Here are a few before work (3:45am) teaser pics. Still needs adjusting and centering but you get the idea.
Have a good day!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Do you ever sleep??

New kid, you drive a good ways to work, you have a very understanding wife? and spend tons of time in the shop! Again, do you EVER sleep???

She is looking GREAT! You're "daily driver" will be nicer than some show trucks I've seen ;)

I almost forgot I am thinking about using these screws for mounting the lights. I will chuck them in the poor mans lath and get rid of the dimple in the top and shin them up a bit. They are S.S. and should polish up nice. What do you think? Any other thoughts? These are flush with the lights right now.
I like 'em. Good anti-theft devices too...

Man that's gonna be slick! Dumps runs... we'll see ;)Yes dump runs it is the only running truck I have!

Wow, Low Buck is looking really good. The colors look great together. It will be nice when it is complete. I can't wait until we can get Low Buck and Lemon Drop together it will make a nice Kodak moment.Looking forward to it! I just pick up all the color sanding and polishing stuff today so I can practice on Low Buck!

Do you ever sleep??

New kid, you drive a good ways to work, you have a very understanding wife? and spend tons of time in the shop! Again, do you EVER sleep???

She is looking GREAT! You're "daily driver" will be nicer than some show trucks I've seen ;)Corection I have an amaizing Wife!

I like 'em. Good anti-theft devices too...
Yea I guess I want them to stay around for awhile;) Now I just need to find the right screwdriver now so I can get them in after polishing:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Yea I guess I want them to stay around for awhile;) Now I just need to find the right screwdriver now so I can get them in after polishing:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.[/QUOTE]


Kevin if you need a screw driver for your tamperproof screws, here is a link.
Project is looking good
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF?PMPAGE=1989&PMT4NO=35529678&PMT4TP=*ITPD&PMITEM=67752766&PMCTLG=00

Kevin if you need a screw driver for your tamperproof screws, here is a link.
Project is looking good
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF?PMPAGE=1989&PMT4NO=35529678&PMT4TP=*ITPD&PMITEM=67752766&PMCTLG=00[/QUOTE]



Thanks for the link their prices are good on fastners. I am sure the hardware store behind me has the right one. It is one of those great little places that has stuff in about 3 buildings that are now all conected for one shop. I love living in a small old town!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

So I was board and thought I would go back and see were it all started. Just under 1yr ago this project started as a tow home non running long bed in need of help. The build has stayed close to teh intended starting point that I had with a few extra items added. But all in all I feel it has gone well for under 1 year to the point of being half way done with paint and having been tested for over 5,000 miles to date. Also keep in mind I have had 3 different customer builds with a few few day projects as well mixed in. Then their is my son that came on 7-9-7 and has been a big part of any free time I thought I might have but because I married up ( a car chic:metal:) that for some reason likes seeing me happy (in the shop building) this build and my other projects have continued. I just can't wait to see what the next year will bring.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Now for the build info.
I want to build a low dollar 2wd short bed that is capible of towing my 16' car trailer and look good at the same time but not so cheap that their are compromises in quality or reliability.

First thing is get it running and on the road as is. Then we will move onto the ride height, it will get drop spindles and lowered springs up front and in the rear I will keep the leaf springs and most likely do an axel flip kit, C-notch and a set of over load bags to level out the ride with the trailer hooked up.

Once that is done I will move onto turning the fleet side bed into a short bed and cutting the frame down as well. I will show step by step pics for taking your fleet side bed and with a little cut and snip end up with a short bed and also cutting down your long bed frame to match.

After that is done we will move onto rust replacement, body work and paint. I think this will be a fun build for all of us and I hope people get good info out of it. If you have any susgestion or coments please let me know, while I have a plan I will be following it is not set in stone and may change here and their just abit.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Next year? One word,... Blazer.

I was going to ask the same thing last week.
WHEN DO YOU SLEEP????????

Do you ever sleep??

New kid, you drive a good ways to work, you have a very understanding wife? and spend tons of time in the shop! Again, do you EVER sleep???

