We made our firewall recess today. Pretty pleased with how it came out. My son really surprised how slick it worked out. The top part of the opening has a slight bow to it and the metal shrinker worked great for it. It seems really solid so I don't think it needs any ribs to keep it from tin canning.

 

 

Great job, looks good and nice welds also.

 

Yeah, I was proud of those welds! Not to shabby for a MIG! New clean steel makes a big difference.

 

Question for you, did you leave the factory rolled top of the stock firewall where it connects to the cowl or did you do something different?

 

I left it BUT reshaped it to a "squared" flange. Used a planishing hammer in my air chisel and a heel dolly. It does have some bow in the middle but I think that adds a quite a bit of strength.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Well, I'm pretty disgusted! The cowl sides I got from mid fifties fit HORRIBLE! Especially the right one. Wishing I had checked these a long time ago. I've had them for two years so a return isn't possible. The right one at the seam varies almost 3/8" . I'm a body man by trade so I have seen my share of crap parts over 25+ years and these are among the worst. I'm so disgusted I didn't screw with pictures. Hope the cab corners fit better.

 

Sorry to hear about the misfit parts. I guess I lucked out, the ones I got from LMC fit almost perfectly. lol,,,I'm no body man so if mine hadn't fit I would probably still have big holes in my cab.

 

I got the left side fitting better. Had to make 2 relief cuts at the top in the lip at the door opening to be able to add more curve. The bottom will need the same. Passenger side I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out what to do. The holes for the hinges are at least half a hole off when the panel is still 3/8" too low. "If" I can get it up to where it is supposed to be the holes will be off almost the full diameter of the hole. I think they are 5/8-3/4" holes so they are off that much...pathetic....

 

Got some more done. I have named his truck Rusty. My son isn't too keen on it but oh well. I exposed him to sand blasting.



Went ahead worked the roof. Easier to do on the stand than the truck. Welded up antenna holes and hammer and dollied all the craters. This roof was a 30 gallon bath tub. Hated using it but its the only one I could find.

 

Are you doing a chop too, or did you cut off the roof just to work it?!

 

Our roof is rusted out from the sun visor leaking. Windshield header is swiss cheese. No chop...

 

Roof is on and welded most of the way. Gotta finish welding the seam across the back. Rusty is coming along. Sleeved the windshield posts so it will be stronger than ever.