I hope yours was great Brew! I saw in another thread you are working on the bed of your truck. What are you fixing?

 

Thanks guys. I am trying to get things done early this year. Still have the front stripes to go on tomorrow, but she is getting done this time. I neglected her last year, but this year she gets the treatment. So far, new tires (245/45/19's), and some clean up of the interior, and the tail stripe so far. I still have one valve cover to swap (blue with Ford logo), oil change and the Android radio swap and she is done. I may still swap in the the 373 8.8 LS axle, but haven't made up my mind as of yet. It's ready to go, just getting the boot in my butt to do it. lol

Then it is on to finish lil Red. I'm going to do the chains, check the right side exhaust (slight noise, but no messed up bolts), and weld in the exhaust (removing the clamps) for a cleaner look. I'm thinking of the paint in August, With the right weather, I may do it sooner. Depends on the first that is lit under my butt.

 

Actually been sick, sounds like you and the wife haven't been in a good way either...sucks don't it.. Thankfully it'll pass...just wish it would get here already.

The bed is going to be the easy part. We were going to fix the core or radiator support since it's not bad. All those years treating it with fluid film and WD paid off. Anyway, I can fix both sides without removing much, just all the paint. Then a weld out. Going to try something different. Por15 over freshly blasted metal one side and making mine own cocktail for the other side. It'll be a hot mix of epoxy primer, hot meaning it has to go down right away...after a few shakes. 0 shelf life time lol. Both primer sealers can be applied with a brush. Epoxy primer is the best you can do as far as rust proofing, you have to mix and shoot. Gun primer lasts just 4 hours after shake, it has to go down. But once it does, man that stuff is tough sealer. Anyway, the support is a good location to test. Never used Por15, always wanted to see how it does when put down correctly. Both are one coat applications. Not covering, leaving just one coat down then exposing it to next winters salt which is totally wrong lol. The epoxy test will probably fail, otherwise others would have done it I expect. Other than that, Epoxy will be covering all bare metal. Self etching on the rest. But I'll do that correctly, following procedure. This truck isn't going to rust again, - during my time anyway. Yea, was going to that first quickly, then finish the bed. The two rear panels are done, the front panels are easy weld ins. Then it's just a sand down, skim sand and shoot. No dents or dings, just some chips, a few deep scratches. The underside of the bed isn't rusted, just the panels and a little rust around the arches under the flares. It will blast out, then either epoxy or self etching as it will depend upon surrounding area.

I guess I'll have to fix that manifold leak as well, not sure when I'll fit that in. It's a small but annoying leak.

Unfortunately, the woman is growing tired of me working on the truck, I should be doing other things and get back to the truck later. You think she has a point ? She does of course and don't know why she puts up with it. Has me feeling guilty each and every time I 'm driving out to the kids house now. Soo, back to maturity and responsibility for a bit...or settling down. Best way to put it lol. It's all good.

I found a beautiful place on 7 acres, really liked it. BUT, she didn't. Blah, bummed about that, so the search continues...both tiring and depressing. Never the less, she has to like it as well or it just won't work.

 

FWIW, I have used POR15 twice. The first time, on my Mustang, is still holding strong. The next, on the F150, is rusting through again. BUT, the F150 was a lot further gone.... like already starting to flake. I think I waited too long. I would absolutely use it again.... I think it would be a great thing to use after patching a panel, especially on the weld areas. At some point, I need to get to my core support as well. I suspect it will be a long, drawn out process.... and I've got a couple things coming up that I need the old girl for.

What are you using to blast the bed?

I know what you mean about not being able to find something that you and your lady BOTH like. The house we bought was the first one we found that had everything both of us wanted but one thing.... main floor laundry. And that is kind of rare in Utah, unless it's a one level home.

 

Looks like I'll be working on the Highboy the 12/13 so hopefully I will have even more progress photos! I'm so ready to have this thing rust free! I'm not however ready to have it back at my house as it seems my garage has exploded with crap and it can't fit in the garage lol ... plan to get that cleaned up this month!

 

Both my garage and little shop have exploded as well. I have 3 sets of tires in there right now.... need to get it down to 1 set, lol.

My 5 lug swap parts are all over the place too. I hope I can sell some of this stuff off after I'm done... hahaha. I know I can sell the wheels easy peasy. Not sure who would want the rest of it though.

 

You guys think this camper shell is worth $140? He has the frame for the rear but the glass has obviously been busted. It was repainted in December. Is the glass super expensive or hard to get?

Trying to prepare for future road trips with the baby and husky are rainy days

 

That glass will be hard to find. Is it a Leer shell (I see the one on top is). If so, they might still have it.

By comparison, I saw this one yesterday....

https://www.ksl.com/classifieds/listing/52363738

 

Yeah I've been trying to spend as little money as possible since I'll use it probably max 2-3x a year. But even if I wanted to spend a lot of money apparently Indiana doesn't have crap for 10th gens on Craigslist.

I just asked to confirm if it's a leer or not. He has like 100 different camper shells lol

 

We have a lot of broken back shell windows up here. To replace it with glass is ridiculous priced. Most now will put in the same thickness of pexiglass. It runs about 80 for that shell here to have the pexi cut, but it is definitely worth it.