She is looking GREAT! You're "daily driver" will be nicer than some show trucks I've seen ;)

I was going to ask the same thing last week.
WHEN DO YOU SLEEP????????

Talking in PM, i asked kevin this same question. Sleep is for humans. :)

Basically he goes to bed at 10 or 11, gets up at about 330-400. Gets to work, gets off work at 4-6 depending, plays with kid, plays with wife, then if everything is good, he hits the shop for an hour or 2. Goes to bed, then does it again...

I just wished i lived closer so i could watch the man work....

Well not much progress in the last several days as I have been tacking care of my son and oh ya had to go to work as well. Mom's been working 12-14 hr days to finish up a new software package for the state so time is at a loss this week. My sons doing good and Mom is getting a raise/promotion today so all is well. What I did get done this week was drilling all the holes for the SS trim on the front fenders and doors. I also played around a bit with color sanding a few areas of the wordt orange peel just to see what I was looking at and boy did it knock down quick. I just hit some spots with 1200 for a test but I was very happy with the results and tonight and this week end I will color sand all of the doors/fenders with 1500 and finish with 2000 before polishing to a mirror like shine:metal: I also will be painting the top of hood, cowl and glove box door and if time allows the radiator support so I can start putting it all back together next week as the polished pieces get done. Sorry no pics but I will have some starting Saturday. Have a great Friday if at all possible!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

its lookin really good Kevin, im lovin the color, looks a lot like the stock color for my truck which i plan on putting it back to eventually, i guess i know who to talk to when the time comes :hm:

Well it is not much but they are pic's! Started doing a bit of color sanding today before we take off for the inlaws for the night. I started with 1000, 1200,1500 and finished off with 2000 then rubbed and polished by hand. My polisher that I ordered might be in but I left my cell phone in my tool bags on the job site friday so I have no way for the guy to get a hold of me to let me know if it is in or not:waah: But I had to see how it will look but better with a real polisher. I had my air psi to low and got bad orange peel on the doors and fenders so a bit more elbow grease on my part. I hope to shoot more parts on Sunday if we get back in time. Here is the pass side fender and it was not as bad as the drivers side that is now partly polished.:metal:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I got home ealier than expected so here are some progress pics.

Kevin
LFD Inc.
166hrs main build
$6043.00 main build
96 Paint hrs
$705.00 Paint

Looks great! Nice job Kevin.....

:agree:

I am really starting to like painting. But I think I like color sanding and polishing even more. I have not done much of it but their is just somthing about taking a flat panel with a few flaws (or alot of flaws with my doors and fenders) and color sanding them down to almost perfection.
I spent some time today getting my gun dialed in better before I started painting on this group of parts and it sure paid off. I was so tired when I was painting the doors and fenders I forgot to adjust the air psi and do a spray out before I started spraying:lol: But after a few hours of color sanding yesterday you could never tell:metal:

Here are some of todays pics, I am very happy with how these came out for being shot in a garage. When I put the second story on the shop this summer I will have a vent system for dust control and fresh air ducted to the roof but for now I will just color sand any little nibs out that I have to.
These pieces came out so good I can not wait to see them after polishing!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

One more pic of the hood reflection for fun. Notice everything in the pic is in reverse! If I color sand and polish this hood I might go blind on those dump runs if the sun is out:lol: Not too bad for a hood that was headed for the scrap yard before the nose job!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

nice job....why arnt they hung/installed yet???
J/K.;)

More pic's, sorry but I am just really excited that I have not screwed somthing up yet!:lol: This is all just practice for my next personal project so it is alot of fun and it is getting me excited about other work I have comming in the shop as well as curent projects.
I got the cab corners cut and polished tonight before I pushed the truck back in the shop. Now I think my big polisher should be here Tuesday or so then I can get the doors polished, trim installed and hung and same for the fenders. But first I need to paint the core suport and hood hindges as well as the door strikes.
I went with 3M's products for polishing and spent about $200 in supplies for the whole truck.

