1982 Chevy 3/4 ton toy build:o)

[Wes]

Right after we got this set up I started messing around with paint schemes. I kind of like how this looks. You'll have to excuse my lousy Photoshop skills:wings: Bumpers will be white. Grill will be blue to match the body.

I have been thinking about building a ram induction style hood just to see if I can(o;

I think I want to get a set of stock steel wheels also?

More later...

~Wes~

 

[Mc Taco]

We were measuring today and I might still not have enough room to shut the tailgate? I was going off memory and didn't actually take any measurements till today. I'll have to put it in to see for sure. I'll try and do that tomorrow. But the piece needed fixed and that's done. I might have to make some new hinges if the gate wont shut?

~Wes~

Just build a whole new tailgate. Sure it'll be a lot a work, but then we get to see the cool pictures of your skills Good luck, I hope it fits.

 

[BurbanAZ]

good looking work and nice welds.

 

[Wes]

Thanks for the compliments:ylsmoke:

I managed top get the steps all built and bolted up. What a job!

I capped the square tube to make it look a little better. You cant see the brace underneath. It bolts from the square tube to the truck frame.

Getting closer\o/

I need to make some tabs to weld to the grill. Then it will be bolted on. Then back onto the rear bumper with swing out tire carrier.

Thanks for watching,

~Wes~

 

[DoMiNiC1]

Great work man. Love to follow these DIY rigs. Happy fabing.

 

[chilliwak]

Wes, you have some excellent:Wow1: welding/fabrication skils! I look forward to following your build!

 

[Wes]

Thanks for the compliments(o:

Today I got a little done on my Rear bumper. It started as a flat piece of 1/4" plate. At work I broke it into a C shape. When I got it home I cut a couple wedges out of each end and pinched the ends together. I then beveled the edges that were welded. They were then welded and I ground the outside smooth. After that I made a couple mounts to bolt it to the truck and welded them on the inside of the bumper. This is where I started this morning.

I made a couple cardboard templates and traced them onto my steel. I cut out the pieces and cleaned them up with a grinder. Here is one end clamped and ready to be Tacked into place. The piece on top is to keep the top flat.

Last weekend I had cut out a couple piece's of pipe to form the corners for my bumper. Here one is tacked into place. I was going to try and keep it smooth looking but I think it looks better with the corner recessed a little.

That's as far as I was able to get today. I did get both sides this far though\o/

Next I'll cut out a couple end pieces and tack them into place. After I weld it up, I can start on the swingout for my spare tire\o/

Thanks for watching(o:

~Wes~

 

[Wes]

I don't have much time today. But I'm always thinkin.

The tailgate has been bugging me. It would almost close before. I couldn't believe that I was still too short. I started checking things out. It turns out that the rear pillar in the box is slanted forward and the tailgate lip hangs inside the box when closed. So the 1 1/4" I gained in the front I loose in the back when the gate is fully closed. Grrrrrrr!

This will let me make a proper tailgate(o: \o/ Plus the old gate will donate some material to the front of the truck. I'll save that for a surprise(o:

~Wes~

 

[Wes]

I got the axle for my swing out tire carrier drawn up today. I had bought some bearings a week or so ago. I rummaged through my scrap and have located a suitable piece of shaft to turn it out of. Let the machining begin!!!

Stay tuned(o:

~Wes~

 

[Wes]

Here is my material. A piece of 2" shaft(will be the pivot axle), A piece of 3" shaft about 1.75" long(will be the dust cap and support), and a piece of heavy walled tubing (will be the hub).

Got the pivot axle roughed out. Here is a hundred thousands deep roughing pass with a hand ground HSS bit on a LeBlond lathe made in 1932.

I'll try and get this piece finished up tomorrow evening. If there re any questions please feel free to ask(o:

~Wes~

 

[Wes]

Tonight I managed to get the hard bits done on the axle for my rear bumpers swing out. I turned and polished the bearing surfaces, tapered the middle, and threaded the end for the castle nut. I just need to cut it off and turn the other end down to size.

I'll start boring out the hub next. I want to see if I figured everything out right(o:

Later,

~Wes~

 

[Wes]

A few days ago I found a couple of short pieces of 2" stainless in my junk bin\o/ I started thinking they would work good to plug those two ugly holes in my front bumper. During break and lunch today I drilled and tapped one end of them and then shaped the outside a little. A little polish after work today and they are bolted on(o:

After those shenanigans. I got back to work. I cleaned up the outside and roughed out the bore of my hub.

Then I roughed out where the bearing will sit.

At this point everything was pretty hot so I'll let it cool off and try and finish it up tomorrow after work.

Thanks for watching.

~Wes~

 

[chilliwak]

Things are looking good:Wow1:Wes. My advice is when things get too hot, drink some cold beer!

 

[Wes]

I managed to get the hub and dust cap turned last night\o/ Everything looks great!!!

I have a little left on the spindle and then I can get back to making the bumper.

Later,

~Wes~

 

[Wes]

Went to the local Pick A Part this weekend and found a nice door. There is a small amount of rust on the bottom but it will be way easier than the door that is on it now. As soon as my new hinge springs get here I'll put it on.

There was a giant wasp nest in the truck that held the door. I was amazed that I didn't get stung!

~Wes~