Work Shop Truck Build

[Rocket]

Well,
After not being happy with my first 2 attempts, after today I think I'm heading in the right direction with the shape of the back of the rear fender.

I firstly filled the void with a piece, but it went to a point (it just didn't look right ) so after much undoing of work & shrinking, the shape was getting there, but I still wasn't happy. What to do, well, cut it out & start again. You'll see 2 weld lines. I cut out part of the first piece & made a new end.
I thought I was going to have to re-do it AGAIN!! but once I welded it in & then continued to shape, it started to come good. plenty of planishing to go, but it's kinda close now

 

[gooned]

wow- like most stuff out from under - simply awsome...

just read through it all, subscribed

 

[Rocket]

wow- like most stuff out from under - simply awsome...

Geeeeeeee, that's a bit of a worry (but thanks anyway )

I'm still not totally happy with the overall shape of the fender, I might even close the wheel opening in a little, but not as small as a Pickup one (plus, then I'd be making more work as I'd have to do all 4 )

Of course they will have to be shaped to fit the bed, but that is another story, just as the front ones will be, the grille shell etc etc etc etc etc etc
(Oh! I'm now considering a flip front.............. I'll have to work on that one )

Lots to think about!!
(a BIG hole to fill, 5" each side........... might be time to find someone good at photoshopping)

 

[jktruck150]

Instead of filling the front in, could you widen the grill out? That thing is still looking better every time you post!

 

[Rocket]

Instead of filling the front in, could you widen the grill out? That thing is still looking better every time you post!

Who said I was going to fill it in????????? Just a big "hole" to fill! with grille
(it was always going to be grille, just what shape/design/profile is yet to be determind )

 

[Rocket]

just to let you know, I have already cut up some pics, with the "original" style of grille filling the hole. (does that explain it better) "filling doesn't always mean with solid panel

 

[HOTFR8]

Extended Grille ? Sounds like it will look the part.

 

[Rocket]

Well,
Sorry guy's (especially Jason)
I had to go into work not once, BUT twice today (even though it's Sunday )
Anyway, I walked past my desk & looked at the pic I have cut & shut & meant to scan it & bring it home on my flash drive..............but of course, I just walked out the door after getting stuff from the workshop & completely forgot (as i said! TWICE )
Maybe CAUSE it's Sunday is why & I did have other things on my mind

 

[HOTFR8]

CAUSE it's Sunday is why & I did have other things on my mind

Thats the day for family or to be out in the Rod not in the workshop depending on the weasther ofcourse

 

[Rocket]

Thats the day for family or to be out in the Rod not in the workshop depending on the weasther ofcourse

I drive my Rod every day, so why would I want to do the same thing on Sundays?
Weather, smeather. I drive it rain hail or shine (or the night as it was when I came
home tonight )

Other stuff to do like clean the trailer out etc as I have a HUGE week this week (I have a '47 Long door to get done by next Monday) I'm well into it already.
it comes from 1000km's away & he will be back through then, so guess what I may be doing next weekend instead of working ont he shop truck & having family time ??

Anyway,
back to the important stuff!!
I finally remembered to scan the pic I cut up.
A bit rough, but you might get the idea of what the grille "might" look like

 

[PeteMoore]

Just a quick and rough one

 

[HOTFR8]

Just a quick and rough one

I think that sure looks good. Not many would pick the wide grille as not stock.

 

[PeteMoore]

Bit neater this time

Lower valance required reshaping to suit the original grille lines, Centre vertical section is now original size, etc etc

 

[Rocket]

Cheers guy's (your legends )
I don't have photoshop to do that kind of stuff with, it sure give me a better idea of what it may look like

Yes, I would like to run the original V8 logo with trim & maybe even the outside trim.
I have a good original hood handle/emblem which I found on evil bay from the States a couple of years ago, so the plan has been to keep it "looking" as original as possible, but who would know. Thinking more seriously about the tilt front too!!

