More spare tire updates...

After quite a bit of trimming, then fitting then trimming and then some more trimming and more fitting, then a lit bit of grinding and then more fitting....I was able to finally get the spare tire bump tacked in place.  There is still a little hammer and dolly work that needs to be done before I can finish weld it, but it's getting close.  Overall, the shape turned out really good and will be fairly easy to metal finish.   

I normally would have ground the paint off around the hole before I started welding, but my 4 month old daughter finally fell asleep after fighting it all day.  I was not about to wake here with the soothing sounds of an air powered die grinder and chance upsetting her and my wife....

Filling the hole...Making a panel for the spare tire....

Since there is now a large unsightly hole cut in the drivers rear fender for the spare tire, something needs to be done to fill it.  There have been quite a few individuals that have suggested to simply turn the piece over that we cut out and weld it back it.  That could have been done, but it didn't really fit well nor did it really look right.  So, we just went ahead and made a new panel.

The first step was to make a paper pattern.  The paper can actually tell you quite a bit about what has to be done to the panel to get the shape.  Where the paper is folded, the sheet metal has to be shrunk and where the paper is tight, the sheet metal has to be stretched.  The gold tape is just for some extra pizazz....

With the paper pattern fitting fairly decent, I outlined the edges of the hole with a crayon.  I cut the pattern closer to the finished shape leaving about an 1/2" from the crayon line.

That was then transferred to a piece of 18ga and cut out using my $20 high quality Harbor Freight electric shears.  Ironically, those shears have lasted years....I am truly impressed....

To start getting some shape in the flat panel, the center was stretched using a plastic mallet and a sand bag.....

 ....then the edges where shrunk on the Pullmax using thumbnail shrinking dies.  At this point, the panel looks pretty bad.  However, you can begin to see the edges curving upward.

After another round of stretching and shrinking the appropriate areas, the panel is starting to look like something usable.  Even though its about the rough shape that we need, it too lumpy to do anything with.  That's where the English Wheel comes in...

After a couple minutes with the smoothing action of the English Wheel, it's looking better...

With even more wheeling and the edges bent over, it's starting to fit nicely...

There still a bit more fitting and a little hammer and dolly work before it can be welded in, but it is getting close. More to come...

Sparing the details....

The spare tire mount on the '50 truck is starting to take shape.  We worked late last night trying to get everything tack welded together.  There are still a couple of mounting holes to drill and quite a bit of welding, but over all, it doesn't look too bad.....almost factory...

We started by taking some rough measurements of where the center of the tire needed to be when it was in place.  Since there really was no good way to hold the mount while we were making the support rods, we had to get a bit creative with some cement blocks and 2x4's...

There are two uprights that bolt through the bed that the support rods are welded too.  These are a 1x1 angle and will be held on eventually by 6 stainless 3/8" bolts.  These uprights go under the angled bed rail and bolt in near the tube for even extra support.  The last thing we want is for the tire to vibrate and the truck is driven.

A couple more pieces were welded in the help triangulate the mount.  Even though it is only tacked at this point, it is amazing how rigid it is.

Can't find an original...just make it...

After much unsuccessful searching, we finally made the decision to cut the original fender for a spare tire mount.  It was actually for the best as the original cutout was actually a bit too small for the size tire that's on the truck.

We were able to make a pattern off of an original fender with a spare cutout to at least get us close and make it look like it came from the factory.

  

I was almost a bit hesitate to start cutting...almost...but once I got a whiff of that nice shiny paint burning, all was good.

 

The motership has landed....

Speaking of new projects, our close friend just brought this beauty home.  It's a '57 Plymouth 4 door wagon  It must have had an interesting previous owner as the rear doors are welded shut...that's nothing a die grinder and a little determination can't fix...

The newest one is home....

So, we have yet another project or the shop.  This time, it's a '47 Plymouth business coupe.  Plans include a nova front clip, a 10 bolt rear and a SBC with a 700R4.  The paint is perfectly worn and there isn't too much rust to have to deal with.  It should be a fairly easy and straight forward build.....I know I've said that before...

First Drive...

The pinstriper was finally able to finish the wheels on Tuesday.  He did a wonderful job and we could not have been more pleased.  I'm am somewhat reluctant to put the hubcap back on as I am afraid that they will get scratched...

With the tires and wheels mounted, balanced and bolted on, the only thing left to do was to take it for a test drive.

What a difference!  This truck rides and drives so nice.  It floats over the bumps and you can turn the steering wheel with one figure.  It has plenty over torque down low and is just over an idle at higher speeds in 5th gear.  It's ready to be driven to the west coast...

The short throw shifter kit worked out great as well.  With the longer, original looking handle, the shift pattern is still fairly close together and clears the seat and dash with plenty of room..  It shifts so nice and smooth.