my shipwrecked '63

[shipwrecked]

Today I worked on the roof some. I want to tip the cab on its back tomorrow, but wanted to ensure I completed the work on the back of the cab as well as the rear lip of the roof.


Started first by beating on the dents a bit and got most to pop back up.

Then put a little Rage extreme body filler on it.



It was hot today!


went back over some areas I worked on yesterday, and finished both the cab corners.(Here it's ready for primer)









I want to put this down on it's back so I can work on the undercoating, then work on the inside roof too. I will be working all week, and the undercoating needs about three days to dry so I can put it back upright.

[bruceandersson]

It looks like someone carried extension ladders in the truck at some point in its life. I need to post pics of the simple rotator I made for working on cabs. I am not at home or I would include a pic here. I made braces that used the hinges and door latch, ran a tube through the door openings, and built a simple A frame on wheels on either side. Allowed me to fully rotate the cab as well as work at a reasonable height. Was well worth the $150 in steel for the time savings.

[shipwrecked]

Ladders up on that lip area would make sense why they are dented in that fashion.

I put the cab on it's back today and did some painting on the cab bottom. I got the medium quartz grey monstaliner kit in, and got that painted on.






I also cut the spot welds out of the roof support bracket and popped that down. Glad I did! It had bee hives, rust and bugs in there.

[shipwrecked]

spent the day working on some body panels.




got them in epoxy too.



I only blasted the underside of the hood since I blew out a hose on the blaster again. As you can see, it needs some work in the middle.


I want to find a replacement piece for the driver fender. This one was swiss cheese. I could buy a new patch panel for about 150, but I would prefer to just get this small section for a lot less if someone has one they can cut up.



and got the inside of the cab roof in epoxy.

[shipwrecked]

Today I was working on a few patches. I had a scrap piece of sheet metal laying around so I used that and made my patterns for the floor panel where the steering tube goes through. Need to do a little work on them still but they look good!



Worked on the roof patches as well. Still need to bang down on some high spots and then put on the fiberglass filler.



Not that I didn't have enough to do, but I am taking on this side job for a little cash. Need to do a bit of maintenance to this boat trailer for the owner. Will work on this Monday/Tuesday and deliver it back by Saturday.

[SteveCanup]

April, you are doing a killer job on that truck. You would put some of the professionals to shame. Keep the pics coming....I'm enjoying following your build. That is going to be a really nice truck when you finish.

[shipwrecked]

did a tiny bit of work on the truck.

put some short strand fiberglass on the area of the roof I welded. still need to block that down.


played with the shrinker/stretcher a little in prep to making the window channel.

[shipwrecked]

couple days ago, i was in the backyard working on the lawn and fell backwards. doctor today said i broke the scaphoid bone in my wrist according to the symptoms and pain in specific areas. A small line across the bone on one of the X-rays is indicating a break but hard to tell for sure.

thumbs up at a minimum till the 17th when more X-rays and oath doctor will look at it. F***it.... I'm still gonna work on my truck.

[bruceandersson]

Sorry to hear about the wrist, but I can't imagine a simple broken wrist would slow you down too much. I wonder if velcro sanding pads would fit on that robo-contraption so you could use it as a sanding block?

[shipwrecked]

haha right! I am right handed but i can use my left effectively.

work will continue!

[slick4x4]

Awesome work !
That truck is going to be fantastic
........
Pay attention to your doctor !
No use in risking your health .....

Hope to see that truck & meeting you someday

[shipwrecked]

didn't do much...
No matter how much you clean after sand blasting... theres always more grit to be cleaned.



I gloved up to do cleaning... I didn't use the hand that much... I can't use my thumb so that is a drag.
did a little body work but its way too hot out there with a temp of 101*


up next more sanding, body work, epoxy and lizard skin.

[grump]

Don't you just love how fast plastic filler sets up when it's hot?

[shipwrecked]

worked on the cab roof some more today. Put some more filler on the roof, blocked it down, and did some heat shrinking on some oil can area of the roof.

I feel like I am just spinning..

[bruceandersson]

Prepping for paint is the most time consuming aspect of restoring, but the more you put in the better the results. Sometimes, I've shot some quick paint, just to better highlight what is left to do and hope that I could live with the flaws. The amount of time spent shooting paint is minor compared to the prep, but the amount of satisfaction from time spent is opposite. The world (of slick60s) is as interested in getting your truck into color as you are.

[shipwrecked]

I chased the oil canning around the roof.. I sure hope I didn't make it worse!

The roof looked like a topographical map by the time i got done.



I put it in epoxy before quitting time ( i gotta go to work!)

[shipwrecked]

used a little redneck engineering to get the cab right side up without damage or injury.



i spent a ton of time taping the seams out so i could seam seal.. Im a fan of the brushed on seam sealer compared to the tube type i tried today.


both inside and out got a treatment.

[shipwrecked]

Today I got the fuel filler patch installed.


Started working on the driver side wiper pin hole.


found a fender washer that I traced out, filed down the buggered opening, and then welded the washer in.


This is from the underside under the dash





body filler is on the fuel filler area ready to be sanded down. I do make some progress, but damn if I don't have a mountain to climb before I see any substantial progress. I did spend a bit of time sanding down some of that excess seam sealer. I have a lot to learn about that drip rail section!

[shipwrecked]

Put some filler on that fuel fill patch




Used a contour gauge from the other side to help get the driver side correct. It still needs some epoxy, but I didn't get to it today. It's just too damn hot outside. It was 110 in the garage, but 100 outside.


I spent time working on this portion of the cab- but I can't seem to get the proper bend on the pieces I am using. I am going to piece it together tomorrow. It is the last bit of welding I need to do.

[shipwrecked]

started working on the passenger side windshield lip today. Had to take a drive up to Atlantic City (38 miles one way) to get more gas for the welder.



little short strand fiberglass filler to strengthen it up.





Epoxy put down for a "final" time.



I know where the flaws are, but I doubt anyone would really notice unless they got up close and personal.

I am pleased with the progress today. I plan on putting down some lizard skin on the cab so I can get the roof support back installed for the last time.

Stand by for more!