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| | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | I just finished up painting the cab, hood and fenders. Left is the pick up box. I have all the body work complete on the box sides and front panal and tail gate. Everything is in primer.
Question I have is should I assemble the box and then topcoat it as a unit or the individual pieces then assemble??
Thanks in advance.
Steve
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,280 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,280 | I had mine painted in pieces.
GM painted them after assembly. They gas welded the rear cross member to the bed sides in a couple of places. It would be difficult to do that after paint.
Last edited by 52Carl; 08/10/2017 1:16 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | Thanks Carl, does it need to be welded again for light duty use? Nothing will ever be in that bed.
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | I don't think there's any other attachment there than the welds, and that rear cross sill has to support the rear posts straight and square to hold the tailgate .... can be welded before paint with the rest of the bed in pieces
Bill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | Sstock,
I home built my bed and rear cross member. I did not weld it together and I painted under the stake pocket before spot welding. I assembled the bed and painted it as a unit. The rear bolts of the tailgate trunnions and tail light brackets hold it square by tightness. This being said however, my rear cross sill is made out of 2x6 tubing with 1/8" walls and nuts welded inside the tube, so it's VERY solid compared to original.
I suspect if you tried to use brute force tightening the bolts on a stock rear crossmember to hold the bed square that you would create dents in it. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | Thanks for the responses, I think I have a plan and it includes re-welding in those places.
Last edited by sstock; 08/10/2017 2:28 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
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