Author Topic: SquareD Part 3: Body work, paint, roof rack, and farther off course ... (Read 179861 times)

Flyin6 · « **Reply #350 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:25:23 PM »

I must have been really at it, rockin away listening to my Christian Rock station and sanding up a small dust storm, because the red dog came in a' sheakin and scored my new big screwdriver. By the time I figured out that it was gone, she had reduced the handle length by nearly 2"

I thought I take a picture of what the dog looks like without a 9mm hole in it:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #351 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:26:43 PM »

Tried to chop off some more body parts today, but didn't succeed. I did, however get some more stuff done on Square D

First up was the prep for paint of the door jamb and door

Flyin6 · « **Reply #352 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:27:36 PM »

Then the painting just like the opposite side.

We've seen this in detail for the other side so I won't press here, just show the results for those who may be tracking the project

Flyin6 · « **Reply #353 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:29:03 PM »

OK, paint done...needs to dry, so on to item next.
Still concentrating on getting the cab box done so I can set the bed back on, I started fabbing up the hard points for future additions.

As always, I started with a paper pattern

Flyin6 · « **Reply #354 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:30:06 PM »

The concept here is to beef up the roof so I can later mount up a hefty roof rack with loads of dead spotted owl, which taste really good! Right up there with pileated wood peckers...tastes like chicken.

So this pattern will become a piece of thicker steel to which I will construct a strong anchor point.

Here's the shape of things to come:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #355 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:31:36 PM »

I know what you're thinkin'...Did he fire five times or six...What about it, punk, feel lucky?
Sorry drifted some there...Dirty Harry...
No, you're thinkin the plywood is flat, but the hood is rounded...Or you're brain dead and not thinkin' at all.
Know what, I don't care, and neither does anyone else.

Anyway the plywood got clamped up and turned into steel

Flyin6 · « **Reply #356 on:** October 10, 2014, 12:54:58 PM »

pics aren't fuzzy are they? Didn't think so...

So next I drilled a whole bunch of holes in them just because I felt like drilling a bunch of holes. Then cleaned that mess up again

And started forming the curves with my handy red dog taming device

Flyin6 · « **Reply #357 on:** October 10, 2014, 12:57:31 PM »

I got them to fit pretty well, but taking my time and forming a little at a time

Flyin6 · « **Reply #358 on:** October 10, 2014, 12:58:27 PM »

Here's a before and after on the right aft hard point

Flyin6 · « **Reply #359 on:** October 10, 2014, 12:59:53 PM »

Then after marking the position and location of the holes, I ground away some primer, leaving most of it in place

Flyin6 · « **Reply #360 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:00:35 PM »

Next I applied the sparky electric glue

Flyin6 · « **Reply #361 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:01:27 PM »

I used some more sparks on the welds and came up with this:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #362 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:02:16 PM »

While all that was happening, the paint dried and happiness was achieved!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #363 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:03:03 PM »

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cudakidd53 View Post
What's the planned edge treatment for the hard anchor points, sparky glue or fiberglass from Tac Topper?

It would seem I should use automotive seam sealer after the rest of it gets welded on. THis is only the base
You will see square steel tubing pylons grow out of this base with some nut plates to act as the base for the foot(s) of the RR.
Had a dream...Weird. First I was in Australia...Wife was an oil executive and we had to go there to follow her. That has nothing to do with anything, but just thought I'd mention it...
So I saw the transmission cooler residing up there in that roof rack, and I sez to meself,
"Self, I ought to place the transmission oil cooler up there, I sez!"
Then I started in thinkin'
Two things
1. That always costs me money
2. Sometimes it works
So I got a little past startin in thinkin, to the actual thinkin part
I sez, ya know, I ought to convert all those flexible lines into that hydraulic hose you see on back hoes, tractors and the like.
I continue this dreamin'/thinkin' state and in it, I see two hard lines running up the back of the cab all anchored in pretty like, then they terminate into two flex hoses that lead to a PDB (Pretty darn big) oil cooler, jest like the Armee does on its HMMVs.
And then the wife work me up and I went and ground up some quoffee beans, which leads me to this very moment in time
Wasn't that a nice story?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #364 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:04:20 PM »

OK, Ken, cool...glad to supply a laugh

I can post up some but I have a date with a lobster tail in about 1.5 hours and that is moistest important.

