Stovebolt.com Forums Project Journals Project Journals Beginning of a 66 mild resto

Spent time time trying to save the rear fenders. Massive case of the mumps on them from driving down gravel roads. I am hoping using bed liner on the underside will help stop this from happening again in the future.

fender in the pics has a dent and a twist. Where the curved portion of the wheel well meets the flat it actually dips in before it meets it. I think this will be very difficult to get out. I am thinking I will simply replace and then keep working at these. If I get them in good shape I will sell them to recoup the cost of replacement metal. Flame suit on for not wanting to use original metal.

Started learning about filler this weekend. I am working in large part where things will not be seen at first. I am not fast, but I am satisfied with progress so far. I will know more when I lay down some primer and block it after all of this.

The bed sides have bends and bows to them that I hope will straighten when fenders are bolted on? Time will tell. Its scary when you have no idea what you are doing.

Finally got some more time with the bodywork. After multiple rounds I have a bedside and tailgate done. i blocked it best I could, but some areas of the bedside wont straighten out until the fender is bolted tight. I clamped straight edges where I could and I think I was able to get them blocked pretty straight.

The hard part is knowing that they were not straight out of the factory especially things like the bed rails. I have one that I know has never had work done to it and there are dips into the stake pockets etc.
Last step was two heavy coats of primer (This was my first time shooting from a gun). They await completion of the other pieces, to assemble, block again to make sure its straight, disassemble and then shoot color matched bedliner at it.

Final filler and blocking before heavy load of primer.

I guess I should note...... Other than some hammer and die work, I am not worrying about things below the strip line. Out of easy sight, out of mind. Otherwise I would be driving myself crazy.

If they are not perfect, they are as perfect as I am going to get them being the novice I am. I think I did alright.

After two days of degassing I brought them into the house to make sure they stay dry. They still stunk up the whole house. Wife is not a happy camper.

You have got some interesting hangers for your paint work, I never thought about using bungee's. Great work.

Nice work. You are making fast progress.

I had wanted to have the bed completed by now, but it needed more work than expected. I suspect all pieces will be ready for a trial assembly by the end of January. At least hoping.

Once bed is done I really want to have the front clip and engine out/painted done before summer. That gives me a year to go after the cab.

I will check in maybe next week as I hit nh again. Happy to have you heat the garage and chill the beer while I lend a hand

Front panel rear cross bar and supports primed today.

The second bed side was a little more involved. Thought it was done and then I see 10 things I missed, then I tried sanding the filler too soon, etc etc etc.

When I used a straight edge and clamped the warped side I was able to get it to pop in and out of place. When popped in place I think I have gotten that area flat. Only thing I could not make sure was a warp where the step bolts to the bedside. I will have to massage into place when I bolt the step into place.

Anyhow I am done for the evening. Have about an hour of prep time and all bed pieces are primed and ready for trial assembly. Can't wait for this bed to be done. Its going to be a huge motivator.