4-bar mounts and then to the opposite mount on the rear end.

Originally Posted by Kim57

A little at a time and you'll be surprised at what you can get done.
Looks nice.
Kim

Thanks Kim, your right, I've just been focusing on little goals at a time and when I get one little thing done move onto the next. All the little things add up to one big acomplishment. It helps to not get overwhelmed that way.

[Flames97]

Well, I've finished as much as I'm going to on the frame for now. It's fully welded and all of the welds that needed ground down are done. Until I change my mine..lol. Small things still need to be done, but without some things I can't complete it fully. Good stopping point though. I'd say 95% done until I can paint the frame.
So I decided to move on to the cab. I really wanted to go to the bed, but its in pieces in the shed and the cab is right there in the shop. I have the patch panels to put on it. I will need to fab some small ones for other places.

The cab has the usual rust spots but even then it's not as bad as some I see.
The driver's side hinge pocket and actually both steps aren't too bad. But there is rust and I'd really like to take care of it now, because its just a matter of time before they do rot through. I have the time and the parts. the piece of mind that its all taken care of will be worth it.

Let me back up a second-I may have to repair one door first, in order to hang it and make sure everything lines up in the process. The lower part where the hinge was is totally rusted out. So fix that and put a lower inner door bottom and outer skin, then It will be ready.
Here's what I'm starting with.



I actually replaced this cab corner before I ever went to school for auto collision. I think it was back in 97/98 ish, It looks ok in the pic but really I can't stand it. where its welded, its sunk in too much for my liking. It doesn't line up real well. Also there is rust behind it in the inner and I just wanna cut all of it out and fix it right.

[Flames97]

Now for the driver side.
I have a little more rust inside the cab on this side than the other. Especially around that drain area. Again this whole bottom of the cab is going to get replaced.



The hinge area looks good from the outside, but there is some significant rust behind it that will just get worse.



This cab corner was replaced by a guy that I had that owned the shop it was in when I was in high school. Same as the other side, Its going to get replaced and that way I can also get behind it and fix everything right.

[Flames97]

And a shot of the fire wall for fun.
I've been back and forth about smoothing it completely or just filling the holes.
I like the look of still having the factory stamping but no holes. However, just putting a smooth piece of metal is a lot simpler and I do like that look also. Notice the custom Hammer dents for distributor clearance. uhhh!!
Also I plan on shaving the dash as well.

[Kim57]

You have some repairing to do but like you said there are a lot worse that have been fixed.
You should have no trouble making it a real solid truck.
Kim

[Flames97]

Thanks Kim,
I defenetly have enough things to do to keep busy.

[papastrk]

Aaron. I started on the lower hinge pockets. The inner pocket half piece fit great. And they weren't too expensive. Now if I had only ordered the outer piece I would have been in great shape. I welded rust pin holes for a good while. I still have to rebuild the hinges. I want to hang the doors before I replace the large step panel.

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by papastrk

Aaron. I started on the lower hinge pockets. The inner pocket half piece fit great. And they weren't too expensive. Now if I had only ordered the outer piece I would have been in great shape. I welded rust pin holes for a good while. I still have to rebuild the hinges. I want to hang the doors before I replace the large step panel.

Sounds like your moving in the right direction.

I do have all my patch panels for the hinge and the outer area, step, and cab corner. I didn't get the piece that's inside the hinge pocket, its the very inner piece. I'm just gonna make one. and the inner cab corner I'm going to do away with.
I did manage to get my passenger step out, some of the lower hinge pocket cut out and the cab corner cut off. I found some more rust and will need to make some pieces. I'll get the other side all removed as well. Then roll it back outside and sand blast the areas now that I can get into them.
I think I counted 49 maybe 50, spot welds holding the step in.

There is some previous inside cab corner patch work that I'm going to cut out.

I will be shaving the cowl at some point, this is from the passenger side. It just kept coming out of there.

[Flames97]

Passenger side all apart for now. Started the drivers side too. Then sand blast some. And hopefully I can get it all back together. I did take lots of measurements.

[Kim57]

When I see what some of you guys have to go through on your trucks it makes me glad mine was in decent shape.
Nice progress.
Kim

[Flames97]

I probably went a little further than I needed. But I can't stand rust. Sure probably could have cleaned some of it up really good and put a rust converter on it. But I wouldn't be able to live with that. I think about what's gonna happen years and years down the road. Kinda like the saying if it's with doing it's worth doing right or well! How ever it goes:-)
Kim you are lucky to have a good cab. That gives you more time to focus on other things and be able to move right along.
I've seen some on here that I wouldn't wanna fix, but they do. And I applaud those that do.
Eventually I'll get this thing back together. Just takes time.

[4Eyedtruck]

man you are moving right along its looking good what sandblaster are you using ? ive been loooking into them myself and there are so many differing opinions and reviews on them i cant decide if i should pull the trigger or not keep up the good work

[Flames97]

Thanks 4Eyedtruck,
I believe its the harbor freight one. It has the larger opening at the top. I've used one before that had the smaller opening at the top and never again.
You can tell its make kinda cheap, but it works just fine and has done what I've needed it to. The only problems I've had is the water trap that came with it broke. It was chinsey.
and the dead man valve at the end has just about worn out(they have replacement ends for it). I've probably put 10 bags maybe a few more through it. Thats a guess. It's messy but I like when everything is nice and clean after.
Hope this helps, I know these things can get expensive but they are nice to have. Worth it if you ask me.

[4Eyedtruck]

from the pictures it looks like it did great on the bottom of the cab and you might have talked me into it ill swing by the local HF this weekend and check em out what media are you using in it ?

[Flames97]

I just check the web site and they didn't have one that looked like it.
but there are some on ebay that look like mine and are cheap. I'm trying to post a link but didn't work. they are $169-199
This is what it looks like

[4Eyedtruck]

looks like a badboy blaster i think summit sells one just like that thank you for looking and and i cant tell you how many times ive looked at your thread on the rear 4link and bag setup and the link to the 1300 build for the front im finally getting my head wrapped around on what i need to do keep up the hard work man you will be riding in no time

[Flames97]

That sounds great. Can't wait to see what you've been up to.
I wish I could get this thing on the road. I'm still a long long ways away from driving. I have lots of stuff to buy and no funds for it. Everything I'm doing now it's parts and pieces that I've had for a long time. I spend a little here and there as I can. Thanks for checking it out.

[4Eyedtruck]

its the same here i think ive drove my wife mad talking about parts lately lol i did manage to get two ford 9" rearends cut out from some old truck bed firewood trailers last week hopefully one will be straight enough to use under the build

[Flames97]

That's funny, my wife is pretty understanding and supportive. Or maybe she acts like that so I'll leave her alone...lol.

[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!