Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

That's not something I really want to think about just yet.:uhmk:

I've been looking it over lately and will probably patch the rust spot on the one that needs it, and pound out as much of the dents as I can. Then use some filler to smooth it out. It will look better than it is now. I think I'll be using Al's Liner.

If I was really concerned with having a great looking bed, I'd have to replace the whole floor and both wheel wells. But because I plan on using the truck to haul stuff later, that's not my goal. But it could be done later if that's what I wanted down the road.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Spent some quality time in the garage today and continued work on the bed side. I got it completely stripped to bare metal.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6092.jpg

Then started slapping on the body filler. No rust at all, the worst area is the front edge of the wheel well which had rolled up when the brace was removed. That's how I bought it.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6096.jpg

The tail light area is looking pretty good. Just need to sand it with some finer grit.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6093.jpg

Probably one more layer of filler on a couple spots and along the top rail to finish it off.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6095.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6094.jpg

Also borrowed a tool from the body shop. I don't know what it's called but I know what's for. It could be called a panel alignment tool, or a BFH. I used it to manipulate the window frames a bit for a better fit in the door jam.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6097.jpg

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Nice progress! That bed side looks way different with all that paint removed. Nice work!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

The week kind of got away from me, as time will do when you try to balance work, family, and hobbies. Had a minor emergency from the guy that let's me store my junk. He's having a large area of his lot leveled and gravel brought in, which meant me getting a phonecall this afternoon to come move it. The jimmy won't start so it needs towed around. The new tub is hanging from an A frame and I have no place to put it. I just picked up another top which is sitting out there on saw horses, and I still haven't cut the brackets I want from the junk blazer frame, which is still sitting there.

So to continue my whining, I towed the jimmy home, hauled the tub and parts out to where my 2wd blazer sits in the weeds, got the aluminum slots off the frame and told him to drop back in the trees for now. Sounds simple enough, but it's never as easy as the few words it takes to describe the end result.

With the new garage floor, I felt I better modify my welding cart. It had some large steel wheels on it (old freebies) and I didn't want it to tear up the floor. I picked up some adequate plastic wheels the other day and started to refab the cart. It was homemade out of scraps years ago, and was never level on the floor, so I fixed that and replaced the wheels. I had a bottle bracket from another weld cart (store bought) and modified that to fit this cart. So overall, I'm happy with it.

As far as the bedside goes, maybe tomorrow, maybe later, who knows. Thanks for reading my venting. I feel better now.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

lOOKING GOOD!!! Your bodywork has improved tremensely. keep it up and you will be a pro in no time. I agree with you on the box, if you plan on using the truck, just coat it, I would suggest Al's like you said, nice stuff, sprays easy and covers great!!!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Those projects can hinder you from time to time. I feel your pain. But it'll all work out in the end, so i'm being told a lot lately. :lol: Atleast you got your cart situated. That's one less thing to do later on.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Thanks for the tips early on, it really made a difference. My main excuse to not work on it lately has been that sometimes, I just don't want to sand on it. :smoke: Oh, I remembered the other day that I might have a good pass side wheel well out in my parts storage. So I might get another part that doesn't need welding or dent pounding and filling.

No matter how many things I complete, I never feel as if I have "one less thing to do".;)

I had some time to kill today near one of my favorite junkyards. Found a cool old chevy truck hubcap, got another HEI distributer with wires and a replacement coil, a horn from a 40 something chevy truck, and a gage cluster from a 73 camaro with a tach and clock. All for $30. I should go back for a mini starter and 6 cyl power steering set up I spotted.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/IMG_6108.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/IMG_6106.jpg

The other day, we were at my daughters softball tourny and had time to kill, so the wife wanted to stop at some garage sales. I picked up 4 new qts of oil, 2 timing lights, and a few other odds and ends for about $6. Another sale netted me a pile of new wire, sanding, and cutting wheels.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/IMG_6107.jpg

Then on my way home from work yesterday, I spotted a cab for sale along the road. Not much left of it, but there was a stash of parts behind the building and I got the rad support (just surface rust) for $14, because that's what I had in my wallet. It even came with the headlights, wire harness and voltage regulator.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/IMG_6109.jpg

Not exactly sure if any of these parts will get used on this project, but I think the rad support will be, and maybe the camaro gages somehow. I got a couple ideas rattling around in my head like a loose marble in a vacuum cleaner.:lol:

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Nice scores!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

very nice progress!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Thanks guys. I hauled the bedside out of storage today to see what exactly I got, and it turns out, not much. The wheel well was rusted worse than mine but had less dents. All I managed to save from it was a couple pices of floor for patches, the rear cover for the torsion box, a bracket and brace, and a reverse light bucket. I might cut out some of the outer sheetmetal for future patches, depends on the rust.

