I am good with the white for now. It’s easy to match, easy to touch up, and hides imperfections well. I also kinda like it. Who knows what the future holds? For now, white it is.
CK5
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I am good with the white for now. It’s easy to match, easy to touch up, and hides imperfections well. I also kinda like it. Who knows what the future holds? For now, white it is.
Working on the inner fenders. Trimmed the passenger side for the shock tower, then cleaned, and scuffed to prep for paint. Waiting for the driver side to come in. I jacked the first one up by over-trimming. $30 mistake.
Initially I was going to paint these the same hammered grey as I did the inside of the outer fenders and the core support, but made a last minute departure from that plan and painted the inner fender with POR-15 Top Coat. Photos below show before and after, with the initial EDP coating then two coats of the POR-15. I think Two coats will do just fine.
Initially I was going to paint these the same hammered grey as I did the inside of the outer fenders and the core support, but made a last minute departure from that plan and painted the inner fender with POR-15 Top Coat. Photos below show before and after, with the initial EDP coating then two coats of the POR-15. I think Two coats will do just fine.
Looking good man! Been following your build and rebuild on Instagram.
Thanks man! Following your stuff too. Your work is super clean and inspirational. There’s not even half the build up in IG. Been documenting it all here for the last year. Seems crazy that it hasn’t been longer than that.
I found @AugustDiesel on IG. What's your screen name @America.Mike?
Never mind. It came right up when I typed America lol.
Haha yep screen name is same as my ig.
Yes it’s crazy how fast time goes by! I wish I started the build thread on here first. Now I need to scroll through all my photos and upload them lol. Going to take at least a week to do that haha.
Well, was able to take an old fender bolt and trim it down to maybe half an inch to 5/8 long, and thread it into this blind hole with thread sealer. Not sure how deep is too deep, but it bottomed out and I crank led the truck, turned the steering wheel lock to lock, and no issues so far.
Here is an old photo that better details the hole in question:
And here is that hole now plugged:
Does anyone see any potential steering or drivability issues stemming from this? Like I said, the threaded portion of the plug might be 1/2” long.
Next up, my replacement-replacement driver inner fender arrived, and I drew up the cut out for the shock tower basing off what I did on the passenger side. Figured I can always trim more, but can’t cleanly put thin sheet metal back if I trimmed too much. Will cut this out and test fit later this afternoon.
For reference, here is the fender that I jacked up.
I’ll get the new new one trimmed up and painted tonight, let them cure through tomorrow and install Friday morning.
Here is an old photo that better details the hole in question:
And here is that hole now plugged:
Does anyone see any potential steering or drivability issues stemming from this? Like I said, the threaded portion of the plug might be 1/2” long.
Next up, my replacement-replacement driver inner fender arrived, and I drew up the cut out for the shock tower basing off what I did on the passenger side. Figured I can always trim more, but can’t cleanly put thin sheet metal back if I trimmed too much. Will cut this out and test fit later this afternoon.
For reference, here is the fender that I jacked up.
I’ll get the new new one trimmed up and painted tonight, let them cure through tomorrow and install Friday morning.
This turned out really good in my opinion, the fit is even better. Tonight I will give it the same treatment as the passenger side: a light tacking of the support panel to the main where the trimming was done, followed by a good scuffing and acetone bath, then two coats of POR-15 Topcoat. Both inner fenders will hang to cure through tomorrow, then I’ll install them first thing Friday morning.
Tomorrow will be all about fine-tuning the steering.
Tomorrow will be all about fine-tuning the steering.
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Go man, go!
Funny how deadlines have a way of causing things to get done. Last night I was able to fine tune my steering alignment as best as I could: 1/8” toe-in from all measurements. Also got the inner fenders installed and adjusted my headlights some, as well as, setup my *temporary* sleeping platform. Which left time this morning to get my steering stop bolts set the way I wanted and replace a worn out V belt.
I swear it was not my intention for these inners to be so blingy! Lol. POR-15 Top Coat is some glossy stuff! If it wasn’t so expensive I would’ve painted everything else with it possibly.
I used a jig saw with a thin metal cutting blade to trim around the shock towers, and am pleased with how they turned out.
As for this platform, it’s very temporary and primitive. I have some ideas for a more functional sleeping arrangement in the future.
All in all, that pretty much wraps up the wreck repairs and even some post-60 install adjustments. Every year my church puts on a men’s retreat this weekend, which I am about to depart for, once I get packed. This trip has typically been my way of testing out the truck as a camper. It will also be a big test on the driveability of the truck since the 60 and the wreck as this will have been the farthest I’ve driven it since the install.
If all goes well (and even if it doesn’t) I’ll be taking a break probably for the balance of the year to focus on house stuff and family.
If I have cell phone reception, I’ll post up how the drive out went. Until then, thanks to everyone for all the support throughout this build and rebuild.
Andy
I swear it was not my intention for these inners to be so blingy! Lol. POR-15 Top Coat is some glossy stuff! If it wasn’t so expensive I would’ve painted everything else with it possibly.
I used a jig saw with a thin metal cutting blade to trim around the shock towers, and am pleased with how they turned out.
As for this platform, it’s very temporary and primitive. I have some ideas for a more functional sleeping arrangement in the future.
All in all, that pretty much wraps up the wreck repairs and even some post-60 install adjustments. Every year my church puts on a men’s retreat this weekend, which I am about to depart for, once I get packed. This trip has typically been my way of testing out the truck as a camper. It will also be a big test on the driveability of the truck since the 60 and the wreck as this will have been the farthest I’ve driven it since the install.
If all goes well (and even if it doesn’t) I’ll be taking a break probably for the balance of the year to focus on house stuff and family.
If I have cell phone reception, I’ll post up how the drive out went. Until then, thanks to everyone for all the support throughout this build and rebuild.
Andy
Nice work man!
Comfy air mattress/sleeping pad will work on the platform. Just make sure you lay down a blanket on the plywood to soften the spot for it and save wear on the matress.
Good luck on the trip. You've done a ton of work to get to this point, it's time to use and enjoy it now.
Good luck on the trip. You've done a ton of work to get to this point, it's time to use and enjoy it now.
Looks awesome!
I made it up here without incident! Save for an annoying pull to the right in the steering that I cannot seem to resolve. Other than that it was a pleasant drive. I do not have enough cell phone signal to upload photos, so those will be shared tomorrow when I get back.
Trip was a success. Up and back without any problems. Roughly a 180 mile round trip. Sleeping platform was very comfortable. Thanks to @ZooMad75 for recommending the blanket. I was particularly pleased with how well the truck rode at highway speed, with exception for the feedback I get through the steering wheel. 66-70ish-mph was a breeze.
I’m pretty wiped out and can’t think of what else to say, so I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.
First fuel up since I don’t know when.
My camping spot:
The sleeping arrangements;
These cheap rain gutter guards from Lowe’s make good window vents for letting in cool fresh air.
And you can’t camp without coffee!
I’m pretty wiped out and can’t think of what else to say, so I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.
First fuel up since I don’t know when.
My camping spot:
The sleeping arrangements;
These cheap rain gutter guards from Lowe’s make good window vents for letting in cool fresh air.
And you can’t camp without coffee!
Excellent! Glad it was uneventful as far as mechanical drama goes.
And inattentive driver drama!
When I got home, I put the truck straight to work. I had promised my wife that after this trip I would shift my focus to house stuff, and this was the first project. I’ve never liked these hedges, so it was time to yank them out. The truck made easy work of it.
Work truck doin work truck things ...
Resting face ...
Work truck doin work truck things ...
Resting face ...
