The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Archived Journals 1940 Chev 1/2 ton “Franken/Restomod”

Hello again;
August was super busy, however I was able to meet a fellow Bolter, Fox which was very cool. Fox is also working on a couple of projects which he has journals for as well. If you are checking my journal out, you have probably already seen his, if not please do as it is a good read! My neighbor, and also fellow Bolter; Doyle met up with Fox for the Grove Cruise August 18 and showed our 3 trucks together at the show and shine. They were very popular; Doyle with his dump box raised and Fox with his dually really drew in the people. I have attended many show & shines before, but this was my first experience actually showing a vehicle so I was glad to be in such excellent company! Thanks, guys.
I was able to get some work done on the truck, stitching the running board extensions together. I had previously written about my fun replicating the ribbed portion, so this last round of work was about fabricating the remaining pieces and getting them all stitched together. I still need to fabricate, well get shown how to fabricate, the last transition piece by the back of the cab. I also want to make up a support piece for the underside of the extensions. It is pretty strong now, even just stitched together, but I don't want to be afraid of the extension getting damaged if someone should actually step on it!
I learned how to use a stretcher, for getting the back edge of the extensions to match the curve of the rear fender. Cutting in and stitching the pieces together was fairly straight forward, if not a little nerve wracking. Knowing how much work went into the ribbed portion, I was very nervous about ruining it and having to start all over. I clamped and cut, then stitched the pieces together a little at a time working my way around the extension while it was in place on the truck. Once the extension was solidly in, I removed it from the truck and took it to a bench to complete the install.
I am really happy with how the extensions have turned out so far, stock looking but with a custom flair. The main difference would be on stock running boards, the transition from the box side to the running board is actually curved the opposite direction, however I like this much better.

More to come,
Steve