Because of this little bit of work today, I think I will at least pull my wheel tubs out and make sure I take care of any rust in those areas before I call the inside of the bed good. Maybe by that time I'll come across some good replacements. I'll get back on the body work again soon and have the passenger side done and in epoxy primer at least. I think the driver side is a bit better and should go alright once I get started.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Just found your build thread and I must say great work. I'm kinda like you and plan on taking all of this on yet have no experience with body work or welding so it will be an interesting ride for sure.

Good work and thanks for keeping us updated.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Thanks for reading and the feedback. A couple tips for the newbies.
1. Get the right tools. That doesn't mean you have to buy high end stuff, just get some good sanding blocks, the right sandpaper, a decent welder that is rated for welding the thinner sheetmetal. Power/air tools are a must. I had one makita angle grinder when I started and now have 3 so I don't have to keep changing wheels from cutting to grinding to sanding, etc. The new ones are $20 specials and work just fine.
2. Practice welding on scrap sheetmetal to get comfortable with it. It's not that hard because all your doing is a series of tack welds. Hold the trigger for less than a second most of the time. Move the tip slightly across the seam during that.
3. If the choice comes up between replacing the panel or repairing it, if there is a good rust free part available, use it. I probably had 10 hours minimum on each door. They are a pain and I would avoid doing it again if possible.
4. Find experienced people and use them. Some body repair guys are very willing to help you out. Both local and here on the board. I've borrowed tools, had them look at might work, and gotten tips for just about every single thing I've done so far. Thanks again James, and all you others from the paint & body section that have answered my questions and helped me out.
5. Be patient. You will have to lay filler in more than once, probably more than 3 times before you get it right. Sanding s**ks and is time consuming and dirty work. Everything in your garage will be dusty, and I mean every single thing.

I'm not doing anything fancy, not much for cool mods. I am doing what most of us on the board need to do and logging all my failures and successes. As Bruce88 says, enjoy your build.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Cool scores at the Junkyard!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

If you think thats good, you should see what I got today...

Aux battery tray(1st one I've ever found)
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/IMG_6132.jpg

Blazer hatch (I have the broken piece to patch back in, easy repair)
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/IMG_6131.jpg

Blazer bucket seats
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/IMG_6130.jpg

Also a bag full of other doodads from the blazer doors and a new inner bottom patch panel that was laying in a truck.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Finally got back to work on this. It was a very busy month in June. Other than a small touch up on one ding, and sanding with a finer grit, the bed side is ready for primer. The door is stripped clean, needs a little mud work yet. Half a day or less to knock that out. I'm not in a big hurry right now because the humidity is too high. It should drop in a few days and I'll spray the primer then.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6135.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6136.jpg

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

I've had some time here and there over the past few days to get some more work done. The passenger side door and bed are ready for primer. All the filler and sanding work is done. I just need to wipe it down and spray it. Which will probably be tomorrow, but who knows, I might get lucky enough to do it today. I even rolled the truck out of the garage so I could get the inch of dust out. What a mess sanding makes.

For those of you considering doing your own bodywork in an attached garage, think twice my friends. There is nothing that escapes the dust. Luckily my garage is detached.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6140.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6141.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6142.jpg

My 43rd birthday is sunday and I'm taking Monday off from work. It's possible I might get the driver side done too.

I forgot to mention that I dropped off the new radiator support and inner fenders at the sandblasters. Should get them back next week.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Looking really good!!!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Nice score at the J'Y again! The body is looking really good! should be getting close to some primer soon.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Thanks
My favorite time of year is junkyard season.:lol:

As a matter of fact, closer than you think.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6143.jpg

I'll get it turned around tomorrow to work on the driver side. Just have the hood and tailgate left after that.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Great progress! Looking very smooth. I find that sanding the primer is very gratifying as it goes from rough to glass smooth....

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Good work man. Imagine its very gratifying to see that all one color again.

Keep plugging away.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

You have no idea. My oldest girl was always embarrassed to be seen with it in all it's multi colored glory. Then yesterday, when she was helping me move it around so I had better access to the driver side, she said "this really looks pretty good when it's all one color". She also loves the color I have picked for it.

Still plugging away. I almost have the bedside stripped, just a few sqare feet left.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

This morning...
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6145.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6144.jpg

This evening...
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6147.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6146.jpg

No surprises, other than how GOOD it looks. It needs very little filler. Should be done with the driver side by this weekend.

And my birthday present was delivered today. It's very comfortable.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_6148.jpg

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Great progress on the truck! Happy Belated Birthday Man! Enjoy the hammock!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

bedside looks great! Happy belated Birthday. Looks like you deserve some quality time with your present because of all the hard work you've been doing!