1981 F150 Blue. Named Walter, for now anyway

[rcarlisle]

I think the sunshine/camera combination "enhanced" the blue somewhat.  The avatar is closer to the real color.  But it does look better.

The avatar photo is from when I was thinking of some fictitious lettering.  About decided not to do that.  Non car ppl don't understand the fictitious signage. Or at least those I asked.

I hope only to use that linseed till next year, then get some sort of paint job back to the 2 tone original or close to it.  Thanks for the tip.  

[ArdWrknTrk]

The fictitious signage is an inside joke.
It's not for everybody to understand.

But I do like having a sheen on the blue.
I think it looks good.
Though maybe you will prefer the original tu-tone.

[rcarlisle]

Honestly, I think I'd like the new paint to be like base coat without clear.  A satin finish?  So it doesn't look like I'm trying to have a perfectly restored truck.  Whoever painted this should have fire ants in their drawers.  Runs, thin spots, missed spots, poor masking, basically every wrong thing that could be done to it.  

[ArdWrknTrk]

That's what my truck looks like now.  
Bugs, pollen, poor masking, you name it!
But it is all one colour, and that's all I care.

It's 50/50/50
$50 for a gallon of Rust-Oleum. It's okay at 50 mph from 50' away.
When the shine dies down the warts won't look so bad.

[rcarlisle]

I have seen photos and videos of guys who have ROLLED their truck with Rust-Oleum and looked great.  

I've thought about spray bombing it.  I used to paint my motorcycles like that and my buddy at body shop said it looked as good as what they'd do.  I'm pretty good with spray bombs.   It would take quite a few cans though.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Spray cans dry too fast.
I used a -$10 Horrid Fate purple spray gun and toluene/xylene as a reducer to slow down the drying and eliminate blush.
It's fairly humid here, now.

You are going to be spending more on prep-sol, sand paper, masking tape, sanding blocks, filters, whatever... than you do on primer and paint it you try to do it yourself.
TCP Global has body shop supplies pretty cheap.

Like I said, it's a work truck, I only want it one colour.

Be careful if you intend to use only basecoat to achieve satin.
It is not going to have any of the UV protection that comes in the clear, and that might cause you problems.

I know there are satin clears, but I am no auto body painter.

[rcarlisle]

Yep the UV thing I have thought about.  

I've thought about doing it myself.  I've sprayed signs in the past so the gun deal isn't scary.  Just the little stuff that takes so much time.  

Thanks for the input.  I'm still trying to get weekday I think are basic things done this year.  

[Jonathan]

rcarlisle wrote

More 6/4/2021:. Two days of temps in the 80s convinced me of the need to tint the back glass.  So, $20 and a half hour later...

I guess I am going to find out about this soon. But my topper is still on also but will probably take it off. I can see your bungee spare tire holder now!

[rcarlisle]

Yep, your top will definitely help.  And tinting will only make it harder to see out the back with a shell on.  At least the one I had on my Dakota did.   IF you keep the topper on.  May do some 10% on the side windows to help a little more as well.  I really didn't want to pimp it out, but sun is dang warm as we move toward summer.  next thing you know, I'll be rolling on 24" dayton wires.  LOL

I have moved the spare to the back of the bed now.   Up front is really inconvenient for throwing stuff in bed as you walk up to truck.   And tomorrow, I'll probably drop that wheel at sandblaster place.   That is a later model wheel, maybe a van wheel.  Lots of little slots.  Might not look bad with these dog dishes.  Might be something to watch FB Mktplace for??  Idk.   I do think I may have a bent wheel or two like the tire guys said.  Not sur if I believe them or not, but I have one vibration left in truck that I will address when I can.

The spare tire has a big screw embedded in the tread - don't even know how reliable that would be. New used tire when I get the wheel back.

Hopefully I can get the spare back up under the truck soon.  I really do hate it in the bed.  

 

[Jonathan]

I forgot how much are you missing to mount the spare tire? I ordered my missing parts from LMC but it is still stuck in Kansas. It should of arrived Friday.

[FuzzFace2]

I think I have everything to mount the spare but the wheel for a 5 x 5.5
Think when I am off from work next I will hit a junk yard and see if they have anything.
Need to do the same for the jack as mine does not work, it's for looks only
Dave ----

[Jonathan]

FuzzFace2 wrote

I think I have everything to mount the spare but the wheel for a 5 x 5.5
Think when I am off from work next I will hit a junk yard and see if they have anything.
Need to do the same for the jack as mine does not work, it's for looks only
Dave ----

I didn't try my jack yet. I should pull it out and test it.

How do you find salvage yards with our trucks? I can never find any local to me that have trucks that old.

