I gather, after looking at the pictures, this is a lot like the fleetside tailgate hardware?

Yes it is almost just like the fleet side set up but this one is all bolt in.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Here's some pics of mine. I purchased the complete bed and tailgate from Mar-K, all I had to do was bolt it together, :).

The kit is from Mar-K and if anyone has a contact with them please send them this link so they can update their directions.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Sorry it took a while to get back. We appreciate the comments and suggestions about our product. The updated instructions for the tailgate "gate keeper" have been posted on the website, http://www.mar-k.com/54-87TGlinkassy.pdf . Kevin, thanks especially for your thoughtful criticism and suggestions. We truly appreciate them and your patience in working with the product. All your comments have been addressed in the new instructions posted. And we supply 1/2" bolts instead of the 3/4" bolts you received.

By the way, this will be one great looking truck. We are really looking forward to seeing the final result.
Mar-Ktech

This looks like just what I'm looking for. I want to dump the chains and will be replacing my beat up tailgate too.

Tom

Sorry it took a while to get back.
Mar-Ktech
No problem at all, I think it is great that you guys check into your products and make changes as needed. I like to post info to help out other board members on what I find or do. Your product is a top notch piece and works great with a few tweaks. Now if you have fixed the tweaking end of it, well that makes it that much better for the average person who wants to really clean up the back end of their truck and get rid of the ungly-noisy chains.
If I had a step side of my own I would definetly buy a set of these for my self. Luckly all my trucks are fully developed from the factory and do not require them:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Today Kevin spent the day finishing up some small details.
1. He mounted the seats and added bracing on the underside of the floor pan.

2. He also installed the billet bulkhead fitting for the Vintage Air AC unit. The plans are to hide the AC hoses inside the fender.

3. Welded up some useless holes inside the cab, ground them down, applied body filler and sanded them.

4. He block sanded the roof, interior and firewall.

While Kevin was very busy doing all that, It took me all day to block sand the bed with three different grits of sand paper.

We only have the inner fender wells, rear step fenders, and some small miscellanous pieces left to sand. Then it should be painted very very soon.

I can't forget a picture of the bed that took me all day to sand.

I have a question about the firewall gutter that you shaved how did you guys go about the rear section weld it in and then grind it down? I have the front almost done the the back is a real pain.

3x1/16" grinding wheels in a die grinder on edge. It is the most fun you can have with your pants on:metal: Almost for got I also TIG'd that area so I would have great penitration and not alot of build up.
So where are your pics! This info isn't free you know!!;)

Kevin
LFD Inc.

wow, amazing work.
That gas cap idea is awesome.... you need to make me one of those. :)

One question, how does the filler tube attach to that setup?

Jugernot. Do those seats put you up kinda high or is it just the pic? Nice seats those. I have the cloth version of those in my 2001 sierra.

Jugernot. Do those seats put you up kinda high or is it just the pic? Nice seats those. I have the cloth version of those in my 2001 sierra.

i have some in my 67, and yes them do seem to seat you a little high, but they sure are comfy:)

Jugernot. Do those seats put you up kinda high or is it just the pic? Nice seats those. I have the cloth version of those in my 2001 sierra.

Yes, but I'm only 5'8 medium build. I sat it them when we did a mock up and I fit nicely.

We have not finished the gas filler neck set up yet. But Kevin has some ideas.

3x1/16" grinding wheels in a die grinder on edge. It is the most fun you can have with your pants on:metal: Almost for got I also TIG'd that area so I would have great penitration and not alot of build up.
So where are your pics! This info isn't free you know!!;)

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Im getting there been busy with poison oak the last week it likes to keep me company sometimes.

I like that gas filler on the step bed. Thanks for the idea!

I am curious abou the placement of the a/c and heater pass thru.
Where exactly will they feed up into the engine compartment, and how are you planning on sealing up the lines comming into the cab. Are you going to make a panel or something that covers the kick panel vent hole and then pass the lines thru it?

I really like that placement and I am thinking of trying it on my project.

Keep up the good work!!

The lines pass thru a bulk head fitting and they seal then selves.

Quick up date as of today. I have about 6 pin holes to fix in the cab before it goes out for sealing, one small dent in the new set and need to start body work on the tail gate. The rest of the truck had its last block sanding today down to 600grit and is ready to go out and get white epoxy sealer sprayed on. Then it comes back and gets a quick 600grit scuff then color and clear:metal: This thing turned out so damb straite that it will look unbelivable once it gets sprayed. I can't wait to finally get color on it, it's been a long road since he first bought this truck.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

It's getting closer! I just brought one load back from the rent a booth in Sac. We got it all sealed and I have two more loads to go get. Now we will let it cure for about 2 days then start 600 wet sanding and get it all ready to shoot with B/C in about 2 weeks.:metal:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Hey kevin thanks for the info heres the half way pics hopefully I ll have er done this evening and ready for mud.. Thnaks for helpin out a newbe to metal work..

Hey Rock, why are you letting the sealer dry and then wetsanding, you should have just went wet on wet with the sealer, color, and then clear. I just check my base before I clear to make sure none of the sealer had trash in it. If it does I just lightly "nib" that spot and blow more color and clear.

