Pilothouse/RAM3500 build

[PilotHouse2500]

I'm super curious on how that going to work out with expanding the body and get it all welded back together and paint ready.

lots of English wheel work and LOTS of tack welding the pieces back together so there is little heat deflection at the joint.

[banzaitoyota]

Watch David Gardner's video on hammer welding. Dudes an artist!

[PilotHouse2500]

things have been slow as I sold my old house and moved to a new location, but I've gotten all my toys to my new place and got some decoratin' done!

 

 

 

some more shop pictures:

For now I'm putting my wood shop in the back of the vehicle shop.
 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8oivc81863ec3m1/AACTzqUpyf95jM0AmJs8-Ut_a?dl=0

Edited July 19, 2017 by PilotHouse2500

[JAG1]

Nice shop. Did you lay a new floor or did you paint where the red truck is parked?

[PilotHouse2500]

The shop came "as is" from the previous owner.  He repaired exotica (he had a Ferrari) for his business he ran out of the shop.  The rear (where my wood shop lives right now) is bare concrete.  He used that area as vehicles storage.  I found out last night just how dusty wood working will be in there...need to get on better dust collection for my table saw (HUGE contributor to dust last night)!  Or every so often I will have to get the leaf blower out and blow the place out!  

[Me78569]

Really like the project! 

[PilotHouse2500]

I might have a problem...

not a diesel (yet)...but I acquired another truck...saved from the crusher....

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3hv86432yqhontx/AAD1qBzivRBGUq4-7F82BcAVa?dl=0

[dripley]

Just a minor distraction. 

[PilotHouse2500]

got some work started again finally.  Closed up the lower rear cab gap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2017 by PilotHouse2500

[Mopar1973Man]

Welding sheet metal is a royal pain in the  ... If you do it wrong the metal will bow and warp. 

[PilotHouse2500]

10 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Welding sheet metal is a royal pain in the  ... If you do it wrong the metal will bow and warp. 

yes it is.  I think I may have gotten impatient in a few spots, I did end up with some warping that I'll have to deal with.  

Edited February 22, 2016 by PilotHouse2500

[PilotHouse2500]

this weekend's work.  I took apart the window top part so I can keep the seam by rewelding it all back together in the order it was first assembled.  Please note the welding wasn't done when I took the last 2 pictures.

 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2017 by PilotHouse2500

[Buzzinhalfdozen]

Loving this project thanks for the update. So you have some pretty cool looking clamps in the pics I haven't seen before. The small panel clamps and the "C" clamps, where did they come from?

[PilotHouse2500]

On 3/8/2016 at 6:49 PM, Buzzinhalfdozen said:

Loving this project thanks for the update. So you have some pretty cool looking clamps in the pics I haven't seen before. The small panel clamps and the "C" clamps, where did they come from?

thanks!   I got the body panel clamps off Amazon (they are Harbor Freight parts) and the "C" clamps at the welding supply store (they sure are nice).

Edited March 9, 2016 by PilotHouse2500

[JAG1]

Yes, thank you for the update. I can tell you are dedicated to doing it the right way. I would like to go see this truck sometime when finished

[PilotHouse2500]

1 hour ago, JAG1 said:

Yes, thank you for the update. I can tell you are dedicated to doing it the right way. I would like to go see this truck sometime when finished

it will be a daily driver, so chances are when finihsed I'll drive to a few shows outside of MN where I only go now with my 50mph restoration.

[dripley]

[PilotHouse2500]

this weekend's work:

 

 

Edited July 19, 2017 by PilotHouse2500

[PilotHouse2500]

no I haven't died, no the project is not dead either....the project will start up again in January, life has just gotten in the way with job change, tractor repairs, 4 wheeler purchases, property maintenance and tree planting.

More as soon as I can!

[Me78569]

Hope the job change was for the best.  Looking forward to more updates.