What did you do to your truck today? Chapter II

[NoStopN]

The only thing truck related that I've done over the last 3 days was to drive it a bit on Saturday. Yesterday & today, I've browsed ways to update seats & stereo without having to custom build every little thing. Fortunately, I've found solutions that I like (based upon their websites) even if they might be pricey.

[Jason Banks]

I have the front end of my truck torn apart. Stripped it down to the frame and front suspension. Had the frame and front suspension blasted last week. I epoxy primered and painted the frame and front suspension.

This week, I'm trying to get all the black parts painted. The engine is painted already.

Today, I realized what hard work painting is. Or, maybe I'm trying to do too many parts at once. Here's the glamor shot of the inner fenders and core support.

[Jason Banks]

This was a double post.

But, i'll use this space to tell another story. Got done with epoxy primer and was cleaning the gun. Walked back inside and saw some parts I missed. Luckily I had poured the left over primer in the mixing cup, so I didn't have to mix more. I thought I had taken great care to make sure everything was cleaned and hung or laid out for primer.

[hewittca]

I pulled the bed and started prepping it for paint. Painting the bed is the last step in my shortbed conversion. I plan to paint it like the factory did (black primer/sealer, single stage color) and then distress it to match the patina on the cab which is still all original.

[berch 69GMC]

Swapped the lens for a new one and applied black letters , numbers and graphics.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Something good. Out of something bad.

I had a special group of folks that are members here (thanks, Stan) help me with a few updates and fixes. See, RAT's been built for five or more years now.
And, well, **** happens. I'm too old and fat and lazy to pull the motor and trans (again).

So, Stan stood in for me.

Flex plate, new fuel line (Napa sold me what I asked for and thought was fuel line...wasn't...and it deteriorated), rear main seal, and a trans (350)
reseal....And new (Early Classic Enterprises) really good brake booster.

So, not driving it for too long, I was p.o'd (more like, "disappointed") when the Vintage Air wasn't working. I installed it five plus years ago, and it has
since effectively frozen me out ...up until the last time it was driven. But, because other stuff was in need, I figured it, too, needed a service...along with a leak test.
I bought some auto part refills to see if I could get the compressor to cycle, as the pressure gauge read "empty" and the compressor wouldn't click on..

Today, I opened up the hood, shook the refill can, started the engine and started the air. Connected the low side port and it wouldn't take any refrig....

So, I figured, "off to the aircon pro...". I just started cleaning other stuff under the hood.

During the "rubbing" , and hidden under the main Vintage Air wiring loom (see arrow), I found one blade connector on the condenser hard line's "blow off"
switch laying naked up against the inside passenger-side wheel well.

Okay. Now it's cold as hell again...and with no overcharging...No leaks.

The message: Double check after leaving your assumptions at the door. Easy fix. Easy to source the problem if I hadn't carried baggage to the "party".

[hdff]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Not so much as to what I did to my truck as for my truck.. Picked up the reupholstered bucket seats for my Highlander.. Upholsterer took a little creative license with them and stitched them in the black lines so they are quilted but the stitching blends into the black seams and i like it. Material from SMS and new foams from Truckseats. Now to get my a** in gear and get the console finished and get everything installed in the truck.

those seats look good Greg!!!

[BugzC10]

Added emblems to my wheels to complement the blue one on the grill

[skytop]

I just looked at it and thought about all the things I must still complete on her.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by skytop

I just looked at it and thought about all the things I must still complete on her.

You probably know this, but that "stare" never goes away.....

[Smitty]

New Shoes to go with the new Dress She's getting!

[mud.man.rj]

Mag is back.
Mudman.

[Boog]

Yeah. He's a member for life too.

[35boulder]

Finally got my front sway bar installed after watching it hold down the garage floor for a couple of months. Moving on...

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by Boog

Yeah. He's a member for life too.

Yeah.

I'm afraid you guys are stuck with me!!!

Kinda like my wife. But different.

[mud.man.rj]

Stuck with me too, now I have a 73 Chevy short box 4wd and my 71 Gmc 4wd back, life is grrreat, like tigger the tiger would say.
Just hauled a lot of bags of triple mix for the garden today, just enjoyed going to get it, but now the work begins.
Mudman.

[SJLenz1340]

So I thought I was doing something positive, replaced my insufficient and toasty battery cable to the starter. Used some nice large (not overly so, perhaps 1/0) welding cable. No voltage drop at all. Then the effin thing would not turn over! Great new problem on the 50 year old b*•ch.
Waiting for a new ignition switch now.
On a positive note it sure sounds great with a new Heartthrob exhaust system. That was a can of worms as well, but we own one of these old traps because we enjoy working on them. (ok mostly, perhaps sometimes, maybe a little less?)

[NoStopN]

I had to drive mine to save my ass. Had a trans cooler hose blow off & dump fluid all under my Z71. It's a good thing I didn't have mine torn apart & on jackstands.

[hewittca]

This happened last night, but still less than 24 hrs ago so it counts right? I Completed the last step of my shortbed conversion by getting the bed put back on for the last time and bringing the truck home after being at my dad's house off and on for the last few months. Here is a before and after from the day I got it in March '16 to yesterday.

[66clow]

Originally Posted by hewittca

This happened last night, but still less than 24 hrs ago so it counts right? I Completed the last step of my shortbed conversion by getting the bed put back on for the last time and bringing the truck home after being at my dad's house off and on for the last few months. Here is a before and after from the day I got it in March '16 to yesterday.

So cool looking, great job. But you done pissed of quite a few people now. So have I with my conversion. Lol.

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by 66clow

So cool looking, great job. But you done pissed of quite a few people now. So have I with my conversion. Lol.

Yes I have. Even more after I take some abrasives to the shiny new paint on the bed!

[BugzC10]

Originally Posted by hewittca

This happened last night, but still less than 24 hrs ago so it counts right? I Completed the last step of my shortbed conversion by getting the bed put back on for the last time and bringing the truck home after being at my dad's house off and on for the last few months. Here is a before and after from the day I got it in March '16 to yesterday.

I see your son is ready to take possession...

[mud.man.rj]

Short bed and rims make such a huge difference for the good, nice work.
Mudman.

[pryorstemmed]

I put back in a reproduction egg crate grill. Looks a lot better than the aftermarket it had. I just have to figure out the plastic clips...they don't want to snap into the inner chrome grille surround.

[FRCvette]

Finished up Retro Sound 2 radio install over the weekend and installed Juliano's three point seat belts today.