1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl

[cericd]

Lookin' SHARP!

[Graham57a]

Not a ton of progress but I did get out the paintbrush and lay down some por last night. Should be able to fit the door bottom in the next couple days and hopefully weld it in this weekend

[GAc10boy]

man, you're killing this! Nice work.

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

man, you're killing this! Nice work.

Thanks dude!

[Graham57a]

I started fitting the door patch tonight and discovered this is by far the worst patch panel I have to deal with. Looks like I'm gonna have to split the patch long ways and add about 1/4" to make it fit right

[CC69Rat]

Great job on this truck my friend! It has been a while since I checked in but I read through the whole build. Looking great..

You still have your orange one?

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Great job on this truck my friend! It has been a while since I checked in but I read through the whole build. Looking great..

You still have your orange one?

Thanks for checking in brotha! Hope all is well with you. Yea the old orange truck is still around, sitting in storage while I work on this one

[Graham57a]

Despite the holiday madness I was able to get a little done this weekend. I got the door patch split and tacked into place. I am working on running the filler piece now it's just a major pita. Once it's all tacked and fit I'll test fit the door on the truck, if it clears the final fit test I'll cut the tacks holding the patch to the door and finish body work the filler seam until it looks decent and then finish fit, tack, and weld the patch back on the door.

[Graham57a]

I also managed to get the foggy windshield removed. The original gasket is in great shape so I'll do what I can to soften the rubber and reuse it with the new clear windshield. I was way stoked to find really solid og paint and metal all the way around the windshield frame. I was fearful of some hidden rust in the corners but everything looks killer!

[GAc10boy]

That door bottom repair looks crazy difficult, but good. Also, how did you manage to get the windshield out whole and save the gasket? Never had much luck without at least damaging the rubber.

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

That door bottom repair looks crazy difficult, but good. Also, how did you manage to get the windshield out whole and save the gasket? Never had much luck without at least damaging the rubber.

I broke the glass haha. My plan was to keep steady pressure and work it around the pinch weld but it eventually cracked when it had enough pressure so I decided to just break the glass off in chunks to protect the gasket. Probably not the best way to do it but it got the job done.

[lolife99]

I talked to a guy years ago at a car show. He had a numbers matching restored truck.
He said the best windshield gaskets were to original gaskets. He said he would always break the windshield to save it.
Then he would put it in a bucket of water with ivory soap and Tide.
He said it would be as soft as a new one when it came time to use it.
Not sure of the time frame or the water mixture ratios, but I always remember that story.

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I talked to a guy years ago at a car show. He had a numbers matching restored truck.
He said the best windshield gaskets were to original gaskets. He said he would always break the windshield to save it.
Then he would put it in a bucket of water with ivory soap and Tide.
He said it would be as soft as a new one when it came time to use it.
Not sure of the time frame or the water mixture ratios, but I always remember that story.

Great info, Keith.

And I'm right there with you, Andrew. Never had any luck pulling a windshield without breaking it.

[Orange67]

Sweet truck, and awesome metal work! Now I have to go check out your other builds.

[jeffg1010]

Looks good!

[Graham57a]

Thanks guys. This door patch has been killing me, so much cutting, welding, and grinding. I’ve been hammering it out over the past few weeks and I’m getting really close. The other day I primed and painted the back side of the patch panel and tacked it into place for the last time. Tonight I was able to do most of the finish tack and grind work. I’ve just gotta finish grind the center section and I’m home free! Can’t wait to put this one behind me

[Kronald_70GMC]

Wow that is turning out great! Sucks when new panels are so far out but it looks like you got it under control!

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by Kronald_70GMC

Wow that is turning out great! Sucks when new panels are so far out but it looks like you got it under control!

Thanks brotha, it's definitely taken a little wind out of my sail but once I get it finished and start on the other side i will have some momentum built back up. I am hoping to have to door finish welded and primed today, I will bolt it back on the truck for the last time and hopefully turn it around in the garage tomorrow so I can get started on the drivers side this week. "Hopefully" haha

[Kronald_70GMC]

Excellent! Best of luck to you. Awaiting the finished picture of your door.

[cericd]

Looking much better. What method was used to work those dents out without damaging the paint?

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by cericd

Looking much better. What method was used to work those dents out without damaging the paint?

I ended up taking a piece of 1x2 hardwood and stuck it up in the B pillar on the inside of the cab. I took the plug out of the shoulder belt bolt hole and took a 1/4" punch and a hammer and tapped through the bolt hole on the wood to push it towards the outside of the cab. My original plan was to deflate a football and stick it up in the hole and pump it up inside the B pillar but the hole wasn't big enough to cram a ball up far enough to reach my dent so I ended up reverting to the wood and hammer method.

[Graham57a]

Also another slight development in the game plan, I am doing a v8 and 700r4 conversion on this old girl. I found a period correct 327 with all of the factory accessories thanks to Rusbuilt and I have listed the old 250 and 3 speed on the parts forum. A slight variance from original but way more power and drivability which is the whole point. I want to be able to drive this thing and enjoy it when she is done and I know with the inline 6 and 3 speed she would end up sitting there or getting sold to someone who would LS it or do a v8 swap. Wasn't it Sammy Hagar who said "I can't Drive 55"?? Should be cool and look fairly correct. Stay tuned

[preacher anthony]

Graham, missed this one somehow. Are you coming to Good-guys show in Raleigh this month?

[GAc10boy]

Heck yeah! Love the 327/700r4 idea.

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by preacher anthony

Graham, missed this one somehow. Are you coming to Good-guys show in Raleigh this month?

Hey Anthony, I will not be a Good Guys this year unfortunately. I will be at the Rod Run later this month and then the power tour deal at my Dad's in June.

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Heck yeah! Love the 327/700r4 idea.

Yea I'm pretty excited. I think it'll look right at home in there. I am hoping to get back to work on this girl this week, now that the orange truck is in a good place I can focus on Pearl again. Finishing the inner rocker and drivers door are first in order