I am a approaching a crossroads as such. Looking for your opinion and why. Do I continue working on the truck to make it a completely finished product, paint and all or do I get the parts required to get a safety and put it on the road as an ugly looking truck. To get a safety I think I need gauges, wiring, emergency brake system, windows, exhaust. It has no heater or A/C so no defrost as well. Not sure about running boards, don't have any that fit was going to make them but need to be sure the front and back are right first. I think I have everything else here or on order. It would remain with no interior, and whatever is on the outside now or primer,
I would put it together to do a safety on it and put it on the road this year in primer. Use this year to work out any bugs and look to paint next year or whenever. Its easier to do that way rather than finish it completely with paint and all and then trying to work out bugs on new paint and interior. Just my opinion but i drove mine a couple years to work out driveline bugs and then painted it. Tough doing engine work over freshly painted front end.
I would put it together to do a safety on it and put it on the road this year in primer. Use this year to work out any bugs and look to paint next year or whenever. Its easier to do that way rather than finish it completely with paint and all and then trying to work out bugs on new paint and interior. Just my opinion but i drove mine a couple years to work out driveline bugs and then painted it. Tough doing engine work over freshly painted front end.
Agree: make this season the "Reliability Run" and paint her when all your bugs are worked out enjoy it Marten!!
junior
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Yep, run it in primer. If you find you need to make holes for something later (such as a Vintage Air unit, antenna, etc..), you will be kicking yourself.
Thanks guys. Being my first build your help, guidance and opinions are of great value to me. Not a welder, body guy or mechanic but learning enough to be dangerous now.
Thanks guys. Being my first build your help, guidance and opinions are of great value to me. Not a welder, body guy or mechanic but learning enough to be dangerous now.
I have to say Marten, for not being a Welder ,Body Guy or mechanic you have done a dam fine job on your ride.
HI MARTEN : Like all of the others who commented , I too , wish to tell you that your workmanship is top- notch . Just an opinion for you to consider ; Choose your final paint colour , and paint all of the door-jambs , inside of cab , firewall , etc., . I did mine in single stage , then the painter did the exterior in base/clear . Worked out very well -- Hope it helps -- LATER -- DON/FLEET 51
Nice Truck Marten! As for mine, I have been driving it for 2yrs now in primer. Still fixing the odd body noise, door & hood gaps just a bunch of tweeking and lots of scratches. Glad I did"nt paint it! As for a safety, I had to have a heater/defroster in it to pass. Hope this helps.
HI MARTEN : Like all of the others who commented , I too , wish to tell you that your workmanship is top- notch . Just an opinion for you to consider ; Choose your final paint colour , and paint all of the door-jambs , inside of cab , firewall , etc., . I did mine in single stage , then the painter did the exterior in base/clear . Worked out very well -- Hope it helps -- LATER -- DON/FLEET 51
Thanks guys for all the advise, sure helps me out. Not sure what I would have done without the internet. Making a list of parts I need for safety and will work through them
Don, interesting idea about painting parts of the car, no one else has said that. Asked the question here and and on a Ford truck forum. I will talk to the guy supplying my body work stuff about that. Now that I am in "forced retirement" mode going back to work is going to suck. Some day this shutdown will come to an end and the world is going to want me to do there work again. sigh.
Working through the body panels now, stripping, priming and bondo. Will get the bondo work and re-prime done and leave the glazing and final prime for later I think. Seems to be what most guys are doing. This is a bit of a mind shift for me as the goal still remains, to be a show truck that can be driven as well. I know it won't stay that way once I drive it to much but want to start with that as a goal.
HI MARTEN : I don't refer to my car as a " show car " , but humbly accept the numerous compliments I have received over the years . Nearly everyone loves the fact that it was entirely a DIY project , by a first-timer , starting at age 60 . I did it all except the final paint and setting the glass ( all in my own garage , including the paint ) . All of this is to say that after 16000 miles in 7 years , has produced some " road - rash " , and not one person has called me out on it . They ALL love that I use it ( extensively ) . Be prepared to ENJOY your truck , it's a beauty !! -- LATER -- DON / FLEET 51
enjoy it Marten!!