Always expect the unexpected. This saying is so common, so true, so prevalent yet somehow it still doesn't seem to embed its message into our brains-or at least mine, anyway. I don't know about you, but when I set out to do something I have it all planned in my head. Step A will be followed by B, then by C, etc. I don't plan any unexpected events in my course of action. I should, though, because no matter what I do there is always that elusive glitch. In my recent quest to lower the lid on my '71, the thing I didn't foresee was space-magazine space, that is.
When we left off last month, I had just finished buttoning up the top. Now, all that's left to do is finish off the inside of the cab and the doorframes. Because the A-pillars have been leaned in slightly, the doorfram A-pillar needs to be leaned in to follow the contour. IN order to do this, Chance made a relief cut on the sinde of the post and pulled in on it until it matched the A-pillar.
Now I knew the job would take a lot of work and man-hours, and it has. Still, I figured I would be able to cram all my efforts into two parts in the magazine. (Hence the reason I said we'll finish things up this month last month!) Well, I'm taking back my words about finishing things up this month. We're going to wrap things up ... wait, maybe I should bite my tongue ... in the near future. (That's a safe, middle-of-the-fence, take-no-responsibility phrase.) Why? There's just not enough space in this month's issue to shortchange the story and skip key points. However, we are going to cover as much as we can, so let's get to it.
This month we're going to work on finishing up the inside of the cab and the doorframes, as well as installing side glass with power windows. The one-piece side-glass kit is thanks to Brothers Trucks, and the power window regulators and such are thanks to Electric-Life. For the most part, this installment was true to plans and instructions, even though the truck is now chopped. I did run into another unexpected glitch: the side glass. Originally I thought things would work out, but the changed roof line interfered with my plans of using the Brothers glass, as you'll see. No problem though, it's nothing a simple trip to The Glass House in San Dimas, California, couldn't handle. Oh yeah ... in all seriousness, next month we will finish things up. For now, check out this month's progress.
Next, the piece of cut window frame, as seen in Part 1 of the story was cut and trimmed to match the chip. In this case, we cut 1 inch from the vertical edge and trimmed the horizontal edge. | 
Once things were lined up, the window frame was welded back to the door. As you can see, things are lined up nicely. Note: I would advise tacking the frame in place and then double-checking everything before it's all welded-up solid. | 
The next spot I had to finish pu was the B-pillar inside the cab, I cut out a small section in here tin order to cut the top off and made a relief cut up the pillar in order to pull the pillar forward to match the doorjamb. First, I trimmed the cut piece to match the lowered lid. Then I clamped it in place and began welding things up. (Standby for the patented tech story dramatic finish shot.) |
And voila! It's now as if nothing had ever been removed. | 
With the metal work all squared away, it ws time to focus our energy to the side windows. I ordered this one-piece window kit from Brothers Trucks, as well as the electric window regulators and wire looms from Electric-Life to handle the task. | 
The first order of business is to separate the spreader bar from the wing vent window assembly, due to the fact the spreader bar acts as the new front window channel. (Another fact to remember: I tossed my vent wing assemblies awhile back and therefore needed a new set. Luckily for me, Early Classic Enterprises has an abundance of old stock that they sell. If you ever find yourself in a jam and need a part, give the boys up there a call. Odds are, they can help you out.) |