Bodywork - Page Four
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Well, a lot has gone one, since I last updated. I made the horrendous piece under the
gas tank, that I had to cut out of the crossmember. I got so wrapped up in it, that I
failed to take pictures. Suffice it to say, that it took me the better part of a day, to
make it! It fits fine, and I'm happy with it. Here's some more pics of the progress,
pretty much self-explanatory. I'll comment if I feel the need...
You can see the bottom of the piece I mentioned in the next picture, smack in the middle,
but it's painted black, and hard to see. Lot's of nasty bends and angles, for such a little piece!
The left hand corner, rebuilt. All new steel, for the most part. I TRIED to pull it together,
with a strap and come-along. Didn't budge 1/8"!
The middle getting ready to go in...
Wasn't sure how I was going to handle the pieces under the tank - I'm going to just angle
it all the way around, and weld it in tight. Lot's of work on that little piece! Bends and
twists, and bends, and twists....
Ready to start fitting the back piece - then I will get the corners in, and then fill all the
pieces in, under the indentations.
Here's what it looks like, painted in Chassis Saver paint. I'll topcoat over the Chassis
Saver. I'll be painting the floorboard, up the firewall, and under the dash, as well as
the inside metal, roof, etc, that will be covered by headliner, etc. Man, I like this paint!
Gotta leave the cab for a bit - time to take a breather, and get the brakes done. Well,
after the back plate was off, found out that the spindle pins were shot, so the front
axle had to come off. The spindle pins were rough to get out, but the homemade 12-
ton press did it's job, although the driver's side took almost everything the poor old
press had.
You can tell, they were pretty darn shot! I couldn't tell, until I had the brakes apart, then
I could feel a LOT of movement, more so on the driver's side. It's worn very badly, both
top and bottom, and the passenger's side bearing was rusted solid. The drag link is going
to get a rebuild, as well, as the pitman arm is worn like an egg, and will also have to be replaced.
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