83 Longbed project for son's 16th birthday

[1981lt1]

[Mike81K10]

Don't forget to drill about a 1/16" hole in the bottom corner about 1.5" on each side of the Windshield channel so that it drains into the cowl area if water gets under the windshield seal. I am attaching a picture of drain hole on my truck.

[1981lt1]

Awesome.  Thanks for the tip.

[1981lt1]

Started working on the passenger floor pan yesterday.  I knew the driver and passenger floors were bad so I was prepared for this.

[Mike81K10]

Since you are removing the floor panels, check on your bushings, there are 4 on the cab and 2 for the radiator support. They are most likely worn out and it is difficult to get the old ones out. However since you are doing the metal work, it might be easy to get them done. You are making fast progress.

[1981lt1]

This thing definitely needs new bushings.  I'm on the fence if I should replace them now or wait until it gets back from the frame shop.  I guess it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

[1981lt1]

I got the passenger floor pan and all the other pieces tacked in today.  I'll get it finish welded tomorrow.  As you can see from the pic, I still need to make a little extension for the upper floor pan where it meets the firewall.  I was hoping the replacement panel was going to be more a "full" replacement but it wasn't. I got these panels from AMD and I'm not overly impressed with them.  I guess everything is made in Taiwan or China now so fitment is probably going to be questionable regardless of where I buy from.

[Mike81K10]

Your are making fast progress. Must be spending quite a bit of time on it. Good work knocking out the floor pans. Do you think the frame will be an easy fix at the frame shop? Iv'e never had to deal with straightening a frame.

[1981lt1]

I think it will be pretty straight forward.  Especially with everything removed.  Luckily the frame isn't part of the body so I don't have to worry about cracking or warping any panels. 

[1981lt1]

For being a project manager by trade, I didn't plan this week very well.  I am at a stopping point since I didn't order my driver side floor pans.  So, now I can't do much of anything until I get them.  Oh well.  I could use a bit of a break from this thing for a few days.

[Mike81K10]

Do you have to replace your fuel tanks? My tanks were very rusted inside and I have to replace my whole fuel system.

[1981lt1]

They look solid and clean but I’ll be replacing the driver tank with and efi unit from tanks inc. I’ve been doing a lot of research and even though I can still use both tanks for my LS conversion, I’m gonna go with a single tank. It’ll keep the wiring and plumbing simple and it’ll smooth out the passenger quarter.

[1981lt1]

I know I shouldn't be trying to set any gaps right now, especially knowing the frame is tweaked and the body bushings haven't been replaced.  But, I needed to check the door gap for the new rocker panel and then my OCD took over.  There is nothing worse than bad panel gaps on a freshly painted car.  So, after a bit of tweaking, I got the door as good as it's going to get.  With that said, this gap just won't do.  I'll definitely be fixing this...

[VileZambonie]

It takes a lot of work to get good body lines but it really shows that you care when you dial them in. There are so many of these trucks with bad body lines. One thing I've noticed is how the drip rail tends to hide the bad upper door to cab fitment and when they aren't there you can really see how far off they are. Once you get them all right though, it'll really stand out. Definitely don't fit the fenders until you have the body mounts and cab supports intact. Great progress!

[JohnnyPopper]

You're one brave soul!

I would have passed on that truck long ago...

Your reward will be great!