Very nice work!! 
Rene
Rene
CK5
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Rudy's 72
- Thread starter RudyO
- Start date
RudyO
1/2 ton status
Thx for the comments. The shrinker-stretcher combo is a pretty easy tool to work with but time consuming, so I don't really see trying to make these for resale, lol
chevyridinhigh79
1/2 ton status
i love the fabwork but don't tell the rest of the guys here but im kind of a mopar guy and my 77 is my first chevy... im guessing you are too with owning the XJ and the challenger. can you post some pics of it and tell me a little about it? please!
RudyO
1/2 ton status
Well, I consider myself more of a Mopar guy also, but there's certain cars I like from all the brands (not much on Ford). The Jeep is the wifes, and I can't even talk her into more aggressive tires even though she bought it for hiking in the mountains.
The 70 Challenger was one of those cars I've wanted since I was 15. It was a coworkers "baby" that he would never sell to me until a Pueblo wind took his carport out on top of it. It ain't much to look at, but better than when I purchased it. But for the trunk, it's solid. Was just a base 318, gonna have a 360 and a 70 Buick GS paint scheme (Saturn Yellow) and stripes with a tan interior. I was working on it for a while until a motorcycle accident put me out for a lil while. Building it from the suspension up, and still collecting parts, lol.
Enter the 72 Blazer. Another vehicle I've always been interested in, but you hardly ever see for sale (For some reason, IH is big around here) Was looking for parts and tools in the classifieds when I saw the add and bought it. And I've been REALLY broke ever since.
With the Challenger, it's buy parts when I could find em (i.e. cheap) because people think these parts are gold. I do a lot of JYing, interchange, and parts stashing. Still piecing it together and got most of the suspension collected.
With the Blazer, I killed my CC's and bought as much replacement metal and mechanicals as I could (hopefully) get away with. I bought it with the intent of LEARNING to do bodywork and a lil fabrication, because I'm weak in that area, and I saw it as the perfect platform to practice on. I want it straight, but I already know I'm gonna bash it somewhere along the line. Basically, I started the Blazer with ZERO welding and fabrication skills. but once I feel comfortable with my welding skills, I'll replace the Challenger's trunk.
It's a tie on which of these two vehicles have the most invested into them, and I don't plan on ever adding up the reciepts, because I will pry go into cardiac arrest. Easily the most money I've ever sunk into any vehicle I've ever owned, but these two are my "keepers". I get attached to my projects.
Sorry for the book, but it was my "coffee time". Just woke up. RidinHigh, if ya want pics send me a PM. Next time I "reorganize" the garage I'll pull it out and take a few.
The 70 Challenger was one of those cars I've wanted since I was 15. It was a coworkers "baby" that he would never sell to me until a Pueblo wind took his carport out on top of it. It ain't much to look at, but better than when I purchased it. But for the trunk, it's solid. Was just a base 318, gonna have a 360 and a 70 Buick GS paint scheme (Saturn Yellow) and stripes with a tan interior. I was working on it for a while until a motorcycle accident put me out for a lil while. Building it from the suspension up, and still collecting parts, lol.
Enter the 72 Blazer. Another vehicle I've always been interested in, but you hardly ever see for sale (For some reason, IH is big around here) Was looking for parts and tools in the classifieds when I saw the add and bought it. And I've been REALLY broke ever since.
With the Challenger, it's buy parts when I could find em (i.e. cheap) because people think these parts are gold. I do a lot of JYing, interchange, and parts stashing. Still piecing it together and got most of the suspension collected.
With the Blazer, I killed my CC's and bought as much replacement metal and mechanicals as I could (hopefully) get away with. I bought it with the intent of LEARNING to do bodywork and a lil fabrication, because I'm weak in that area, and I saw it as the perfect platform to practice on. I want it straight, but I already know I'm gonna bash it somewhere along the line. Basically, I started the Blazer with ZERO welding and fabrication skills. but once I feel comfortable with my welding skills, I'll replace the Challenger's trunk.
It's a tie on which of these two vehicles have the most invested into them, and I don't plan on ever adding up the reciepts, because I will pry go into cardiac arrest. Easily the most money I've ever sunk into any vehicle I've ever owned, but these two are my "keepers". I get attached to my projects.
Sorry for the book, but it was my "coffee time". Just woke up. RidinHigh, if ya want pics send me a PM. Next time I "reorganize" the garage I'll pull it out and take a few.
