Re: project 39
 

nice attention to detail!

Re: project 39
 

Got the tin bent and screwed down on the framework. I had more than enough clearance on the brake light to cover so I cut the light mount post down 3/4 of an inch. The tin is just roughed in. I had a heck of a time bending the long edges. I have a long ways to go for finishing the tin but at least I have it roughed in. I disassembled the light last night so I can take the pieces to the chrome guy at the swap meet this weekend.

Re: project 39
 

The bed looks great, are you planning on using the stock rear fenders or will there be another surprise?

Re: project 39
 

I am going to use the original rear fenders that were in the pictures on page one.

Re: project 39
 

Been doing other things lately but had some time on the 4th to work on the truck. Did a little welding on the dual snorkel air cleaner that I am thinking about using. Started patching the original running boards, I had some cut off pieces of running board that were attached to some crusty rear fenders I bought a while back so I didn't feel bad about using them for patches. I decided I should get all the fenders mounted temporarily so I could make the new running board mounts. I wanted the boards to fit a bit tighter to the body than what they were stock and also the box I built is wider than the stock 39. So I ended up moving the mounting holes in the rear fenders for the boards. I think it looks pretty good at this point, still need to do a lot of metal work. I love the fact that the 1939 rear fenders are wider than all of the 40-46 rear fenders, so I can get a bigger tire under the rear.

Re: project 39
 

Had time to work on truck this past week and weekend. The first thing I did was get the front bumper set up for a permanent mount. I got a pair of 1937desoto front bumpers for free. One of my friends bought a 32 ford 5 window with Desoto bumpers on it. He didn't like them so we swapped repop 32 bumpers and he gave me the Desoto bumpers. So I had a pair of 40 chevy car bumper brackets so I used them with the Desoto bumpers after a bit of bending and tweaking. I ordered some briz bumper bolts to fit it and will have it rechromed when I am finished test fitting it.

Re: project 39
 

I finished the bumper mount on Saturday morning. So I started on fitting the 1939 upper grille trim to the 40 radiator support. After eye balling it for a while I went in the house for lunch, told the girlfriend that I was tempted to just leave the 40 trim in place because of the amount of work it was going to take to change it over. She looked straight at me and said why would you do that? you will never be happy unless it has the right one on there. I decided she was right(as usual). Anyone that tells you that the '39 support is the same as a '40 is full of s**t. The upper lip and front top corners are not even close to bolt on the '39 trim. I ended up making a jig to keep the hood ornament and hood in place, got that mounted and started slicing up the radiator support. I have to say this support is the nicest I have ever seen so it was a bit difficult to do. I would not recommend doing this unless you have some upper pieces from an actual '39 support. I luckily had a very messed up set of panels and the upper brace from a truck I bought 10 years ago. I will post some more pics as I go along.

Re: project 39
 

working on finishing the radiator support, thought I should test fit the grille and figure out how it was going to mount. With putting the 39 grille trim on the support I had to decide weather to move the grille up or to add a bar on the top. I decided to move the grille up to close the gap. next up finish weld the radiator support.

Re: project 39
 

finished welding the upper radiator support for the 39 trim bar. I had a dented and crusty 40 trim bar that I cut the ends off to finish the radiator support behind the trim bar. Have a bit more tweaking to do finish it up. Right now just working on getting everything lined up. Next up cutting and moving the chin and baffle.

Re: project 39
 

nice

Re: project 39
 

I had a ‘46 in very complete mechanical condition with a 350/350 combo and Jag IFS and IRS. I had to sell it to finance something else but I admit I regret it. Having said that I REALLY love the look of ‘39 and ‘40 Chevys.

I’d not do the bed you’re doing but it looks like you’re doing very pro looking work. I admit my ‘46 - which; if I’m correct, is the same basic cab - had very little room so lengthening it is a good move if done right and yours looks really good.

What color are you thinking of for the final look?

Re: project 39
 

started working on the chin and baffle. moved the chin up about an inch and cut up the baffle last night to test fit it. I think it is going to work out quite well. My hope is the mod is subtle enough that you cant tell I have changed it. I like moving the chin up like I did on my '40 for extra ground clearance.

Re: project 39
 

looks really good shades, I always thought the grille was about a bar too long on the 39-40.

I hear you on the 39 parts, I had a 39 rad support and it would have been worth 3x as much as a 40.

Re: project 39
 

I have at least 3 extra 40 support but have never found a good usable 39 support. The top trim bar is the same, I have 3 nice usable 40 bars but still have yet to find a 39 bar that is nice and doesn't require repair before rechroming. I agree on to many bars on the grille I removed the lower one on my 40 before the I had the chin because it always looked like it was just hanging out in the breeze by itself. I think moving the chin up makes the front better looking.