Anywho, I did the one armed paper hangar thing again today, putting that lead filled door back on by me lonesome

Flyin6 · « **Reply #365 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:24:26 PM »

Now this is the weird part. I simply pulled the two pins to yank the door a couple of days ago. Just prior to reinstalling it, I installed new bushings just to be sure, although the old bushings were tight.

So I go to close the door and I discovered a tear in the space time continuum right in my garage. The door didn't fit. Since no physical explanation fit, it must have had something to do with aliens (Not Mexican types) and the fabric of space and time.

I know for sure that door was taking up some space, and it darned sure cost me more time than I had planned to readjust all those hinge bolts.

But just like any well fought battle, I won the day and the door shut!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #366 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:25:35 PM »

OK, diner didn't work out too well.
Went for Red Lobster...But with a hour plus wait, we opted for something fast.
That was Chinaman's food, which was not good...Well so much for stories, let's get back to building

Remember those hard points?
Well they grew

Here's the extensions which will serve as a nut plate and the actual station the roof rack bolts to

Flyin6 · « **Reply #367 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:27:09 PM »

Here's how they will fit

Flyin6 · « **Reply #368 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:27:58 PM »

There is a 3/8" nut welded to the inside of the top side. The hole in the bottom is to use to roseweld the mount to the base plate if needed.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #369 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:28:37 PM »

First a good cleanup with the flap wheel

Flyin6 · « **Reply #370 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:30:18 PM »

Then each one was welded to the top plates

Flyin6 · « **Reply #371 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:31:21 PM »

Along with the inside

Flyin6 · « **Reply #372 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:32:35 PM »

Next up, I attached the two upper snorkel mounts

Flyin6 · « **Reply #373 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:33:14 PM »

Both mounts

Flyin6 · « **Reply #374 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:33:56 PM »

Here is a piece of 3" tubing showing alignment of future snorkel tube. The actual tube will likely be a section of 5" or possibly even 6" tubing, room and bulk dependent

Flyin6 · « **Reply #375 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:34:41 PM »

You can thank this horrible windows 8.1 for the problem and lower picture quality, as the photo editor I now have to use lacks many features and ease of use the old program had. Little things like turning photos is sometimes missed since the effort and time to edit has probably tripled

Time to seal up the mount with seam sealer

Flyin6 · « **Reply #376 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:35:15 PM »

Using the Mark 1 eyeball and the nose probin' hand mounted digit, of which I still can use effectively to count to ten, I smeared the gooey stuff all over creation getting some of it on the actual part, but most on my Bengals sweat-shirt

Flyin6 · « **Reply #377 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:36:41 PM »

After that all cures, I'll sand then prime it, then the entire roof gets a coat of Bed Liner since once the expanded metal bottom of the roof rack gets bolted down, there won't be easy access to the roof anymore

Flyin6 · « **Reply #378 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:37:16 PM »

And the state of the build (SOB) as of close of business today:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #379 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:37:56 PM »

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wantamax View Post
What is the plan for snorkel build? Steel, fiberglass? Filter on top or air box under the hood with filter them the snorkel feed a sealed air box? Kind of curious, I've wanted to build one for the Tahoe one day.

Edit: You posted the steel tubing as I was typing.

I plan to build a bulkhead isolating the air filter area from the engine bay. Then I'll close off the area between the fender and the wheel well with fiberglass which will make for a huge air channel and chamber. Finally I'll open the rear of the fender for a piece of tubing that will stub off to a point just below those mounts. I'll connect that stub to the actual snorkel tube with a piece of silicone hose and top it all off with a prefilter, centrifuge device, something like you'd see on a piece of heavy equipment

Flyin6 · « **Reply #380 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:39:05 PM »

Mo progress, unlike our congress

The emphasis remains the exterior finish of the cab because as we know the bed bone is connected to the cab bone, and therefore with no cab bone, no bed bone...which as we know eventually leads to the suspension change bone.