Kevin
LFD Inc.
166hrs main build
$6043.00 main build
98 Paint hrs
$905.00 Paint

Sweet like always!

boy, does that look great!!

Even though it hasn't been fully buffed out yet it looks just like it has been absolutely dipped in paint! This is really gonna be a nice ride.
Be carefull as you might be the one driving the Trailblazer everyday while the wife drives this. :lol:

Even though it hasn't been fully buffed out yet it looks just like it has been absolutely dipped in paint! This is really gonna be a nice ride.
Be carefull as you might be the one driving the Trailblazer everyday while the wife drives this. :lol:

Well the cab corners have been buffed with a 3" CP air buffer that I picked up at Napa auto parts yesterday for getting in to the body lines. The dewalt 849 that is comming is a 7/9" buffer and is just to big to get into tight areas safe. As for the wife driving it, fine with me but I still get stuck driving the hybread civic work car but the boss pays for everything and I can drive in the carpool lane all by my self:devil:

Thanks for all the great feedback as this is my first time really doing any color sanding or buffing and it has been so easy and fun!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Color sanding is pretty cool.. Looks great..

damn that looks good, makes me want to paint my truck even more, i dont know if you mentioned it already or not but what color is that?

i love the white top to which im planing on doing only a bit different than yours:hm:

Good luck on the new build project. Any chevy we save is one less japanese vehicle purchased. Yeh man!!

Looks great!! Can't wait to see the final product.

Rich

damn that looks good, makes me want to paint my truck even more, i dont know if you mentioned it already or not but what color is that?
It is just medium blue in Nason brand paint. I can get the code if you want it!

Good luck on the new build project. Any chevy we save is one less japanese vehicle purchased. Yeh man!! Who said it was a chevy, I was thinking about upping the Volts on my hybred:metal: But in this case it will be my 70 2WD Blazer:devil:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Who said it was a chevy, I was thinking about upping the Volts on my hybred:metal: But in this case it will be my 70 2WD Blazer:devil:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

DO IT!!!:metal:, :lol:


yea id love to have the paint code if its not to much trouble

Looks like you did a helluva job for your first.

I agree with the cut and rub process.........it's when the "fruits or your labor" really start showing!

Look great!

Well not much progress the last few days with my wife working a ton of hours and me getting to spend extra time with my son. I did finish my LT1 cover tonight while he was napping and my Dewalt polisher came in today as well. When my wife gets home I will try and get the core support painted so I can start bolting parts back on once they have been polished.
I am waiting for the new emblems to come in for the covers then they will be really finished but for someone that does not have a steady hand they turned out not so bad!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

used to work as a painter in some place here that had me fill in the letters on a sighn
i cleaned the nameplate up with thinner and i couldnt get it out of the letters so i picked up the pencil and loaded it with paint .
as soon as i touched the letter the thinner residu sucked the paint right up and filled the letter completely , it took a bit longer to dry but it was a great trick the end result looked verry clean

kevin , looking good !!!!

A few more pics from an hour in the shop tonight. Mixed a bit of black and shot some misc. parts along with my core support. Put on the engine covers, glove box door and misc dash emblems.

Kevin
LFD Inc.
166hrs main build
$6043.00 main build
99 Paint hrs
$905.00 Paint

looks really good Kevin, i like the engine covers

so whats that paint code??? ;)

Looks Great !!! Bet those new bolts go in easy too !!;)

Something needs to be done with those valve covers and other exposed engine parts. Spray them or buff them, something. Why not spray the front frame rails while they were exposed? This is the one drawback to doing a lot of quality work, but not the whole shebang like you would like to do. Everything you have worked on is looking fantastic, everything you didn't is showing up too easily. But no matter what doesn't get attention on this truck, it will still be nicer than about 90% of whats posted on the board. This will be an outstanding DD.

looks really good Kevin, i like the engine covers

so whats that paint code??? ;)

Pushy, Pushy!!
Nason by Dupont
Ful-Thane Low VOC Urethane
cost code: A
Car: General Motors Corp
Code: 349D Year: 1995
Color: Med Blue

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Something needs to be done with those valve covers and other exposed engine parts. Spray them or buff them, something. Why not spray the front frame rails while they were exposed? This is the one drawback to doing a lot of quality work, but not the whole shebang like you would like to do. Everything you have worked on is looking fantastic, everything you didn't is showing up too easily. But no matter what doesn't get attention on this truck, it will still be nicer than about 90% of whats posted on the board. This will be an outstanding DD.

