Build My 1978 Nut and Bolt Frame Off Restoration

[MScruiser]

Congrats. Lots of hard work finally showing the fruits of your labors.

Thank you very much and props for the "likes".

 

[DSB345]

Fantastic! Congratulations

 

[MScruiser]

Finally getting around to installing these:

 

[MScruiser]

Finally broke down and ordered a new radiator ornament

 

[MScruiser]

Can someone tell me how the heck I'm supposed to remove this inner ambulance door handle?!

This thing is beating me.

 

[spotcruiser]

Isn't there a pin through a hole in the square shaft?

 

[TheHardWay]

The rubber cover underneath the handle hides a pin. I tapped it out with a nail counter sink. Once it's out, the handle will pull away.

 

[MScruiser]

Gracias, amigo.

 

[MScruiser]

Well, the PO struck again. I dig the ambulance doors out of the attic, only to discover he had cut circles, and drilled several holes in the sheet metal for aftermarket speakers. And what a wonderful job he did too.

First, I determined how big my patch would be.

Next I fine tuned the fitment, and held the patch in place

A few tac welds to hold it in place.

 

[MScruiser]

Next, I place more tac welds between each previous pair of tac welds. Once it cools, I place a tac weld in between the last set of tac welds. I continue this process until the weld along the seam is continuous.

Continuous weld

Then it's time to grind down everything nice and flush.

Then I put a coat of cheap primer down to keep things clean until I sandblast the entire door.

 

[TheHardWay]

Never get tired of looking at welding porn.

 

[MScruiser]

Never get tired of looking at welding porn.

Porn?! Humph! Hardly.

This is more like sneaking a peek at the lingerie section of your mom's 1989 Sears catalog.

 

[tls3601]

+1 on that welding porn here as well; awesome!!!!! Nice work bud. Also +1 on the old Sears catalog!! Yes we are deplorable..................

 

[tls3601]

@MScruiser what does the tub weigh approximately? I see a project like yours on the horizon here. How many guys to lift off the frame, or a cherry picker with straps?

 

[MScruiser]

Weight is probably around 275-300lbs

Me and a friend had no trouble moving it. That being said, getting it over the shifter is kind of a pain with two guys. So, either get an extra friend to make three, or just remove the shifter lever.

 

[tls3601]

Yep, that makes sense. Thanks Andrew

 

[billmc]

My tub and old frame were on a trailer, so I jacked up the body and strapped it to the rafters and pulled the trailer with frame out. Now I'm going to have to build a big dolly so I can get it down and work on it!

 

[MScruiser]

@MScruiser what does the tub weigh approximately? I see a project like yours on the horizon here. How many guys to lift off the frame, or a cherry picker with straps?

Now that I'm thinking about it, it's probably closer to 500lbs. Ha. That's more realistic, and would explain why I can lift it with a buddy, but struggle to lift it higher with only 2 people.

 

[adistler1]

I keep coming back to this thread and am both amazed by the level of detail you put in and depressed because I don't posses the skill, time or funds do have anything remotely as nice as your truck. Kudos on such a great job. It's a real inspiration.

 

[MScruiser]

I keep coming back to this thread and am both amazed by the level of detail you put in and depressed because I don't posses the skill, time or funds do have anything remotely as nice as your truck. Kudos on such a great job. It's a real inspiration.

Thanks a lot!

I'm looking forward to make more updates as time/funds allow.