Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

Good day. Wanted to go back talk about some of the panel alignment. One of the things that always draws me to a great looking truck, outside of paint etc. is how the lower box line, lower rocker line and lower fender line align - the lighter the paint, the more important I believe it is to have well aligned panels. Here are a few pic's related to what I'm working with, or have fixed on the right and left side.

Pictures:
1. After first installing the front clip, you can see the fender line and rocker panel are quit off, almost a 1/2 inch. Again, having only tacked in the rocker, I was able adjust as necessary and shim fender to where they finally aligned.

2. On the drivers side, I had the same issue and was able to adjust. You can see the slight tear in the rocker panel (just below the vertical yellow line where I got a little aggressive) which will fill quite easily, with a weld. Learning this from my young mentor JaysonB, I will have to make cuts (1)
along the yellow line on the rocker and push forward and weld in a small patch panel to give the door, fender and rocker a good clean line all around. (2) Showing the good alignment of fender and rocker panel.

3. Notes are on the picture. However, it'll be a balancing act to not over-correct. There will be a lot of taking of the bedside and putting it back on.

Thanks Mike

Mike,

Excellent detail! thank you for taking the time make everything clear and precise! Can't wait to get my built by brooks brackets installed on my long bed frame too! I'm wrapping up this damn College degree I started in 3 weeks time and then I can have some free time again!

Devin

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by moregrip

Mike,

Excellent detail! thank you for taking the time make everything clear and precise! Can't wait to get my built by brooks brackets installed on my long bed frame too! I'm wrapping up this damn College degree I started in 3 weeks time and then I can have some free time again!

Devin

Congratulations on getting close to wrapping up your college degree!!! Job well done!

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

Congratulations on getting close to wrapping up your college degree!!! Job well done!

thanks man! Who says a 46 year old cant get some education in!

I'm actually very happy to wrap this BA degree up so I can take some welding classes!

[Woodyboat]

Originally Posted by moregrip

I'm wrapping up this damn College degree I started in 3 weeks time and then I can have some free time again!

Devin

If you went into college as a non-traditional student (I don't know how old you are...) and you're well into adulthood, I can speak from experience that you've had a very up-hill task to finish. I started my college degree after I lost everything and had to start completely over. In 2011, I entered the university at 55 years of age and finished my undergrad in 2016. I finished my Master's program this past fall. Whew...

It was the very BEST thing I've ever done in my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by Woodyboat

If you went into college as a non-traditional student (I don't know how old you are...) and you're well into adulthood, I can speak from experience that you've had a very up-hill task to finish. I started my college degree after I lost everything and had to start completely over. In 2011, I entered the university at 55 years of age and finished my undergrad in 2016. I finished my Master's program this past fall. Whew...

It was the very BEST thing I've ever done in my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Great job Woodyboat! I spent 33 years, 3 months and 9 days in the military. I was fortunate that my masters was paid for by the military (US Army War College). As for the undergrad, I drug my feet and didn't get it done until I was 39....it was either that or they'd take away my commission...

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

Great job Woodyboat! I spent 33 years, 3 months and 9 days in the military. I was fortunate that my masters was paid for by the military (US Army War College). As for the undergrad, I drug my feet and didn't get it done until I was 39....it was either that or they'd take away my commission...

Sounds like we have similar backgrounds except I was out after 20, too much time away from the family. Retired from the Navy, now working as a contractor for the Air Force, good times!

Woodyboat, I'm 46yrs old, the degree is/has not been my favorite thing to do but I kinda felt like I'd be stupid not to finish it out. Who knows, a BA may come in handy someday.

No masters in my future though, I think I'd rather learn bodywork and welding but as they say, never say never

And Mike, I tend to agree with jasonb, you do seem to have a natural ability here, well done!

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by Woodyboat

If you went into college as a non-traditional student (I don't know how old you are...) and you're well into adulthood, I can speak from experience that you've had a very up-hill task to finish. I started my college degree after I lost everything and had to start completely over. In 2011, I entered the university at 55 years of age and finished my undergrad in 2016. I finished my Master's program this past fall. Whew...

It was the very BEST thing I've ever done in my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Great job Woodyboat! I spent 33 years, 3 months and 9 days in the military. I was fortunate that my masters was paid for by the military (US Army War College). As for the undergrad, I drug my feet and didn't get it done until I was 39....it was either that or they'd take away my commission...

[Whamo]

Originally Posted by Woodyboat

If you went into college as a non-traditional student (I don't know how old you are...) and you're well into adulthood, I can speak from experience that you've had a very up-hill task to finish. I started my college degree after I lost everything and had to start completely over. In 2011, I entered the university at 55 years of age and finished my undergrad in 2016. I finished my Master's program this past fall. Whew...

It was the very BEST thing I've ever done in my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Right on Dave!!

[Woodyboat]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

One of the biggest remarks I got from my friends and family when I first enrolled in school was that they would ask me if I realized how old I was going to be when I graduated. I said that I would be exactly the same age as if I didn't even go.

The recession of 2008 really hit my business hard. Then, to make matters worse, my ex wife divorce raped me and left me with absolutely nothing in 2010. I was so broke that I qualified for the maximum Pell grant. Also Tennessee has the Hope Scholarships available. Between those and the other more specialized grants for my particular discipline, I was able to cruise through without any worries. If I had not done this, I would have been facing a very tough job market at a close to retirement age with no marketable skills except for what I got from my business. But that was virtually nil because every working guy without college has basically those same things to offer.

If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have gone of for my Master's. It's really not needed. It doesn't pay enough dividends in the job market to justify the additional costs and work. But it's at least nice to have since I've got it anyway.

As a side note, I was blown away by the amazing amount of attention I constantly got from young traditional female students who were just totally infatuated by a single silver fox like myself. Yeah, that felt GREAT! And that's all I'll say about that. LOL