Well, it's a new day and things are starting to look up .
I got the right cab corner trimmed and fitted yesterday but didn't have any weld through primer. Got that this morning and got back on it this afternoon.
I sprayed the edges of the metal that's going to be welded and then set the corner back in place to double check everything....looks good.
One thing that is noticeable is the flange that wraps around the door jamb is bent on a slightly different radius than the original. It's pretty noticeable but should be simple to fix. I'm going build up the radius with the mig and reshape it to match the original. I don't think I'll have to do the entire length though. I'm going to taper the repair and blend it in and see how it looks.
Got the panel all lined up and held it in place with three self tapping screws and started welding.
I got the side welded from the door jamb to where it starts to curve behind the cab, this is where it all went south on the first corner . I did a series of tack welds and ground them down. This time I didn't screw up like I did the first time.
I have a little more grinding to finish the weld but it's looking good.
At this point I was "reminded" I had dinner reservations and it was time to stop (or else ).
I still have to finish the weld along the backside of the cab and the spot welds along the flanges, but I'm feeling a lot better about this now. I'll continue tomorrow.

 

Looks pretty good to me. Nice work.

 

Thanks co, things are looking a lot better than they did on my first attempt. The welds are solid, not paper thin and this time I had a door edge to line things up with.
Sometimes mistakes are the best teachers....if that's true, I should be a genius by now .

 

I'm in that club.
Way to keep at it Mike.

 

Nice mike.talking about doing things twice.I put this dump lift on my frame,with great aspirations of having a cool dump truck.Now Im going with a bed,and making a dump trailer

 

One down, one to go. I finally got one of the cab corners finished . But, it wasn't without me making another stupid mistake, although this one wasn't too bad. I was using a die grinder with a cut-off wheel to cut a piece of the old cab corner away. I could feel I was butting up against a second panel. I thought it was a reinforcement, wrong! It was the interior panel . So now I have a cut about 1½" long just above the floor I'll have to fill in .
Overall I'm happy with the way the corner turned out. It's not perfect but I can live with it. Once I do the finish body work (hopefully) you'll never know they've been replaced.
Let's see, it's taken me nearly 2½ months to do one cab corner. I don't think I could make it as a professional body man.
I know I've said it before but I want to say it again. All of the comments, compliments, suggestions and most of all, encouragement that I get from all of you helps me to not get discouraged.
My first attempt at the cab corner was really disappointing and I was down about it. But your encouragement meant a lot and makes the rough spots and bumps in the road not so bad.
The first pics are my latest "oops".

 

Looking real good! Glad you got it sorted out and the way you want it done.

 

Mike don't sweat the mistakes. I know a lot of "professional body men" (myself included) that make mistakes like this and worse everyday. And often times it's only the good guys hat care about putting out good quality work that try to fix their mistakes instead of covering them up. Not sure if you fixed that cut or not, but here's all I would do. I'd just simply stitch weld it closed, grind smooth, apply a skin coat of polyester filler (if needed) sand, prime and paint. FWIW I think your doing a fantastic job. Can't wait to see her complete. Just think of the pride you can take when the pumpkin is done. Knowing that you did it all yourself. That in it self is bragging rights. And if you just so happen to be soooo disappointed in your work when the ole girl is complete, I know I for one would be more than happy to take her off your hands and be proud to show the beautiful truck and your hard work off.

 

I haven't fixed the cut yet, but that's how I'm planning on fixing it.
Thanks for the kind words and the "offer" but once she's done. whether good or bad, the ol' girl has a permanent home. Some of the family is already jockeying for position to inherit her .
I just hope that the next corner doesn't take me another 2½ months to finish .

 

Thanks Doug, I hope my paint turns out as well as yours.

 

That's a little mistake. Cut a little strip to fit, or not and zap, zap, zap away!

 

that looks good (lines)

 

You know Mike that she's going to look so good when you're done you might be afraid to drive it

 

Well, guess I'll have to clone her then.
How about a F100 2WD shortbed with a 4BT Cummins and a T56 six speed?
Just one of the many "future dream projects" that rattle around in my mind.

 

I like it!