The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Cab.. Body work ?

I have a 55 chevy pick up,with that rain gaurd that runs around the top of the cab. Mine is bent real real bad, I really do not think I can bend it ..shape it back to somthing that looks good. Has anyone ever just cut it off..and smoothed it out. I am thinking of doing that. thanks ...Mike g.....

Hi Mike -

That is a good question. I was just looking at the same rain rail on my 55 the other day and I was wondering how I was going to straighten mine out.

I am not an experienced enough person to know if you could remove it but I think it would look good without it.

Hopefully someone will come along and answer this question who knows what is going on.

Where are you in Colorado?

Ross

My 2 cents worth.If it is on a 55 2nd series it is like my 57. Don't do it.The roof spot welds to the cab in that gutter. You grind it off and you will end up with a 55 Chev truck convertable. Most vehicles,if not all, you have to take the roof off to replace the rain gutter/rail, so I would repair it as best you can or leave it alone. It just depends on how far you want to go with your trucks appearance. I am replacing my roof, but I have replaced roofs before so I know what I am getting into.

Mike,

If you really want to, you can easily remove it.

Start at one of the front corners and cut off about 4 to 6 inches at a time. Then tack weld the pieces back together. Don't get in too much of a hurry welding it back together or you'll create warping. If you do about 4 to 6 inches at a time, the pieces will remain together and make it easier to weld.

If you watch shows like Overhaulin' or Trucks, they've done this before. I've recently done it on my '57 cab with no problems. Make sure that you don't cut out too much at a time, or cut too close to the roof. Leave a little metal to weld back together.

The cab looks much 'smoother' without the drip rail. I'm not sure how much water will run in the truck during a downpour as I'm a long ways away from reassembling my truck. Hopefully, new weatherstripping will take care of any leaks!

Lane

Well...Its gunna be a tough decision. I dont want a convertable at 70MPH..But I do not think I can get my truck to 60..so...Apprentice, I hale from Westminster Co. I guess I will try to straighten out as best i can first..then go from there, I think a tree fell on it at one time..What a project...what...a...project

Sorry Ross..I didnt see your name at first...I am new here, I am in Westminster Co. You/

How 'bout some recent "Photo"'s of your work Lane?

Sounds cool.

Getting rid of the drip rails is a realy cool custom look and since yours is bad, go for the smooth custom look. Just take your time.

Mike,

I am in Littleton. If you decide to go for it, please be sure to post it back on line. I think there are a lot of us who would be interested in seeing how it is going. I really like the idea, and think it would look great. Good luck!

Ross

I will send some postings soon,I am a little intimidated by the pros in this forum though.This is my first resto,and the first posting will be the engine...Now I am proud of that,Rebult,cleaned and painted,i am missing the origanal air cleaner..i kinda gave up on that,But I did find a Origanal Rochester single carb at the Flee Market in Commerse city...5 bucks..I have removed everything but the Cab, so it is not completely frame off.A Lot of work...But you guys know that. Gaff

I am going to cut the Rain guard..and smooth it. That will not happen for a month, I am almost ready to start the body work, I will post the progress, But remember, I am a rookie at this, But let it be known, I will not cut corners to speed up this project.. It will be done correctly.............................In about 3 years..

Mike,

Don't worry, I'm a rookie at this too!

I started working on my truck last July. My guesstimated project timeline is 10 years! If it's completed earlier than that, it's a bonus. Like you said, no use in cutting corners or getting in a hurry!

Lane

p.s., I'll post some pics soon!

thats about when i started my project lane..Its a mind full,whats fastinating to me is all the bolts// This may sound strange,but i cant wait to replace the bolts with bow tie bolts (new), What I did notice was there were no lock washers on these bolts? Does anyone know If i should use (add) Lockwashers...or is that over kill, I may add Lock washers to the back panels, i ended up cutting those clutch screws of, They kept turning in the bed and i didnt have any help to hold the clutch screw, See...I learn as I go, an expert would have not even messed with Ratchets,or cluch drivers...they would have just went and cut. By the way lane ...what happened to the Flames this year//////

Mike,

I'm not the one to ask anything about Hockey! I lost all respect for most 'professional' atheletes when they went on strike for more money (bunch of whining millionaires).

When I took my trucks apart, I simply ground off the heads of all the bolts holding on the rear fenders (as you said, much easier this way) as I planned on replacing everything anyway.

If you look really closely at the old bolts, you should notice some small lines on the bottom (thread side) of the bolt heads. These lines act the same as a lockwasher, resisting the turning motion of the bolt.

Have a great day!

Lane

Just took a look at the old ones..I see what your saying.Thanks for the help. cant blame you on the Prof. athletes either..Whiners..

Mike,

How's that rain gutter work coming?

I finally got around to taking some pics of the cab I was playing around with and started to cut the rain gutter off. Check out the pics at :

http://community.webshots.com/album/559093931FXwlIG

I've posted a couple of pics of the rain gutter on the '55 2nd series to easily compare it to.

If you have any more questions, don't be afraid to ask!

Lane

Hey Lane...I just took a look at your pics...It looks great, I am actually going to start my cutting today, low funds...you know...I hope to get all cut today,bondo sunday...doubt it though ha ha ha .. What kind of cutting wheel did you use?

Mike,

All the cutting on the cab were done with a sawzall. I didn't have a cutting wheel at the time (I do now).

I find that the sawzall works for most of my cutting needs (and doesn't go through blades as fast as the wheel goes through disks).

If you read the post about sawzall vs cutting wheel, I agree whole-heartedly about using quality cutting wheel. When I do use it, it works great.

Lane

I am finding it haed to get things done on my project. I have my house on the market and will be moving cross country to new Hampshire..I am at a point were I am asking myself...should I start this or not..dont want to start anything to big...and i definatly dont want to grind the paint off if I cant bondo and primer it at the same time, cause when i get out east I know I am going to have that instant rust problem with the Humidity