I'm still struggling with the tracks, especially as I would still like to run duallies.

Thanks again

 

[HOTFR8]

So it will be a truck if you run dualies. Have you looked at a Ford Transit rear ?

 

[autoclassicnut]

This is great...Talent beyond my wildest dreams, I bet Chip Foose would have some great input for this rig.

 

[Rocket]

So it will be a truck if you run dualies. Have you looked at a Ford Transit rear ?

Far too small wheels (they need to be around a 33" tall tyre on the rear)

 

[Rocket]

This is great...Talent beyond my wildest dreams, I bet Chip Foose would have some great input for this rig.

Gee, if Chip got involved................... I may as well start again, but "scratch build it"

(I'm yet to do a scratch built car............ not sure I have enough years in me for that!! )

 

[jktruck150]

Well, you gotta pay the bills, so the '47 Long Door has the priority. Sorry about the assumption! That fat grille will look great!!

 

[HOTFR8]

Far too small wheels (they need to be around a 33" tall tyre on the rear)

I realise that but it was a suggestion for ideas as you are a Hot Rodder after all

 

[Rocket]

another door bottom frame repaired (2 to go ) well, not quite finished!

 

[ctgoodman]

Love the metal work going on in this build. I'm subscribing to this to see more.

 

[Rocket]

another little up date:

Got to fill the gap in a rear door (the top section of door was "stolen" from an opposite side to square the top up) anyway, I do not need the recess, so it has to be filled in.

I shaped a piece to fit

Tacked in:

Welded up & started to clean it off, before I remembered a pic

A bit of filler added, with the edge to go, but I had better places to be (like going to a mates to check out the progress on his race car )

 

[HOTFR8]

Looking good. Was over your way (almost) on Friday. Did not get across the border.

 

[Rocket]

Looking good. Was over your way (almost) on Friday. Did not get across the border.

Phew!!
thank goodness for that!!

 

[HOTFR8]

Phew!!
thank goodness for that!!

Yes lucky for you I would have been a big waste of time for you as I would have wanted to know about every thing in your workshop or I could have been a good paying customer wanting some goods from you.

 

[HOTFR8]

Rocket ! Updates ?

 

[Rocket]

Nope!!
(if you have to know........... I have been pretty crook for the last 2 months or more. I got a hiatus hernia a couple of months ago & then to top it off, I got really bad food poisioning at the Bendigo Swap ...... it took me 2 days to ge home & I have only just started eating normaly now. I have 3 days until a month off.......... I just do not get normal holidays, so this has been a long time coming....... & to top it off, I still can't find any decent staff )

So tis Christmas wishes to all & I'm just tinkering around at the moment

 

[HOTFR8]

That is not good news on the health side of things and I hope you let the Swap organisers know about the bad food.

As for staff you do not have to tell me about that. Why I subcontract much of my work and then sometimes subcontractors are just as bad.

Well I hope you have a healthy Christmas and much needed rest so 2012 has better things to offer and we see some updates.

Take care mate.

 

[Rocket]

Yup!!
(only 3 days to go )

.............dunno how I'm going to handle a whole month in Qld??
I'll just have to I expect
A decent holiday has been a long time comming (years) so I do not feel quilty at all ............ yet

I have just trialled a bloke from interstate, but no go (people just don't give a squat these days......... I would have killed for a job in a Rod Shop when I was young) anyway, I sposse I'll keep looking & I still haven't been ale to replace my apprentice who left this year & the part timer last worked in March

I do have another new school kid starting in the new year, so who knows how he'll go. This year's one finished today, he's hopeful of getting an apprenticeship, but in refridgeration
I put a different kid through each year, but I am yet to find one who is keen enough to take on a full time job

Getting pushed into moving another car from 2013 to July next year, but that will depend on staff I spose, so I just hope I can get back onto the Shop Truck.
I am going to look at an F250 Super Duty when I'm in Qld. so I'm back on the thinking of plonking it on that chassis & drivetrain to speed it along & then the running gear I already have, can go into one of my COE's

