Lakeroadsters' Build Thread: '65 SWB Step

Found the cab corner splash guard thingys.
I'll have some time tonight to start scanning and trace in cad.

 

Cab Corner Splash / Gravel Guards for Step Side Bed

Great. I made a cardboard template today. I'll hold off on fabricating anything until I get your drawing.

 

I LOOOOVE this build thread. By far the most detailed and pictured one I have come across. I love how everything has turned out for you and I must say, I am glad the center caps wouldn't work. Leaving them off make it look more like a shop truck.

Mike

 

Thanks Mike. It's been a fun journey.

 

Cab Corner Splash / Gravel Guards for Step Side Bed - Mock Up

Lostmy65 (Robert) sent me an email with photos and a dimensional drawing showing the stock splash shield configuration. Thanks Robert, very helpful.

After looking at the stock pictures and Robert's pictures / drawing I decided to do things a bit different. I just can't leave things well enough alone.

See how the cab has a body line and then you can also see the line where the splash shield is... see photo below:

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If the splash shield was made to fit the back of the cab, instead of under the cab, it would look like less of an afterthought. Also if they were longer and went farther under the cab, and had an additional bent flange, that would also be better. So with that in mind here's a mock-up of the updated shield:









I'll post more photos and a drawing as things progress.

 

yes, please do

 

Cab Corner Splash / Gravel Guards for Step Side Bed - Drawing

Finished up the drawing today.. hope to get a chance this week to fab. these up.

 

These are just able to screw into the rear cab support?

 

Yes Mike, that is the way the factory designed them. On the original factory rear cab supports there are already holes, as drilled at the factory, regardless of if the truck was to be a step side or fleet side.

Here's a photo of the drivers side cab mount on my '65. The four holes that are circled are the ones that are used for the splash / gravel guards.

 

It's a bird, it's a plane....

5 picture montage of my crusty ole '65 as viewed from center earth

 

Cab Corner Splash / Gravel Guards for Step Side Bed - Fabrication Post #1

I was able to spend a few hours in the shop working on the step guards. I still need to fabricate the braces and then prime / paint.

A couple folks have asked how I cut and form the steel so I added lots of photos here.

I print out and cut full size paper templates of the components that need to be cut from sheet steel and then transfer the templates to the 16 ga. sheet using a Sharpie marker.

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Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

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This is the type of cutting disc I use with my 4 inch Makita angle grinder. I clamp the steel to plywood and cut through the steel into the plywood. This holds the steel sturdier.

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As cut components

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Components after finish grinding

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This is the type of flapwheel grinding disc I use for finish grinding

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Cab Corner Splash / Gravel Guards for Step Side Bed - Fabrication Post #2

To bend the flange I start by clamping the steel to my welding table, and then begin the bend with flanging pliers.

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Then I finish the bend using a rubber mallet. Again, this is 16 Ga. steel (.0598 th.)

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Finish bent component

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I bolted the brackets to the cab mounts, then held the shield in place and tack welded it. Then removed the tack welded sub assembly and finish welded the sub-assembly. Heres is the finish fabricated sub assy bolted to the truck. I still need to make back brace bracket and then primer and paint.

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I'll take some photos of the finished parts once I get the back brace brackets fabricated and installed. It took about 2-1/2 hours to do the above tasks.

 

Very nice, John. Looks like a product you could have laser cut in quantity at a "fab to order" shop and wholesale to parts houses or sell direct on ebay.
Any action on your louver press?

 

Thanks Steve.

In regards to fab'g and selling pieces parts, you're in good company. Folks keep suggesting this to me but I just think the legalities of doing this isn't worth the small monetary benefit.

I am unsure also if the fit and finish of these trucks would lend itself well to the guards. I used the truck as a fixture to bolt the pieces to and then tack weld the sub-assembly. That's probably why GM didn't design them the way I built these.

The louver press... no action, may never see the light of day. I've still got the plans handy though.

 

Cab Corner Splash / Gravel Guards for Step Side Bed - Fabrication Post #3

Finished fabrication on the guards by making the rear braces. I originally was going to use angle but ended up using some 3/8" diameter aluminum tubing. More photos on that once I finish sanding and de-glossing the shields to get their patina to match the truck.

Looks like the grand total expenditure on these is under $15.00 for the pair.

 

John, I'm tellin' ya, with your creative and fab skills your leaving money on the table. Form an LLC and buy some liability insurance and then just do what you like. Imagine the exposure I have, 40 ton 18 wheeler in modern traffic! I'll quit bothering you about it now.

One question, do you even own a lawn mower?

 

Yellow and Green

I sure do Steve! A John Deere 265 with over 1000 hours on it. I used to spend about 7 hours a week on it when I lived in Ohio.

Now, here in Colorado, it's kind of like me, on "light duty". Maybe an hour of work a week, cutting grass - or pushing snow.... maybe or maybe not.

 

Cab Corner Splash / Gravel Guards for Step Side Bed - Drawing - As Built Rev. 1

Updated the drawing to reflect the strut rod support, instead of angle.

 

Cab Corner Splash / Gravel Guards for Step Side Bed - Final Installation

Finished up the gravel guards today. We had a blue sky near 70 degree day here... and it's Dec. 10th.

Here are some photos:

Same Faux Patina process that I used on the rest of the truck:

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As viewed from under the truck:

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Exterior Photos:

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And a comparison photo showing an OEM style guard:

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I just love the detailed professionalism you put into your projects. Nice job!