[63_Rouss_Fire_Co_GMC]

With the bed out of the body, I could get to the rusted frame mounts and inner body panels. Took a lot of photos and attached just a few here so you can see how bad the frame had rusted. Also for a look at a 1-ton panels frame since it is so diffrent than a pickup. First shot is the rear frame where it joins into the main frame also at the rear. The truck was so long it looks as if they extended the frames and joined them by rivets on the 1-ton panels. The rust had got between the two frame pieces where they were join and sorta split them apart. You can see the damage to the left side in this photo. I eneded up chiseling and beating the frame with a sledge to break up and removed the rust. Drilled another hole and bolted this top of the frame toeghter for added strength.

Next photo is looking towards the front of the truck from about the rear wheel well, notice the frame mount is rusted out, the other side was untouched by rust. Next two photos are a major problem and I will have to cut out this rear cross sill/tail pan and custom fabricate a new one. Both sides are just destroyed by rust. Others photos were taken looking into the taillight opening down inside the rear body of the truck. The metal that the wood bed screws up into to hold it in place has completely rusted away allowing water to get up inside the body panels. The last shot is of the four cross sills. Only one was reusuable and you can see just how bad the others are. I'm hopeing a fleetside cross sill is the same length. Anyone know if they are?