Big Bertha build thread - Page 4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

_Ogre · 08-27-2012, 12:26 PM

and it still looks good

Ratpin · 08-27-2012, 10:50 PM

Incredible work! I love the combination stepside/fleetside design.

Chevette · 08-27-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggy5872

Worked on the bed this weekend. Most of the fab work is done at this point. Need to put it on the truck to figure out a couple more things. Still have two more camping trips so its tough to find time to put the bed on and take it back off in between trips.

That box/fenders looks cool. I see you've cut, modified and re-welded the wheel openings on your rear fenders. Was that for tire clearance and if so could you expand on what you did? I'm in the process of making more clearance on mine and could possibly learn from your experience.

**buggy5872** · 08-28-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevette

That box/fenders looks cool. I see you've cut, modified and re-welded the wheel openings on your rear fenders. Was that for tire clearance and if so could you expand on what you did? I'm in the process of making more clearance on mine and could possibly learn from your experience.

I made the wheel openings bigger because the 9R-22.5 tires are almost 39" in diameter. I tried to match the wheel opening on the front of the truck. When I put the tire in the opening for mock up, it looked too small so I cut and moved the opening up and out with the tire in place until it looked correct.

OrrieG · 08-28-2012, 12:49 PM

I am warming up to the meld, I think the color difference is throwing me off. I see the body line matching, are you going to radius where they meet, might make the "flow" of the horizointal spear thru the fender more obvious rather than looking stuck on. I have seen fleetside wreckers that were removed to the top of the spear with a 3/4" pipe welded to the top as a crash bar.

This is inspiring me to maybe go another way with my 69 C30 dually I plan on making into a 5th wheel or tow rig for a future travel trailer.

**buggy5872** · 08-28-2012, 02:03 PM

OrrieG
Most likely where the fender meets the bed side it will have some sort of a radius. Some times the inital plan is not alwas the end result. I considered this project 50% planned and 50% free form art. The portions of the sides I cut down to clear the 5th wheel are going to be able to be put back on when not hooked to the trailer. How????? not sure yet, part of the free form art. The tailgate will be left alone and only used when not towing. It will be hinged on the side and when opened will lift off the hinges. I am thinking Jeep CJ door hinges for it and a bear claw latch to hold it shut.
Shane

Rude Dude · 08-28-2012, 08:45 PM

The bed is beautiful fabulous work!

BLAZEtoBLAZE · 09-07-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggy5872

Just found out GM did make a crewcab LCF truck. It was just on auction and I really wanted to get it but space at home and distance held me back. It was a 1956 GMC crew made for the the public library of DC. 1 of 1 made by GMC coach divison as a mobile library. the owner had all the documentation on it too. He even had the custom trailer GMC built for it.

So one did exist but it was a 3 door and I was not real excited about how the door looked. If I would of bought it....would of went back to all original along with the trailer.

i ended up with this truck.

BLAZEtoBLAZE · 09-07-2012, 04:50 PM

Buggy,

Big bertha is one nice master piece.

**buggy5872** · 09-09-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLAZEtoBLAZE

i ended up with this truck.

Glad to see someone here got it. I am very interested in pics of it as you work on it.

**buggy5872** · 09-09-2012, 08:27 PM

Went on our last camping trip for the season so I ripped off the wooden bed when we got home today and started working on getting the new bed to chassis fit figured out. Was going to start to finish some welding on the bed but forgot I ran out of mig wire last week. Sanded down one side and it looks even better all one color. I will start to grind down welds and then sand blast them.

I was approached this weekend by a promoter for the world of wheels car show they have at the convention center every January. Looks like big Bertha is going to be there. Gives me a new dead line to get everything done.

Pop's C-10 · 09-09-2012, 09:07 PM

that is neat..

Kim57 · 09-09-2012, 10:29 PM

Looking real nice.
Congrats on the show invite.
Kim

JRANGER · 09-09-2012, 10:30 PM

that thing is going to look beastly

**buggy5872** · 09-18-2012, 09:35 PM

Started fitting the bed to the truck and figuring the mounting of the running boards. Here are a few pics.

cAlvis165 · 09-18-2012, 10:19 PM

Looking good!

