1990k5fan
1/2 ton status
What are some appearance upgrades that most people use to improve the look of the underbody of their truck? I'm talking about the visible areas after say a 4" lift?
CK5
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Best appearance upgrades
- Thread starter 1990k5fan
- Start date
Thunder
3/4 ton status
Mud. Dirt. and Grease
1990k5fan
1/2 ton status
I was talking about like color schemes and stuff? Painted parts? Chrome covers?
Thunder
3/4 ton status
Black is beautiful man.
Its all I use.
It even covers chrome pretty good.
Its all I use.
It even covers chrome pretty good.
1990k5fan
1/2 ton status
I just want to improve the look of my truck. I'm thinking about painting the axles, painting the leaf springs, and just cleaning everything.
stallion85
1/2 ton status
I use Krylon Semi Flat Black paint. It cleans things up nice and makes it look new and clean. Make sure you buy a good primer otherwise it will come off pretty easy.
I just painted my entire Jeep with rattle cans....lol
I just painted my entire Jeep with rattle cans....lol
1990k5fan
1/2 ton status
IGOR said:
That looks great but not to be a noob or anything, but what is that for? The axle cover?
It's to prevent rocks from scraping open your diff cover - I selfishly ripped off spydercustoms design
https://www.spydercustoms.com/index2.php - go to components, then rock ring (at top left) - there are installed pics
https://www.spydercustoms.com/index2.php - go to components, then rock ring (at top left) - there are installed pics
1990k5fan said:
Krylon camoflage paint.
A sawzall.
Fuzzy dice.
Dingleball trim around the windshield.
A four foot wide segmented rear view mirror.
Point being that in this forum, rarely does "appearance" get used in the same sentence as "upgrade."
Some folks do, just not many. I mean, look at my truck. I even washed it before I spraybombed it. Mostly.
-- A
1990k5fan
1/2 ton status
Well the only reason is that this is my DD / weekend warrior :P. I want it to look good when it is clean 
We are in the minority on this site for appearance versus function. I appreciate both schools of thought - but lean towards the pretty boy side!
Here are some more undercarriage shots: This is after I got my axles & components back from the powdercoat shop - I have my Blazer torn apart to powdercoat the frame -
I would say the easiest thing is a drill with a brass brush and some black Krylon - elbow grease & spray paint will go far - maybe top it off with an aluminum diff cover or powdercoated thick steel one in a nice color that compliments your rig
Here are some more undercarriage shots: This is after I got my axles & components back from the powdercoat shop - I have my Blazer torn apart to powdercoat the frame -
I would say the easiest thing is a drill with a brass brush and some black Krylon - elbow grease & spray paint will go far - maybe top it off with an aluminum diff cover or powdercoated thick steel one in a nice color that compliments your rig
Well, that I understand. Keeps gunk off the axles.
But, err, two questions. One, please tell me your lift blocks aren't chromed
Secondly, do you have two shock mounts on each side of your 14bff? Why?
-- A
But, err, two questions. One, please tell me your lift blocks aren't chromed
Secondly, do you have two shock mounts on each side of your 14bff? Why?
-- A
LOL - no - they aren't chromed - that's silver spray paint - not really happy with it - but oh well..
And yes I have two shock mounts - on each side - as to why - it seemed like a good idea at the time - I will probably only run one shock on each side - but will wait and see - I've actually been driving it on the street for some time sans shocks - and it rides surprisingly well...
That's all a moot point now though - as the frame is out from under it
And yes I have two shock mounts - on each side - as to why - it seemed like a good idea at the time - I will probably only run one shock on each side - but will wait and see - I've actually been driving it on the street for some time sans shocks - and it rides surprisingly well...
That's all a moot point now though - as the frame is out from under it
stallion85
1/2 ton status
1990k5fan said:Well the only reason is that this is my DD / weekend warrior :P. I want it to look good when it is clean
When you get it all blinged out and clean looking make sure you take lots of pic's. After a couple wheeling expeditions it will look beat down again. That's why I rattle can everything. I have a $2 body shop right in my driveway
1990k5fan said:Well the only reason is that this is my DD / weekend warrior :P. I want it to look good when it is clean
Clean the underside with Purple power or oven cleaner, let it dry thoroughly. Apply a heavy coat of gloss black rust oleum to the axles and frame. Shoot some undercoating on the underside of the body, let that dry thoroughly.
When the painted/undercoated surfaces are cured hit them up with some armor all foaming tire cleaner/shiner stuff, and bling bling. That crap works well under the hood also for all of your rubber trash.
1990k5fan said:
The best visible upgrade I did under my truck was install a Dana 60.
I couldn't care less about what it looks like as long as it performs. I used to have chrome diff covers, jet hot coated headers, chrome valve covers, etc. It all starts to rust eventually. now everything is covered in flat black Krylon. everytime I work on something everything surrounding it gets a quick coat.
Well you could always go full on 80's retro. You know, use 14 chrome shocks on each axle, paint each leaf in the packs an alternating color, as much chrome as you can put on it, barber pole stripe the drive shafts, etc.
Or you could just clean everything up as much as you can with various appropriate cleaners and then use a gloss black paint for added gussiness or a flat black to get the job done. Maybe even use an accent color on things like the diff covers. Main thing, make it like you want it.
Or you could just clean everything up as much as you can with various appropriate cleaners and then use a gloss black paint for added gussiness or a flat black to get the job done. Maybe even use an accent color on things like the diff covers. Main thing, make it like you want it.