Re: project 39
 

Had some time over the holiday weekend to work on the truck. I thought it was time to finish up the bottom of the box under the tail lights and build a roll pan to finish the rear of the box. It was interesting to do both because of the differ angles and shapes. I tried a couple of different ideas on the bottom piece and ended up welding in longer pieces of tube to get my final shape. then had to figure out how to get the roll pan around the tail pie holes. Amazingly the roll pan I hit pretty close on the first try so no wasted material. it still has a ways to go to finish but it looks pretty good roughed, covers the gas tank and fills the space between the tail pie outlet holes. I also finished the front bumper brackets and sent the bumper off for chrome this week.

Re: project 39
 

Read the whole thread and was amazed at your sheetmetal skills. Very creative bed making goin on in this project. I have a 39 of my own as a future project so this is awsome to read and great pics to look over.. Looking good!

Re: project 39
 

I am glad you enjoy the project. This has been my dream to build this truck since I was 11. I haven't had much time to work on it lately because of other projects including replacement of the ugly welding table.

Re: project 39
 

Now that's a welding table.. haven't worked on a table like that since I was a welder in a small fab shop.. I've been checking out a few of your posts regarding this project. I have not started on mine and probably won't for another year but it's good reading nonetheless. Look forward to picking your brain when the time gets closer..

Re: project 39
 

nice work on the table! good use of the space where it seems everything I need ends up (under the table)

Re: project 39
 

Thanks for the comments. My friend bought the ugly table at a going out of business sale for $50 about 12 years ago. It didn't look like much but the top was 5x3 ft 1/2 inch plate. So after dealing with the crooked mess and the casters that didn't work I decided it was time to build what I have always wanted and reuse the top.

Re: project 39
 

Got the bumper back from the platers yesterday. It looks AWESOME. I had them do both sides finished and they really out did themselves this time. The last pic is what I started with.

Re: project 39
 

Have been working on the grille and grille fitment last few weekends, got that done so the grille is ready to go to the chrome. So I decided to get the front end squared away so I can send the hood hinge and top grille trim to the chromer. In doing that I needed to get the front fenders, inner fenders and hood sides installed and adjusted. After looking over my choices for inner fenders I decided instead of trying to repair rusty and bent panels I would try to fab some new ones up. I worked on my first attempt Saturday morning for about 4 hours and ended up throwing it out. My second attempt turned out much better in about 2 hours and the other side I got done in about 1 1/2 hrs. They aren't completely finished, I need to tweak, bend and hammer a bit more but I think the panels are close to what want.

Re: project 39
 

Nice job on the inner fenders. The truck is looking great.

Re: project 39
 

been working on hood fitment while doing the inner fenders to make sure everything lines up before sending the hood hinge to chrome. fought the alignment on the right hood side. I could get the top of the hood lined up and then the side wont line up. I ended up cutting an 1/8" off the side hood hinge to get it to slide forward to line up. Also been working on finishing the tail pan parts of the box.

Re: project 39
 

I decided after a lot of thought to purchase a sct contour tool from eastwood to start cleaning up the truck. I had tried to find someone in the area that had one but had no luck. I am in no way connected with eastwood just wanted to give you guys a heads up before purchasing a $200.00 tool plus the consumables. I decided to try it on the fender that I had repaired the big tear with poor welding. I started at 6:27 and finished at 6:45. It still needs some more work but I have to say for the short time I worked at it, it really cleaned up. The one thing to remember is to wear a dust mask and turn on the exhaust fan because when you are going at it the garage fills up with rust dust very quickly.

Re: project 39
 

I have been following your progress on your truck. It's going to be outstanding when completed. I have a question. How did you go about stretching the cab.
I have a 46 and plan on stretching it. I'm 6'5" and don't fit in it. Do you think your 6" is enough.

Thanks for your time
Keith

Re: project 39
 

well Keith it isn't a job for the faint hearted. Are you planning on just extending the cab or are going to chop it also? The 6 inches make all the difference inside the cab for space, It helps if you have an extra cab and doors to cut up for pieces. I bolted down the front of the cab on the frame, mark some spots on both sides of the door openings for measurements, add some braces under the roof to hold its shape, I cut the roof in the high point of the crown, slide the rear of the cab back the amount you want measuring the from the marks you made on the door openings and add some braces in the door openings to hold everything in place. Make sure everything is where you want it and measures square, I bolted the rear of the cab down after drilling holes in the frame and using the hard rubber mounts. I used a parts cab to get the roof and door opening pieces I needed to fill the gap, I cut pieces bigger than I needed laid them over the gap and started cutting and welding them in. Go real slow and hammer up on the welds from the inside to keep everything straight. It takes time and patience to get it right. I still have to work on the welds and some more hammering to do after I get it on the rotisserie so I can work on it easily.