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chevyridinhigh79
1/2 ton status
yeah i hear ya about mopar parts. ive got a 56 plymouth that i bought by myself and a 68 barracuda fastback that i went in half on with my dad because i could not afford it alone. having an a body parts aren't quite as expensive but for you having an e body parts are very expensive. i bought my 77 because before i even knew anything about cars i seen my bestfriends uncles 77 K10 and eventhough it was a work truck/beater it had some big ol' BFG's and white wagon wheels and i kinda fell in love with that body style. i figured im going to own one someday and now i do, its the only chevy i own besides my 77 K20 parts truck.
that is some pretty nice fabbing...as soon as i get mine running my first goal is to learn how to weld and start learning about metal working.
More details on that replacement part you built! 
Do you have a shrinker/stretcher like one of those Eastwood ones? Doesn't really look like a hammer and dolly formed part to me... nice work!
Do you have a shrinker/stretcher like one of those Eastwood ones? Doesn't really look like a hammer and dolly formed part to me... nice work!
RudyO
1/2 ton status
No hammer and dolly work. Started with a flat piece of metal that I bent a lip into using a rounded edge of some scrap angle iron I had lying around. Clamped that onto my bench and slowly tapped it into a 90 degree angle.
The stretcher is on the left, and is the one I used the most. Shrinker is on the right. Bought em from Williams Lowbuck Tools (made in the USA). The way they work is with two small sets of jaws that pinch and either pull or push the metal in small increments when you pull the lever. You can see the working lines on the lip, which is the only area you are working.
With all the test fitting, I had the lipped piece so bent out of shape (as in my curve began looking like a rollercoaster) that I contemplated just doing a small lip and welding it onto another piece of metal (that piece in the foreground). Decided that route would need alot of adjustments also, so kept working the original piece. Glad I did, as it didn't take much to get the curve back.
The stretcher is on the left, and is the one I used the most. Shrinker is on the right. Bought em from Williams Lowbuck Tools (made in the USA). The way they work is with two small sets of jaws that pinch and either pull or push the metal in small increments when you pull the lever. You can see the working lines on the lip, which is the only area you are working.
With all the test fitting, I had the lipped piece so bent out of shape (as in my curve began looking like a rollercoaster) that I contemplated just doing a small lip and welding it onto another piece of metal (that piece in the foreground). Decided that route would need alot of adjustments also, so kept working the original piece. Glad I did, as it didn't take much to get the curve back.
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RudyO
1/2 ton status
Finally, one day with no rain. Got the second air box welded in. Lil more problems with that one as I missed some rust and got a lot of blowthrough. But it's in and solid. Just not smooth on the backside.
Got the first coat of RustBullet applied. Just checked it over and only missed a quarter sized spot above the drivers air box. Gonna cover that before work and try to apply the second coat tonight. Not bad, considering I was using a one inch foam brush, some leather dye swabs, a pocket flashlight and mirror. Think it's easier to do when it's dark, because you don't have as many shadows to throw you off. The whole cowl took maybe half a pint.
Once the second coat is dry, gonna apply some 3m seam sealer to some of the areas, like the inch thick globs at the bottom corners of the windshield. Pulled all that out to RustBullet under it.
Got the first coat of RustBullet applied. Just checked it over and only missed a quarter sized spot above the drivers air box. Gonna cover that before work and try to apply the second coat tonight. Not bad, considering I was using a one inch foam brush, some leather dye swabs, a pocket flashlight and mirror. Think it's easier to do when it's dark, because you don't have as many shadows to throw you off. The whole cowl took maybe half a pint.
Once the second coat is dry, gonna apply some 3m seam sealer to some of the areas, like the inch thick globs at the bottom corners of the windshield. Pulled all that out to RustBullet under it.
Please tell me you got rustbullet all over your hair and legs and hands, If not.... lie and tell me you did to make me feel better. Looks good man, i like how you are paying attention to areas alot of people(myself incuded) ignore.
RudyO
1/2 ton status
Well, I did the male thing. Thought about the precautions (suit included), then half-azzed it. Jeans and a black T-shirt. And alot of disposable gloves. Not even a baseball cap, which I usually wear.
T-shirt got one drip from leaning against the cowl and RustBullet coming through a screw hole. Jeans got nothing. Hair got nothing. Most damage was contained to the left forearm (holding paintbrush). Lil on right elbow, and very lil on the left hand (mostly from changing out the gloves). Which is incredible if you consider the tight spots and sharp metal a cowl has.
