1966 F100 Build-PROJECT DISRUPTIVE

Got some 3/16 cold rolled steel bar and using it as a filler welded it in the horizontal seam. This will be finished off with body filler. I then filled the rear vertical seams. The shape of the rear tail light panel is nothing like the side panel of the style side bed. This body work will provide a uniform shape all the wall down the side.

The bed seemed to be taking longer than normal to fix. The driver's side had been hit so the rear arch needed to be replaced. With the donor sheet steel I cut the openeing to match the new steel and using clips I held it in place until it was welded in. Got the mini tubs welded in. Measures 14" for a nice size tire  Stake pockets all welded shut. On to the bed seams...

The tank install was supposed to be an easy fix. Not wanting the smell of gas or the danger of having 20 gallons of explosives in my back seat I opted to install the popular 1970 Mustang 22 Gallon gas tank.  Well in the previous post I show where the x member that is supposed to be moved back now hits the rear bed brace. So the first order of business is to removed the rear crossmember. I then fabricated the frame to support the tank. Then I trimmed off some steel from the lower frame.  With the tank bolted to the 1x1 frame I set it in the frame rails to figure mounting locations. I added 2 tabs up front and welded them in. Then I drilled two holes and welded the nuts to the cross brace.

So I am getting the right tub welded in.  Cross braces were welded in on both sides and the tub was secured Now to get the mounts figured out Problem...The back brace that I moved back for the tank now hits.

The tubing was notched to allow for a flush fit The 14 Gauge sheet metal was spot welded from inside and outside I measured up 2 Inches and added tubing for the frame Once tack welded in I stitch welded them in solid The bottom tube was welded from the bottom .  The wheel tubs will be finished the tubing will support them as well

I used my new Chinese junk steering column to mock up the location of the column through the firewall. Looking at the Jag rack location i lined up the column. I then made a template from cardboard. I then used a piece of the old column to make a mount welding three nuts to the pipe. Now a  little more welding and some putty and we will have a clean firewall transition. Cuts are marked to make the cleanest cut possible. The patch is in with the tube. This is 2 1/4 and the new column is 2" with a floor shift. I will finish weld this and fill. From inside the cab showing the three nuts that I used from the firewall. Using small allen bolts/nuts will steady the column on the bottom.

I was thinking about buying a junk yard steering column.  I thought it would be great to just buy a new one. I found one on ebay for $169.00 shipped.  When it arrived I was excited to get ready to install it. I ran across an article about the dangers of Chinese Aftermarket Steeing Columns so I when down to the garage to investigate my purchase. I seen where these broke while driving and while sitting in driveways. Upon inspection I noticed that the "'Ball" that the tilt swiveled on was broken. I returned this for store credit. Here are a few pics of this:

I braced the front of the bed to remove the front panel. I placed a 2x2 tube to replace the stock bed rail and cleaned up the spot weld locations for the new steel sheet.

The front panel was dented and rusted out so I am removing the old panel and replacing it with 14 gauge sheet steel. My plan is to cut on the line and place new steel up to it. The piece is spot welded onto itself which will be a mess if I try to remove all the welds so I am looking at replacing the top rail also.

I decided to buy new tubs and add them to the existing tubs. This way there is one cut and a cleaner finished product. Removed the edge 4 3/4 bigger than stock giving a 14" wide tub  

We continue with the tubbing.  To recap I used the tops of a donor truck tub. Straight steel will be used to fill in the sides This is was was left from the cut.. I used this under the patch to help align the twp pieces. I placed the extra piece underneath and sandwiched metal to keep things straight. Here we are with the piece tacked in Placing a jack and a piece of steel I supported the tub. The cross brace aligned nicely