klhansen-
Those are great pics! Thanks! I saved a bunch off to my reference folder so I have something to look at. Part of my trepidation on this job is using accurate reference points and the order of how to tackle the fixes. I've read the welding tips and tricks thread, and while I'm ALSO a newbie at welding, I understand the reasoning for the planishing, etc in principle. Putting it into practice is something else entirely, but I will give it my best. Outside of jobs I just couldn't reasonably acquire the tools to do, I intend on doing all the work on this truck myself (and with friends where I need extra hands). The suspension has already been rebuilt front and rear, and I'm working on plans for how best to restore the flatbed.
I found WICruiser's thread where he's doing very similar work this spring and got in contact with him. He's within reasonable driving distance of me so maybe we'll do some tech days together and I can learn a few things. I've spent the weekend between family Easter events tearing the rest of the front clip off the truck. Just have the hood left to do. Also getting the interior out. Happily, many parts seem to be in great shape. Grill is solid except for a small area where the rust through of the fender started eating the grill. Easily fixed with some home-made sheet metal patches. Rest of the cab seems quite solid. I took the windshield and headliner out and there's no signs I see of rot in the upper cab at all. Did find more mouse nests over the headliner *sigh*.
As much as I didn't want to tear this deep into the truck yet (my intent was to fix it up mechanically and then enjoy it for a couple summers and then do the bodywork), I'm happy I'm getting into it and will have the truck as close to 100% as I'm capable of making it. Just means another summer with it stuck in the garage rather than out noodling around the countryside
