Basketcase
Well-Known Member
new parts quality is really in the crapper nowadays.
1979 Dodge Lil Red Express Truck Restoration
- Thread starter jumbreit
- Start date
Fabcon
Active Member
Wow, nice project you’ve came along way. Looks great
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
Finally had to wrap the truck up for the winter now that the snow is finally here. Really happy with how the year worked out and so looking forward to all the progress I’m hoping to make next year.
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
A few of the goodies I can’t wait to get on this summer. The actual color is more of a bright red than in the proof. I also got my power steering brace.
Attachments
LocuMob
Fluid Technician
Badass. I like the graphics.
Fabcon
Active Member
Very cool
LocuMob
Fluid Technician
Doesn't even need paint to be cool. This motivates me.
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
Agreed, I absolutely enjoyed this look!
THE FIG
Member
awesome project and nice work,
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
Thanks! I see your truck appears to be in a similar state (at least your thumbnail is) as mine
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
Installed my tach in the radio location. Like it much better next to the speedo.
7mopar
Well-Known Member
Have you used the red dials much at night?
Basketcase
Well-Known Member
saw that on one of the FB pages. looks sweet.
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
Yep, they look really good and have no problems reading them.
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
Started on the bed this weekend. I’m keeping the tailgate as is but cleaner. Was actually able to get the red spray paint stripped off (turpentine then brake clean). The brake clean also removed the remaining gold off the decal. I did some very minor metal work and so far have a coat of semi-gloss clear on the back.
Also pulled the chains off my extra bed and cleaned those up really (and clear coated)
The rust on the lower part behind the wood is pretty bad but didn’t rust through
The white decals (gold has all worn off) really pop.
Also pulled the chains off my extra bed and cleaned those up really (and clear coated)
The rust on the lower part behind the wood is pretty bad but didn’t rust through
The white decals (gold has all worn off) really pop.
Last edited:
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
I’m going to do Bedliner on the inside panels of the bed but first had to drill in the remaining holes for the stack brackets and the side wood panels.
Probably could have gone 1/4” to 1/2” higher on the top panel but most of the pics I saw online it’s pretty close to the fender.
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
Pulled the front end apart so I could do a few final things before I start prepping it to paint. Goal is a big car show in town on July 25th so I want to have it done by then...before it’s 10 year anniversary
So glad I finally decided to put a power steering brace on! It was really easy to do
I also went ahead and installed my rear sway bar I bought 9 years ago.
A few other things I’ve done was clean out the rocker panels really good and coat them with Eastwood Internal frame Coating. Basically POR 15 in a can with a 2’ nozzle hose.
Also FINALLY got my doors aligned since the fenders were off. NO GAPS! They’re not perfect but I was looking at the pics from when I bought it and it wasn’t perfect then either. Excited to see how much more quiet it is.
So glad I finally decided to put a power steering brace on! It was really easy to do
I also went ahead and installed my rear sway bar I bought 9 years ago.
A few other things I’ve done was clean out the rocker panels really good and coat them with Eastwood Internal frame Coating. Basically POR 15 in a can with a 2’ nozzle hose.
Also FINALLY got my doors aligned since the fenders were off. NO GAPS! They’re not perfect but I was looking at the pics from when I bought it and it wasn’t perfect then either. Excited to see how much more quiet it is.
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
It’s been a really long time since I’ve done bodywork...I think it was on my ‘72 Duster in high school. But I got myself a set of hammers & dollys to work a few of the dents out
The front driver side fender is probably the worst with a few poorly hammered dents. I did about 3 coats of filler primer (from a gun) and just focused on the obvious stuff
Again, I’m no pro and this isnt a show truck, but it is fun and I’ll find out if it’s satisfying after I see the results.
I was sanding these stack mounts down and decided I like the bare metal look so I did a bunch of coats of s
Here’s the final results on the tailgate. Also has a few coats of semi gloss clear. Should look cool on the black truck.
The front driver side fender is probably the worst with a few poorly hammered dents. I did about 3 coats of filler primer (from a gun) and just focused on the obvious stuff
Again, I’m no pro and this isnt a show truck, but it is fun and I’ll find out if it’s satisfying after I see the results.
I was sanding these stack mounts down and decided I like the bare metal look so I did a bunch of coats of s
Here’s the final results on the tailgate. Also has a few coats of semi gloss clear. Should look cool on the black truck.
jumbreit
Well-Known Member
The Raptor Liner bed liner kit was great! I also got the gun they sell and it went on really nice. Hides a multitude of imperfections as well. The inside of the bed was pretty beat up.
Basketcase
Well-Known Member
Looks like you're doing a great job! anxious to see the results! The PO of mine put bedliner inside my utilinr, and it does hide some of the imperfections. Doesn't last long on the floor when you haul some gravel.