I know but if I did everything than why go all out on my 70 2WD Blazer;) Need to save a few things (ok alot of things) for that build that are different from this one!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I know but if I did everything than why go all out on my 70 2WD Blazer;) Need to save a few things (ok alot of things) for that build that are different from this one!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I had the impression you went "all out" on pretty much everything. ;)

I had the impression you went "all out" on pretty much everything. ;)

Heck this is as quick, cheap and half &SS as I can get. I am really, really looking forward to doing a full out build but on the same note I know I will have well over 1000hrs just in final body work, paint and polish. After being able to work on LemonDrop I now know how great too much paint looks:lol: Don't know if I could ever go back and just shoot an assembled vehical. Heck I even tried to bring my self to shoot the jambs first, hang the doors and shoot the panels hung but I just could not bring my self to do it.

Hi my name is Kevin, I have a truck problem and the only known cure is more trucks:devil: Am I wrong?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

hi, my name is James and i have the same problem, where to stop!!!!!!!!
worse part is i do that for a living so i go overboard on my own stuff, oh well, just hope the wife understands my mistress. lol. keep working on her kevin,it is great therapy. i hope to start mine in a month. i need therapy also.

Piece by piece it will become one again! I might have the truck together minus the bed by next monday night. Then off to the glass shop while I get back on project Trazer. Once that is done then I will finish the bed and time for a dump run!! One door and one fender polished! Once the truck is together I will go back over it again depending how it looks in the sun plus I fugure by the time I finish polishing the truck I will know what I am doing and the first 3/4 os the truck will bug me enough to redo the whole thing:lol:

Kevin
LFD inc.
166hrs main build
$6043.00 main build
101 Paint hrs
$905.00 Paint

lookin good..

That color is really nice. It looks nice with the trim package. Are you going to paint the wheels the same color? Once again you have made it look so easy.

Looks Good Man !!!! I wish my trim was in that good shape!! Mines alittle dinged and scratched . Oh wait so is my whole truck !! I will make mine pretty someday!!! Bob

That color is really nice. It looks nice with the trim package. Are you going to paint the wheels the same color? Once again you have made it look so easy.
Not sure yet on the rim color or finish. It might look easy and some of it is but I need to practice before I start making yellow dust some day.

Looks Good Man !!!! I wish my trim was in that good shape!! Mines alittle dinged and scratched . Oh wait so is my whole truck !! I will make mine pretty someday!!! Bob
Pretty trim is easy for $1400;) That was for a fully trimmed out 67 trim package I bought awhile ago.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Someday !!! When I do the exterior butification project!!!!! Got to get this thing burning the bfg's again first !!!!!! I wish the engine god's would start smiling on me instead of giving me the stink eye !!!!!! Bob

.....Pretty trim is easy for $1400;) That was for a fully trimmed out 67 trim package I bought awhile ago.

Curious about the trim as well. How do you like it? Where/who did it come from? Any likes/dis-likes about it?

Someday !!! When I do the exterior butification project!!!!! Got to get this thing burning the bfg's again first !!!!!! I wish the engine god's would start smiling on me instead of giving me the stink eye !!!!!! Bob They are just wanting more out of ya!!

