Grumpy's Metal Truck- Double cab, long bed walk thru, 4 door

Grumpy's Metal

Hello All-

I've been dragging this bus around for 6 years and figured if I started a thread on it I might start working on it.

My Avatar is the oldest photo of this bus, and I've lost the original ( so it's super small)

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The "Free Candy" was my helpers idea. Here we pulled off the bed. The bus is going to see so much work that I figured we should start ground up.

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I did the stripping of the bed and fender wells about 5 years ago but I have started working on a few hours here and there so more photos to come
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John

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Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:27 am Post subject:

here is the blank for the new inner wheel house.

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here we have put the beads in the panel

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installed with flange

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installed- notice how the new wheel house goes to the bottom of the bed- to accept a big wheel and be slammed
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John

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kombisutra · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 10:37 am Post subject:

Free Candy has got a lot of potential to become one of the badder-ass trucks out there, especially since it's savior is a seasoned fabrication expert. Almost all of us here share your challenge of balancing time for one's own project and succeeding at communicating to others that the time has come to pay back and love upon yourself. You've spent long years giving and making it happen for others, but it's your time now. Communicate and block your calender, we'll be on this side cheering you on.

Some inspiration:

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cru62 · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 10:53 am Post subject:

Did you use a Pull-Max for those beads on the inner panels? They are one of my all-time favorite metalworking tools. A neighbor has one, never uses it and won't sell it! Some people.
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Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:01 am Post subject:

Thanks Komisutra.

and Cru62 yes, I formed the beads in a pullmax- there is a technique I developed

either google "alba pullmax beading technique" or here is a direct link to my write up

http://metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6823

I you don't know the site, I recommend you join there is a lot of good information there.
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John

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Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:19 am Post subject:

There is no shortage of work on this bus- A friend of mine said " You know John, most people would say this bus can't be saved"

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tig welding the panel leaves a finish that needs little or no grinding
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John

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thom · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:14 pm Post subject:

The long-bed double cab is the ultimate VW truck.
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-Thom
Bus Registry
1952 Type 11c
1956 Single Cab
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1960 DD Panel
1956 Type 1 Karmann Ghia
1962 Type 3 Karmann Ghia
1963 Type 3 Karmann Ghia
1968 Single Cab

v.a.s.cleaning · Samba Member Joined: November 03, 2007 Posts: 24

sweet stuff
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59 dubble cab
66 camper

crukab · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:13 pm Post subject:

Very nice project !!!!!!!!
I liked your last thread, this one looks like it will be cool too Cool

What are you doing for the 4th door- your own Fab ?
A few years back I chopped up a Spliced Bay Doublecab ('68 body on a '78 bottom half...) A guy in Japan wanted me to chop & ship the side door & frame to him.... Shipping was a bit costly....... Sad

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Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:16 pm Post subject:

yesterday I narrowed the rear torsion housing 2.5 inches

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the bay window rear suspension lends itself to 2.5" of narrowing because there is a position to mount the spring plate on the back side instead of the front ( this is exactly 2.5 inches in)

I am thinking about shifting the axle locations up, but I don't know how much they need to go up to bring the rear end down- I think I need a wheel to fit.
_________________
John

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sub-hatchtim · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:33 pm Post subject:

is this one off craigslist in arizona
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58' pg/sg sub hatch westy
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Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:42 pm Post subject:

Sub-Hatchtim, I don't know anything about the one in AZ, I have had mine back when it was just the head of a double cab and the body of a single cab, long before it was a single car.

The two parts looked like "Godzilla" had snacked on the two ends.
_________________
John

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cru62 · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 3:43 pm Post subject:

When I start feeling like I have some Mad Metal Skilz, I take a walk through metalmeet and am completely humbled.
_________________
Founding member of
Arrested Decay

"Of all the myriad parts which comprise a modern automobile, the one most prone to sudden and catastrophic failure is often the nut behind the wheel"-anonymous

"Buy the best and cry once."-Gene Berg

T2 · Samba Member Joined: February 15, 2003 Posts: 122

The one in Arizona is mine. I had listed it for sale but since decided to keep it and now it looks like this.....still lots more to do.
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I can't wait to see what you do grumpy. I would love to do the 4th door conversion but no more money

sslosbergas · Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:45 am Post subject:

volksfahrer.nl · Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:14 am Post subject:

How are you gonna make those cornerwindow line up with the gates?
I would have left those corners o.g.
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UZI · Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:42 am Post subject:

someone did a corner window DC once before and they extended the cab 4 inches.
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Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject:

I really like the corner window, but I agree I think the body would look better stretched so the gates match up.
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John

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Zacharysayre · Samba Member Joined: July 03, 2004 Posts: 432

should look more like this one

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cdennisg · Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject:

I have always wanted to build one of these. My skills are slowly getting there, but the donor cars are tougher to find.

Looking forward to this build.
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Grumpy's Metal Truck- Double cab, long bed walk thru, 4 door
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