74 PA PIG (1 Viewer)

[smooth]

Passenger rear quarter reconstruction.

Some rust inhibitor. Hope this stuff works!

Some BobM parts.

Rust free rear quarter. Rear wheel reconstruction to follow at a later time.

 

[mmcinnis]

This is true commitment! I'm taking notes.
Great job.
Mike

 

[brisveganbj42]

Its good to see how other people do such major reconstruction. Helps me figure out if and what steps i myself might be missing during my own rebuild. Thanks for sharing

 

[smooth]

Driver's side rear. If you remember had the dimpled rear corner. Although not rusty figured it was best to take it out. Sorry for the bad angle pictures. Drivers side is tighter to the garage wall, can't step back to get quality shots.

You also see some rear sill work. Not sure if I have better pictures of the rear sill? Will check for another post.

Love it when a plan comes together.

Some sanding to do.

 

[61twpw]

Nice to see so much progress. Doing great work, keep it up.

 

[smooth]

Rocker work

Redneck clamp.

 

[xtiaan2000]

Kid gets work done!
Nice

 

[smooth]

Floor work

Underneath, replaced body mounts.

 

[smooth]

Some of the odd spots.

Still needs some cleaning up!

 

[smooth]

Wondering if this thread is getting boring? Not much narrative. As of today we're about 14 months into the project.

My proudest moment so far was finding a way to rebuild the rear wheel well profile/lip. Talked to @bobm and he said "it's not impossible, it's just medal". Unfortunately we don't had the equipment to build it from nothing. Was hoping I could find a similar rear quarter from any vehicle to use? Looked for months at cars while driving, parking lots and the internet. Bought what I thought was a similar piece off of EBAY and it wasn't even close. One day I was looking at a truck with a utility body on it and realized it was very similar to what I was looking for. Measured the radius, it was close. Made a cardboard cutout, held it up to the 55 and it matched! Worth doing some research and see if it was obtainable?

Contacted Reading Utility Box company and purchased rear wheel well replacements for both sides (figured they were the same but didn't want to take a chance). Really had not idea what I was buying? Not sure exactly what would show up. After a long wait....probably 3 months. This is what showed up. Very pleased to see it work.

Know try to figure out how to make it work?

 

[smooth]

Remember this?

Had to build some structure inside the wheel well to hold and support the lip.

Cut the lip off the new replacement panels and welded them on to the vehicle.

Now we're talking! Never thought we'd get it to this level!! It is possible. Probably cheating but we got it done. Clean new wheel wells keeping the original look.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

This thread is not boring in the least. I’m following with much interest, as I expect many others are. Keep up the great work and keep us updated!

Cheers,

Mike

 

[scrapdaddy]

Hey, that's pretty cool. Good thinking!

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Guess you posted the wheel lip as I was responding on my phone. Very clever! It looks great!

 

[bobm]

Ingenuity!!! That's what this whole forum is about. Great job. Metal is flexible

 

[scrapdaddy]

Thinking you should post up those part numbers for the replacement Reading parts. The rest of us are going to need them at some point in time.

 

[bobm]

That's why they call you Smmooooth

 

[71greenpig]

Keep it coming this gives me hope one day that I will be able to tackle mine.

I am hooked for sure plenty of pics, we like pics.

This thread is not boring in the least. I’m following with much interest, as I expect many others are. Keep up the great work and keep us updated!

Cheers,

Mike

 

[smooth]

Thinking you should post up those part numbers for the replacement Reading parts. The rest of us are going to need them at some point in time.

Will do. Need to gather what I have for the group. Was really a shot in the dark but very pleased with the results. Have to look through my notes. Stay tuned.

 

[smooth]

That's why they call you Smmooooth

Thanks Bob. You were the catalyst that got me moving. Had been thinking about the project for some time and not until you made the replacement parts available did it become a reality.