SkinnyG's '61 Chevy Apache 10

I'm enjoying the thread as always, but more importantly, sending good vibes your Dad's way.                                                                     Hang tough, Skinny.

Faux white-walls (photo saturation changed to better portray the actual orange):

You know what is hard to install all by yourself?  The Hood.  The hood is hard.

Use some "studs" (long bolts with the head cut off) top use as a "pin" to keep the rear hood mount hole in the hinge, while you fumble to get the front bolt in.  Then unthread the "pin" and thread in the rear hole.

All the while balancing the hood on your back/shoulders/head.

In reply to SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) :

Those wheels are teh hotness. I love it! Grand dad had a '61 C10 Apache stepside that used to be an irrigation district truck. It was sunflower yellow with a black hood and black stepside fenders.

I learned how to drive a manual in that truck.

Met with pop's case manager today.  Some new at-home assessment since he's come home from the hospital. They've begun paperwork to get pops in a home. Freaking yay!! Such a relief.

Ordered a new Champion Rad, rated at 700hp:

Assembled the front, discovered just how "not perfect" things don't line up, and really stopped caring about it:

And blasted/primed/painted the Hydroboost/Power-Steering cooler:

That radiator sure looks nice. Also, I am reminded by your IC upper mount that I need dimple dies!

I made my own set out of mild steel.  They last just fine for the amount I use them.

Also fabricated a die to form my own logo to put in the blank tailgate I bought:

SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) said:

Also fabricated a die to form my own logo to put in the blank tailgate I bought:

That is bad-ass!

Do these fill panels need seals?

And..... Because of the raised inner fenders, I had to cut off the springs that hold the hood up.  So..... hood supports! OBS Yukon/Blazer hatch supports, and purchased 10mm-ball-&-5/16-UNC-stud.

I made a commitment:

In reply to SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) :

Looks like a great choice. The die also came out sweet!

That die and the whole truck is awesome. 

In reply to SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) :

Not sure how I made it this long without subscribing. I've learned a ton from your posts and your videos.

That's cool to hear!

(I soak up info from your build as well, man!)

First blocking, and second coat of Epoxy Primer.  The walnut bag of fender carnage has, at this point, ZERO filler. Even _I_ am impressed.

I see you, fender-edge defect.  Curses....

Wow that is impressive! 

SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) said:

That's cool to hear!

(I soak up info from your build as well, man!)

Skinny's inner voice: OMG note to self, *don't* do it like that!

\m/

No - it's ideas I harvest.  Quality of workmanship is just whatever their capability is.  I build to _my_ capability, which is still not where I want it to be.  It's ideas I soak up.

In reply to SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) :

Ok, that I believe. I've got some good ideas packed into MonZora, and my execution capability is improving. GRM is a great place to live and learn.

Wasn't 100% happy with the feel of the fenders, so there is a bit of filler.

And added some filler to the bed.

Oh wow.  Just wow.  

I've always bought the CHEAP cans of filler.  But this time I splurged and bought the good stuff.  Wow.  I bet I would have enjoyed bodywork a whole lot earlier in life if I had used this stuff before.  

Just wow. INFINITELY better.

edit: added "right" and "left"

In reply to SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) :

So are both the ones pictured good, or is one better than the other?