Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Turns out you did it on cruise control

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

And the driver's side step is done. I had some measurement irregularities, so this one didn't weld up as tastily. I know you just buy reman ones of these, but they are $150CDN each - I save $300 cutting them down myself

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...9s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Also started figuring out the gas tank, and then started making a trailer hitch.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...5s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...4s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...6s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Reused the original in-cab tank straps, but I'm not sold on that yet.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...3s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...2s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...2s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I wasn't happy with the first version of the upper straps, so I made new ones out of 1-1/4" square tubing sliced to 3/8". The top straps had to be removable, because the back panel had to be removable, because the hitch had to be removable, and this arrangement made sense to me. Which, of course, required finishing the trailer hitch (yes, the chain loop thingies are not on yet). Truck is only rated to pull 6000lbs.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...2s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...5s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

And here is where I got by the end of Christmas break 2020:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...8s-672x377.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...1s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...1s-672x378.jpg

And you can hardly tell the bed was raised 4":

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...0s-672x377.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Wow!! That looks awesome!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Dadgum, that looks great!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

x2!

Great progress!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Awesome work!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

That's some fine work being done!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Damn SkinnyG, that is some awesome work!!!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Looking good there sir!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Great work bud

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Latest video:

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I reinforced the Sheet Metal Brake I made last spring and was successful in folding 30" of 18ga.

Also used my Nutsert tool for the first time, installing 5/16-18 nutserts into the passenger door for a mirror. The skin is already braced from the underside, but no factory weld nuts to fasten. While these stick a little proud of the surface, it's going to be fine.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...29-672x378.jpg

Also spent a LOT of time corresponding with Universal Air regarding bag choice on the '61, and after we talked about motion ratio, sprung weight, suspension frequency, ride height, and air pressure, I think I have finalized the way I want to go about this - this will be documented later. Universal Air gave me fantastic customer service over this (thank you!).

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Great idea using the nut serts for the mirrors! I'm gonna copy that one when I get back to working on my doors

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Great idea on the nutserts for your mirror. I just bought a nutset tool and I'm planning to use it for my roof lights. Seeing yours gives me the confidence that they are going to work. Thanks for the post.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

This will be roughly ride height. Needs a bit more rake - front could easily go down an inch, rear could go up some.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...9s-672x378.jpg

Not sure to start on the fender rust repair, so I'm starting with the nose. This is just behind the headlights. I'll need to drag this outside for sand blasting, then epoxy primer, before I weld it in.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...9s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...6s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

And another patch:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...0s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

nice damn work sir....

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

And another patch:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...9s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

And another patch. Ready for blasting and epoxy priming underneath Friday or Saturday.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...0s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Repair area blasted and primed:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...9s-672x378.jpg

Unrelated - anyone ever widen the rear fenders to better match the front?

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Bringing up the wheel opening?

Member vin63 brought the wheel opening down some on the front fenders to better match the rears.

Also, your work with the sand blaster makes me want to get one before I start the rest of my rust repair

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I'm really enjoying the blaster. It's a cheap 10 gallon pressure pot sandblaster. Lots of negative reviews, but I'm loving it. Absolutely loving it. Except when it's freezing outside, like today.

You'll want a good compressor.

I mean cutting the mounting flange off the entire rear fender, and extending the fenders outboard maybe an inch or so. The bed/fenders are narrower than the cab itself.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I'd be doing the same that you are with the blaster, so that'll probably work for me.


I've seen many people widen older fenders to go over a dually rear by adding a strip of sheet metal through the middle of the fender. Maybe see if you can source another fender or two to get the amount of metal you want and the shape? Although, you do have the tools and skill set to make your own section, so might not need another fender or two

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

IDK about that, but I always thought this idea to widen the rear fenders to match the inside to the outside was really thinking outside the box

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

They recently did an episode on Car Fix (MotorTrend on demand) where they widened the fenders on a stepside in a more conventional style.

It can't be hard-they did it all on a 30 minute TV show.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Ah. I'll look for that episode. 22 minutes plus commercials sounds right up my alley.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Found a few links:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...57#post6711157

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...483885&page=15

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505805

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650721

Yeah...... Nah.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Season 9 Episode 13 "Patina Truck"

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Some impressive work going on in this build. Thanks for the pics.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Not really motivated in the shop today.

Letting epoxy cure further before welding. Tidied a bit. I played around with some tubing and I think I have a decent plan for the panhard.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Welded in, and I got to experiment with the "shrinking disc" I picked up - they are, indeed, magic. I likely won't spend a lot of time making this area perfect, absolutely zero people are ever going to see it (good place to experiment).

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...5s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...8s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

My son worked some picture magic and come up with this:

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/p...on_mmthumb.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I bounce between inspired by and terrified by your battle with rust. Thanks again for documenting all of it.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

One step at a time.

The whole project is almost overwhelming, if I sit down and think about it. Instead, I try to pick one thing, and do that one thing. Eventually, all the one things will get done and it will be done.

And my truck isn't as bad for rust as others on here.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I'm a bright yellow fan so I love the pic!

It must be satisfying to know your actual door gaps are better than the rendering.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

[QUOTE=SkinnyG;8865936]One step at a time.

The whole project is almost overwhelming, if I sit down and think about it. Instead, I try to pick one thing, and do that one thing. Eventually, all the one things will get done and it will be done.

Exactly sums up my project!