Hey Rock, why are you letting the sealer dry and then wetsanding, you should have just went wet on wet with the sealer, color, and then clear. I just check my base before I clear to make sure none of the sealer had trash in it. If it does I just lightly "nib" that spot and blow more color and clear.

This is just the way we went with it. 6 of 1... This just gives us a chance to check for any flaws before color goes on. We are spending almost 2k on base and clear so I did not want any problems in the end. Plus a nice glass finish before color should give for a nicer lay down I hope.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Good luck with it. Shoot me some pics when you get it done. I am just finishing up my neighbors Harley Electra Glide, I changed the color to Black. Blocked it from start to finish, shaved the rear fender, aftermarket front fender bodyworked completely front to back, side to side and then wet sanded with 1500 then 2000 and buffed with a 3" mini buffer. Whew, I am ready to get done with that thing.

I know the pictures really do not show how nice it looks in person. I can't wait to make it back over on Sunday to see what it looks like. Hard to believe that after a SEVEN YEAR construction it will finally have some paint on it. Yeah.

:c2: I just spent the last 30 minutes with my head glued to this build up. Here's how I looked while watching :jdp: AWESOME is all I can say. Keep up the great work. :metal:

Hey Kevin,

Why did you cover up the wiper holes on the cowl? Is this one of those yet to be revealed mods?

[QUOTE=Rokcrln;2080707]The lines pass thru a bulk head fitting and they seal then selves.

Will the shaved cowl keep out all air and water? Are you going to seal off the stock kick panel vent hole or just leave it?

Also, how do you plan to route the a/c and heater hoses from the bulk head into the engine bay? are they gonna pass along the inside of the fender above the inner fender, and then may turn back and go up to the compressor.

Really, really nice build

It should keep all the water and air out. We are using the kick panel vents for other thing and will not seal them off.

Your description of the AC and heater hoses routing is spot on.

Well I had some time in the booth today getting the first bit of color sprayed. I just shot the bottom to try everything out and double check the color. I think it turned out good and I must say I have never had a cab bottom this nice before:(
Next we will shoot all the misc parts (brackets, inner front fender wells, rad support ect.) then move on to the rest of the exterior. I hope to get it all up to the booth this week and get started next weekend.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Looks great. Good work, as always.

Looks good, what product brand are you spraying Rok?

Looks good, what product brand are you spraying Rok?


Dupont Hot Hues base and another DP??? clear that was recomended for us.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Are you shooting a glamour clear from Dupont

Are you shooting a glamour clear from Dupont

Oop's I was way off we ended up going with Deltron DCD35. Shows what I know about paint:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r21/frankyazm/THUMBUP.gif

Kevin-
I've lost track. Are you using your home-made spray booth for this? (probably not if you've spent 2k on the wet stuff). If so, how's it working? If not, I understand.

looks greatWhich of the two pics shows the color best?

No I went with a rent a booth in Sacramento.
The best color will be once it is out in the sun in a week or two. With the booth lights and a flash it does not show real well. But the stir stick in the sun light will blind you:cool:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

No wonder you get so much done. I would be sleeping at 3:07AM.

Great job and THANKS for all your posting - Bob

So many posts I couldn't find my answer I hope it hasn't been on here already. With a shaved cowl and the loss of 4-5 screws, how well will the new cowl hold on the truck?

Deltron is PPG clear. I haven't heard of that brand label yet but the shop I am at now shoots BASF. Looks like Glasurit for me now.;)

So many posts I couldn't find my answer I hope it hasn't been on here already. With a shaved cowl and the loss of 4-5 screws, how well will the new cowl hold on the truck?

It will hold fine if when you are shaping it you add a bit of tention to the curve so it does not want to flap. Also I added more screws to the front lip.

Kevin
LFD inc.

Deltron is PPG clear. I haven't heard of that brand label yet but the shop I am at now shoots BASF. Looks like Glasurit for me now.;)

Yes PPG and it is suposed to be one of their better clears at about $450gal with activator and reducer:(

Then I just got off line with Auto Body Store for about a grand of added parts.
Sata Mini jet4 for some of the tighter areas ( I shoot a Sata 3000RP 1.4 for my main gun)
Sharp 606B filter/regulator
High flow hose and fittings for my dedicated paint hose line.
Plus alot of misc. parts and pieces.


Kevin
LFD Inc.

Lots of high dollar equipment there. Be careful with the high solids clears if you get heavy on the edges it is not very forgiving, it will solvent pop on you and will not come out. Just do not know when was the last time you shot some of the new high solids clears but you probably know that already I am sure.

Lots of high dollar equipment there. Be careful with the high solids clears if you get heavy on the edges it is not very forgiving, it will solvent pop on you and will not come out. Just do not know when was the last time you shot some of the new high solids clears but you probably know that already I am sure.