So, here's the start before much sanding:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #381 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:39:44 PM »

And after some close and personal attention with the orbital and a 120 grit disc, here's what it ended up looking like:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #382 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:40:26 PM »

This is the cheapo harbor freight sander I am using attached to another cheapo harbor freight vacuum.
I must admit, it sure kept the dust to a minimum

Flyin6 · « **Reply #383 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:41:23 PM »

Next I removed the mirrors

Flyin6 · « **Reply #384 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:42:48 PM »

Then I went to work on the pesky stripes and killed kias decals squared proudly wore...until today

Flyin6 · « **Reply #385 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:44:13 PM »

Then the heavy rubber side moldings were relegated to history

Flyin6 · « **Reply #386 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:45:17 PM »

A quick way of removing the glue is to hit it with the cup grinder, then work on what remains with a rag soaked with liqueur thinner

Flyin6 · « **Reply #387 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:47:30 PM »

A quick way of removing the glue is to hit it with the cup grinder, then work on what remains with a rag soaked with liqueur thinner

Flyin6 · « **Reply #388 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:48:41 PM »

Then both doors were sanded along with everything else, first with an #80 grit pad, then followed with a #120 grit pad. THen the back window was taped up ready for the primer

Flyin6 · « **Reply #389 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:49:21 PM »

Here's the primer

Flyin6 · « **Reply #390 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:51:11 PM »

For today, I only sprayed the roof and the back panel with that primer mixed 50/50 with thinner

Flyin6 · « **Reply #391 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:52:07 PM »

The paint is still a little wet in spots, therefore the strange shading

Flyin6 · « **Reply #392 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:53:34 PM »

After it dried:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #393 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:54:50 PM »

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wantamax View Post
Is the paint finish going to be flat on it? Or are you clearing it? I know the Tahoe will be ready for paint in the next few years and have contemplated painting is a flat tan with black bed liner on the lower doors.

Just flip back a few pages...
All those photos already posted show OD green, WWII, semi flat.

That is the actual paint going on the outside as well.

The roof above that obvious seam will be bed liner in black. The rocker panel will be bed liner. The two fuel filler port-plates will be bed liner, and of course the bed will as well.

Of course I want the paint to look good, but paint in this case is more of a rust inhibiter than a "Look"

I am trying to achieve some low observable characteristics to the vehicle. That's why it will have very few shiny areas, it sports a quiet exhaust, and we have yet to see the forth coming sound absorbing mat going on everywhere.

What you're seeing is only primer

Flyin6 · « **Reply #394 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:55:43 PM »

Quote:
Originally Posted by Armalite View Post
Good looking truck there Don. I've started noticing more and more of these gen 1 trucks running around my neck of the woods. Kinda getting the itch to pick one up... Hmmmmm......

And you should!

Kinda like a old Ford 7N or 8N... not only do they still exist having left production half a century or more ago. people still use them and they still work!

These 12 valve mech injection Dodges are the stuff
They will always do the job any of our 2500/3500's can do and for a LOT less. They are dependable and in my case at least, they feel more like a proper MAN's truck. My Chebby, which I love feels like my wife's caddy only with some burliness. The Dodges make no apologies. The fit and finish of the body is simply no where near that of the new Chevy, and know what? I like that!

It rides rough, belches smoke, is noisy, rattles and at the end of the day is one hell of a hard working truck that ALWAYS starts, is devoid of electronics and is simply raw, naked truck DNA smashed together in some gigantic press into a bunch of ill fitting parts that work together like the Philadelphia symphony!

