Author Topic: 81 Chevy Beater  (Read 48015 times)

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #25 on: July 13, 2012, 02:21:20 PM »
Today I got a little done on my Rear bumper. It started as a flat piece of 1/4" plate. At work I broke it into a C shape. When I got it home I cut a couple wedges out of each end and pinched the ends together. I then beveled the edges that were welded. They were then welded and I ground the outside smooth. After that I made a couple mounts to bolt it to the truck and welded them on the inside of the bumper. This is where I started this morning.



I made a couple cardboard templates and traced them onto my steel. I cut out the pieces and cleaned them up with a grinder. Here is one end clamped and ready to be Tacked into place. The piece on top is to keep the top flat.



Last weekend I had cut out a couple piece's of pipe to form the corners for my bumper. Here one is tacked into place. I was going to try and keep it smooth looking but I think it looks better with the corner recessed a little.



That's as far as I was able to get today. I did get both sides this far though\o/



Next I'll cut out a couple end pieces and tack them into place. After I weld it up, I can start on the swingout for my spare tire\o/

Thanks for watching(o:

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline dsquire

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #26 on: July 13, 2012, 02:38:45 PM »
Wes

If you keep working on that truck like you have been it is going to be one super nice rig. You definitely will be able to go camping in style. I have been following along since the start and really see an improvement in the truck.

Thanks for sharing it with us.  :D

Cheers  :beer:

Don
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Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #27 on: July 14, 2012, 12:45:09 PM »
I don't have much time today. But I'm always thinkin.

The tailgate has been bugging me. It would almost close before. I couldn't believe that I was still too short. I started checking things out. It turns out that the rear pillar in the box is slanted forward and the tailgate lip hangs inside the box when closed. So the 1 1/4" I gained in the front I loose in the back when the gate is fully closed. Grrrrrrr!



This will let me make a proper tailgate(o:  \o/ Plus the old gate will donate some material to the front of the truck. I'll save that for a surprise(o:

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline dsquire

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #28 on: July 14, 2012, 12:50:57 PM »
Wes

I have confidence in you that you will get it all sorted out.  :doh: :D

Cheers  :beer:

Don
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Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #29 on: July 15, 2012, 11:15:10 PM »
I got the axle for my swing out tire carrier drawn up today. I had bought some bearings a week or so ago. I rummaged through my scrap and have located a suitable piece of shaft to turn it out of. Let the machining begin!!!

Stay tuned(o:

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #30 on: July 17, 2012, 12:14:19 AM »
Here is my material. A piece of 2" shaft(will be the pivot axle), A piece of 3" shaft about 1.75" long(will be the dust cap and support), and a piece of heavy walled tubing (will be the hub).



Got the pivot axle roughed out. Here is a hundred thousands deep roughing pass with a hand ground HSS bit on a LeBlond lathe made in 1932.



I'll try and get this piece finished up tomorrow evening. If there re any questions please feel free to ask(o:

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #31 on: July 17, 2012, 09:16:53 PM »
Tonight I managed to get the hard bits done on the axle for my rear bumpers swing out. I turned and polished the bearing surfaces, tapered the middle, and threaded the end for the castle nut. I just need to cut it off and turn the other end down to size.



I'll start boring out the hub next. I want to see if I figured everything out right(o:

Later,

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #32 on: July 18, 2012, 02:30:17 AM »
Hi Wes.
It seems, everyone's watching you, but no-one's got anything much to say......... 

Personally, I'm trying to figure out...... Just, what is a rear bumpers swing out??  :scratch:

Never mind, it will all become clear, in time. Nice work on the axle!  :thumbup:

David D

David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline Kjelle

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #33 on: July 18, 2012, 04:46:00 AM »
Hi Wes!
Been following this, and the Penny thread, you are sure motoring along! Wish I had your truck, with those bumpers, over here, just to intimidate the tailgaters and cut-off artist that seems to come out when I go to-and-fro work!

David D,  Wes is making a spare wheel carrier that swings out to let him open the bed gate (on the truck, that is...). I gather those wheels are quite heavy, and the dimensions for the carrier (and the bumper) need to be quite, eh, substantial...

Kjelle

Offline AdeV

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #34 on: July 18, 2012, 05:13:58 AM »
That's looking really nice Wes, class work. Did you make the castle nut yourself (I would have done)?
Cheers!
Ade.
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Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #35 on: July 18, 2012, 07:40:34 AM »
I keep the spare tire in the bed most times. But, when the camper is back there there is no room. It gets heavy lifting it in and out when we are camping. There used to be a spot under the bed to carry it but a previous owner changed the exhaust to a dual exhaust and the larger than stock wheels won't fit.

My swing out will hold the tire, a couple extra fuel cans, a Hi-lift jack, and a table to cook on. It will be removable from the truck (If you know how) It looks a little heavy but there will be a lot of weight bouncing around back there.

I bought the bearings, washer, castle nut, and cotter key. A friend of mine made some tiny cotter keys once. He showed me how to mill the wire in half. That might be fun to try(o:

Kjelle is right!

Thanks for watching.

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #36 on: July 18, 2012, 11:04:00 PM »
A few days ago I found a couple of short pieces of 2" stainless in my junk bin\o/ I started thinking they would work good to plug those two ugly holes in my front bumper. During break and lunch today I drilled and tapped one end of them and then shaped the outside a little. A little polish after work today and they are bolted on(o:





After those shenanigans. I got back to work. I cleaned up the outside and roughed out the bore of my hub.



