I got the frame out and the cab is in the shop. I did have a small mishap and if I had only waited until someone got home from work it would not have happenened but I was impatient. Nothing bad. I work by myself most times so pay close attention to safety. I made sure that if it dropped it was never more then a foot and that is only because of the thickness of a concrete block. I am going to start cleaning the frame so I dont get impatient again as I need some help to get the cab supported more safely. It is alright for now.


Cab in shop waiting for help to get saw horses where they need to be.


Frame outside getting ready for cleaning and paint.



My impatience did cause some small damage that I can fix. It fell about 3 inches. grrrr..

 

could have been worse terry that 3 inch dent in the rocker coulda been your body which dont fix as easy as metal

do be careful man

 

Hello Cyberhorn... I have to be safe. I made sure that I had plenty of catches in places that if it ever did come down that it wasnt on me. I was never worried about me but more of the truck as I knew I wouldnt get hurt. Wish I would of waited but then I would not have gotten as much done as I have and that is an easy fix. Still those rockers were dent free. Ugh!!!

 

This frame was loaded with dirt. Not sure if you can see in the pictures but it is half full of dirt.


I take an air hose and start at the back and keep working my way to the front until I get to the center then I work from the front to the center. Got the frame cleaned. I will still wash it out at a later time and spray some oil in the frame.


I would like to use some new bushings but these are still in good shape. I just cleaned them with a wire bench brush and will reuse them. Everything I spend cuts into my painting which I am hoping to do next Friday. I did not do any body work since I was greasy. Will do that this coming week. The frame here is cleaned but not with degreaser. I will be rebuilding the front axle at a later time so it will get a good cleaning and painting at that time.


It is starting to rain. I sanded with 80 grit paper and a drill and a wire brush on a drill. After wards I soaked the frame in degreaser and scrubbed it with my hands. Am hoping the rain will do alot for me. This frame just has some surface rust in a couple of places but other then that it is in excellent condition. No rust holes anywhere.

 

I scrubbed the frame with my wire toothbrush in the nooks and crannies. It is now CLEAN and painted. I will do the axles and leaf springs when I go to work on them. Looks better in person and really happy how it has turned out. Next I will be degreasing the bottom of the cab and engine bay and finish up the body work on it.


Pictures dont do it justice but here is another view.


Got the inner fenders degreased and ready for sanding and primer. Battery box is in great shape.


Passenger inner fender.


Drivers inner fender. Got a lot of the transmission tunnel cleaned and some unde the cab. The black at the bottom of the inner fender is where I sanded some paint off due to power steering fluid messing up the paint. It did not rust the fender.

 

Looks great!!!I'm glad u didn't get hurt with the cab,sucks that happened,but you'll fix it!!!

 

with a full repaint this is gona look awesome

 

Thanks kornhuskerwizard and Cyberhorn...I am keeping my eye on the goal. My only biggest concern with this build is getting a complete problem free harness. It will eventually happen. This build is going on 12 pages and I will say for some reason the 86 extra cab and this 85 extra cab have seemed to taken longer then I expect. The 86 was due to weather and my 85 just seems like it has been fighting me the whole way for something or other. Some set backs but I am going to get it whipped yet.

I am picking up some paint for the engine bay tomorrow and if all goes well I will get the engine bay painted tomorrow or the next day.

Just to keep me motivated. I want the same rims or mid 80s Dodge Raider Rims look quite similar and are nice looking as well.

 

I am working on a possible failed science experiment. The windshield cowls let a lot of dirt into the ventilation system. I ground down the back of the cowl vents and laid a piece of fiberglass material over the vents. Later I am going to cover the vents with some body filler and go for the smooth cowl look. I am thinking it can still draw air thru the wiper blade holes.