For the money, it's a magnificent truck. This is my first. I plan to acquire a crewcab and do the deal on it as well. These trucks are the ones I will use until the grave claims me and I go home for good!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #395 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:56:30 PM »

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wantamax View Post
Ok. Wasn't sure it that was what the actual finish was going to be or if it was just a base. On the outside, will you be using a base/clear in one or a two stage base then clear?

Ken has it correct. Single stage run what ya brung stuff. No hardener, no base coats, no nothing. Add in a bit of reducer just so air can squeeze the stuff through a tiny little orifice and blast it out and yer done!

It's as simple as the rest of this brilliant truck. Repairing the paint will be as easy as whacking on a brush full of the stuff or scratching up the panel and respraying. Bugs in the paint will not hurt but actually help to break up the outline, aiding in camouflage, so it's all good.

And it's cheap. $35 or so a gallon!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought 4 gallons of it. Three for the actual truck and one to spray at wasps and that D!N$@<% Red Dog. spray paint kills wasps instantly, so does carb cleaner. I actually call the stuff "Spider Cleaner"

If I yell for one of the little rangers to get me a can of spider cleaner, they will show up ricky-tick with a can of carb cleaner. Now paint, when used as a weapon, has the added effect of blinding the critter before it suffocates it. So one second the thing is buzzin' around having happy bug thoughts, the next instant it enters IMC (Instrument meteorological conditions) a flying term we helo drivers don't like so much. Well the thing quickly realizes that there is something coating it's Mark 12 eyeballs when it experiences sudden stoppage against some wall.

Then as it's regaining control. it realizes ice or something has covered it's wings causing a catastrophic loss of lift, and the added weight of this sticky stuff wreaks havoc on its center of gravity. Losing lift, and over weight now, flying blind, it increases power which due to the fact that more paint is on one wing than the other causes an asymmetric increase/decrease of lift and the thing enters an unrecoverable spin. Sometimes the imbalance of lift can cause an inverted spin which is off the hook to behold, especially, me being an A-V-8-ER.

Well during this plunging out of control blind spin the bug suddenly needs a great deal more oxygen due to it's having increased power production to the redline. About one instant later it realizes it is not processing oxygen any longer due to the sticky ice like stuff covering it's streamline body. That's when it all starts to turn dark. The bug's last thought is probably something like, "Where did I go wrong, I never got to sting anyone," or something like that. Then unconscious, it's monocoque body hits the ground and someone like me walks over to examine the wreckage. Then with the final application of pressure, (In bug weights and measures) of about a trillion tons of force the landing gear from the big walking giant crunches the body of the dead bug producing what is actually its last sound ever heard, a crunch.

And that is why I bought the extra paint.

Well, almost. Red demon possessed dog...I figure that red dog is gonna come a sneakin in around the most critical part-painting time. I figure she will be looking for a screwdriver or pliers to snack on. She won't know it as she slows to half speed while approaching me from the "6" position that I have loaded the gun up with a little bit extra paint. As my aft facing extra-sensory hairs start to stir from the slight tremor in the force that red dog is creating, I plan to reel around and get one good pass across the head somewhere of that awful beast. In effect while painting it, although I will feel really good for a moment, all I will really be doing is to increase it's effectiveness. You see, having partially camouflaged it, the dog becomes all the more stealthy, a fact none of the cats are going to appreciate much. But in a small way, I'll feel like justice was finally done, and I'll sleep better that night!

And that's all I have to say about that!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #396 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:58:25 PM »

Got a bit more done today

Started on the firewall

Flyin6 · « **Reply #397 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:59:24 PM »

The rubber almost looks green already.
Anyway the name of the game was to strip the firewall of everything, then prep it for paint.
Look what I found behind the sound proofing:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #398 on:** October 10, 2014, 02:00:30 PM »

I think some critter took up housekeeping in there. Good thing I checked it out first

I thoroughly cleaned that, stripped the old felt and fiberglass, then repainted it with interior plastic paint

Flyin6 · « **Reply #399 on:** October 10, 2014, 02:01:20 PM »

Then the sanding began