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Hotrodders Bulletin Board > Journal > willys36@aol.com's Journal

View willys36@aol.com's profile Entries: 179
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05-08-2004 04:52 AM '53 AD extended cab how-to 4
Next I addressed the top cut. Photo 1 shows that the rear of the cut is pretty stable, being supported by a factory installed panel just inches away. The front cut was not so lucky and was very floppy and did not retain its shape. Photo 2 shows paper that I traced the accurate cut profile from the rear of the cab. I transferred this profile to a piece of 1/2" plywood and made a 3/4" rectangular tubing brace from the wood pattern. Excuse the fuzziness of photo 3 but you get the idea.

'53 AD extended cab how-to 4
(click photo to enlarge)
'53 AD extended cab how-to 4
(click photo to enlarge)
'53 AD extended cab how-to 4
(click photo to enlarge)
  [Entry #24]

05-08-2004 04:44 AM '53 AD extended cab how-to 3
Squaring everything up at all times is important. Tape measure was my best friend. These three photos show some of the measurements I made. The third one is just a sighting down the three vertical posts of the cab to see that they lined up identically on both sides.

Note in photo 2 the two 1/2" square tubes I welded in to lock in the spacing of the roof.

'53 AD extended cab how-to 3
(click photo to enlarge)
'53 AD extended cab how-to 3
(click photo to enlarge)
'53 AD extended cab how-to 3
(click photo to enlarge)
  [Entry #23]

05-08-2004 04:34 AM '53 AD extended cab how-to 2
Next, the body was mounted on the frame and marked for cutting. I took a different approach than I think most people take. I determined that the outer door skin has virtually the same shape as the top of the cab. Thus rather than going the normal route of finding a good donor cab for the rear section of the extension, I would use door skins for the top, a flat sheet for the floor and a couple of spare doors for the sides along with the front and back sections of my original cab.

Photos 1 & 2 show the path I determined to be the best to cut. The line going across the top of the cab traverses the highest point of the cab.

Photo 3 shows the body cut and spaced back 2'. No turning back now!

'53 AD extended cab how-to 2
(click photo to enlarge)
'53 AD extended cab how-to 2
(click photo to enlarge)
'53 AD extended cab how-to 2
(click photo to enlarge)
  [Entry #22]

05-08-2004 04:26 AM '53 AD extended cab how-to 1
I have been wanting to do this to this truck since I bought it in 1993. Finally got around to it last year. Plan was to extend the cab 2' by lengthening the frame 1' and shortening the bed 1'.

First step was to lengthen the frame. I did the job with it on the wheels rather than teetering on jack stands alone. Careful measuring for square, levelness, etc. is of course required before making the first cut. Photos 1 & 2 show the finished extension. I used some rectangular tubing that was a perfect slide on fit for the frame rails. I boxed the rails for 6" on either side of the cut. Once cut, I slipped the tubes on (note the spear shaped ends on the tubes. This avoids any vertical welds that may induce a stress riser and crack. I welded everything with a Lincoln buzz box about 90 amps w/ 1/8" 6011 rod. Note the 4" round holes I plasma cut for access to wiring, brake and fuel lines to be run inside rails.

'53 AD extended cab how-to 1
(click photo to enlarge)
'53 AD extended cab how-to 1
(click photo to enlarge)
  [Entry #21]

05-01-2004 05:19 PM Caddy tail light installation - 3
Here is the final installation. As the photos show, with careful planning, these lights go into fat fendered cars giving great rear and side exposure of the lights while being contained within the envelope of the sheet metal. This serves several purposes - first it protects the lights from damage, second it allows great all-round visibility for safety, and third it tempers the still outrageous look of the light for a more civil appearance.

Caddy tail light installation - 3
(click photo to enlarge)
Caddy tail light installation - 3
(click photo to enlarge)
Caddy tail light installation - 3
(click photo to enlarge)
  [Entry #20]

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