Photo 13-2a thru 13-d) Photos show work I did on right side splash apron to
correct its shape. Work involved set up, bending, checking, then setting up
again in a different configuration, bending, and checking again. I did this
many times because bending something one way can change it in other ways, like
pooching it in its center. This was the same process I did the left
side. Note the square in the last photo. I also trimmed of the bottom lip of the splash apron (same as I did on
the left side splash apron). Later, I
will install a new and better strengthener which will also take care of the problem
of the miss-aligned holes (same as was done on the left side).
Photos 13-3a thru 10-3d) Photos show some bending
work I did using hydraulic jack. Second photo shows the reinforcement work I
did before using the jack. The reinforced area stayed put while I used the jack
to change the shape of adjoining areas. This work did not produce a lot of
results but it was a necessary step in a process to get where we want to be.
Photo 13-4a) Photo shows progress, slow but steady, still a long way
to go.
Photo 13-5a thru 13-5d) Photos show that
front of right running board is way out of square. Note: The first two photos kind
of look like the running board is on the car but it is not, I am holding it up
and away from the car. I was surprised to find it so far out of square. I did
not build these running boards, but I assumed the person that did had got them
square. I will correct this, it has to be corrected to fit properly and go
together without use of hydraulic jacks and clamps. The third photo surprised
me even more! I don’t know but it looks like whoever installed this running
board support knew that the running board was out of square and was trying to
compensate. I don’t know, but I will fix it. If I could get away with leaving
it I would because it will be covered up and never show, but the problem is,
the running board will not fit the car this way. Last photo shows the rear running
board brace which is okay.
Photo 13-6a thru
13-6c) The first photo
shows the area where the splash apron and fender meet and fit right. The second
photo shows the bottom side immediately underneath. Those two panels are supposed
to be lineup together perfectly same as the top as shown in first photo. The
problem is, the curve of the fender is two low, and that puts the end of the
fender too low at the running board. This must have happened when the new spare
wheel well was installed. It was installed without checking to see if it fit.
This is a big problem and I was very concerned. I didn’t know how to fix it
without cutting the fender apart and doing a huge redo, but then a little
lightbulb went off in my head (see third photo). Third photo shows fender moved
up so that line no longer matches. Now, if I slice and reconfigure that line to
match, then I will NOT have to redo the fender which would be a huge job. Much
less work, still a lot of work, but not nearly as much. This is what I will do,
along with a series of other steps. And when it’s done, everything should fit
perfectly and go together with fingers instead of jacks and clamps.
Photo10-76a thru 10-7c) Photos show work area, and a few of the little jobs
that seldom get mentioned, like cutting blocks to do forming work, and tapping
holes to make threads in frame.
NOTE: There is a lot of work to do on the right side
panels, and I just have to shake my head when I think that someone did all
these panels separately without understanding that it is ridiculous to do it
that way and then expect the panels to fit when done. I am very sorry that this
happened. It will be right when it is finished.
THANK
YOU, JERRY!