Re: project 39
 

I started working on the inside of the box after removing the lid I built for clearance. I made some inside panels with access holes for the electrical panels. I also started to build the channels for the weather-stripping for sealing the lid to the box. I am going to build the channels the same as they do for a trunk lid on a car.

Re: project 39
 

Thanks for your reply
I do have another cab and doors. Do plan on chopping the top too. If you had it to do again would you stretch or chop it more.
Thanks

Re: project 39
 

I chopped it 2 1/2" in the front and 2 inches in the rear, I thought it would help line up the door opening better- it didn't. The 2 inches works out perfect in the front because of the structure in the a pillars, after you cut the outside tin and remove the a pillar screws you actually can pull the a pillar apart. Then you can shorten it up the 2 inches and slide it back together. You will have to slice the roof front to back to change the angle of the edge to get it all to line up again with the 6 inch addition.

Re: project 39
 

Looking at steering wheel possibilities. I want something that is old school instead of lecarra wheels like everything else I own. So I have the steering wheel out of the buick that I pulled the nailhead out of. I also have a square steering wheel out of a early 60s Chrysler that I bought at swap meet a few years ago. The problem with these old steering wheels is that they are deeper than newer aftermarket wheels. So I shortened the column 2 inches to make up for that. I am leaning towards the buick wheel but the GF really wants the Chrysler wheel. I started filling the cracks in the Chrysler wheel this week.

Re: project 39
 

After looking at the pics above of the dash I decided to change the look of the bottom of the dash. A modern radio and heater control are going to look out of place on this truck. I decided to hide them but have easy access to them by hinged door, so I toyed with using some of the extra glove box doors, trim panels and etc that I have laying around but then I tought I might as well build a door that really looks like it belongs there. So I started this last week end by installing the heat/ac unit under the dash to make sure the radio clears. This was like stuffing 10lbs of c**p in a 5lb bag. So after getting the unit mounted and playing with radio placement and cowl vent handle interference I think I may be close. I have pieces for outside the door to finish it that I didn't have a chance to weld in yet.

Re: project 39
 

worked on the dash some more this weekend. added the pieces on each side of the lower door, made some tubes for the a/c vents to mount to and finished welding everything up. I cleaned it up in the blast cabinet last night, wiped it down and I will epoxy prime it tonight. I am at the point of having to order the gauges to finish it but right now I am feeling too cheap to do that.

Re: project 39
 

After 3 weeks off from eye surgery from a head injury I finally got back to working on project 39. Got the dash filled and primed, cleaned the rear axle and primed, filled and primed the steering wheel and worked on the dual snorkel air cleaner. I also decided I didn't have enough to do in my spare time so I bought me another project.

Re: project 39
 

After moving the radio and heater controls down where I wanted them I had to figure out what I was going to do with the cowl vent control. I tried to make an offset handle but it didn't work real well. I looked at some of the 41-46 truck vent parts I have but didn't like the way it fit with the dash, I also looked at my 41 coupe which I thought I might be able to make work. I thought I had some of those parts from the same car I took the dash out of but could not find them. Found what I needed on ebay for a reasonable buy it now price. After a week of messing around cutting, bending, welding and making a new vent bracket I finally got everything to work reasonably well. just have to finish weld everything and do some finish pieces to make it look good.

Re: project 39
 

nice metal work and keep those foto(s) coming ....

Re: project 39
 

Being I am getting older, fatter and don't bend as well any more I decided I needed the fuse panel to be much easier to access than what I have done in the past. I tried a few different ideas I had for a hinged fuse panel, after a few tries I decided the simple way probably was the best way. As all of us with these trucks know there is little room under dash, I had to clear the a/c vent hose on the drivers side. I think this will work. I used 1/2" square tube and a hinge.

Re: project 39
 

I worked on the side panels between the box and running board. The stock panel didn't do any thing for me, so I thought I would make one in the style of the 48 -up truck. I made a cardboard pattern, cut out steel and after a little bending, shrinking and hammering I have 2 side panels ready.

Re: project 39
 

looking reeeeeaaaallly good shades, I like the aprons!

Re: project 39
 

I thought I would update this since its been a while. I will post some pics when I find my camera. I haven't got much done in the last few months because of grand kids, more doctor visits from my eye injury last fall, car shows, el camino project and the usual work/home life. I did spend a bunch of money on it this summer including but not limited to classic instrument gauges, glide seat and fresh chrome parts. I did cut the holes in the dash for the new gauges but of course it can never be that simple--- will post soon