As you all can see from past posts I guess I am building a new truck that looks similar to the 1951 Old Navy Chevy that I bought. Thankfully I didn't pay much for it. There are only a few parts and pieces that are usable. But I am determined to use something even if it is only a few pieces of sheet metal. The body work was the most difficult. All of the joints were first coated with (lab metal) second coat is (all metal) and then filler. All panels have been sanded with 180 and ready for epoxy primer. Then a new thought blind gas filler on drivers side! Still working on the gas door latch as there wasn't enough room to put the hinge on the front. Thinking of blind poper in the door post, but still just thinking. So here are the progress pictures. Mike
Very innovative and you have the filler on the side GM should have put it. You have WAY more patience than me to use Lab Metal. It's not easy to work with and we only use it for parts that are going to be powdered coated as it can take the heat.
Fuel Filler Looks very nice . I don't like recessed fuel fillers ~ don't forget to add a drain as sooner or later fuel is going to puke out or be spilled when filling up .
Thanks Evin, it has been a fun project. Nate I understand your concern about the fuel spills, expansion etc. I was just trying to do something different. I still need to fab up the funnel for the filler and will install a drain down and out for any spillage. I also found a door from the original to use and the cowl vent. Mike
Thanks Steve. looks can be deceiving I spent a fair amount of time 8 hours swapping a fairly good door shell from a 47/50 to a 51 with bottom patch panels inside and out only to find out it won't fit. It seems that while building the cab The drivers side door frame must have been wracked. I am going to try to use a portapower to shove it back where it belongs. My own fault though I should have held the door in place before welding the back and roof panels. I learn everything the hard way so I am use to it. I'll try to get some pic. Mike
AD Body Panels Mike ; Remember that the initial building of ANY AD truck was slaphazard at best as GM could have sold many more trucks than they did by simply adding a third shift but decided the money was rolling in just fine so no worries in spite of all the major Trade mags back then commenting on poor body gaps , doors that didn't close flush , rattles , squeaks and they all leaked like sieves in the rain . You're doing fine , keep on keeping on .
door alignment After much thought I have ordered two aftermarket doors. When they arrive we'll see if they fit any better. If they don't fit i'll need to brace the post from the door latch down and tweek the top portion of the cab to fit. Seems like a big deal but I'm still having fun. I could have just bought a truck already done and driven it last year but where is the challenge in that? Mike
I'm quite a simpleton, but... It seems like with your welding skills, you could add metal where the gaps are that you don't like, grind it down and be done with it. No? These old trucks were pushed through the line, so fitment is a whole nuther story. You'll get there though. Your determination and creativity matched with talent is what will get you there.
missing picture This is the big problem. I thought I had this picture in the last post. Thanks for the encouragement Zig. Mike
Door Fitment Your good photos clearly show the # 1 problem on AD Trucks ~ the 'A' Pillar to door gaps were more often bad than good , leading to water leaks and wind whistles . I applaud your mad skills ~ I wish I had them . I don't know where to find them but older body manuals clearly show using blocks of wood in the door jambs with a Port-A-Power to tweak the door openings into proper alignment bit by bit . I hope you keep on working on this and sharing the pictures . I was *so* lucky with my '49 3100 ~ the doors fit *perfectly and closed easily . Even the trim lines matched with the doors closed .
Seat frame wanted I am looking for a seat frame if anyone has one. Any condition will do as long as it's complete. Mike
Lots of time Well the new doors arrived. I was very excited to put them on and see if they fit any better than the old doors. No such luck! They fit even worse than the old doors. After several hours taking them off and on making adjustments I finally discovered the new hinges are only slightly different than original. 40 hours in the drivers door it looks good and I am happy. Passenger door not much is better but I hope to cut my time in half. I hope the weather stripping will work. Time will tell. Mike
Mike, Have not watched your progress like I should have. A tip on panel fitting whether it's door, hood, trunk, or anything with hinges. FIRST put the panel in the hole with NO hinges, latches, strikers, or anything else attached. This will show whether or not the panel fits the body. Add parts one at a time and for doors it's hinges first. If you lose alignment in any step along the way then it's in the last part you put on. We have run into wrongly installed hinge pockets that will throw a door off by a huge amount. Your work looks very good and I'm glad you chose round rod for the new edges---it looks so much more natural when finished out than flat metal.
Thanks for the advise Evan, I did pretty much as you described. The doors fit in the hole but needed work to fit well. I used new hinges and that was the first problem. There shape was slightly off from original. Secondly the hinge pocket in the new doors didn't allow full adjustment. As a carpenter with 40+ years I figured it out fairly quickly. I am a building contractor by trade and everything my customers should have committed to last fall have decided that they should go forward now and have it done by 4th of July weekend. Needless to say I may not have much time for work on the new truck for a while. So today I used my last opportunity to nearly finish both doors. The last thing I need to do is rework the door catch on the passenger side so it doesn't force the door down when closed. A little work with the die grinder and I should have it. Thanks to everyone for all of your advise and help. Mike
Mike, that is absolutely awesome~ What a twist from what you were faced with. Now I can't wait to see what you end up with as a finished product!
Thanks Zig, about all I have time for now is internet searching for parts. I had to cover it in canvas to keep the saw dust out push it in the corner and get back to the work that pay's for everything. That and tractor pulling will start soon. The finished truck may still be a couple years away. Mike
Cool tractor photos. The little Cub Cadet in the first picture- I have one just like it, a 1967, 10 horse model that dad bought in 1968. Dad made me start mowing with it as soon as we got it home. I was 8! Spent many an hour on that tractor, mowed for hire and earned all the money I had as a kid with it.
Mike, You won me over, I'm a real nut on panel gaps---a paint stirring stick wide, no more and no less. Excellent. If you can swing it the Altman bear claw latch makes a HUGE improvement on both door fit and safety. Bill Hanlon and Ol Chebby will back me up on this. Now for that tractor pulling; keep a firm control on it and not do as we did and let it get just a little out of control.
