51 Ford

[idrivejunk]

Do you have anything for the ends other than being rounded?

Like um...  whut? Not sure what you're asking. I may have a visual for you this afternoon on it. Below the bed floor, the bottom corners are rounded in pretty much every direction and theres a tiny wraparound like the front.

First thing, I welded up the pan sections enough to remove it safely. While I was there, I contemplated attachment of the whole mess and how to bolt the bumperettes in. There is an open backside to this which I will close off but need access panels on, for those.

Lets watch it unfold, together. 



For a brief scenery change, I hopped to the top of a pocket. Switched to a hotter setting doing the pocket, as opposed to the cap. Now I know there ain't many MIG'ers out there but this pic shows to go ya... too much heat is a slagfest. Enough is enough and the scenery I show just won't get very pretty. Alas, I'm a grinder not a welder. And theres stuff that matters and stuff that don't.

[idrivejunk]

[jaybee]

Your quest for ideal fit and tight gaps always amazes me with the detail shown.

[kb426]

AHH, more progress.

[idrivejunk]

Getting started on the left side-


The scene below was expected, and the new corner pieces are the guide since I laid those over one another for final trimming and thus, know they match. Bumper gets tweaked to fit the opening-



So far, so good on the right. Ready to remove and pretty up-





So, in this rerun pic, all is as I wish thus far. Bottom left to go and I'd have got it today but had to pitch in on the A for an hour first thing.



All swell! 

[idrivejunk]

[kb426]

Looking good.

[idrivejunk]

Thank you Bill.   Its far enough along to take off now but I am about to make the rounded corner pieces first.









Comparative patterns from the right side were used to assure uniformity on the critical spots, and things played out as anticipated in the touchy bumper corner wrap area. I am satisfied with the appearance but it won't really start to look nice in pics until epoxy, mud, and primer. You know what it looks like from behind already just fine.

Heres my theoretical pattern for the pocket rounder-offers-

[chimp koose]

Pocket rounder looks like a nice finishing touch

[idrivejunk]

Might be a little classy, even.  Thats way uptown for a fat old F1. Both are bent, one is cut. Looks like-



These sit flush with the rail ends, not the gate. From the side, a sliver of gate shows. You'll see. Heres the other one-



Rocket Pounder would be a racy, provocative race car name, wouldn't it?  For one competing against Oldsmobiles, of course. I just never know whats gonna pop out of my head next. 

Breaking news... a box arrived, said to contain gate latches. Perfect timing.

[kb426]

Still movin' !

[jaybee]

Two thumbs up on the pocket-rounder-offer and the way bed rail end fillers have the edges eased. Those things add a lot of finish to that part of the truck.

[idrivejunk]

I accept your offer.    I like rounder-offer better.

It will all require love from the bondoist in me, to uniform things that last bit. Since the box will be welded at every corner, I will be slicking out the front rail ends same way plus the connection to front panel on top.

There was some small bonus finishing touch pieces for these finishing touch pieces depicted in the recent line drawing, as well. I will see if I still like them in person.

Meanwhile...  the stock door handles and drip rails become increasingly alien in the midst of the prevailing look.

Stand by for the late edition IDJ show which will resume in progress. Variety blurb: This luxurious interpretation of square Bronco is something I had a tiny hand in several many years ago-



Theres a bit of nostalgia in my liking it. See this filler panel just above the bumper? First whole bolt-on panel I fabbed. Aww.

[idrivejunk]

Blew the focus on this pic which was to show striker in and grinder smooch bond prep-



Latches work dreamy.   'Course strikers come with them dad blame SS button heads which haha can't be used because the roundy offy dealies prevent straight-on access. Yay, but didn't particularly enjoy the thread filing part of the day after chopping down two plain hex bolts to length. One striker was being persnickety about perfect threads.

So heres the twins, ready to go-



Black stuff inside, 36 grit on bond areas, 3M 8115, and clamps all ready to go-



I lay beads on each surface then use a spreader to cover all bare metal with that. Another round of small beads then. Toward inside edge of bond on truck, outside on part. Then clamp. Be ready to start welding in the AM. Pan can come off with these on-



Get a load of the camera distortion on that gate. Yow!

[idrivejunk]

Heres something just mentioned. Little patches in square corners around the gate. Makes it prettier / more interesting in my imagination. I think thats because it adds tiny diagonal elements, helping those on the rail and bumperette ends to seem less lost  Mainly I believe the uniqueness of that approach would keep 'em staring longer. Standing at the corner of the truck with tape on, it imagines cool. Thinking I'll present them as an available add-on once its about buttoned up without them.



Pan is off. Did inside welding so far-



These are welded on-





Did some plug welds at bottom of pockets to lock the bedside positions. Now I have to figure a couple things out. How much rear face of rear cross brace to hack out, and how exactly I'll handle boxing it back in while leaving bumper access-