Dave72dt Posted January 8, 2011 Report Posted January 8, 2011 Question for those with original bed sides. Without the fenders mounted, I noticed my bedsides are bowed inwards about an inch. They're straight at the top rail;and where the bed angle is. Is this typical and will hanging the fenders back on pull them back to straight. Should I go back to work on them and try to take the bow out, get them flat without the fenders? Quote
Bob_Koch Posted January 8, 2011 Report Posted January 8, 2011 Mine are straight without the fenders. I've seen them bow out because of the weight from the fenders over 60 years which means you'll have to shrink the metal Haven't seen them bow in. Can you temporarily hang a fender and see if it straightens? Quote
Dave72dt Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Posted January 8, 2011 I'd been shrinking on one side for a bit and had about half of it out when it occurred to me to wonder about the fender weight maybe pulling it out some. The entire bed is in pieces but I can mock it up and check it. Just wondering if it was normal and maybe I'd better stop before going too far. Fenders aren't beat up like they were pushed in either. Quote
Dave72dt Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Posted January 9, 2011 Bolted the bed back together tonight and hung a fender on the least bowed side. Didn't pull the side out a bit. Guess that means back to shrinking. Seriously considering putting a relief cut in the other side and welding it back together, it's that far out! Quote
DollyDodge Posted January 10, 2011 Report Posted January 10, 2011 Ok, here I go again sounding un educated, but how do you shrink metal? Quote
Bob_Koch Posted January 10, 2011 Report Posted January 10, 2011 You heat up a small section and then quench it quickly with water. Here's an article that mentions it: http://www.hotrod.com/howto/hrdp_0607_dents/heat_shrink.html Google around for "metal shrinking" and you'll find plenty of info. Ok, here I go again sounding un educated, but how do you shrink metal? Quote
DollyDodge Posted January 10, 2011 Report Posted January 10, 2011 thanks. I had it in my mind that the bed metal was tempered, is that an incorrect understanding? Quote
Dave72dt Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Posted January 11, 2011 Don't know if it's temperd or not, don't think it is. Do know it's tough to get the panels to tighten up to get the belly out of them. 18 gauge doesn't shrink as 20. Laying a straight edge along the panel, I've got an inch gap on each end on the better one and an inch and a half or better on the other. Quote
Dave72dt Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Posted January 11, 2011 Took the cutoff wheel to the worst side today. Made a 1 1/2' vertical cut just in front of the centerline of the fender and a 2' horizontal cut about 1/2" down from the center character line. Pushed them against flat 4 x 6 and welded it back together. A half dozen small shrink spots later and it's within 1/8" from straight along the entire side. Much better! Ready for finish body work on that side. Now for the other side. Quote
Dave72dt Posted January 13, 2011 Author Report Posted January 13, 2011 Side no. 2 is now straight. 2 small relief T cuts at opposite ends of the fender recess. Couldn't get it to shrink properly through the character line with that double bend. Another hour of shrinking after that and it was straight. Quote
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