drivabeater 4.0: what i should have built last time.

[dusterbd13]

I also grabbed a proper hitch for a truck, instead of the suburban one that doesn't clear the bumper. It has a neat setup for wiring, and i'll show that when I utilize it. This came off a service body truck over at my scrap guys house.

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20200930_080046 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



went ahead and did a tune up as well, since we did everything else. Somebody had put motorcraft platinum plugs in it. Dunno how that seemed like a good idea, but apparently it was at the time....

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20201001_074728 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201001_073921 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201003_185146 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



lastly, I have made a plan and goal for the truck. Stock appearing, 2/4 drop on 15s, and black. I found this truck in a thread somewhere and it speaks to me. Its what I want to own.

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Pic9913[1] by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



so, I worked out a trade. Beige bed for a straight black one, beige hood for a straight black one, and fix a honda for paint and body labor. I have a gallon of matrix black basecoat and good clear like I used on the neon on the shopping list for next week. This week, I got the belltech four inch drop parts (wifes birthday present to me!) and dropped off the bed with steve.

When I dropped it off, we noted that despite multiple rounds of undercarriage washing, this thing still look like a swamp truck. Also, the rear cab wall is pretty banged up.

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20201003_151314 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201003_151319 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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so, pressure washer. Again. For the umpteenth time.

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20201003_153827 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201003_153833 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



next up, rear hangars install and frame paint, along with bodywork on the back of the cab. Im not looking forward to removing the rivets on this.....

 

[dusterbd13]

Previously: 2119.92



new stuff:

3m filler (75 a gallon, used 2/3) 50

high build primer gallon: 60 (to be prorated)

reducer: 30 (to be prorated)

gallon black base: 74 (to be prorated)

can rustoleum gloss black: 5.98

4x cans rustoleum semigloss black:17.94

rear sway bar: had

wiper motor pulse board: 25.99





new total: 2383.83



welcome to full blown snowball!



When we left off, I had the bed off and the pressure washer out.

Well, got that all cleaned up, and the frame painted. Took a bunch of spray cans, and honestly would have been easier and better with a brush. I learned this time.



Anyway, went ahead and did the belltech hangars and shackle kit. Way that I did it was to grind the heads off the rivets, grab my Georgia toothpick, pry the factory hangars off the rivets, grind rivets flush with frame, and drive the stub through. Was actually way less work that it sounds, and FAR easier than when I did the longbed with the bed on.

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20201005_121057 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201005_163234 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



then, I chose to attack the bent cab wall. The dent was too deep to just fill, and I dont have a stud gun. Sheetmetal screw and slide hammer was an option, but I decided to get at it from the back. Measured the deepest parts of the dent from the window channel. Marked them on the glass in sharpie and tape. Pulled the rear cab wall plastic off, and used a hole saw to make some clearance at the marks.

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20201007_092229 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



then, using an oak dowel, 3 lb hammer, and pry bars, I made it a heck of a lot better.

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20201007_092237 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



used some old bondo from the shelf, some rustoleum rattle can primer and gloss black from the shelf, and got it good enough for being hidden by the bed.

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20201009_120025 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201009_133554 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201009_134442 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



while doing something else, I tripped over the rear sway bar ive had since 2011. ive given it away twice, and its been given beck unused both times. I decided to finally use the freaking thing. I think its from a 2500 suburban, but don't hold me to it. Ive slept since then. The poly bushings I had in my suspension box, used. Muffler clamps were also on hand. So, 3 inch muffler clamps, ¾ poly bushings, a couple 5/16 bolts and nylocks, and done!

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20201009_120023 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



got the black bed on, and noticed that a 3 inch rear drop really doesn't look like much on this truck. This truck is DOWNHILL of the red one, on a pretty significant slope.

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20201010_175936 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201011_083404 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



went down to dads to do the carrier bearing spacer, trans spacer, and plasma cut the floor for clearance.

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20201010_171420 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



on the way home from grabbing the bed, the wipers developed a mind of their own. Pulse board went bad. Grabbed one, and installed. Simple, even in the rain!

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20201012_102953 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

since I cant seem to rive multicolored, in progress stuff, I decided to roll forward with paint and body. And do it ok enough to be proud of. Lots of filler work and hammer and dolly proceeded....

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20201016_175854 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201018_082953 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

 

[dusterbd13]

rust repair on the extended cab section. Decided that I wanted to try a glue in panel. Made a panel, glues in with jb weld. Sheetmetal screws as clamps.

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20201020_093119 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201020_100241 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201021_172227 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr





finished up filler work, primed, blocked, and then shot with high build and guide coat

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20201022_120318 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201022_172952 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201022_175918 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



the yellow tape is arts notes to me

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20201022_175944 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



then, after a lot more blocking and spot putty and filler work and....

