Rust fix and face lift in 10 days!

[alaska60]

LOL!
your killin me.
Alright ....no pressure!

 

[Texx]

Not something you ever see around here, I've never seen rust on a 60 series above the rear fender opening. Cut and weld, only way it's ever gonna last.

 

[alaska60]

Well I had sum lunch and went back at it again. I couldnt decide where to start off so I stared at the body for about a half hour........Then got at it.
I decided to just replace the rear hatch as it was in really bad shape. It was rusted all the way through both layers and it didnt even work....it was all siezed up inside. Here is the hatch I scored at the junk yard.

 

[wengejor]

Wow, man....you got the pics working!!

Looks like you have some work ahead of you. Any chance at finding some good doors from the junk man?

 

[alaska60]

well here is what was accomplished today. I put 13 1/2 hours in. I feel warped. The photos dont do the justice of how this feels when you run your hand down it. I worked the back area as well as starting to sand down the clear coat off the entire rig. you'll notice the heavy peeling off clear coat from some areas like the hood. On the back I am going to replace the rain gutters with 1/2 x 1/2 angle 1/8 thick. Shown in the photos. My wife loves this already!
WENGEJOR.........
I still have 3 of those doors you see in my garage. the black ones. They are in good shape. I was thinking maybe chopping them for some fun off road doors??? do you need them? Or want them?

 

[alaska60]

AND THIS GOT DONE AS WELL. I cut the back roof areas out with a cutting wheel and replace the areas with 18 guage steel. I cut out 2 pieces for the corner and shaped them on an anvil with a hammer. It went in smooth but the heat of welding it in warped it a bit. Bondo saved me there. Welding and bondo are fast working materials. I love the speed.

 

[alaska60]

Also got this done too. I only had to replace 1 door. The other three were okay. just a little rub and some primer. Hit the rear fenders in the classic spots. I also realized how much work this really is. It was wengejoy's rust thread that scared the crap out of me and inspired this speedy surgery.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Damn, good work. It takes some serious nuts to cut into the roof like that. I need a shop so I can do this to Moonshine

 

[alaska60]

Damn, good work. It takes some serious nuts to cut into the roof like that. I need a shop so I can do this to Moonshine

More like sweaty nuts! its been 90 degrees out in my garage in Utah the last few days. I was in Alaska for 5 months I just left there a few days ago where it was in the 40's. I am acclimating!
My garage is shrinking as I get more involved in this. Thanks for the nice comments on the work. I am about to go for it for another 12 - 14 hour day!
Will post some more progress at lunch and after dinner and a beer!

 

[2manyprojects]

minor, but check those door switches

Here is a couple spots I will be attacking. I have many more and will post them soon. I only have 10 days so I will do most of my thread at night after a hand wash, shower and a beer! I MAY HAVE OPENED A CAN OF WORMS HERE!

Great effort on your bodywork! It's a small item, but pull off those little rubber covers on the dome light switches for the rear doors. The little suckers held moisture and were both nasty on my Oct 85, even though there was no sign of rust anywhere else.

 

[alaska60]

Great effort on your bodywork! It's a small item, but pull off those little rubber covers on the dome light switches for the rear doors. The little suckers held moisture and were both nasty on my Oct 85, even though there was no sign of rust anywhere else.

I'll check that out!..............damn! more stuff to look into!

 

[onelesssblues]

Great work man I'm checkin this daily. inspiring the way you just cut into that roof thats the only rust I got, its keepin me from gettin a roof rack. any estimate on the cost of all this?

 

[wengejor]

I wish I had a shop like that as well.

Damn, good work. It takes some serious nuts to cut into the roof like that. I need a shop so I can do this to Moonshine

I don't need your doors man...just thinking that you could replace the one that was rusty.

 

[alaska60]

I wish I had a shop like that as well.






I don't need your doors man...just thinking that you could replace the one that was rusty.

I just wanted one door and the guy that sold them to me charged me 50$ for all 4.
Heavy score.

 

[wengejor]

Wow, that's a sweet deal... I wish there was a good donor truck around here.

 

[alaska60]

This what i am thinking of using for the replacement of the rotten raingutter on the rear above the hatch, where I cut the roof open. I used this for the replacement of the weatherstripping mount on the bottom of the rear gate opening.....bomber stuff!! 1/2 X 1/2 angle 1/8 thick. What a busy day. my hands are numb from sanding! I'll get some progress photos up in a minute.

 

[alaska60]

I got the entire truck sanded down today. That clearcoat was a bitch on the roof. I finished up most of the bondo work as well. I still need to go back and finish coat all the bondo areas. And MORE SANDING!
I put 12 hours in today!!
As far as the amount of coin I spent so far......

used Hatch= $100
4 used doors=$ 50
primer= $ 75
Paint = $100
Paper/plastic=$ 25
Bondo = $25
18 guage sheet $20
angle iron = $10

Total so far = $415

 

[CMD82]

Did you treat the rusty metal under the roof repair before burning in the patch panel?

 

[wengejor]

Looks like you're having a great time and it's going to look great when you're done

 

[alaska60]

Here is the drivers side rear corner well. It still needs sanding and finish coat. I also got eager to see what the new color would look like. YES....... I SAID NEW COLOR! I have never really liked my "blue" cruiser. I have had red ones, yellow ones, green ones, metallic brown, flat black ones and this blue one.

But I have always been partial to the tan or off white cruisers That I see.

So,, I finished out one of the doors. the passenger side front door is complete and ready to roll. Look for the photo in the next post.