Yet another, 79 F-350 restoration

[Ranger429]

Thanks.

Just me. Being there is no clear coat it is easy to ruin the look of a metallic finish wetsanding it. At least that is what I have heard from many body shop guys in my time.

 

[DNFXDLI]

That is my understanding Scott...and it looks good from the pics!

 

[Ranger429]

Thanks Duncan

Got the cab lifted up a bit off the frame. Working on changing out the cab mount bushings, had a set in the tool box for years. I might have to go higher to get a hammer in there to separate the bushing though. I should be able to get a good coat of paint on the top of the frame rail this way to.

Floorboard, hit it with a scuff pad and sprayed on some bedliner.

Frame, a little anxious on my part to see the end results. Trans lines need to come out for cleaning and paint, oil pan needs to come off for the same. Headers need to be sandblasted. Still have a lot of work to do.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Looking good as per usual!

 

[Ranger429]

Thank you.

Well I decided to try and put a little more air between the cab and frame. Thank god I bought that Hi-Lift jack a while ago. I'm still working on getting it up enough to try and get the roller chassis out to get a little more detailed with my sanding/painting. I got the passenger side frame rail sanded and primed.

Topside of frame rail.

 

[Ranger429]

I decided to lift the cab higher. This is as far as it is coming off. There is plenty of room to get the work done.

This should be pretty easy to clean up.

Transfer case heat shield? Never seen one before.

Looks like I need to find the leak.

Found the 2nd VIN number.

 

[Austin]

That looks like the cab is up enough to get good work done on the frame. I like what I see.

 

[LEB Ben]

I knew you'd lift the cab...hahaha.

 

[fatherdoug]

At least they got the "X" on that one.

Where is that located, and does your truck have a catalytic converter?

 

[Ranger429]

Yeah they got the X on this one but forgot the 3 at the end. It is located about 8" in front of the first topside crossmember. Yep, that is a catalytic converter. That will go away as well. Remember this was a Cali truck, it had ALL of the emission parts on it still. That was the first mod I did to my new 79 back when I got it.

 

[smokey]

Looking good. Those hi-lift jacks are so handy to have around.

 

[fatherdoug]

I found mine down in the forest. I posted an ad and nobody responded, so it found a new home.

 

[DNFXDLI]

I have that same heat shield from the transfer case...also a Cali. truck.

 

[bucks77ford]

Looking great!!! If I didn't see it prior to this post I apologize, but what kind of bedliner are you spraying on?

 

[Ranger429]

Thanks everyone for the compliments! Maybe that heat shield is a Cali thing Duncan?


It is Dupli Color bedliner in a spray can. It isn't as thick as Al's or Line-X so it looks a lot nicer IMO.

Sanded the cab floor today and took out the aux fuel tank and got that ready. When it comes time to reassemble this it should be really easy and fly by. I've been getting everything stripped and either painted or bedlined so there should be no down time once the motor is done.

Next up is to work on the transfer case and transmission so I can get the cab set back on the frame.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Nice work again Scott...and I am thinking it must be a Cali. thing...I think I have cleaned and powdercoated mine already...I'd have to look...

 

[Ranger429]

And thanks again Duncan. Well today I spent about 7 hours on the truck pretty much non stop. Sanded, primed and painted the driver side rail. Installed the aux fuel tank. Worked on the T-case a bit but it is just to much to try and get the trans and T-case cleaned up enough in the truck. Unfortunately it is going to stay original looking till a later date. Anyhow I got the cab dropped back into place. I was going to use new body bushings but they are very solid feeling. I separated the OE mounts and they were in nice enough shape I'm reusing them. I think with the softer rubber it will allow for a little bit of a smoother cab ride.

Someone else pointed out to me the new Dakota gauges. Very tempting and I think they will be in the Supercabs future.

 

[DNFXDLI]

That Dakota dash looks pretty slick...I like the analogue look...also I feel the same way about the OEM rubber bushings.

 

[fatherdoug]

I also like the new analog gauges. I think they look more "natural".

 

[fatherdoug]

Sorry, Duncan, I forgot the "ue" at the end of analog.