52 chevy chop and random projects

[Iceman32]

Hello all, my name is Chris and I'm a heavy equipment mechanic. Been a lurker on here a long time but after reading through Robert's shop thread I thought I'd post what his inspiration has caused.
I got this 52 chevy pickup from my first welding instructor when I was 18. He started the chop on it. I got in over my head and it sat for 12 years. After reading through some of Robert's tutorials I thought "that makes so much sense I bet I can do that"
So here's what I started with. I have a parts truck that is all twisted i can use for patch panels.
so first part was removing the inner panels and cutting out the roof section, figuring it would be easier to work the welds along the edge of the roof instead dead across the middle

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[BORING HOP YARD]

Hey Chris, that looks like a big project. I have been following Robert for years.
I have asked him questions on occasion and he has always been nice enough to respond.
I also follow him on http://www.allmetalshaping.com/index.php
I wished I could take a class from him so I could get input on my process from him.
Your cab looks like a good project with lots of skills you will learn.
Cant wait to see the progress, thanks for sharing

 

[Iceman32]

Thanks!
There was a damaged section of the windshield opening I wanted to get straightened out before starting to tack everything together

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[Iceman32]

Getting it all aligned and tacked

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[The Cobbler]

looks like a nice project. thanks for sharing

 

[guilobato]

Nice project, and good work on the roof.

Thanks for sharing Chris!

 

[Iceman32]

Next part was fitting the two filler sections at the top of the door openings. The front portion of the cab had been stretched a bit from damage at some point, i was able to get it shrunk down and aligned with the filler piece. And finished tacking the roof panel

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[stinkity stoink]

Looks like it will keep you busy for a while .Keep the updates coming.

 

[zmotorsports]

Subscribed and welcome to the forum Chris.

Looks like a cool project and awesome workmanship.

 

[Iceman32]

Thanks for the warm welcome everybody,
it's a lot of fun to be participating in one of these threads instead of just reading for a change. Here's some more pictures, now its just the slow process of welding and trying to keep it straight at the same time. Plus patching that damaged area on the upper windshield

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[captain14]

This is going to be a great project to follow along with. Please continue with followups.

 

[ng8264723]

Tig weld?

 

[Iceman32]

Tig weld?

A bit of both. It was easier to get everything lined up and tacked with the mig. But the finish welds were Tig with .035 er70s6 for filler rod

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[Iceman32]

Spent some more time on it last night finishing the welds on the windshield patch and working on smoothing things out

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[930dreamer]

Nice fab work, I always thought this type of work would be very rewarding.

 

[Iceman32]

Nice fab work, I always thought this type of work would be very rewarding.

Thanks! I really enjoy this kind of work, to me its a very relaxing thing. You can't rush it and I just methodically focus on one small area at a time

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[Iceman32]

Started on the back of the cab. Measure, mark, cut, trim, and tack

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[Iceman32]

It was a productive weekend.
I got the second corner tacked in place.
And then worked on the rear window, I didn't like the mail slot look with 4" removed, so I redid it only removing 2.5" I think it looks a lot more proportionate

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[MikeinNorthWales]

Hey, Chris, that is some nice work. Good catch on the rear window. Now is definitely better than later! Make it look the way you want. I'm not sure I would have caught that, thinking it must be right because I took the same amount out as the chop.

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[zmotorsports]

Fantastic progress.

It's coming along very nicely.

 

[Iceman32]

Thank you both!

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[Iceman32]

Continued welding on the rear panels.
And a repair I did for a friend. He is a riding instructor and a student crashed one of his rental bikes

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[Iceman32]

Spent some time trying to clean up and smooth out some areas

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[stinkity stoink]

Nicely done !!

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Nice work Iceman32, It easy to tell this isn't your first rodeo.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Iceman32]

Not a ton of visual progress. Just continued welding the rear window and corners.

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[Stooge]

Very cool project and great work on the sheet metal! those advance design trucks are some of my favorites. Does the upper door frame/ sill have a little peak to it from the chop or just the picture?

Subscribed

 

[Iceman32]

Very cool project and great work on the sheet metal! those advance design trucks are some of my favorites. Does the upper door frame/ sill have a little peak to it from the chop or just the picture?

Subscribed

A little bit, i have spme straightening to do still buts its more a visual illusion. I haven't welded the lower sill portion yet and there is still some paint so the grinding marks make it look a little wavier than it is

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[Iceman32]

Filled the filler neck hole in the cab. doing some more finish work my da sander locked up. Dissassembled and found the bearings are shot, will have some new ones tomorrow.

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[ChefRex]

Very nice work sir, subed!

 

[harley jim]

Been watching since you started. AD trucks are one of my favorite trucks I have had a few of them back when you could afford to buy them. Very nice work on the chop.

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[Iceman32]

Fitting a Couple more patches

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[harley jim]

Nice work Iceman

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[racer-john]

What Jim said x 2.

 

[Iceman32]

Thanks guys!

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[Iceman32]

Where the driver door Jamb was originally cut was pretty crooked, cut that section out and bent up a new peice.
And continued smoothing out the previous welds

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[Iceman32]

Started work on removing the leaded seams

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[Iceman32]

Started cutting down the interior panels

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[PWC Repair]

.......Just amazing!!!!

 

[stinkity stoink]

Great work. Keep at it !!