C'Ya

 

[HOTFR8]

Yup!!
(only 3 days to go )

.............dunno how I'm going to handle a whole month in Qld??
I'll just have to I expect
A decent holiday has been a long time comming (years) so I do not feel quilty at all ............ yet

You will handle it well. The break will give you time to think of ew ideas and start over refreshed

I have just trialled a bloke from interstate, but no go (people just don't give a squat these days......... I would have killed for a job in a Rod Shop when I was young) anyway, I sposse I'll keep looking & I still haven't been ale to replace my apprentice who left this year & the part timer last worked in March

I do have another new school kid starting in the new year, so who knows how he'll go. This year's one finished today, he's hopeful of getting an apprenticeship, but in refridgeration
I put a different kid through each year, but I am yet to find one who is keen enough to take on a full time job

What is it with people these days ?

Getting pushed into moving another car from 2013 to July next year, but that will depend on staff I spose, so I just hope I can get back onto the Shop Truck.
I am going to look at an F250 Super Duty when I'm in Qld. so I'm back on the thinking of plonking it on that chassis & drivetrain to speed it along & then the running gear I already have, can go into one of my COE's

C'Ya

Do not rush into that decision as you may regret it later specialy given all you have done to date. As I said before a break and time to think is what you need. Have a safe trip and Seasons Greetings.

 

[HOTFR8]

Any updates ?

 

[SixStringMadness]

Great build!!!

 

[Rocket]

Any updates ?

Nope!!
Still snowed under with work
Still can't find any staff either

I did look at the F250's in Qld & also a F350 to base it all on.
I'm even more convinced than ever this will be the way to go & the current chassis & running gear I have will end up under one of my COE's

Also trying to do a little work on my Roadster Pickup (I was heading to Valentines this weekend in it) but still no fenders So long as I get them done for the Nationals.........thats all that matters
It's tough working on a car that is used daily

As soon as I can find at least one staff member, I'll attempt to get back on the shop truck (I'm already starting to think about the 5th wheeler plans)
I have to find aclosed in car mean time too, so as I have plenty of running gear lying around, as 'A' Tudor might be the go (but after I catch up on some work

 

[HOTFR8]

OK you have lost me now. Do you plan to put this project an an F series chassis with a 5th wheeler and keep the chassis for another COE project ?

 

[ridestreet]

i really like how this is turning out, cant wait to see the finished product

 

[Rocket]

OK you have lost me now. Do you plan to put this project an an F series chassis with a 5th wheeler and keep the chassis for another COE project ?

Yup!!
kinda what I always wanted (a commercial based Pickup)
Diesel tow rig.
I have somehow ended up with 2 COE cabs (cab no. 3 & 13) a good mate owns cab no.2 ..... it was HIS FAULT I now have these cabs

Anyway, As much as it pains me to report there is no work ATM, I have at least been thinking about the project while being busy with other things.
I plan on building a mk.2 version of my closed car trailer, but with a shower, toot & a kitchen, probably a tri axle gooseneck (then the current trailer will be for sale )

I had sooooo many people through the workshop today (on the way to our Rod Run down South) & they all seemed to be asking about the Shop Truck

 

[SixStringMadness]

I had sooooo many people through the workshop today (on the way to our Rod Run down South) & they all seemed to be asking about the Shop Truck

Which Rod Run?? Pigeon Forge??

 

[HOTFR8]

So you have seen the Diesel light as a tow rig. Working on my trailer at present making sure the F4 can tow it. Will need a paint job after I have replaced the side lights.

Which Rod Run?? Pigeon Forge??

My guess would be Valentines Rod Run in Mt Gambier. If you missed it Rocket and I are both In Australia.

 

[Rocket]

Which Rod Run?? Pigeon Forge??

Yep! Just back now!!
(Valentines Rod Run in Mount Gambier, South Australia )