Road Worthy or Bust update

[Kurt Combs]

I spent most of yesterday cutting a big hole in the floor of my 72 F250. Actually the biggest part of the day went to fitting the two foot square patch panel so it would fit correctly. Took more time than I expected and I was working in direct sun and the temp was around 90 degrees. I had a good time though, using numerous weapons of destruction; spot weld drills, reciprocating saws, grinders and an old wood chisel. The old wood chisel works well for splitting spot welds and forcing sheet metal to separate. I had the replacement panel cut to fit the hole I created by about 5PM and called it quits for the day.

Today I fired up my $150 mig and started tacking it in place. It has been about twenty years since I made a living running a mig, but it came right back to me. I was pleased with the result and now the truck has a solid floor. BTW, I bought the mig from a guy on Ebay who said he was going out of business. It is great for the $$$, gas control and variable wire feed for $150. A full gas bottle cost me half of that!

Tomorrow I will complete the painting of the floor, to help prevent future rust, and reassemble the inside of the cab. I plan to duct-tape the seat and then install a new seat cover which should improve the looks of the truck 100%.

I also replaced the wire going to my temperature gauge today and I think all my gauges are now working. I won't be long, and I will be back on the road again.

Second BTW. If you have never welded sheet metal, talk to someone who has before you start practicing on your truck. It is completely different than welding barstock or 12 gauge or thinker. After five years as a fabrication welder I changed jobs and started welding 16 gauge stainless steel sheet metal, I hated it and it took me months to get used to the difference.

As soon as I get the truck completely reassembled I will post an update.

Kurt

[wildcard]

Sounds like it's coming along pretty well. I wish I could weld and cut but my eye doc says no bright lights. Got an eye disease which they say will eventually lead to total blindness. But I like to see folks welds. It amazes me how good some of them are.

[TheEskimo]

Sounds like it's going great!

[flyboy2610]

Sounds like it's coming along pretty well. I wish I could weld and cut but my eye doc says no bright lights. Got an eye disease which they say will eventually lead to total blindness. But I like to see folks welds. It amazes me how good some of them are.

Sorry to hear about your eyes!

[layedout72]

ya, no sense in building something you can't see when it's done.

[Kurt Combs]

Wildcard:

You might want to ask your doc his thoughts on how bad welding is. With a new hood and a lense that automatically darkens, you should have very little exposure. Now with a regular lense and you have to drop the hood every time before you strike an arc, one goof and you could have a "flash-burn", which will ruin any bodies evening. That you would not want to risk. Just a thought. BTW, you should probably stay away from others who are welding as reflected arc light can cause flash burns especially if the welder is working on stainlees steel or aluminum.

Update on my project: I scored a really nice black seat out of a 1975 F-350 today. It is the old style vinyl that I believe ford used in the thirties. That seat just makes it look like a real truck. They also had a nice green seat that was in really good condition and I believe it was in a 71 or 72 F250, not certain. I also scored a horn "button" for five bucks and now my horn works and I also picked-up an original screw jack and handle. Friday I will put some nice used tires on all four corners and I will be ready for a longer ride. Of course, I will at that time have insurance on the truck so I can drive it anywhere and be more comfortable.

Thanks for all your support!

Kurt

[wildcard]

Hey, I appreciate the thoughts and ideas guys. It's an uncurable disease so I don't worry too much about it. I still drive now but am extra careful as I have very limited peripheral vision and can't read signs until I'm at them.So look out for bumpsides in Northeast Texas. HAHA. Especially at night.

Kurt, congrats on the seat. Hope thatCalifornia suns not as hot on vinyl as Texas sun. OUCH

[Kurt Combs]

Wildcard,

Doesn't get to hot here in Lake County, probably 107 degrees today. Yesterday it was cool, about 95 degrees. I will probably put a towel on the seat before sitting on it in the mid-day sun. Besides, once you sit down for a few minutes your behind absorbs most of the heat!

Kurt

[71 LONG BED]

Sorry about your condition, Wildcard!

Layedout said, "ya, no sense in building something you can't see when it's done."

That is the worst comment I have seen on here yet.

[basketcase0302]

Kurt,

Did the 75 bench seat "drop right in"? "Bolt right up"?

Got one that I was sending to the boneyard next week.

Basketcase

[dablack00]

71longbed,

That is why he is called layedout72. If I was wildcard and he said that to me he would end up "layedout"!

[71 LONG BED]

I'm glad i'm not the only one who took offence to that. Now let's all go back to playing nice.

[Sharkdance]

Im not sure Layedout meant it in a deroguatory manner. Even if it is offensive to some.
Key is if wildcard is offended. If so, then maybe an apology is in order and we can put this thread back on topic.
If he,s not offended. Then he probably just wants to let it drop.

My

[Kurt Combs]

Basketcase,

The doner truck was an F350 and I believe a 75. The only difference I notice is a seatback stop on the side of the lower seat that comes close to the seat belt on the outside of the seat. The seat bolted right to the floor of my 72 with no problems. I got a compliment from a guy at a tire shop today about the seat when I mentioned I bought it at a local wrecking yard. I really like that it looks like a "real"truck seat. The vinyl has that old time leather look and no pattern on the seat cover. It would look great with a set of F600 gauges.

Kurt

[wildcard]

OK, I've been out of town a few days. As far as the comment, it doesn't offend me. I do think it was bad taste. I hope it was an attempt at some sort of humor. So I'm willing to drop it and enjoy Ford truck projects.

Sorry about the hijack Kurt. We would like a pic of the seat though. Sounds like it looks better than my cloth seat the PO put in. Mine is a little higher than stock .Only an inch or two but it makes a BIG difference. I'd like to go back to something lower yet still have the tall headrests. Also cant't lean it forward without the latch scraping the gas tank.And it's slid all the way forward.