For some reason Ive over looked the build threads for awhile, and WOW what a pleasant surprise when I found your build, Sir my hat is off to you, your talent when it comes to fabrication is very impressing. Its very insirational for a novice like myself, to see what is possible. Thank you for taking the time to share your talent and project with us.

 

i got an idea....you come live at my house.....i've got a new 100' pole barn w/ brand new 200 amp service. i could bring meals out 3 times a day and it already has cable!!! oh, and while yer here you could do all the welding on my 54 ......great pix and even better documentary. welcome to the site and please, enjoy it as much as i do. it guys like you that make it good.
q in 'cuse

 

Awesome build thread with a lot of progress. Thank you for posting the pics. Keep up the good work and the updates.

 

Thanks guys, 3 meals a day sounds like a pretty good deal I might have to take you up on that offer. I've been busy lately little work on the truck. I have found some more half *** repairs on the cab corners so thats my next step. Just finished shaving the drip rail. I have to do some leadwork on that seam, ill try to get some pics up soon.

 

Great work Jim. Great detail work on the dog house. Sure wish I had your skills.

 

Great job with this build. As others have said you've definitely got some skills!!!!

 

I have been able to do a little work on the cab over the past few months, here are some photos of the progress. I have shaved the drip rail and fitted the two driver side cab corner patches. I decided to go with the panels from LMC they definetly needed some modifying to fit as you can see from some of the photos. Once I have fitted the door checked the final fit and weld them up I will be moving over to the passenger side for the same patch work. Slow going lately, hopefully I can pick up the pace and get the sheet metal work on the cab finished this summer.

 

 

maybe you covered this already but are you going to smooth and blend the scars from the drip rail or are you going to replace it w/ something fabbed up?

I've got the same problem

q-man

 

I am planning on using lead to shape that area, however I do have a bit of a gap at the doors now so I may have to add some metal. That will change the width of the bead that is around the rest of the door so I may have to add some metal to the door itself. I am also planning on rounding off the front of the door at the top. Ill have to do some trial and error there I guess.....

 

DON'T use lead or bondo or even a weld bead to build up the edge of a door or opening. It will crack and chip. If you need to close up a gap, weld solid metal along the edge. If the additional metal needed is 1/8" or less I use 1/8" round rod. I notch the edge of the door in 1/8" ending where the gap is the desired width so the end of the wire is inset flush with the edge before welding it in place, that way the added wire is not ground to a point at the end. If I need more than 1/8" I'll cut a strip of 10 ga sheet a little wider than needed and weld it to the edge. After grinding the weld flush with the face of the door, I close the door and use a small piece of aluminum the thickness of the desired gap (typically 1/4") inserted edgewise against the unmodified side of the gap as a marking gauge to scribe a trim line on the built up edge.

 

That's a good suggestion Axracer , it's probably the route I will take.

 

I've been able to get a few hours here and there on the cab repairs. I have all the major areas tacked in place and ready for final welding. There are a few more areas that will need attention after I finish the drivers bear claw latch. I am planning on filling in the vent on the pass A pillar, and also the vent on the cowl. Mid fifty makes a patch panel to weld in place on the vent. Then it will be time to pull the cab and finish the frame (sway bars and front notch for rack)
I used the medium sized bear claw latches from rocky hinge, I am very happy with the quality and the install wasn't to bad. I did fill the striker plate area in flush like I have seen others on this site do.
The other patch panels I used were from LMC and they did need some massaging to get the fit just right, but that had been my experience with all patch panels I use.

 

Beautiful work! I love to see trucks brought to their former glory or in your case better than former glory. I enjoy your build thread.

 

Good job. That cab was destined to be Kia, but you have saved it!!!