The Trail Truck Bodywork Experiment... (Updates start Pg 3)

[496truck]

So what are you putting on the backside of those patch panels?

I work at a Volvo dealer and I have some really good, oily undercoating spray right from Volvo. The can even has a hose to stick up into the body for hard to reach stuff. It goes on really wet and drippy and ends up tacky and is eventually dry to the touch but it takes a while.

Now that I have a DD this truck is relinquished to garage status, nice weather, and wheeling. Unless one of the other cars is down of course. So that should slow down any further heavy rusting. I hope.

 

[Chevy305]

Now that I have a DD this truck is relinquished to garage status, nice weather, and wheeling. Unless one of the other cars is down of course. So that should slow down any further heavy rusting. I hope.

Yes "slow" being the key word here...

I'd say go for a solid gray or silver.

But this color has my nod:
Blue granite metallic

 

[496truck]

I actually love your color combo, but its your truck so do what you will.

That brown/tan combo grew on me while I've had this truck. It was very different from everything else on the road around here. I have enjoyed it in that respect. But it's time for a change. And as said before this truck is for trail use and I'm not going to spend big money and time on paint and body work. And if I'm gonna blast it with cheap paint then I'm gonna have some fun with it.

 

[Deuling]

Good call man. Im excited to see what you do

 

[496truck]

I got half the truck painted as I can only work on one side at a time. The finished surface is not as good as "real" paint but better than rattle can and way better than textured bedliner.

 

[swettysblazer]

Lookin good Brian!

 

[496truck]

Truck turned around. Now I can start working on the other side. I will detail this side a bit better.

 

[496truck]

This is the stuff I have to deal with on this truck. Rot holes in the upper bed rail. Old dents and rust below the tail light. And you can see holes from what I assume was an exterior spare tire carrier. The PO just filled them with some putty. He must have really liked that putty cause I have found it everywhere around the truck.

 

[496truck]

Removing the old body side moldings and pinstripe/decals. I found it best just to get up under the moldings and pull them off. I tried heating them in hopes it would take the glue off too, no such luck. Ripping them off cold yielded the same results.

The rubber stripper wheel works great for removing the decals. It's also really good at depositing hot melted bits of decal and rubber right on to your arm.

 

[496truck]

Last night I worked on the patch panel for the bed rail. Cut out a size big enough to cover the area. Placed it on the bedrail and clamped it down. Then used a big rubber mallet to take shape. Light and repetitive hits rounded it over the rail quite nicely. I was able to tighten the radius by holding it on the roll bar and hitting it with the mallet some more.

Not a bad fit for a beginner if I do say so myself.

 

[magik235]

Nice job on the patch.

 

[max 02]

Yeah that patch fits good.
What clamps are you using to hold it?

 

[496truck]

Thanks.

The clamps to hold it down while I fab it? Standard Home Depot C clamps.

The smaller ones holding it in place in the hole? They are some abnormally, almost disturbing, strong magnets from megnetic "flare" they give us at work sometimes. Those nametags that say "How can I help you" kind of flare. I never wear them. But I do save the magnets. They work really well for hanging my daughters pictures and class work on the fridge. Evidently good for holding patch panels in place too.

 

[SilverduneJimmy]

Looking good Brian.

 

[max 02]

Thanks.

The clamps to hold it down while I fab it? Standard Home Depot C clamps.

The smaller ones holding it in place in the hole? They are some abnormally, almost disturbing, strong magnets from megnetic "flare" they give us at work sometimes. Those nametags that say "How can I help you" kind of flare. I never wear them. But I do save the magnets. They work really well for hanging my daughters pictures and class work on the fridge. Evidently good for holding patch panels in place too.

The ones holding the pach in place are the ones I was asking about...I thought they were magnets but didn`t think they were big enough to hold. Those are cool!

 

[496truck]

Looking good Brian.

Did you get those emblems yet?

 

[SilverduneJimmy]

Did you get those emblems yet?

Yes I did. Thank You very much. You dont know how much I appreciate you sending them to me. They are in a lot better shape than you let on and will look awesome on my fenders.

 

[496truck]

Sweet, glad you like them. I was just gonna trash them.

 

[SilverduneJimmy]

Sweet, glad you like them. I was just gonna trash them.

One mans trash is another mans treasure. Drop me PM when you get the return package if you would. Just for my peace of mind.

 

[496truck]

I got that in yesterdays mail. Thank you!

Today I welded in the patch panel and filled the bolt holes where the spare tire carrier was. Also welded up the holes in the front fender where the emblem was. Then ran the DA over that whole side of the truck. It's dusty, dirty, loud work.

Oh, and if you're thinking I ground down all my booger welds so you guys couldn't make fun of them..... You would be correct.