Builds 1978 Restoration (the best I can...)

[mikedickbek]

shes going to be one sweet ride when shes done keep up the goood work

Well, not really. As I've been grinding off those crap body lift blocks, I've been taking a good long look at the condition of the body. It's not looking good. Turns out, the whole floor has been replaced with sheetmetal. Not a good job at all. There are dents all over the outside from it being rolled. There's a lot of basically BAD fab work done on the entire tub. Because of all this, I'm going to just put the tub back on and be done. In a few years I'll drop some money to get an aluminum tub, but till then, the body that's on it now isn't worth saving.
Oh well, it'll look good when I'm under it, or when the hood's open.

 

[TLCHopII]

Take heart Mike. So it's not a survivor. Now build it out knowing that cutting a little sheet metal is not a sin! Think you can get it running for the 25th?

 

[mikedickbek]

Think you can get it running for the 25th?

Ha ha ha! Not a chance bro. Maybe the 25th of December!
You going out wheeling on the 25th?

 

[NCjeff]

Mike, just read this whole post, awesome job. You have got some patience, I would not have lasted this long. I just got my first 40, and this is an inspiring job. Good luck.

 

[TLCHopII]

Ha ha ha! Not a chance bro. Maybe the 25th of December!
You going out wheeling on the 25th?

Was but it's in doubt now. My trans spring clip eliminator failed to ship so I'm now a week behind in reassembling the drive line!

Could still happen if the stars & planets align and pigs fly! (Oh shoot now someone gonna post up a 55' air borne)

 

[laguna80]

Just before take off

 

[TLCHopII]

See told ya so Mike! LoL!

 

[shorty 40]

yeah ive got two 40's one has been badly patched by PO and the other has hole in the floor pan big enough to change the Xfer case without taking out the trans hum but im im gunna still give it ago at fixing it only prob. is get steel body parts in west oz in pretty much imposible or big dollars . But luck for me some of my family is pretty handy with mig and hammer so we are gunna give it a go

 

[TLCHopII]

yeah ive got two 40's one has been badly patched by PO and the other has hole in the floor pan big enough to change the Xfer case without taking out the trans hum but im im gunna still give it ago at fixing it only prob. is get steel body parts in west oz in pretty much imposible or big dollars . But luck for me some of my family is pretty handy with mig and hammer so we are gunna give it a go

A couple tools can get the job done with a professional look and much quicker:
1) Buy a cheap no name version of a combination "flanger/punch". This air tool can be had for around $40 US from Harbor Freight. This will easily punch holes for rosette (plug) welds and easily create the offset flange for smooth lap joints. FYI this is a pneumatic (air) tool.
2) Find, borrow or buy a bead roller. This allows one to create offset (single) and/or "double" beads in the sheet metal stiffening it and strengthening the overall assembly. Also looks cool!

The rest is time hammer, welding & finishing.

Best of luck!

 

[77FJDream]

I am inspired

WOW! Awesome thread...I makes me excited to see that the build that I am getting ready to take on is not as overwhelming as I thought it might be as long as I approach it with a little patience and an open mind.

You all make it look too easy, even though I know it is hardly the case.

Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the great work!

 

[mikedickbek]

Hey Guys!
Well Dave, I didn't make it by Dec 25th. Ha ha.
The other day I was putting the brake lines back in, when one snapped. Looks like I'll be going to Checker to get some new ones. Might as well replace them all while I'm at it.
I just got done putting on the first coat of Hurculiner. Looks awesome! My wife got it for me for Christmas, and I was more than anxious to get back out to the garage. Tomorrow, I'll probably put the second coat on and I'll post pictures. Maybe I'll do it tonight...

 

[sdtash]

Ah a few dents just add character anyway. Interesting pics. Will be great to see pics of you wheeling her soon.

 

[mcwinery]

great job. Just discovered your thread. nice work. Maybe next Christmas I will have my restore done.

 

[mikedickbek]

Thanks guys!
After telling you guys what I did, I couldn't hold out, so here are the pics of the first coat of Hurculiner. I also have the dash and firewall all painted. Everything else on the truck that's white, will be the dash color.

 

[mikedickbek]

Now here are the brake and clutch master cylinders. Odds and ends I've gotten done. Since then, they've been mounted.

 

[cruiserdoc]

I love olive drab rigs. That will look awsome

 

[mikedickbek]

Second coat of herculiner installed. I'm really impressed by this stuff. It's looking really good.

 

[77HesterSue]

Mike,

I've enjoyed reading your build. You've done some great work for not knowing much. Thanks for sharing!

 

[TLCHopII]

Mike! You are alive!

Your rig is looking Cherry! OD green & herculiner...she's coming along. Glad to here you didn't have to give her up what with the new baby & all.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Just read the whole thread keep after it almost there. For me the hardest part was not to cut coners at the end just to get it out for a ride Glad to see you don't have that problem keep up that quality work and enjoy the rebuild process it wont last forever