99 to Life · 09-18-2012, 10:57 PM

dangggg beaver pa, you're in my back yard man. I'd s#$t if I seen this driving by. What's up with that apache in the background? Looking great.

Kim57 · 09-18-2012, 11:36 PM

That's going to look real sharp when it's all finished.
Kim

Larry Lindley · 09-19-2012, 08:19 AM

wow thats something to be proud of,very nice.

**buggy5872** · 09-19-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

dangggg beaver pa, you're in my back yard man. I'd s#$t if I seen this driving by. What's up with that apache in the background? Looking great.

It's neat to see the reactions of people on the high way. Gets tons of looks. The 59 Apache in the background I built in the 90's. Its a fun driver.

_Ogre · 09-19-2012, 12:56 PM

dang buggy, that is looking good

nice 59 too
i'm sure it has a lot to do with the angle
but your coe looks like a monster compared to your pu in this pic

99 to Life · 09-19-2012, 01:03 PM

love the 59' maybe I'll see it around. You got to world of wheels in january?

**buggy5872** · 09-19-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Ogre

dang buggy, that is looking good

nice 59 too
i'm sure it has a lot to do with the angle
but your coe looks like a monster compared to your pu in this pic

It is a monster compared to the 59. the roof of the 59 is not even as high as the hood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

love the 59' maybe I'll see it around. You got to world of wheels in january?

If all goes well, Big Bertha will be at the world of wheels show in January.

_Ogre · 09-20-2012, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggy5872

It is a monster compared to the 59. the roof of the 59 is not even as high as the hood.

i stand corrected
big bertha is a monster

a big beautiful monster
ogre like monster

**buggy5872** · 09-30-2012, 10:13 PM

Got the bed all assembled and in the first coat of primer. Put it on the truck and am getting everything finalized. Need the truck this week and next weekend so i needed a bed on it. Heading to New York to pick up my newly acquired 74 ElCamino SS.

08-27-2012, 12:26 PM	#76
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: Big Bertha build thread and it still looks good __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

08-27-2012, 10:50 PM	#77
Ratpin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 275	Re: Big Bertha build thread Incredible work! I love the combination stepside/fleetside design.

08-28-2012, 12:49 PM	#80
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Big Bertha build thread I am warming up to the meld, I think the color difference is throwing me off. I see the body line matching, are you going to radius where they meet, might make the "flow" of the horizointal spear thru the fender more obvious rather than looking stuck on. I have seen fleetside wreckers that were removed to the top of the spear with a 3/4" pipe welded to the top as a crash bar. This is inspiring me to maybe go another way with my 69 C30 dually I plan on making into a 5th wheel or tow rig for a future travel trailer. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

08-28-2012, 02:03 PM	#81
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha build thread OrrieG Most likely where the fender meets the bed side it will have some sort of a radius. Some times the inital plan is not alwas the end result. I considered this project 50% planned and 50% free form art. The portions of the sides I cut down to clear the 5th wheel are going to be able to be put back on when not hooked to the trailer. How????? not sure yet, part of the free form art. The tailgate will be left alone and only used when not towing. It will be hinged on the side and when opened will lift off the hinges. I am thinking Jeep CJ door hinges for it and a bear claw latch to hold it shut. Shane __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

08-28-2012, 08:45 PM	#82
Rude Dude Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 1,188	Re: Big Bertha build thread The bed is beautiful fabulous work! __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=436442

09-07-2012, 04:50 PM	#84
BLAZEtoBLAZE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ks Posts: 18	Re: Big Bertha build thread Buggy, Big bertha is one nice master piece. __________________ 56 GMC Coe 3 door 49 GM COE custom built street rod 84 Blazer 12in Lift 70 Nova pro street project

09-09-2012, 08:27 PM	#86
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha build thread Went on our last camping trip for the season so I ripped off the wooden bed when we got home today and started working on getting the new bed to chassis fit figured out. Was going to start to finish some welding on the bed but forgot I ran out of mig wire last week. Sanded down one side and it looks even better all one color. I will start to grind down welds and then sand blast them. I was approached this weekend by a promoter for the world of wheels car show they have at the convention center every January. Looks like big Bertha is going to be there. Gives me a new dead line to get everything done. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

