My 56 build

[Jason 56]

Got a start on the rocker panel. I added a piece of angle to it so I could line it up with the quarter panel. As you can see in the last picture I warped the crap out of it. Figured with the angle I could be a little more aggressive... wrong! I put some relief cuts in the top and managed to straighten it out. Just have to do the other side. Had to change direction because some of the bare metal was starting to rust in the humidity. So I spent 8 hours today getting as much prepped for paint. Looks good in primer. Also started getting parts in for my door latches. I’m going to use corvette C6 door hardware... we’ll see how that goes.

[Jason 56]

Managed to finish the rockers last week. They turned out pretty well!

[Jason 56]

Now on the the door entry system. This is where some of the custom metal work begins. Got the latch mounted and a good start on the pocket to hold the release button. Now I have to notch the b-post to match the pocket so the door seal has a place to mount. Then the notch behind the door for your hand to fit into. That’s what I have drawn out in the last picture. So far so good!

[Mains52]

Your metal work has been great!! do you have your own metal break? Ive been thinking about buying a small one.

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by Mains52

Your metal work has been great!! do you have your own metal break? Ive been thinking about buying a small one.

Thanks for the compliment. No break, just using a 4” vise for small stuff. The firewall and steps I brought to a local metal shop.

[mongocanfly]

Slick work..,!!....door handle will be a cool mod...

[dsraven]

they seem kinda spendy but they do last a long time compared to some other stuff. less messy than stripper. like anything though, watch the heat build up on the bigger panels. no worse than a wire wheel and they don't poke wire into your coveralls.....

[dsraven]

these bristle discs work great too

https://www.eastwood.com/bristle-dis...QaAhBWEALw_wcB

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Slick work..,!!....door handle will be a cool mod...

Thanks Mongo. I’m hoping they turn work well. Not sure how to build the dish shape for the indent in the body. Figured I’ll grab my hammer n figure it out as I’ve done so far

[dsraven]

these clean and strip discs work great for paint and rust removal. wear glasses and gloves for sure though (found out the hard way with the gloves, if I would only leave those guards in place, lol). available with a drill style arbour or a roloc style as well. bodyshop supply places should have them. I just tried a couple sizes, 4 1/2" electric disc grinder and also air angle die grinder, and they work awesome. strips down to metal in a hurry and not much metal damage/scratches. epoxy primer over top and the scratches fill easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgvp2ok0PlI

[joedoh]

super clean sheetmetal work!

[Jason 56]

Got most of the right side done today. The filler panel in the B-post was the hardest part. Ended up beating the crap out of it to get the right shape. I managed to get it tacked in. You can see the striker in the last 2 pictures. Now to repeat B-post filler panel on the left. Then on to the filler panels on the doors. Hopefully those will be easier

[Jason 56]

A few pictures of the finished B-posts and the door filler panels. Finished the right door panel and just have to weld the left. Then I have to build in the channel that the striker will travel through the door. That shouldn’t be too hard. So far so good

[Gregski]

wow you really took that cab down to nothing - mad fab skillz

[Jason 56]

Finished the fabrication on the C6 door entry system. Just the striker channels left and a door seal lip. You can see the lip drawn out in the second picture. Going to wait on those because I have to replace both lower inner door panels and lower hinge mounts. Want to get the doors to the point of final hang so everything lines up. Moved on to inner valance above the windshield. Found a mouse nest throughout the entire length. Explains why it rusted! Need to clean the tar off the roof and por-15 everything before I weld the panel back in. So I got the left front fender started.

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by Gregski

wow you really took that cab down to nothing - mad fab skillz

Thanks, I didn’t intend on that when I started. It was worse than I thought. In the end the whole lower 12” of the cab has been replaced. I eventually ran out of stuff to replace

[Jason 56]

A few more pictures of progress. Finished welding the left front fender. Just need to finish making the headlight mount. As you may notice I’m doing away with the blinkers. Going with headlights that have the blinkers built into them. Also put some POR-15 on the ceiling before I weld in the valance. Then the doors come off to replace the lower section on each.

[dsraven]

isn't that eyebrow panel available now? not sure about the inside part. it is part of the inner roof panel.

http://www.bowtiebits.com/store/stor...Category_ID=70

[Jason 56]

I bought the eyebrow replacement panel. You can get the piece I’m making, but it costs $100. It only comes with the front panel replacement piece. You won’t see it so I made it instead. That bow tie bits site looks to have lots of hard to find items... thanks for the link

[BC Toy chest]

Fantastic work can't wait to see it when done, Sweet RYDE!!

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by BC Toy chest

Fantastic work can't wait to see it when done, Sweet RYDE!!

Thanks BC!

[Jason 56]

Got both doors started. Tedious job. Lots of alignment issues to take into consideration! Going to coat the inside with POR-15 while I have them open. Also Got the roof and most of the box stripped. Next is the interior and hood so I can prime everything

[Jason 56]

So back to the doors. They were pissing me off so I took a short break to ponder the situation. Also, It was hunting season and time to get everything ready for winter. Just checked the outdoor thermometer and it’s reading 0 tonight. So back to the truck. I couldn’t get the lower replacement panel to flow into the original door skin. I ended up cutting 15” off the door skin and starting over with a sheet of 16 ga. So far so good! I also tore the box apart to start that next.

[duramax55]

Jason 56 are you going to roll edges over? wont that be hard to do with 16 gauge steel??

[Jason 56]

Definitely... once I have it tack welded in place