Left Front Fender Almost Ready for Mud

Cut, Grind, cut some more, grind, weld, weld, grind, hammer, ----- you get the picture. Test fit of the left front fender went pretty well. needs more clean up and then the mud work.
Meanwhile, I am already started on the right fender. It is in a lot worse shape than the first one.
I will cut, grind, weld, grind, hammer, grind, ---- you get the picture.

Metal Work 101

My friend Rubber Toes Droz says " Patients is a waste of time",  but in this case, I think it helps. Been working the cancerous metal on the left front top fender the last few days. Sandblasted the fender first, then tackled the bottom back of the fender first. The whole bottom was gone so used the fiberglass ones as a template guide to form new material. That part didn't look to bad and with some Mud filler,  we will see. Next came what I thought would be the hardest part to reform. Made a flange first using the fiberglass again as a pattern. Cut out the bad part and hand formed a new piece welding a little at a time. Got the flange all ground down and still have more grinding on the face to do. Will finish up that tomorrow and tackle the last cancer spot. Then it will be test fit time for that side. Still have the right one to go.  I think I see a lot of mud (Bondo) in my future.

New Truck Bed

Removed all the pieces of the new truck bed from the box and started to do a quick mock-up to make sure all parts were there and initial fitment. Looked like it would be easier to put together by doing it upside down. Got the side pieces together with the three cross pieces. Then came the front panel. It didn't look like it fit at all. Finally, I called Midwest Early Ford and got Brian on the phone and told him my dilemma. Sounds like he has answered the same questions many times. Found out I was going at it all wrong and he got me pointed in the right direction. I asked him why they don't send out directions with the kit?  He stated, they just haven't had time to do that and besides they thought other companies would steal their efforts. I thought to myself, so what, you would have a lot less phone calls to deal with. Maybe I should make some up and GIVE them to them. HA. Anyway, I will now let the bed rest (pun intended) until I get the fender situation figured out. Gonna work on the metal ones and see if my skills improve.

The good, the good and the not so good

Been up and down with the front fender issue. Don't know how this will work out yet, but I think we are making forward progress. The fenders will probably be a combination of both steel and fiberglass.
Jeff Crow, the fellow that will do the paint and friend Tony Cetta came up to check out how I was coming with the sheet metal, and gave me more tips on fitting the fenders. Also on priming the new bed.
On a brighter note, the new Torq Thrust ll  17x7 PVD wheels are here. I mocked up a shot with Nancy and the wheels, then told her they were a Mothers day present. Now have to decide on tires.  Also the new complete truck bed showed up yesterday, from Midwest Early Ford. Just took the lid off the box. Haven't had time to look at it in depth yet, but looks like it is going to be nice.
Enough chit chat, got to get to work or this thing will never get done.