Then I roughed out where the bearing will sit.



At this point everything was pretty hot so I'll let it cool off and try and finish it up tomorrow after work.

Thanks for watching.

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #37 on: July 19, 2012, 02:21:40 AM »
A fine bit of machining Wes!  :thumbup:

But, are those spikes legal, over there? They look pretty lethal, to me.........  :bugeye: :bugeye:

David D
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Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #38 on: July 21, 2012, 11:07:07 AM »
I managed to get the hub and dust cap turned last night\o/ Everything looks great!!!








I have a little left on the spindle and then I can get back to making the bumper.

Later,

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline dsquire

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #39 on: July 21, 2012, 11:12:46 AM »
Wes

That is looking good. By the looks it will be one strong unit. We're continuing to watch.

Cheers  :beer:

Don
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Never let it rest,
'til your good is better,
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Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #40 on: July 22, 2012, 05:46:02 PM »
Went to the local Pick A Part this weekend and found a nice door. There is a small amount of rust on the bottom but it will be way easier than the door that is on it now. As soon as my new hinge springs get here I'll put it on.



There was a giant wasp nest in the truck that held the door. I was amazed that I didn't get stung!

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #41 on: July 24, 2012, 08:11:02 PM »
With the extra 2" lift that I got with the skyjacker springs I think getting the camper in will be a little tough. I could barley lift it high enough before. So I built some cribbing for jack extensions. They are 8" square and 12" tall. Glued and screwed together. I made them out of pallet wood from work so they were nearly free\o/ They should store in the front cubbyholes of the camper when it's loaded also.



Before I lode it up there are a couple little things that I want to do. The front corner is splitting a little. I knocked it back together last time we used it but it came apart again. I bent up some 20'ish gauge at work that will be corner brackets. these should make it pretty strong.



The truck was running a little rough so I'm having the carb rebuilt. I bought a kit last week and its at a friends shop now. I hope to have it back in a couple days. I know how you guys like pictures so here is one more.

At the Pick A Part where I got my fancy door there was a T Bucket that they had built as their parts runner. It must be nice to have an unlimited supply of free tires. They did about 5 burnouts while we were there(o:



Thanks for watching\o/

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline AdeV

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #42 on: July 25, 2012, 06:53:33 AM »
Looking good Wes, it must be almost ready for paint now?

Don't forget getting in & out of your camper when you're using it, that extra 2" off the floor might mean you need to make a step; unless you take it off the truck to camp of course...

Most of the stuff built in 1981 in ths country has already rusted into oblivion - or is well on its way...
Cheers!
Ade.
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Offline micktoon

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #43 on: July 25, 2012, 10:56:08 AM »
 Nice work Wes   :thumbup:, I am missing the Penny Farthing project mind. As Ade said not much survives the rust here in the UK, even cars that were really common in the 1990's are a rare sight on the road these days, the Likes of Ford XR3i Escort that were ten a penny. The Landrover Defender has stood the test of time and all ages going back to the 1960's are still a common sight on the roads, I am glad to say  :D

As Stilldrillin said are those bumper spikes legal ? , you would be pulled over first trip out here and made to remove them and probably be fined and get penalty points on your licence too  :bugeye:,

 Keep up the good work , Cheers Mick.

Offline BiggerHammer

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #44 on: July 25, 2012, 06:10:09 PM »
I really like the bumper spikes. They look very nice. I think matching sets for the rims would be in order.  :thumbup:.

Offline steamer

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #45 on: July 28, 2012, 05:55:57 PM »
An Awesome Reclaimation!   I think your shins are going to look like your toe though next time you check the oil.... :D

Great Job Powder Keg!

Dave
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Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #46 on: September 06, 2012, 04:48:59 AM »
Here is my new door with less rust than the old one(c: We had to nearly take off the front fender to get it to fit.There is some previous damage that has the fender needing a little more work.



The grill I like! I turned some threaded bushings that were welded onto the back so I could use the original mounting holes. I'll get a picture of that when when I pull it off to blast and paint.



I have new power steering hoses that I am trying to find time to install next. Then back on the rear bumper\o/

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #47 on: September 06, 2012, 11:22:27 AM »
The grill looks good as do the flames on the side of the bumper!

Eric
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Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #48 on: September 07, 2012, 12:59:00 PM »
Thanks Eric!!

New power steering hoses installed. Check! (I'm sure that the return line was malfunctioning. one of the clamps was loose. But it has all new stuff now\o/)
Clutch adjusted. Check!

Now maybe I'll cut out a couple more pieces for the rear bumper:o)

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...

Offline Powder Keg

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Re: 81 Chevy Beater
« Reply #49 on: September 07, 2012, 08:21:29 PM »
I got distracted again. Those Junkyard rims are in the way.



I scrubbed them for about four hours with simple green, water, some grease remover, and Scotch-brite. Now they are ready to paint:o)



I'm going to try and do that tomorrow\o/

~Wes~
Wesley P
A Gismo ??? If it has a flywheel or spins and is made with small parts. I'll take one! If it makes noise, moves, or requires frequent oiling and dusting it's a better deal yet. It's especially right if its shiny and bright; but if it's dirty and dull it wont mater at all...