[78 Elk]

It looks like you are making good progress on your body work.

 

[EL S ONE]

Wish I’d tighten up my gaps prior to paint. 😐

 

[DJenkins]

Passenger side and hood ready for final blocking. Never "perfect," but overall I'm pleased with my backyard hack results. God, the metalwork and time I put in to get it to this stage.
How 'bout them gaps? Bring your calipers. Well maybe not, but not bad for an amateur, I think.

 

[1hellhound!]

once you paint it those gaps will disappear,,nice work !

 

[Sledge Hammer]

Just read your thread from beginning to end. Congratulations on a job well done! While you have a way to go, it is clear that it will be quality work and something you can be proud of.

 

[jeffz67]

Just read your thread from beginning to end. Congratulations on a job well done! While you have a way to go, it is clear that it will be quality work and something you can be proud of.

Ditto all of the above. I've done one frame-off in my life and that's enuf! Glad I stopped by.
Keep it coming. 👍

 

[DJenkins]

I've committed to a vinyl top. I just like the way they look.
I watched about 6 youtube videos and said "no way I'm doing this, I'm hiring someone who knows what they're doing."
Found a local guy, like 6 miles from me who is totally legit.
My "test" was "what glue do you use?" "Weldwood landau adhesive, nothing else." Test passed.
He came over and we talked through the process and he knows his stuff.
We agreed on what I needed to do.
I did it and the top is ready for vinyl. Filler work done and 2 good coats of epoxy.
Progress!

 

[DJenkins]

Working on the tailgate. It's a Dynacorn reproduction part (the original was totally "taco'd," no saving.)
What a surprise, it needs work. Pretty minor, all things considered, and I got it worked out.

I've decided to not use the factory tailgate emblem, because, well, it's ugly, IMO.
Here it is

I'm going to go with one from a newer Silverado. I think they are cool and will fit with the Resto Mod theme.
Here is the new one

The new emblem won't cover the factory holes for the original one and be in the position I want.
So, fill in the holes, right?

2 years ago this job would have been beyond me. Both the welding and then minor filler work after.
I would have stood in line and paid someone several hundred to do it.

But, I've learned a lot, mostly from the folks here, and I'm tickled beyond belief that this was no big deal to knock out in about an hour.

Factory holes

Cut some metal to fill in the holes

Welded it, ground it down and boom! Ready for a skim coat of filler and done.

This is fun!

 

[123pugsy]

Are you taking the emblem down to the center?

 

[DJenkins]

Are you taking the emblem down to the center?

Down 2-3 inches, right above the body line.

 

[Littlefield]

I don’t know if your fenders are coming off again but, if they are, you may consider installing the Vintageair evaporator and routing the AC and heater hoses into the engine compartment while they’re off. It’s really fiddly with them on.

 

[DJenkins]

I don’t know if your fenders are coming off again but, if they are, you may consider installing the Vintageair evaporator and routing the AC and heater hoses into the engine compartment while they’re off. It’s really fiddly with them on.

Oh, probably a great tip. But, if I have it my way, the fenders will NEVER come off again. I spent way too much time getting them aligned just right. I'll just have to "fiddle" with the Vintage Aire stuff.
Thanks though.

 

[jlcustomz]

Oh , I thought 68 year fenders were shimless and prefect fit from factory.
VA fitment is fidly tight with fenders, but most get done (struggled with) that way.

 

[pitts64]

I was wondering if you could drop the body right on the frame with maybe a 1/8 continous piece of rubber between the two. It would seem like it would make the car more stable and it would have that cool lowered look even thought the tires would all be in the stock location.

You have to love that fully boxed frame.

 

[DJenkins]

Oh , I thought 68 year fenders were shimless and prefect fit from factory.
VA fitment is fidly tight with fenders, but most get done (struggled with) that way.

Even NOS fenders, not even close , and they have shims, and the fit/finish from the factory was not great.
And my fenders are reproduction, just couldn't find a decent set of factory ones anywhere close to me.
And they took massive metal work to get to fit.

 

[jlcustomz]

Just kidding, I know. Been there , done that & when my 83 Side swiped a guard rail on the pass side, I cut out & welded in another oem section of the fender flare area in place to leave the reworked door to fender area alone.

 

[DJenkins]

Making progress but fell behind on the updates.
I'm painting the car in sections, it is just easier in a home shop makeshift booth setup.
Did the hood and front header panel first, along with the stripes.
The "stripe police" may call me out for putting 70 style strips on a 68, but I like them. My car, my choice

Then went on to shoot the drivers side in base and clear

And then the passenger side

Starting to look like what I had in mind when I began this project almost 3 years ago. Pretty happy with it!

Next is to block it all out with 600 grit and then 2-3 more coats of clear. Cut and buff after that.

 

[Sledge Hammer]

It is looking great! You can be proud of your accomplishments. If you don't have the Vintage air on yet and would like to hide the hoses, I believe you can just take off the inner fender to run the hoses between the inner and outer. I was able to take the inner fender off my '67 without having to take off the outer. You are doing a great job.