It has been awhile but that is one of the reasons for the mini is to help in the tight places. What recomendations do you have to avoid this? Just the regular light cotes or ? Fell free to PM with anything if you would rather.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

The only tip I can offer is to go medium wet coats and not full wet coats and also a tip a painter once gave me that helps is to not finish your "pass" where two panels meet, instead if you can finish in between panels or go all the way to the cab corner for instance from the fender if you can.

72CSTC5~ thanks for the info, We are on the same page. Yes panel joints I like to give a quick wrist flip for a very soft dusting as you pull away.

Ok you guys wanted to see the real color so I had a fender that was headed for the dumpster and I brought it in the booth with me. This fender was a pull off that was not even scuffed down before laying on some paint so I could test out the new clear for color sanding. It is a hard color to get a good pic of but here are a few. Please remember this is with ZERO body work just some paint, clear, sand paper and hand buff.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

She's bright alright!!

Very nice I'm partial to yellow though. If ya don't mine me asking why is that fender going to the dumpster. It doesn't look too bad at all. RJ22

Very nice I'm partial to yellow though. If ya don't mine me asking why is that fender going to the dumpster. It doesn't look too bad at all. RJ22

It has had a door slambed open into it and the rear section is toast. Plus the cowl bracket is needed for another fender and the front parking light opening is needed for another project. Notice teh front light was started to have been cut out prior to paint.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I could probably use that side marker section to turn a 67 bedside into a 68. Front markers are the same size as the rear, right?

I could probably use that side marker section to turn a 67 bedside into a 68. Front markers are the same size as the rear, right?

yes they are

It has had a door slambed open into it and the rear section is toast. Plus the cowl bracket is needed for another fender and the front parking light opening is needed for another project. Notice teh front light was started to have been cut out prior to paint.
I see, it just seemed too nice to scap. RJ22

Here are a few teasers for ya! Sorry I only got a few pics as my camera died right off the bat and my charger was back at home:whine: I will bring these parts home in a day or two. I hate moving freshly painted parts. We sprayed the inner front fenders, rad support and misc brackets, batt tray, under side of hood and the inside of rear step side fenders.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Looking good, how are you liking the clear>?

Looking good, how are you liking the clear>?

Love it!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I have just read the best 12 pages of a build I have ever read. Kevin you are truely a metal guru! Can't wait to see the finished product!

thats some bright yellow:cool: cant wait to see a pic of it in the sun

thats some bright yellow:cool: cant wait to see a pic of it in the sun

Trust me my camera will not capture the true color out in the sun but I will do my best! What I can't wait to see is it all painted, put together and the first coat of polish applied:cool: I think the theam (sp?) song for this truck should be that "I wear my sun glasses at night" one :lol:

Kevin

Wow dude you are showing your age.:lol:

Wow dude you are showing your age.:lol:
Ya but I still feel like I am in my thirty's:metal:


Kevin
LFD Inc.

Here are a few more. I should be headed back to teh booth this Saturday to finish the out side of the cab and maybe front sheet metal.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

looking good!

You have that sitting in the booth all week until you get back on the weekends?

You have that sitting in the booth all week until you get back on the weekends?

No it is back at my shop now and will head back out to the booth as it free's up:)

Kevin
LFD inc.

I picked up some of the completed parts today. They look great in the sun. I wanted to take a few pictures to share, but the sun was covered by rain clouds. If the sun is out tomorrow I will take some pictures and blind you. I will say that after some wet sanding and polishing you will probably have to wear sunglasses to look at the truck.

Last week I took the motor to a local painter to have him paint it. I decided that a yellow motor would just be to much yellow in the engine compartment. So I went with another color, but I will not tell you what it is. You will have to wait until it's done. Sorry.

So I went with another color, but I will not tell you what it is. You will have to wait until it's done. Sorry.


I know it is your truck and I have no say in the matter but pink does not really go with yellow very well:lol:
I hope your garage grows very soon because you will have alot of freshly painted parts by end of next week end.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

There is a picture of the inner fender in the sun. I took another photograph, but it was out of focus. The next set picturea I will post will hopefully show the entire sheet metal together and attached to the frame. Stay Tuned.

So what does the wife think! The entire cab gets hit Saturday morning, I just got the call that the both is free'd up:metal:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Damn that is yellow. I am banking that you went with either silver or charcoal grey for the motor?

Awesome color! :metal:

I almost went yellow on current project truck, maybe on the next one.

Damn that is yellow. I am banking that you went with either silver or charcoal grey for the motor?

I have followed most of your comments and thought "Hhmm thats a smart guy." But you must have been reading my mind. Your right about the color, but I will not say which one it is, you will have to wait a week or two. Oh keep the comments coming.

So what does the wife think! The entire cab gets hit Saturday morning, I just got the call that the both is free'd up:metal:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

The wife likes it, she said it is different then what she thought. I'm cleaning up the garage today, to make room for the other parts.

Here are a few from the booth today. What better way to spend a rainy day:metal:
He wanted an LFD tatoo so I placed on under teh yellow and 3 layers of clear!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Totally awesome man. It just keeps getting briter:lol: I can't wait to see it all in one piece, probably not as much as you though. RJ22

BTW where's the tat.

Thanks!
Kevin
LFD Inc.