 

I had to spend some time getting things back organized in the shop and cleaned up. I have a 22re motor that is just not salvageable and the only thing I could save off of it was the head, oil pan, and pickup tube. So that got me to getting the rest of the metal I had laying around to haul off to scrap. You would really be surprised at how much metal you go thru. I use a 5 gallon bucket for small metal items like broken tools and busted bolts and such. I will be hauling off 6 shocks, 2 O2 sensors, one coil, oil filters, empty rattle can paint cans, plug wires, brake pads, and some other things I cant think off right off. It adds up quick. I will only get about $50 for it but the brats help me in the shop and they think the little bit of scrap they find is worth about $10. It isn't worth what they find. The little crooks got me for $10 on one of their old bicycle frames the last time. lol, I don't mind as they do help. I was just surprised at how much in parts this time that really gets used. You never really think about it until you see it all at once and that isn't considering the non metal things.

We are to have great weather this week so I am hoping to take a day or so off work to try and take advantage of the weather if all goes well and get as much done as possible. I want to get paint on before it gets cold and will really push to get it painted Friday if all goes as planned.

 

Rats!!! I went to put some sealer on the engine bay and I am out of activator. It wont be at my local Oriellys til 4 this after noon so I am going to take a nap and see if I can get that accomplished. Plan on painting the engine bay tomorrow and will start body work on cab in the next couple of days.

Cleaned the firewall.


Got the bay ready for sealer.

 

how is your sheet metal skills?
instead of using filler maybe cut out the louvers and weld a piece in..

 

Great work terry!

Scrap definitely adds up. I fill a 55 gal drum at the school and by the time in ready to take it, it's filled to the top with stuff all laying around the floor.

Unfortunately shredder scrap doesn't go for much around here. Copper and brass on the other hand claim a nice amount

 

Wiper holes may be a little too constricted.

I'm planning to simply mount steel or plastic mesh under the cowl grille... (like one of these), or gutter filter/guard like this
With UV-stabilized tie-wrap/cable tie...
...or steal the plastic vent mesh out of this - LOL!

 

it'll draw air through the former drains on either side might get a bit dusty'er air pulled in

 

Hello Robb... I am wanting a welder badly. It is on the list. I do havea few spare cowls and eventually I am going to get a welder and close it up with a plate. That wont take long to repaint at a later time. I was going to get one from Slacker but buying one from him would go a long ways toward a welder. I want a welder badly.

Hello Mark... I accumulated things from the house and when I did my shop wiring had some left over from it. I actually forgot a few other things that I meant to get out of here. I can already tell I will eventually haul off the 3 rims on this truck, its shocks, and my exhaust from my 86 when I have it replaced. This stuff piles up quick.

Hello Ray...I may ago that route for awhile. I am determined to keep that debris out of my ventilation system. Thanks for the idea. One reason I had to cut out that other panel as it was just mud or stuff that an airhose and vacuum would not get out. Luckily there was no damage.

Hello Cyberhorn..I had forgot about the drain ports. That will allow plenty in. This is going to be my work truck and it wont be down many dusty roads. I am going to put to much effort in it to get it all dirty. It will get used like my other ones do but not abused.

 

I wanted to wake up at 4 yesterday and get my sealer. I was woke up by Misty telling me it was time to go to work, uhhh!!! I was beat but with this weather we are having I am trying to take full advantage of it. I was wanting to take a few days off this week but we have a guy that has some rare cancer and the cancer centers are interested in him and we are short handed for him being gone. I am ready to get a few solid days in on this truck.

I did get sealer on and some of my other pictures did not turn out.


Here is a few of the bay painted. I am letting the fumes out and letting it dry and hope I can get some of the bay things reinstalled later today. Want to get the rest of the truck done and get the cab on the frame. I am actually quite happy with how my frame looks but it is sitting in the front yard and I imagine the neighbors are not quite as happy as I am. I actually have some cool neighbors and they know I will get this back in one piece and cut me some slack.


Another shot. What was I thinking of changing colors, lol It was alot to get into the different angles and still have a few small areas that I want to touch up in a few moments. Just letting the paint set up so as not to run it. I got the front of the engine bay as well, just not showing.

 

Looks excellent!!!glad u have nice weather to work with!!!

 

Great work Terry!!

 

Thanks Mark and Chris... I do have some great weather so far this week. Hoping it holds out. Now if I can only get the energy to keep at it. I was awake at 9 last nite and then went to work. Got home at 9 and it is nearly 2 and I am fizzling out. Hope to get after it in awhile.