Builds My New Project

[NikP]

Then the final product.

I also got time to tack in my floor panels.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Man, that's alot of work. I truly admire you guys, who spent days doing body work. Good job! It must be a great feeling, when you get lay to some paint on it.

 

[lowtideride]

Awesome work. How did you end up bending the rocker panel? What gauge steel are you using?

Keep up the great work!

 

[NikP]

Awesome work. How did you end up bending the rocker panel? What gauge steel are you using?

Keep up the great work!

I believe it was 18 gauge. I had access to a 48" metal brake from my work so bent it at 1/4 inch increments to form gradual bend.

 

[NikP]

So I'm in between jobs and got some time in the garage as mental relief. Got the body all ready to have my workout buddies lift it off a and tip it on its side for some undercoating. I had good luck with Raptor liner on my 40 so I'll repeat on the 55. While the paint's drying I'm hoping to drop the engine and transmission into the frame for its final resting place. With any luck I should be able to set the body back on by the weekend and begin the long path of body work.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Take some pictures with it rolled over. I got to see that. I raised the body off the frame today, on mine, useing jacks and alot of cribbing. The bodies are not light. I hope your buddies have not been goofing off in the gym.

Good job on all the body work!

 

[NikP]

The body was a bit heavy. Good thing the three guys I work out with can bench 300lbs. I can't, so I manned the engine hoist. With any luck I'll get the guys to lift it back on tomorrow.

Made good progress today and got the Raptor liner on the bottom. I found a few more rust spots on the underside once I had it upside down so spent more time cutting and welding.

Also got to paint a few parts to allow the engine to be put to rest.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Alright! Looks good, all sprayed up. How's your body mounts, nows the time.

 

[NikP]

I've been real lucky. The extent of my rust is minimal with just a few areas of Swiss cheese but no big areas of rot. I bought a flexible wand to spray 3M Rust Fighter into all the cavities. Hopefully it will do the trick as long as I own it. I've also sprayed some rust converter everywhere I can.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Man that looks great.

 

[Gonzo55]

I've been real lucky. The extent of my rust is minimal with just a few areas of Swiss cheese but no big areas of rot. I bought a flexible wand to spray 3M Rust Fighter into all the cavities. Hopefully it will do the trick as long as I own it. I've also sprayed some rust converter everywhere I can.

Have to ask, how in hell did you get that heavy bastard in the garage and on its side and second are your balls alright ?

 

[PabloCruise]

Wow - you are doing it up right!
What rust converter did you use?

 

[NikP]

Wow - you are doing it up right!
What rust converter did you use?

It's Prep & Ready by POR 15. I bought it because it was at my local paint and body store. I actually think I like the Rust Bullet Metal Blast better as it seems to have a more visible reaction and the end product seems much more rid of rust. Just in too much of a hurry to order it.

I got my gym buddies to help lift the body on. I hope I don't lose my friends for having them help. That sucker is heavy.

 

[cruiserjunktion]

I've been real lucky. The extent of my rust is minimal with just a few areas of Swiss cheese but no big areas of rot. I bought a flexible wand to spray 3M Rust Fighter into all the cavities. Hopefully it will do the trick as long as I own it. I've also sprayed some rust converter everywhere I can.

Sweet swine.

 

[NikP]

So I finally got to revisit the pig after being consumed by the new job. I put my new plasma cutter to work cutting out rust and making room for shock mounts.

I also ordered some shoulder washers to re-bush my door hinges. Part number G0263286 from Zorotools.com. Less than $10 to my door for 40 washers. Required a slight amount of grinding.

 

[NikP]

My new toys. I'm such a tight-wad. Why did I not buy this years ago when I was building my 40? The right tools are soooo nice.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Congratulations on the job!

You going to use a gas mix on your mig or run flux core wire.

 

[NikP]

Gas. I had a tank already.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Nice set-up. I've heard a lot of good things about those Eastwood machines.

I'm contemplating one of their plasma cutters at the moment. Did you go with the big one or the smaller one? I'd be interested in your thought's of the machine after you get to play with it for a while.

Thanks.

 

[NikP]

Plasma cutter is awesome!

I had initial trouble with the welder. The feed motor would act like it overloaded and would shut off after a small amount of feed. I fiddled with it while waiting for their customer service to call me back and it appears to work now. I'm not sure I like not knowing what fixed it, but its got a 3 yr warranty so I'm in good shape.