My full conversion

[jekquistk5]

It’s amazing how paint can really transform a project. Good work.

 

[smokeum99ta]

It’s amazing how paint can really transform a project. Good work.

Yeah it’s giving me a little kick start to finish it. There’s light at the end of the tunnel now.

 

[bablazer73]

a lot of work! but looks great!

 

[smokeum99ta]

a lot of work! but looks great!

Thank you. Cant wait to really show it off

 

[bablazer73]

Thank you. Cant wait to really show it off

reminiscent of all the work I put into mine..
Miss it dearly! hope to build another once we get settled into the new house!

 

[smokeum99ta]

The transformation so far. When I bought it, after the full vert conversion and now

 

[smokeum99ta]

A goody box from lmc with misc nuts, bolts, and parts showed up today.



Then the old 2 steps forward one step back happened again. Went to move my windshield to clean it up and bumped the corner on the wall cracking it. But luckily my glass buddy had one in stock and came over to install it tonight.



Looks so good and fit perfectly




After he left I went ahead a replaced the rear window cable. So now the back glass works as it should.



Now I'm trying my hand at wet sanding the paint. Not sure if the picture shows the difference where I sanded or not. But in person it much nicer with the overspray off.



That's all for tonight, only sanded one side with 1000 grit paper, still alot more to go.

 

[jekquistk5]

Did you clear it or just single stage?

 

[smokeum99ta]

Did you clear it or just single stage?

Dupli Color primer, paint and clear coat.

 

[smokeum99ta]

Learned a valuable lesson today about body work. Feel like I shouldve took more time in the prep work. Ever little thing that I thought would be ok really shows with good lighting and wet sanding. Next time I won’t rush anything. Oh well I’m still happy with the finished product. It’s a toy not a show truck. Still gonna use rubbing compound and polish it when it shows up thou lol.

 

[jekquistk5]

Learned a valuable lesson today about body work. Feel like I shouldve took more time in the prep work. Ever little thing that I thought would be ok really shows with good lighting and wet sanding. Next time I won’t rush anything. Oh well I’m still happy with the finished product. It’s a toy not a show truck. Still gonna use rubbing compound and polish it when it shows up thou lol.

Yah I still need to do that on mine.

 

[smokeum99ta]

My 3m perfect it kit showed up yesterday with the pads. But I'm gonna wait till the weekend to use it.




I said that I was gonna add a family bar to the back of the truck so I bought a pipe bender and some pipe



First time ever bending pipe for me even thou I've been a ironworker for 15 years. Really not that hard just some trail and error.



My first side



Forgot to take pic of what I started with



My notch. Cut freehand with a grinder. Guess all those years fitting up railing finally paid of for me. Lol



Passengers side



Since the passenger side fit great I copied it for the drivers side.



Both sides temporarily taped in place



Everything taped into place. Ready to weld






I'll install some 4x4 plates on the floor tomorrow and then tac it up. Gotta see how and if the top fits first before welding solid. That's all for today

 

[smokeum99ta]

Rear bar tacked up





My son took a picture of me welding in the base plate



That base plate.





Primed up after finishing the welding.



And the finished product




Also painted the trim around the fenders and grill gloss black too. I'll let them dry a couple says before installing them. That's all for today.

 

[smokeum99ta]

Pull the truck out to get some pictures of it after using the rubbing compound. Keeps getting better but also shows alot more of the flaws. I have a new found respect for body guys. Hard to see the new roll bar in the back but it's there lol

 

[smokeum99ta]

Install the black painted trim around the grill



While the grill was out I got new turn signals.

One new one old



Both new turn signals



Front view



Grill installed

 

[smokeum99ta]

New side market lights



Side shot without the black trim



With trim, the front trim pieces were cut before I got the truck, I might source some new ones. The couples of inches missing kinda bother me now.



Rear fender

 

[smokeum99ta]

Time to install the bumpers.

Heres the front support brackets that were missing



Bumper installed



Front supports installed. Now the bumper is solid



Rear bumper and new lights installed



Looks so much better now





A few more odds and ends to button up on the exterior then moving on to the interior

 

[smokeum99ta]

Earlier in the build I installed the tie rod backwards and only noticed later when I installed the steering stabilizers. But I let it ride until today when I finally flipped it over and made it right.

Also i had purchased jeep steering shaft awhile back and stumbled across it today. So I put it on.

The old one






The new to me shaft



And it installed



Those wondering about it. Heres my thoughts. Definitely firmer, more positive feel in the wheel. Easy to install, one end is a direct bolt in the other needs to have a hole drilled in it or notch the shaft on the truck (i drilled the hole). Glad I did the mod.

 

[smokeum99ta]

Bought some used carpet the other day. It's not in bad shape but was very dusty. So I took them to the carwash and power washed them. Got them hanging up now to dry



Also today had a little surprise show up. My gauges are here. One week earlier than expected





Now I just need some time to install all of this and I think I'm ready to hit the road.

 

[smokeum99ta]

Had alittle time today to play with the beast. So we pulled out the seats to install the carpet.



What a change from before. Even though it's used carpet it looks really nice.



Installed the seats and seatbelts





Rear cargo area





Made a bracket for the rear seat brace for when the rear seat is rolled up



Gauges will be tackled next .