Curious about the trim as well. How do you like it? Where/who did it come from? Any likes/dis-likes about it?
So far it is very nice but I have only delt with the fender and door trim. I still have yet to try the bed side trim and that is were the quality will start to show. The front stuff is all one piece as the bed sides are three piece so we will see how well the joint fits. Then I also have new grill inserts for the 68 front end for my Blazer as well as the front fender edge trim pieces, hood noising, rear bed hocky puck pieces, tail gate trim (68 top trim) and new head light bucket SS cups for the 68 as well. I bought a full set for SlowBuild but decided some would look good on LowBuck and then the rest will get used on the Blazer along with new parts that I stole for this build. The new trim around the back of the cag is nice but the clips are so so. I might try a different vendor and see what I can find. The clips have these little wings that you can see after install... I think it all came from mar-K but I am not sure. If you look up SlowBuild I posted all the info their when I got it. Who ever it was they make all their own SS parts in house and seem to have a good quality control department.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Man I thought I gave it all I had it took 4 years and a lot of cash to build it for approx 3 miles . Maybe if I offer my nasty looking neighbor, her stupid kid ,and her ugly mutt of a dog they will smile at me again!!!!:lol::lol:

Man I thought I gave it all I had it took 4 years and a lot of cash to build it for approx 3 miles . Maybe if I offer my nasty looking neighbor, her stupid kid ,and her ugly mutt of a dog they will smile at me again!!!!:lol::lol:
Are you kidding your self why do you think she ended up like she did? Thay don't want her back:lol:
I used to build my own motors for years then chevy got better at it then I did so not I just let them build mine. The LT1 in this truck is stock except for teh computer and headers and it puts out around 360+ right now before a dyno tune. My next project will get a stock 6.0 with some turbo help to get over 600+ easy for a mild street motor and still get good milage to boot. I just can not justify building them any more when their are so many other good options out thier for cheap that will go 100,000 plus with out a second thought.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Pushy, Pushy!!
Nason by Dupont
Ful-Thane Low VOC Urethane
cost code: A
Car: General Motors Corp
Code: 349D Year: 1995
Color: Med Blue

Kevin
LFD Inc.

i am not, lol

its funny how its a 1995 year but yet looks like the original color in my cab and on the firewall, unless they kept the same color so long

Kevin,... Did you drill all the trim holes when the truck was assembled? I thought it would be tough to get them all "line up" if you did each panel seperate. What's your secret?

Kevin,... Did you drill all the trim holes when the truck was assembled? I thought it would be tough to get them all "line up" if you did each panel seperate. What's your secret?

Cross you fingers and go! I should have but was running out of time so I cut corners on this one. I also was not positive if I was going to run the trim until after it was painted. I did make sure when it was assembled that the lower body line was perfectly strait so I could measure off that for drilling. I will be drilling the cab corner and bed after it is all together. The doors and front fender are the only ones that have to go on before assembly do to hidden nuts.
Here are a few pics from tonight, everything still needs to be adjusted including the light. So far so good, I love the strait reflection between teh door fender and cab corner. I have a few spots that I might hit again with 2500 grit and the polisher but then again I might just drive the cr@p out of it. I have Monday off but I am gone this week end for my wife's B-day so I hope to get the front all back together and adjusted Monday.

Kevin
LFD Inc.
166hrs main build
$6043.00 main build
103 Paint hrs
$905.00 Paint

And!

i've been quiet long enough...

you, sir, inspire many of us to attempt things that are out of our skill range.

you should be ashamed.

...ok. maybe not. but you do make me think, "hey, that looks easy...i could do that!". which isn't always the case.

but, to repeat what everyone else is saying.

amazing work.

and that cut and buff stuff is pretty slick, man. ;)

-Sam.

Looks awesome !!!!!! Keep up the good work !!! Don't very low buck to me !!!

You are a machine! Looks nice.

i've been quiet long enough...

you, sir, inspire many of us to attempt things that are out of our skill range.

you should be ashamed.

...ok. maybe not. but you do make me think, "hey, that looks easy...i could do that!". which isn't always the case.

but, to repeat what everyone else is saying.

amazing work.

and that cut and buff stuff is pretty slick, man. ;)

-Sam.
Keep in mind that alot of this build was out of my skill or comfort level before I started as well! First frame shortning of this type, first bed chop, first flip kit/bag set up, first cut and polish job, first alot of things. The only thing that makes me stand out is I am willing to try it;)

Looks awesome !!!!!! Keep up the good work !!! Don't very low buck to me !!!
I need to update the money and time line for this build but we are still under 10k (no including this motor or trany remember) and that is damb good for what it is, a 100% brand new 70 chevy truck:metal:

Kevin
LFD inc.