09-09-2012, 09:07 PM	#87
Pop's C-10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: memphis Posts: 2,537	Re: Big Bertha build thread that is neat.. __________________ 1981 C-10 (Pop's) 1978 Camaro 2006 Lacrosse

09-09-2012, 10:29 PM	#88
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: Big Bertha build thread Looking real nice. Congrats on the show invite. Kim __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

09-09-2012, 10:30 PM	#89
JRANGER Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 3,595	Re: Big Bertha build thread that thing is going to look beastly __________________ PLEASE HELP WITH PROJECT UNDERHAULIN http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=306320 Gemini - 1978 GMC C15 High Sierra - 305 c/e - Given to Mother Electra - 1967 Mustang Coupe - 302/w 3 speed Build Chyna - 1968 Chevy C20 Long Stepper

09-18-2012, 09:35 PM	#90
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha build thread Started fitting the bed to the truck and figuring the mounting of the running boards. Here are a few pics. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

09-18-2012, 10:19 PM	#91
cAlvis165 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: N.E. OH Posts: 214	Re: Big Bertha build thread Looking good! __________________ Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill DD 2000 Chevy Suburban 4x4/5.3 Vortec/4L60E/4:10s, 18" Escalade rims, Electric fans Project Dooley One-Ton 4x4 on 38.5s Corn-binder build

09-18-2012, 10:57 PM	#92
99 to Life Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Titusville, PA Posts: 3,585	Re: Big Bertha build thread dangggg beaver pa, you're in my back yard man. I'd s#$t if I seen this driving by. What's up with that apache in the background? Looking great. __________________ 51' 99toLife finished 2011,355 sbc,5speed, patina, redoing whole truck, inter, bags, etc http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=382481 49Hardtimes s/10 susp- bagged, vortec sbc, 5 speed, patina, sold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=594874 VIDEOS https://youtu.be/E8zHhjgS_lA https://youtu.be/E8zHhjgS_lA Geronimo 54' LS engine, static drop IFS, Client build, just about done http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...62#post7399162 52' 3100 Slowly in progress, will be painted two toned, have 235 with a t-5, lowered OG frame Other projects, 49' farmuse 3100, killer Patina, will be slammed, LS engine, full done interior up next! www.coffeeandcustoms.com

09-18-2012, 11:36 PM	#93
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: Big Bertha build thread That's going to look real sharp when it's all finished. Kim __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

09-19-2012, 08:19 AM	#94
Larry Lindley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 158	Re: Big Bertha build thread wow thats something to be proud of,very nice.



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09-19-2012, 12:56 PM	#96
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: Big Bertha build thread dang buggy, that is looking good nice 59 too i'm sure it has a lot to do with the angle but your coe looks like a monster compared to your pu in this pic __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

09-19-2012, 01:03 PM	#97
99 to Life Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Titusville, PA Posts: 3,585	Re: Big Bertha build thread love the 59' maybe I'll see it around. You got to world of wheels in january? __________________ 51' 99toLife finished 2011,355 sbc,5speed, patina, redoing whole truck, inter, bags, etc http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=382481 49Hardtimes s/10 susp- bagged, vortec sbc, 5 speed, patina, sold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=594874 VIDEOS https://youtu.be/E8zHhjgS_lA https://youtu.be/E8zHhjgS_lA Geronimo 54' LS engine, static drop IFS, Client build, just about done http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...62#post7399162 52' 3100 Slowly in progress, will be painted two toned, have 235 with a t-5, lowered OG frame Other projects, 49' farmuse 3100, killer Patina, will be slammed, LS engine, full done interior up next! www.coffeeandcustoms.com

09-30-2012, 10:13 PM	#100
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha build thread Got the bed all assembled and in the first coat of primer. Put it on the truck and am getting everything finalized. Need the truck this week and next weekend so i needed a bed on it. Heading to New York to pick up my newly acquired 74 ElCamino SS. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

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