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20201024_115708 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201024_142558 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201024_164237 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



will hopefully paint this week

 

[dusterbd13]

Previously: 2288.83





new:

window mounting buttons and screws, friendly chevy: 12.92

gallon sealer (48, used ¼) 12

8 quarts sprayable clear (140, used ½) 70

amp wiring kit 24.95

third brake light 25.79

mtx amp had

mtx 10 inch sub and box in unknown condition: 10

MSD 6N box had

heddman headers, y pipe, cat, exhaust: 100

nifty stainless sill plates: free from scrap guy

self traded kenwood hd stereo from my race car for the free blaupunkt I had in here

self traded new stock tails from parts haul for aftermarket in stepside

hidden hitch, wiper cowl, and roll pan: free

new brake calipers: free



new total: 2544.49



left off with the truck in high build and guide coat. We used ½ gallon of high build, ½ gallon of reducer, and ¼ gallon of sealer. Then, 1/3 gallon base, and ½ kit of clear coat. But, whole truck is black now. Art touched up a few spots for me that he didn't like, we sprayed high build and guide coat again, I blocked with 500 grit.

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20201026_171143 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201026_122301 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



im going to take this opportunity to discuss making cheap paint look great. I know that most of us could, but wont, paint in their gravel driveway. Most guys will at least take it to maaco or earl shibe. Pay for the $299 special, or whatever it costs these days. Now, nothing wrong with that at all! But the thing to remember, with any paint job, is that the end result is all in the prep. Prep is more than just sanding. The biggest thing is the tape process. Most shops will tape off anything that isn't supposed to be painted. Every tape line is a place for chips, missed spots, etc. especially like this with a color change. For example, the door handles. You can see exactly where the tape and door handles were before I removed them, so you can see what would have been if we shot it like that. I promise you it was an eyesore waiting to happen. Pulling the parts also allows that edge to be sanded and cleaned properly.

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20201030_101830 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



another thing this disassembly before paint does is allow for a good cleaning. Again, prep. Behind the handles, mirrors, and weatherstipping was filthy on this, and it was better than others we've done. I prefer, as a final step before taping up to spray, to wash the vehicle a few times. I used scotchbrite pads and dawn dish soap and warm water and a hose. Every nook, cranny, edge, seam, cavity. Wash the wheel wells, the engine bay, everywhere. Take off everything you can that you don't want painted, do it again, and again. Then go for tape. We even pulled the extended cab glass to get a better job.

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20201030_101912 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



I also try to jig up loose parts. Make it simpler for a good coverage with less screwing around by the painter. For this, I used spray paint can lids to sit the door handles on, and a piece of scrap plywood with holes drilled to stand the mirrors up on. Sat these on a sawhorse. Sat the hood, tailgate, and front bumper filler on body sawhorses.

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20201031_084825 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201031_140109 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



when it comes time to tape up, make every effort to reduce and eliminate areas that the dried paint particles can collect and become dust that gets blown back into the paint. We tend to do the engine bay in a wrap of plastic for this reason. We also, make sure to fully tape every edge, and avoid wrinkles.

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20201030_121852 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201030_121905 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



up next was a coat of sealer.

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20201030_122035 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



then, black!

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20201030_163432 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



we had a bunch of trouble with the initial base coats. So, we stopped. Wetsanded out the issues, and redid it the next morning when conditions and tempers were better. A few heavy coats of base, followed by a few heavy coats of clear.

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20201031_090004 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201031_131930 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201031_140117 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201031_142813 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

 

[dusterbd13]

waited for it to dry enough, and pulled it under the carport to cure for the night

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20201031_155702 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



next, I put the tailgate on to keep it out of harms way. Best place for it. I also stole the nifty aftermarket taillights from the stepside to put in new stock stuff.

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20201101_153409 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



im going to break from paint and body for a second. During the first round of basecoat spraying, when everything went wrong, stampie brought the miata back to me from the challenge, along with a truckload of parts. I was not expecting a lot of what showed up, to be honest. The drop spindles came with refreshed upper and lower control arms attached, along with calipers and rotors. The headlights lights came in boxes that also had brand new front calipers, new stock tail lights, wiring pigtails, etc. the headers and exhaust were as expected if not way better than anticipated for the $100 investment, and 759rng brought me a fiberglass roll pan, hidden hitch, wiper cowl, and some part I cant identify. Waaay more stuff than I expected, and ALL of it will get used between the two trucks.

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20201030_160740 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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anyway, back to paint and body.



When we got it untaped, I wanted to finish up the jambs and such before reassembly. Every paint job ive done has gotten overspray into the jambs no matter what ive tried. So ive resigned myself to refinishing jambs. On this one, I used rattle cans to go from tan to black. Taped the bejeeus out of everything, prep with scotchbrite, wipe down with wax and grease remover, shoot.

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20201102_105049 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201102_105055 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



I did the wiper cavity and engine bay jambs as well, but no pictures.

I also did a refresh of the window rubbers. A trick ive learned is to wipe clean with lacquer thinner, let dry. Then, use the kiwi edge and sole stuff in the sponge applicator. Works well for a long time.