This is after a shower with just a bar of Irish Spring. My neighbor wanted to lend me a can of acetone...
Don't give up hope yet Dave. Round two is in about 10 minutes and I've worn a half can of Herculiner before!!
This part of the project is almost complete. Once sealed up and protected I'm thinking about replacing the rotted area under the tailgate. Still need to do the floor and rocker area, but for some reason that tailgate area bothers me.
T-shirt got one drip from leaning against the cowl and RustBullet coming through a screw hole. Jeans got nothing. Hair got nothing. Most damage was contained to the left forearm (holding paintbrush). Lil on right elbow, and very lil on the left hand (mostly from changing out the gloves). Which is incredible if you consider the tight spots and sharp metal a cowl has.
This is after a shower with just a bar of Irish Spring. My neighbor wanted to lend me a can of acetone...
Don't give up hope yet Dave. Round two is in about 10 minutes and I've worn a half can of Herculiner before!!
This part of the project is almost complete. Once sealed up and protected I'm thinking about replacing the rotted area under the tailgate. Still need to do the floor and rocker area, but for some reason that tailgate area bothers me.
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RudyO
1/2 ton status
Last coat on. Didn't do the whole thing because I went up, down, sideways, and reverse double checking everything. Tonight was just low areas and seams, and I'm 100% sure I got all areas humanely possible to reach. Damage done- very lil additional RustBullet on me, and a lil blood loss. This stuff is only about 10% shinier when fresh- it's hard to tell what areas I've already covered. Gotta be better than factory though. The seam sealer (after drying out) seems to have invited the most rust around the air boxes.
Decided the tail gate repair thing can wait. Gonna perforate/fill the cowl next, and plan ahead to protect what I am finishing...
Organized means you know where everything is at. I'm 98% organized. After 15 minutes of searching, the cowl was in the basement.
Decided the tail gate repair thing can wait. Gonna perforate/fill the cowl next, and plan ahead to protect what I am finishing...
Organized means you know where everything is at. I'm 98% organized. After 15 minutes of searching, the cowl was in the basement.
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see, now if you cleaned all that out you wouldnt have to worry about rain.
RudyO
1/2 ton status
Glad I finished the RustBullet last night and found a project that fits on the welding table, cuz here come the clouds again. Haven't figured out a way to fit all that in the wifes' RV (yet)...
Haven't decided if I should take the easy way to fill the cowl vents by just welding from below (as it looks in the pics). It would work, but still leave a pocket for leaf collection.
Or should I cut and fit each piece and weld each of those channels from the top. Think the top method would look cleaner, but there are recessed areas in each, such as those ribs that run verticle in the pic... Decisions...
Haven't decided if I should take the easy way to fill the cowl vents by just welding from below (as it looks in the pics). It would work, but still leave a pocket for leaf collection.
Or should I cut and fit each piece and weld each of those channels from the top. Think the top method would look cleaner, but there are recessed areas in each, such as those ribs that run verticle in the pic... Decisions...
Rudy,
Leave your projects to the "Gods of Chance"....
If it's sunny, work on the truck.
If it rains, build some shelving in the garage and get that mess organized.
After a few weeks of mixed weather, it won't matter if it rains or not.....you'll at least be able to pull the truck halfway in and work on one end at a time!
Leave your projects to the "Gods of Chance"....
If it's sunny, work on the truck.
If it rains, build some shelving in the garage and get that mess organized.
After a few weeks of mixed weather, it won't matter if it rains or not.....you'll at least be able to pull the truck halfway in and work on one end at a time!
RudyO
1/2 ton status
I keep wanting to argue that "clean things up" point but I wouldn't have much of an argument, lol. Fact is, its the big stuff (such as the six engines hidden in the pic) that takes up the room. I just tend to use every available surface to store stuff!! The pic was taken at the garage door, and that clutter in the foreground is just a disguised 500+ lb welding table/work bench. It doesn't move too far!!
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RudyO
1/2 ton status
Action shot of closing the airboxes. They will be complete before work, to include paint.
ChefBear
1/2 ton status
Shop
Don't let these guys guilt you into "organizing" everybody has their own system. Here's my dust free environment!
Don't let these guys guilt you into "organizing" everybody has their own system. Here's my dust free environment!
My 'shop' looks worse...
I figure do the best with what you have, asking for more leads to more unfinished projects.
Rene
I figure do the best with what you have, asking for more leads to more unfinished projects.
Rene
