July 3, 2023. Body Update Well, this started happening a couple weeks ago. Got my autobody quote and committed to the shop. He's agreed that the previous bodywork was good enough that not much has to be done in terms of repairs. There are cracks forming in the front fenders in the usual spots. My 14 year old son and I started ripping the body apart on a Thursday. He loved the process. All told, took us about 2 1/2 hours total, not including cab interior or stripping everything out of the doors. I did those less exciting bits myself.
Was kind of heart breaking to tear it apart, since I put it together 32 years ago, but I do know a lot more know than I did back then, so I'm confident I'll be happy with the finished product. I think my mother and aunt aren't completely happy with the color change since the original color was blue too before I had it painted the first time. My mother was definitely not happy with the 5 window cab conversion, but my dad gently reminded her that the only body parts that were from the original truck my grandfather gave to me were the cab and one of the rear fenders. Everything else my dad and I found by driving around rural Saskatchewan looking for parts trucks. My thinking is the truck is a process, and those days searching for body parts are days I'll never forget.
Also found a 5 window cab for $550. Going to have the corner windows cut out and install them on my cab. I'll look to sell the doors and hood which would make a great addition to a patina truck, but probably hard to match colors. Still have to go back to the body shop to strip the doors, but they are in good shape, so hope to recoup a few $$s.
Now going to start to strip the frame for sandblasting. Don't know if I'll powder coat yet or finish it myself. Still working out budgets, so the powder coat dream might get axed.
Body work won't start until after the summer when I can get a reasonable date on having the frame back together and the engine mounted, although he might do the corner window work soon.
Pictures attached of the body disassembly, frame, corner window cab and the paint color I've selected.
