Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Kabwe-
The next time you're at Pick-A-Part, take a look at the early 70s Chevy and Dodge van rear bumpers. They are perfectly flat from side to side, and the edges are usually square and parallel, which makes them a very good candidate for our trucks. They don't have the recess for the license plates either, because the plates were always bolted to the rear doors. They are too wide to be used in stock form, but you can make a slice in the middle and cut them to size.

Alex

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Thanks for the suggestions guys I will have a look and see what my imagination can up up with. I'm a long ways off on deciding what to do but it certainly will not be stocked. It looked like GM just slapped it together with out any thought in stocked form.

Once again thanks for the suggestions and I will keep them in mind when the time comes to decide.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Well she's here, my new Miller Diversion 180 Tig Welder. Its so nice getting a new toy to play with. It only weights about 50 pounds which is cool because I need something small and mobile, I simply don't have much room. I never weld anything thicker than 3/16 and thats what its rated for, if I have to weld something thicker I will mig it. Oh happy days.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/...e06ab5c95b.jpg

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to the world of TIG. Whole different creature. I'll bet that you are already good at it.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

OHHH new toys are always fun. I tried tig and did some aluminum tubing, it was great for the first two inch's, then it blew up in my face and it was UGLY. fun though...

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Showoff you called me a showoff!! I don't show my tool off to everyone!

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Yes it is a whole different creature, but a beautiful one. Once you've tig welded you are hooked I've been wanting a tig for years.
I'm like a kid a xmas. I'm just waiting on my new cylinder for gas and man its on.lol
LOL new tools don't compare to you driving and showing off your truck, cut me some slack and let me be happy about something.lol

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

That is really cool.
Kim

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Thanks Kim and yeah its really cool. I never owned anything with the blue label before so I guess I'm moving up in the world, even if it is their entry level tig. I wanted to get the inverter tig a step up, but my wife would kill me.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

nice new toy!!! I have a tig that my father bought because he was going to build an airplane, but come to the conclusion he would rather be flying then building a plane so hes never used it, and bought a super cub on floats instead. Ive wanted to drag it out, but truth is Im burned in on the mig and cant seem to take the time to learn to master the tig right now. kabwe I went and checked on my 57 and the box of the truck was right full of water from the tarp. was thinking pool party, but to much ice in it. lol. should have grabbed a pict i guess. but Im sure wanting to spend some time on it, but restoring a 72 road runner for a customer so no real time to play.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Yeah Yukon its really nice having new toys. I have not been able to play with it, I just order a cylinder and I have to get it filled with argon then its on.lol A friend taught me how to use a tig and man once you tig you have to have one. I've been wanting one for a while, but they are expensive. I just broke down and went for it. I can't wait to crank that baby up and start using it.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Good for you man, sometime you just have to go for it.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Yeah man sometimes you do.lol Hows your truck coming along?


Not much to report on the truck expect for I fabricated a piece for the interior cab corner were trash can collect. I don't know why GM left this open like this, I guess it was a nice storage area back in the day.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/...919c539e94.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/...ecf2c3dcce.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/...94ac9c7a86.jpg

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Nice fix Kabwe.
I plan on doing mine also when I get back on it.
Kim

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Nice repair, yeah I think all the old farmers stuffed everything in there, then when it got wet, rust.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Thank you Kim57. Man I'm plan on getting some serious work done on the truck soon, I tired of looking at it sitting there wasting away. BTW are you going to Brothers Truck Show this year?

Yeah man I can see that area being used as storage.lol

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

I'll be at the show and look forward to seeing you and the other guys there.
Kim

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Kabwe, inspirational stuff mate! Love how this is all laid out for us to see.
Very tempting to want to fast forward to the end result though.
Keep up the great work.
Barney

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Hey Kabwe : Looking good as allways. If your looking for some more things you can practice on with the new welder, shave those bumps on the floor were the gas tank mounted. These things raise hell when building a back peice and when fitting carpet.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Thanks man for stopping by and checking it out. I'm glad you find it interesting.

Oh so now you are looking for things for me to do huh? See that's just like someone that has their truck on the road.lol

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

I hate to say it but I'm one of those guys that won't take it out unless it's finished. Because once I'm driving it I'll lose intrest and not finish it. I hope to get the bed finished this weekend. The seats will go in to be covered next week. AND then I'm done. I then will be building a frame for a 36 Ford, Doing a s10 swap on two 53 chevys, and am trying to work out a deal on a Shelby Cobra kit car a buddy has had for around 5 yrs that he lost intrest in.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Kabwe
When you did the sectioning on your hood how did you handle the inside bracing?
Did you remove it and then re-install or did you just cut it all at the same time?
The cross piece on mine in the front is only attached at the sides and loose in the middle.
I'm trying to work up the nerve to do mine and was curios on that part.
Thanks
Kim

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

I removed all the bracing before I sectioned it. Once I sectioned it and done all my hammer and dolly work, I then had to section the bracing. You don't have to worry about that rear brace it will allow the hood to be lowered to the front.
Here is a pic of when I finished the section and with the brace removed.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/...fbc97090d4.jpg

This is the only pic of have on my computer of the under the hood bracing. The brace running the across was sectioned on both sides (weld are already metal finished in this pic) and the hood latch brace was section and you can still see the welds.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/...077685c0e7.jpg

I hope this helps.

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Thats one right nice new toy you got yourself there Mr Kabwe.

Dont worry, im just check out the progress on your ride. Not trying to put you to work,.....this time.:lol:

Re: Kabwe's aka Bam's build
 

Trouble maker that's all you are.