65 townie body work

[Ron in Indiana]

Did they look in a book or the computer? I'll check into for on my end since my Napa store has always had a better then averge chance of finding what I need . If they don't have the parts I have THE best place anywhere for brake parts here in Ft Wayne. I had Napa get the parts I needed for the 58 I did this summer with no problems. I don't have any parts numbers because I didn't think I'd be called on like I have, I'll remedy that. I'll know something tomorrow.

[Darryl in Austin]

Brake hose

Ron,

I went to NAPA for hoses. They couldn't find them, said they didn't have them, order some that didn't fit!@#$%. Do you happen to have any part numbers?
I need the 2 for the front, which are the same, 1 for the rear, and the short one coming down from the master cylinder. Otherwise I am going to have to have them made special.

Any Help Appreciated.

Darryl

[Joe Flo]

Tubing Bender

I have a triple head tubing bender similar to Imperial Eastman's 368-FH. It is made by Blue-Point (probably made by Imperial Eastman). I bought it from Snap-On when I worked as a mechanic. It can bend 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 tubing. It works well but bending 3/8" steel tubing is difficult due to the short handle. If you plan on bending a lot of 3/8" steel tubing, I would buy a bender specifically for this size. Otherwise, it works well for brake lines and similar small tubing. Good luck with your project.

Joe

[Ron in Indiana]

For lines and hoses I go to Napa, some of the box places like Autozone, Advance,etc have started to carry the hoses and brake parts too. I have a tubing bender that has a two die wheels that interchange on the handle. It works for what I've done and is relatively inexpensice. I've been eyeing a tubing pliers from Eastwood that will do those fine tuning bends you always seem to need at the ends of your tubing. For double flares there are the higher dollar units but I use a Lisle flaring tool to get the job done.

[Gordon Maney]

Where is a good place to get brake lines, hoses, flangers, benders etc. and which are the best and easiest to work with?

Darryl

The very best tubing benders I have seen are made by Imperial Eastman. Google Imperial Eastman tubing bender; you will find examples and vendors.

There is a bit of a learning curve, but they are more versatile and capable than any other design. The downside is they tend to be diameter-dedicated. Each tool only does one or two diameters.

[Darryl in Austin]

Brake lines

Where is a good place to get brake lines, hoses, flangers, benders etc. and which are the best and easiest to work with?

Darryl

[Darryl in Austin]

before picture of 1965 townie

Here are a few more before pictures.

[Darryl in Austin]

Yes I used and etching primer, well epoxy primer after I sandblasted, Then I did the body work, then I primed the whole thing with a primer surfacer, and did some more minor body filler work, sanding and then paint

[Ron in Indiana]

The floor looks excellent and I see you did the custom hammer formed body mount pockets. That's the only way I've done them to by welding and hammering into place. Did you use an etching primer and are you undercoating over etching primer on the bottom side? I have a 58 PG cab with factory undercoating that's flaked off in spots. The metal looks like brand new, if only the rest looked like that. It didn't make sense other than for the floor mats to terminate to have that raised lip at the foot well. I think it would have let any water drain to the step rather than trap it under the mat. Oh well. Thanks for the update with the pictures. Gordon needs articles for the magazine and this looks like a good article in the making. And you don't need to wait until the truck is done either. Play by play works well in helping others with their projects.

[Darryl in Austin]

new floor pan pics

Just wanted to post up the floor pans that I made. The old ones were really rusted out badly.








These new ones look great after having painted them.

[Darryl in Austin]

Ron,

I do like the bodywork, but I like variety too, and since the tub has been off the frame, body work is all that I have been doing. I have been using ppg paint.

I will be asking for those window installation instructions as soon as I find my window frames.

I've been doing all my own sandblasting, as you know, and a neighbor did call the police out one day, because of the dust, but by the time the police arrived I had already finished for the day, so nothing came of it.

[Ron in Indiana]

The only thing that's a bigger PIA than sanding a TW is installing the side windows. When you get ready I have detailed instructions I can forward. I'd also cut in the windows before you install them so everything gets painted under the rubber. What you getting tired of bodywork already? LOL There is a LOT of surface on a TW. I used Napa Crossfire single stage on two trucks now and it holds up very well. The price has gone up like everything else. One of these days we won't be able to paint our own due to the treehuggers. End Progress Altogether aka EPA just shut down a father and son shop that did my sandblasting for painting semi trucks. The father is going to try to stay open to do blasting yet, he works super cheap and does a good job.

[Darryl in Austin]

paint

It was supposed to be the '65 pine green paint. Doesn't quite look like it to me either. Yes there is a sunroof. I decided to leave it. I can't wait to get the tub back on the frame so I can do something other than body work. Put in heater, steering column pedals, wipers, gauges, windows, which by the way I am looking for the sliding window frames. Anyway it's great to be making progress again.

Single stage paint. Also I think I will wait to paint the outside until I have it all put back together. Then I will probably rent a paint booth to do the final outside paint.

[Ron in Indiana]

Looking good, looks like Ponchatrain Green from the pictures. Are you using a single stage paint? Should have went the little extra and painted the rest of the sidewall. At least it has primer which is more than the factory did back then. Nice paint booth you've got there too.haha. Way to cold to do that here. Keep it up and it'll be ready for Iowa come June. I might have to get Sandy spruced up to keep up with you. Hey I just noticed that there's a big honkin' hole in your roof.

[Darryl in Austin]

Inside paint

Got back to work on the TW last week after taking several months off. I put a patch in the right rear fender well. welded and body filled it. Sanded the epoxy primer, the whole thing, then sprayed on a primer surfacer. Then today I painted the inside of the tub and the firewall