1966 F100 Short Bed Styleside Metal/Body/Paint Work

[theastronaut]

I just started another '66 F100 short bed project at the shop, this time it'll be a mild custom. I'll only be doing the metal, body, and paint work instead of a full build like the last one ('66 F100 Stock Restoration).

I'll be fixing the rust, correcting the panel fit and gaps like the last truck, shaving some items on the dash, mocking up a Vintage Air evaporator, smoothing the firewall, adding spots for A/C vents, and painting the truck.

Here is the truck. It seems to be pretty solid overall other than the bed floor and door bottoms; definitely better than the other truck we restored.

[theastronaut]

Interior pics.

[theastronaut]

Panel fitment and gaps.

[theastronaut]

First update. I took everything apart that wasn't needed to make it run. All of the small parts were bagged and labeled so reassembly will be easier. I'll drive it around to one of the rear shop stalls tomorrow and finish dissasembly.

[SteveCanup]

Watching...

[Mr. Jones]

Mr.Astronaut,
Welcome back ......... how are you posting your pic’s this time.......it’s a bummer all your pic’s from the last one disappeared and I was following the Packard build till the owner stopped you and the International.This outta be a great show.......your work is phenomenal.......Thanks for sharing with us
Dan

[grump]

Looks like you're starting out with a cool custom steering wheel. lol I'll be watching this build. Glad to have you back.

[unibody madness]

Ditto, I really enjoy your projects you do exellent work

[theastronaut]

Watching...

Thanks for following!

Mr.Astronaut,
Welcome back ......... how are you posting your pic’s this time.......it’s a bummer all your pic’s from the last one disappeared and I was following the Packard build till the owner stopped you and the International.This outta be a great show.......your work is phenomenal.......Thanks for sharing with us
Dan

Thanks! I'm using Imgur now, but the photobucket pics should be back up.

Looks like you're starting out with a cool custom steering wheel. lol I'll be watching this build. Glad to have you back.

The wheel was really strange to get used to, even moving it around the shop a couple times was awkward. Appreciate you following!

Ditto, I really enjoy your projects you do exellent work

Thanks!

[theastronaut]

Teardown is finished. I'll finish removing the seam sealer and start blasting pieces next week.

[theastronaut]

I have the bed floor and header panel out now, and have blasted around the peremeter to prepare for welding the new floor in. A 2008 Super Duty floor is the same dimensions so we ordered one to use, along with a new header panel and front sill from Carolina Classics. The rear sill isn't available so I'll have to repair and straighten it.






The seam sealer was difficut to remove by blasting so I used a dremel to cut it out.




New floor and header.






Edges blasted to prep for repair work and new panels.

[ratrapp]

if you don't me asking whats the price on the bed floor?

[theastronaut]

if you don't me asking whats the price on the bed floor?

List price is $840, our cost was $620.

[ratrapp]

was that through ford?

[theastronaut]

Yes, local Ford dealer. They're slightly cheaper online but then there's freight charges.

[ratrapp]

thanks

[theastronaut]

The four corner panels were all bent and sunk in so I started straightening those this morning. This was the driver side rear panel.









I started with the flange, then used a socket and hammer to shrink the panel back flat. The socket "traps" the metal and lets the hammer push the metal into itself, shrinking the panel. The socket has to be bigger than the hammer head and you have to keep the hammer in the dead center of the socket or else you'll hit against the edge of the socket and stretch the metal. MP&C has info on the "donut dolly" technique in his '55 Wagon thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/show ... p?t=564201

[theastronaut]

Driver side front panel.








After:











I also made and fitted both front corners that were rusted.






Blasted and shot SPI epoxy on the two floor braces.

[theastronaut]

The inside of all the panels were shot with undercoating so I scraped all of it off to prep for blasting.








After:








The two center floor braces were bent so I used our tubing roller to straighten them.






They were also dented around the mounting bolt holes.




The truck was stripped and repainted at some time. The paint strips easily and quickly with a razor blade leaving a thin coat of primer and some spots of filler. I'll strip the primer/filler with a DA sander to avoid blasting and warping the bed sides.







I test fit the front header and cross brace, the filler panels I made, and the center braces.















Also cut out the rust that was on the flange that the bed floor spot welds to and welded in new metal.

[mercuryv8]

Looks like you're starting out with a cool custom steering wheel. lol I'll be watching this build. Glad to have you back.

I was super excited to see you have another build going. I remember really enjoying your posts of the last one.

Glad to have you back indeed!

Nic