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20201101_073149 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



during removal of the rear windows, I had to drill out two of the retainers. Picked them up at the local chevy dealer. Went ahead and reinstalled the bumpers, freshly painted side mirrors, freshly painted door handles, re-polished sill plates I got from the scrap guy, the tailgate emblem, and the painted trailer hitch.

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20201102_105039 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201104_080951 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

I spent an insane amount of time taping up and painting the new grille. But it, with the factory emblem shot in black, and the new lights, turned out pretty awesome. Need to adjust the lights, black out the side marker bulb plugs, do the four high mod, and repaint the AC condenser and core support. But, I really, really like it.

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20201102_105035 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



before we put the painted hood on (traded the bent and rusty stock to the scrap guy for a black one to repaint) I went ahead and fixed more fire damage, loomed up the plug wires, mounted the MSD box and ran the power wire for the amp. I also pulled out the trailer brake wiring from the loom, and gave things a once over. The TBI needs rebuilt badly, grounds need cleaned, vacuum lines need freshened. I also deleted the failed closed flapper door in the intake snorkel. Step at a time.

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20201108_084721 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_084747 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



got the new hood on, and realized we forgot to paint the filler door. Again. But, the thing is back together! I drove it around! And it looks fairly OK. Soon, will be better with the new wheels, and a touch lower. And window tint. But, still.

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20201108_104037 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_104042 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_104133 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

 

[454cid]

Great work!

 

[White96k2500]

waited for it to dry enough, and pulled it under the carport to cure for the night

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20201031_155702 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



next, I put the tailgate on to keep it out of harms way. Best place for it. I also stole the nifty aftermarket taillights from the stepside to put in new stock stuff.

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20201101_153409 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



im going to break from paint and body for a second. During the first round of basecoat spraying, when everything went wrong, stampie brought the miata back to me from the challenge, along with a truckload of parts. I was not expecting a lot of what showed up, to be honest. The drop spindles came with refreshed upper and lower control arms attached, along with calipers and rotors. The headlights lights came in boxes that also had brand new front calipers, new stock tail lights, wiring pigtails, etc. the headers and exhaust were as expected if not way better than anticipated for the $100 investment, and 759rng brought me a fiberglass roll pan, hidden hitch, wiper cowl, and some part I cant identify. Waaay more stuff than I expected, and ALL of it will get used between the two trucks.

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20201030_160740 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201030_160753 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201030_160757 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



anyway, back to paint and body.



When we got it untaped, I wanted to finish up the jambs and such before reassembly. Every paint job ive done has gotten overspray into the jambs no matter what ive tried. So ive resigned myself to refinishing jambs. On this one, I used rattle cans to go from tan to black. Taped the bejeeus out of everything, prep with scotchbrite, wipe down with wax and grease remover, shoot.

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20201102_105049 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201102_105055 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



I did the wiper cavity and engine bay jambs as well, but no pictures.

I also did a refresh of the window rubbers. A trick ive learned is to wipe clean with lacquer thinner, let dry. Then, use the kiwi edge and sole stuff in the sponge applicator. Works well for a long time.

You must be registered for see images attach

20201101_073149 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



during removal of the rear windows, I had to drill out two of the retainers. Picked them up at the local chevy dealer. Went ahead and reinstalled the bumpers, freshly painted side mirrors, freshly painted door handles, re-polished sill plates I got from the scrap guy, the tailgate emblem, and the painted trailer hitch.

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20201102_105039 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201103_175418 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201104_080951 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

I spent an insane amount of time taping up and painting the new grille. But it, with the factory emblem shot in black, and the new lights, turned out pretty awesome. Need to adjust the lights, black out the side marker bulb plugs, do the four high mod, and repaint the AC condenser and core support. But, I really, really like it.

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20201102_105035 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



before we put the painted hood on (traded the bent and rusty stock to the scrap guy for a black one to repaint) I went ahead and fixed more fire damage, loomed up the plug wires, mounted the MSD box and ran the power wire for the amp. I also pulled out the trailer brake wiring from the loom, and gave things a once over. The TBI needs rebuilt badly, grounds need cleaned, vacuum lines need freshened. I also deleted the failed closed flapper door in the intake snorkel. Step at a time.

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20201108_084721 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_084747 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr



got the new hood on, and realized we forgot to paint the filler door. Again. But, the thing is back together! I drove it around! And it looks fairly OK. Soon, will be better with the new wheels, and a touch lower. And window tint. But, still.

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20201108_104037 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_104042 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_104052 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_104104 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_104112 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

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20201108_104133 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr

Turned out great!! Maybe I need to bring you mine lol.

 

[98chevy2500SS]

Looking sharp! Needs SS wheels

 

[dusterbd13]

Looking sharp! Needs SS wheels

If you send them to me!

 

[dusterbd13]

Thanks yall! Im pretty pleased with how its turning out