Is the trim repop trim?

Is the trim repop trim?

Yes it is, I think I got it thru Mar-K if I remember right. Very nice fit and quality so far. I still have alot of parts to fit and try.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I can't wait to see a side view when its all together ! Looking awesome !

Lookin good bro! As always I'm impressed. I flipped this shot for ya.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/seeten/paint2090.jpg

She surr is purdy!

Lookin good bro! As always I'm impressed. I flipped this shot for ya.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/seeten/paint2090.jpg

Monday I should get a chance to cut and polish the hood! I can not wait to see how it turns out because it turned out so nice right from the gun. It is funny I have been looking at new cars as I drive to and from work and I am now niticing how much orange peel they all seem to have. As much as I like doing this I think it is also a bad thin for me as I will never be happy with a normay paint job again. I am already loking at this one thinking should I just touch up that spot or this spot then realize the maden voyage for this truck once it is finished is right to the dumps witha full load and a trailer load as well. So I think I will leave it how it is. Dont get me wronge it is nicer than most that I have seen but I still am my worst critick. Next I need to built a ventilation set up in the booth to stop the little bits of dust I get. I also need to spend more time cleaning the shop before and during paint jobs to cut down on dust. When I did LemonDrop I cleaned, vacumed, washed and blew out that shop from top to bottom but for mine I sweeped it out and shot paint:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Leaving the floor wet while you paint helps catch alot of dust too.

Kevin,
as usual, i am amazed.... nice work.. keep it coming

Leaving the floor wet while you paint helps catch alot of dust too.

Yes you are right and I did wet it down but only at the beginning and not before each new coat. It was just going to be a blow on paint job no panels off or anything fancy:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Kevin don't forget when you are cleaning up preparing for paint work to allow time for dust to settle. Considering that you are always on warp drive sometimes it's hard to factor that in.

While you are cleaning, sweeping, and wiping down dust becomes airborn. It takes a while for the lighter stuff to settle. If you don't factor that in it will settle while you are painting as the vapors from the paint attach to the dust particle and make it heavy.

Yeah, I know you might have thought of this. I just thought a reminder from a guy that has seen some awesome "driveway" paint jobs done with proper preparation.

I'm like you, color sanding and buffing makes it look even more purtier. Paint looks Awesome, keep the pics coming.

Kevin don't forget when you are cleaning up preparing for paint work to allow time for dust to settle. Considering that you are always on warp drive sometimes it's hard to factor that in.

While you are cleaning, sweeping, and wiping down dust becomes airborn. It takes a while for the lighter stuff to settle. If you don't factor that in it will settle while you are painting as the vapors from the paint attach to the dust particle and make it heavy.

Yeah, I know you might have thought of this. I just thought a reminder from a guy that has seen some awesome "driveway" paint jobs done with proper preparation.

100% right, I did this for LemonDrop but I was in a rush for mine and have the dust to show for it or I did before color sanding.
I forgot to add when I spray the floor down I use a hudson sprayer with some dish soap mixed in. This helps lock the dust down as it dries. I am working on the vent/ fresh air system before the next paint job. I have a 40 chevy truck lined up after Trazer is finished and then today I had a guy contact me about a 67 chevelle SS and a 39 ford as well for paint so my set up will be getting much better very soon.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

A bit more progress for the day. I hope to have teh cab forward finished Monday and drivable again. Hood is all polished and ready to go on as soon as a friend stops by for a hand. Then front bumper will go on and I will pull it out of the shop and start cleaning things up to get ready to finish up Trazer.

Kevin
LFD Inc.
166hrs main build
$6043.00 main build
105 Paint hrs
$905.00 Paint

that...is gorgeous.

-Sam.

Looks Great !!!!!!