Well, I jumped into the deep end of the pool here. The other day I cut out my fish plates for the frame bracing. Man, I need a shear. Zip cut dust everywhere. Good thing I bought a whole box of n95 masks a year ago! I beveled them and then painted the back side black. I’m not sure what the heat will do to that, but it's done. They turned out very nice. I will weld them in one day soon. Today I began box surgery. First, I removed the front left stake pocket. I drilled out all the spot welds that hold the inner skin to the back left stake pocket. I removed this so I can weld the two separated inner skins back together and have hammer dolly access to maintain the bead on the inner skin. More work, ? Yes, but I want it that way. The bead, not extra work! Next, I drilled out the spot welds on the leading box edge that hold the front "body line brace" in place. Then, I cut the tail end of the left box side off the left side. I was careful not to cut through the inner or outer skin in inadvertent places. This actually went fairly well and easily. The front is another story. I cut the front outer skin down to size, but I still have to figure out how I'm going to relocate the stake pocket hole here without cutting through in a spot where I don't want to on the outer skin. I packed it in to avoid late night stupid decisions.
You can see the bead of the inner panel on some of the pictures. I have also lined up the rear tail piece and think I will be able to work that dropping top body line curve into a seamless transition.
1970 Chevrolet C10 Grandpa's -- My first truck -- In progress to shiny Follow the build in the Project Journal 1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually "Ole Red Girl" In the Stovebolt Gallery More pictures here 1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's Parts trucks- 1951 GMC 9300 | 1951-GMC 9430 | 1951- Chevrolet 1300
