It's nice but to expensive for me .
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It's nice but to expensive for me .
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I got my exhaust finished out the back.
That came out really nice!Quote:
Originally Posted by v8nutz
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I got these stainless spring latches for the tailgate. Using stainless nutzerts to screw them on, broke the mandrel so have to wait to finish the install, Probably my fault for over tightening the tool.
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I tried to modify the Explorer filler neck but it would not weld, some kind of weird coating on it I guess, so I got a 2 1/4 stainless cap adapter and a cap. I had to reduce it to 1 1/8, that was a fair amount of work to make the cone and fab a 1 1/8 tube. This will poke through the wood bed.
Nice latch system!
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Didn't like the way the tab fit the latch so re did the tab and make room for a 1/2x3/8 rubber anti rattle grommet, like it better now.
Modified the old Stude hand brake that used to hang under the driver's dash to work like a standard floor hand brake. I didn't want to use the ugly Explorer foot operated one plus I just don't have any room in the kick panel area, it's all used for wiring now.
Had to make a bracket to mount the explorer cable to and it had to be adjustable. I have a working E brake now.
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Been working on the Trex bed wood plan. I got it mostly sorted, still have to make the fasteners and cut a hole for the gas fill tube. I made a roller setup for the table saw ( used some old skate board wheels) to cut the grooves for the stainless strips. It keeps the wood up against the blade since it has to be on edge for the cut.
Looks good and will last forever!
WOW! I really like that a lot! Nice job!
Trex, looks really nice. Who Knew?!?!?!
Thanks, it has its plus and minuses. It scratches kind of easily but it won't rot.
I've had wood grained TREX on my deck for 10 years and I'd say that for a driver truck that you're going to use it's an excellent choice! You can stain it if you want to tweak the color, but I'd think that might become an ongoing maintenance issue. As it is you've got a durable surface that's easy to pressure wash or brush scrub, and it's going to give you many years of service. I think you did great!Quote:
Originally Posted by v8nutz
Trex !? Rats, you stole my idea lol. I think it's a fantastic idea, we thought about doing it to Rita, not really sure why we didn't.
I did find out that you can remove minor scratches with a heat gun and a wire brush. It works like magic but don't over due it or it will burn it.
Very nice work you're doing on the truck!!!
Thanks! Thinking about doing some body work next, maybe start on the fenders. I honestly don't feel like my bondo skills are up to the task but one foot in front of the other. Anybody try one of those shrinking disc things? I know the fenders have been beat on and stretched out.
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I've been on a media blasting frenzy the last two days. Blasting is a lot of work! Next the primering frenzy and then the body work. I did all the patching and welding of many cracks and some rough straightening so I wanted to get some primer on before the winter sets in. Haven't been posting in a while because it's mostly just boring stuff, no glamorous jobs.
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Marathon day of primering but got it done.
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This was one of the crazier projects I did. All the smaller ribs on my grill were to bent to save so I cut them out. They were stamped sheet metal with a continuous curve and I couldn't figure a way to reproduce them. So I bought some 5/16 steel, cut out the curved shape with a plasma and then ground them to shape and cut a groove in the back side to lighten them up a bit. They came out OK, a little heavier than stock but Ok. These grills are impossible to find in good condition.
In that picture - you wouldn't know you had performed all that surgery on the grille. Good work!
I've been working on eliminating the wing windows. The opening is not straight so I have to bend up some sheet metal and weld in a straight section. Also had to straighten the inside trim. I still have to make the front felt channel.
Great work! The wing window delete work looks awesome!
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Wow that's gonna look so different!
Hey thanks, first time I've tried something like this.
Nice! I did the same thing to the windows on my 48 Plymouth.
Your project is looking great man.
Thanks Bam, I wish I was at the point you are with the paint done. Body work yuk!
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Haven't been posting but have been plugging away at the body work. Made a stand for the fenders. Got them blocked after the first high build primer. Gotta say I love the soft sanders and the upol primer, builds up heavy and sands nice. Since I'm using a lot of filler I got the upol gold filler, not quite as nice as rage but close enough and way less expensive.
Building stands to work the sheet metal very smart. When building my car, body work was the least thing I was looking forward too. But I will admit it actually became enjoyable.
Messy, hands down, easy and relaxing getting the surfaces trued & smooth not so bad. Really good return on efforts put forth.
The painting, with a stop watch, went way to fast LOL, primer, color, clear ............ poof a master piece
I hate the mess, the dust is everywhere
I figured out a little trick with the softsanders, the paper will not stick for long in a curved shape so I spray some 3m 77 adhesive on the paper so keep it sticky. The thing is it won't come off once it's stuck without tearing up the softsander so I use a heat gun on the paper and it comes right off. This extends the life of the paper considerably.
I also got the charcoal guide coat and that works pretty good.
I know, it's been 2 years and it looks like I'm in the same place! Actually there has been many hours of sanding and re-priming. The doors, cab, hood and most front end parts are on their final sand, so very close to doing color. I just have to come up with a plan how I'm going to do it. Be easier if I didn't paint everything at once but I have a feeling the metallic isn't going to match. It would be a crazy amount of stuff in my little space to do all together though. All the cars I've painted in the past were together not scattered in a million pieces like this old thing.
Perseverance, and you seem to have plenty. That will be one very cool truck when done, quality over quantity.
“…….I know, it's been 2 years and it looks like I'm in the same place!..........”
Don’t feel bad I ran a 15 year build on this site. It would not be unusual for the 37 to be on hold for a coule of years as at a time.
“……..I just have to come up with a plan how I'm going to do it. Be easier if I didn't paint everything at once but I have a feeling the metallic isn't going to match. It would be a crazy amount of stuff in my little space to do all together though. All the cars I've painted in the past were together not scattered in a million pieces like this old thing………”
Just my 2 cents. When I did my old 76 Dodge truck years ago I painted everything separately as you are planning on. I used a single stage white (non metallic) urethane for color, mixed the cans together prior to shooting anything. Should have been a “perfect” paint job :whacked:
The parts were painted at different times as space allowed. For some reason when the parts were assembled you could tell the difference in the color (not a1/2 shade off more like a 1/4 or 1/8 shade) it wasn’t to noticeable to anyone but me but we’re generally our own worst critics and when we build something we know where all the flaws are (and in my case that’s generally where my eyes went first).
Then of course there was the walking on egg shells when the parts were put together to make sure I didn’t scratch anything assembling it.
In hindsight I decided if I ever did another frame off that I’d go ahead and do the jambs etc then assemble the vehicle and paint it whole (that would be especially true if I was going to do metallic).
Just my thoughts.
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Thanks Mike, that is my concern for sure, and metallic is the worst. In the past I've tried spot repair and never had any luck matching the paint. I'm trying to imagine doing this assembled, all these separate body parts that bolt together, all the mating surfaces, I suppose you could just paint them black. I will stew on the idea. I was planning on painting the back side the panels and fender black to save on color anyway.
As the other Mike said... It took me 12 years and it still isn't really done. But it did get registered / insured and I have driven it. But that's how they always are right?? LOL Don't sweat it, it is supposed to be FUN!Quote:
Originally Posted by v8nutz
Mike, I've been thinking about your idea of assembly and then paint. The one issue I see is that the clear would settle in all the seams and there would be a risk of damage when disassembled. There are lot's of seams on the front sheet metal (as you can see from this picture I snagged from the net). Could spray color and then take apart and spray clear, that doesn't sound real fun, there are time constraints once color goes on. I wonder how the pros do it.
Been installing all the body panels to see how they fit after body work. I haven't seen it this together since I brought it home.
