So, after much drilling, the cowl is finally off. And I'm glad I decided to do this, what a mess! Most of it is surface rust, so sandblasting will take care of it. Now, just have to drill out the dash.

 

After a few double check measurements to be sure the 79 dash will fit, I went ahead and removed the 68 dash out of the cab.Went pretty easy, since most of the spot welds had already been drilled when I removed the cowl. There are two brackets on the bottom on each side that hold the lower corners of the dash. The das was welded to these brackets and they will have to be removed, since the 79 has a 2 piece dash, and the outer section bolts to the side of the kick panel. I'll have to drill a hole, and weld a nut to the back side of the kick panel for that.

All of the back side of the firewall will be sandblasted to remove any rust, and to prepare it for expoxy primer.

 

Got the 79 dash trimmed up, and clamped into place last night, should work out really well! I'll have to do some more hammer and dolly work on the front flange, where it will be welded to the bottom of the window opening. Bring home the brake booster, clutch resevoir, and steering column tonight. I'm going to remove the support plate off of the firewall, and get the one from the 89 fitted.

 

Got the front axle out of the 79 parts truck Saturday. Took it up to the car wash yesterday to blow the crap off of it, and then started to break it down. I need to find out how the ball joints come apart on these axles, also. Then, it'll get a coat of POR-15, and Chassis Black paint

 

Spent a few days getting the Dana 44 apart. Biggest PITA was getting the spindles off the axle. After 3 days of soaking with PB blaster, hammering soaking, cussing, hammering, soaking farting, soaking, hammering, praying, cussing, and then some heat, and more hammering, FINALLY got them to break free! I'll give it a good scrubbing, in preparation for POR-15.

 

Took me freakin' forever, but I finally got that panel off around the back window, and after seeing what's there, it was worth it to go through all of that. Lots of surface rust. Here's what it looked like before getting the panel out....

 

Then what it looks like behind the panels....

 

This is the area behind where the doors bolt on. It's full of rust, I knew it had to come apart. I had already cut out the lower section of the drivers side, since it was rotted horribly, and the fron of the rocker was shot. So, this was pretty quick to get off.

 

This is the inside of the drivers side kick panel. You can see where its rotted where my finger is pointing. This will get new metal put in, another reason to remove that section.

 

Got the panels off of the door supports on the pass. side. I'll have to patch this panel also, and a small spot on the kick panel.

 

Thanks Mike. Unfortunately, gotta work with what I got! Since I couldn't get the sandblasting done yesterday (poured rain all day), went ahead and got the cab corners cut out and fitted for the new Dennis Carpetner peices. Should have the inner panel section (that you see still attached and rotted out) from my buddy here shortly!

 

Spent several hours getting the firewall and floor/doorjambs sandblasted.

 

Got the kick panel sections cut out. Now, I'll get the patch pieces made up, and welded in.

 

Been able to play with some new tools. Got the shear a while back, and man, does that thing cut! Works great for curves and such. I also have an electric shear that works great on straight cuts. Just got the bead roller in today, I'll get that set up, and do some testing with it.

 

More done. Coated the front axle, inside cowl, and the panel around the rear window with POR-15 last night.