Gary comes to call AKA three day build

[Comanche Scott]

Originally Posted by Gary Billings

The devil is in the details... for example, I put a spacer in the body mount channel so when the body mount bolt is tightened down, it doesn't collapse/dimple the floor. If I had not done this, nobody would even notice but having it in there makes it better.

The door alignment is a good sign that things went right.

I noticed this same issue, when I did the body lift. You are right, it makes that section much stronger by tying it into a quazi box structure.
Great move Gary!
You are sure making quick work of this project.

Scott

[Robert JetFxr]

Originally Posted by Gary Billings

Robert, you'll have your truck back soon!

I didn't get anything done last night. I was too tired. I got up early and hit it hard today though.

I got the dr. side floor, angle part, seat base, etc, all welded in. It came out great!

Gary no pressure here to get the Scout done, the Travelette was just an observation. I do not want to burn you out, or have you think I am walking. As you know I have more Harvesters than I can drive. Your work is spot on, that's why the truck is there. Also would like to thank you for the extra effort like the exhaust, you are not only a craftsman, but also a good friend.

[Robert JetFxr]

Originally Posted by gwinter1129

I noticed on your Scout and your Rat Rod you installed the engine/trans on the frame and then mounted the body after. I have a 71 Scout 800B and have just finished the engine overhaul. The body is in pieces ready to go to the body shop. Can I install the engine and exhaust and then drop the body on after? P.S. Gary, thanks again for the body mounts they are perfect. You two do nice work.

For the record I have a HOT ROD not a Rat rod, this will be more evident after paint. It is still in mock up/ build stage. As far as the engine yes it is a lot easier to mount it before the body goes on and there is less chance of paint damage also. You will need to install the body before the exhaust goes on however.

I second the fact that Gary does nice work, outstanding work in fact, that is why my Scout is there. I have the shop and equipment to do the work Gary is doing, but I know that Gary would do a much better job than I could have done, so Gary doing the work was a no brainer.

[Robert JetFxr]

Gary I have a question for you that will be good to bring out here, ~ what do the inner rockers look like ?~

Also how will you rust treat the inners before you install the outters, and close everything up?

This is going to be a great little truck, I know I will get years of trouble free service from it.

[Gary Billings]

Robert, the inner rockers look fine. I'm running a wire wheel over them to get it down to bare metal and spraying it with Rustoleum rusty metal primer and a whole lot of paint. It'll last a long time unless you take it to the rust belt and drive it in the salt

The pass. side floor is in and the door gap is good!

[Gary Billings]

On the early Scout 80's, there's a cover for the dimmer switch. The original was rotted out and I didn't like the aftermarket ones so I made one out of 16 gauge. It's bulletproof and should last forever!

Pic 2 is weird. It looks askew, but it's square.

The rockers should be here tomorrow but I'm taking a few nights off to rest up...

-Gary

[Comanche Scott]

Really enjoy watching your progress.
There is this paint from Eastwood, that has a long application straw with a 360* nozzle at the end. Have you considered trying it?
I'm thinking of doing this on tRusti, when the new body goes on. Basically spraying the heck out of every cavity before the final paint and body work. Also thinking about the same thing for the inside of the frame rails, after all the mods are done.
I've read differing reports on how well it works. Might try it on a bumper or something simple first.

Keep on the work is excellent!

Scott

[Gary Billings]

I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that I received the new rocker panels today!

The bad news is that these are about the worst ones I've ever received. Normally I have to do a little bit of work to get them to fit properly because the curve isn't right and for some reason there's a compound bend at the bottom which really sucks to straighten. The ones I received today have almost no curve to them at all!

So, I'm rejecting them.

I'm sending them back to the manufacturer tomorrow along with an OEM rocker panel with a small rust hole that I took off a truck earlier this year so they can get their templates/jigs/whatever correct.

This should correct the problems and hopefully future ones will fit like a glove.

Needless to say, the project will be on hold for a few weeks until I get the new & improved rocker panels.

-Gary

[Robert JetFxr]

Sad about the parts and the poor Q control, glad that I will have a prise winning rust bucket when you are done. I am thinking about paint colors now........................................
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JUST KIDDING......

[Gary Billings]

Paint? Haha! I don't know what we (you) are going to do with the new rocker panels. I was thinking that they should be painted the same white as the rest of the truck and then dabbed with a sponge and some rust-colored paint? Heck, I don't know

-Gary