The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Archived Journals 1970 Chevy C10 - Grandpa’s Rebuild.

Do you guys like cheese? I am a fan of many kinds. Cheddar, Gouda, Parmesan, mozzarella, they're all pretty good. But, dear Lord, not blue cheese, ack! That stuff will kill you.

Swiss? That stuff is awesome on a turkey & bacon clubhouse! It makes my mouth water...

I bet you know where I'm going with this. I blasted my inner box side panels, the tubs, stake pockets and tail light back piece and all looked really good. The outer skin though is a totally different story. I suspected some rust but, after blasting, I am very upset here. I am seeing visions of the LH door repeating itself here. The wheel arch has Swiss cheese all along the curve. Holes everywhere. The blaster opened up a lot and I haven't even blasted the outside surface. If I do I bet I will open up even more rotten cheese holes. The bottom corners of the arch are full of it too, or missing completely. The lower lip of the panel front to back...pitted deeply. I thought that maybe I could weld in some patch panels. I examined more closely the day before yesterday in the sunlight and saw pitting 1/2 way up the inside of the box side. Pitting so deep that any attempt to patch in steel there will just end up with holes being blown everywhere. So if I cut away steel until I hit solid metal, I will cut away well over 1/2 of the remaining box side. Then fight to get it straight, smooth and looking good, then continue the modifications into a shortbox. I don't even want to think of the hours it would take me to do so. I've been moving at a snails pace on this truck and I am extremely frustrated. It looked so solid, the doors and box; but as I dig she's showing me just how thin she has become.

I had high hopes. Things were going so well, I had a good plan, and was eager to get on things. The wind in my sails has quit. The doldrums. I was hoping it wouldn't come to a replacement box, but it is looking that way. Now I've disassembled/destroyed a "deceptive" good looking left box side. Ugh...I've begun shopping and pricing things out.

Ugh...😞

Hours...who cares tonight.

If you're a beginner and want to build a truck, be ready for this kind of stuff. Physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and you'd better have a supportive wife like I do.

*No wrenches or tools were thrown during the making of this episode.*