[FuzzFace2]

Jonathan wrote

FuzzFace2 wrote

I think I have everything to mount the spare but the wheel for a 5 x 5.5
Think when I am off from work next I will hit a junk yard and see if they have anything.
Need to do the same for the jack as mine does not work, it's for looks only
Dave ----

I didn't try my jack yet. I should pull it out and test it.

How do you find salvage yards with our trucks? I can never find any local to me that have trucks that old.

To tell the truth in the 6 years I been down here I have yet placed foot in a JY.
Most of the "little" parts I needed members have come through for me.
I also found on the other forum someone parting out a truck when I needed vent window frames.

Wheels are a little large to be shipping and I think the bolt pattern is pretty common so hope to find one local.
We also have places that sell used tires and may hit up 1 or 2 of them to see if they got anything laying around.

We do have a few pick n pull yards about 30 min away and you can look on line to see what they may have. Last time I looked (a year ago) there was not much listed for our trucks.

I think like up north (they do not hold anything older than 10 years old) they are starting to scrap older stuff to make room for the more common stuff that will move. How many people do you think would be stopping in for parts for 80-86 Ford pick up trucks?
Dave ----

[rcarlisle]

As of now I need the nut that clamps around the frame rail on the eye bolt side.   It's on LMC for like $5.  Shipping will be more and I don't know of anything else I need.  And to hope I can get the
 eye bolt out - rusty.    And finally - hope the exhaust clears where they ran it out the back.   Looks like it *might* work.  

My son ordered a guitar from Kansas City Mo and it arrived 3 days early - go figure.  

[Jonathan]

FuzzFace2 wrote

Jonathan wrote

FuzzFace2 wrote

I think I have everything to mount the spare but the wheel for a 5 x 5.5
Think when I am off from work next I will hit a junk yard and see if they have anything.
Need to do the same for the jack as mine does not work, it's for looks only
Dave ----

I didn't try my jack yet. I should pull it out and test it.

How do you find salvage yards with our trucks? I can never find any local to me that have trucks that old.

To tell the truth in the 6 years I been down here I have yet placed foot in a JY.
Most of the "little" parts I needed members have come through for me.
I also found on the other forum someone parting out a truck when I needed vent window frames.

Wheels are a little large to be shipping and I think the bolt pattern is pretty common so hope to find one local.
We also have places that sell used tires and may hit up 1 or 2 of them to see if they got anything laying around.

We do have a few pick n pull yards about 30 min away and you can look on line to see what they may have. Last time I looked (a year ago) there was not much listed for our trucks.

I think like up north (they do not hold anything older than 10 years old) they are starting to scrap older stuff to make room for the more common stuff that will move. How many people do you think would be stopping in for parts for 80-86 Ford pick up trucks?
Dave ----

Where do you live Dave?

[Jonathan]

rcarlisle wrote

As of now I need the nut that clamps around the frame rail on the eye bolt side.   It's on LMC for like $5.  Shipping will be more and I don't know of anything else I need.  And to hope I can get the
 eye bolt out - rusty.    And finally - hope the exhaust clears where they ran it out the back.   Looks like it *might* work.  

My son ordered a guitar from Kansas City Mo and it arrived 3 days early - go figure.

FedEx is dropping the ball lately. Post office is getting better of late and UPS is doing okay. Of course it is all due to Covid-19.  It is the all expense paid excuse for anything you need an excuse for.

[FuzzFace2]

Jonathan wrote

FuzzFace2 wrote

Jonathan wrote

FuzzFace2 wrote

I think I have everything to mount the spare but the wheel for a 5 x 5.5
Think when I am off from work next I will hit a junk yard and see if they have anything.
Need to do the same for the jack as mine does not work, it's for looks only
Dave ----

I didn't try my jack yet. I should pull it out and test it.

How do you find salvage yards with our trucks? I can never find any local to me that have trucks that old.

To tell the truth in the 6 years I been down here I have yet placed foot in a JY.
Most of the "little" parts I needed members have come through for me.
I also found on the other forum someone parting out a truck when I needed vent window frames.

Wheels are a little large to be shipping and I think the bolt pattern is pretty common so hope to find one local.
We also have places that sell used tires and may hit up 1 or 2 of them to see if they got anything laying around.

We do have a few pick n pull yards about 30 min away and you can look on line to see what they may have. Last time I looked (a year ago) there was not much listed for our trucks.

I think like up north (they do not hold anything older than 10 years old) they are starting to scrap older stuff to make room for the more common stuff that will move. How many people do you think would be stopping in for parts for 80-86 Ford pick up trucks?
Dave ----

Where do you live Dave?

About 30 min east of Raleigh N.C.
Thing is my work hours makes it hard to hit the JY's, out the door at 3am and not back in till 5 or 6pm.
Wife went away last 2 days so I am watching the fur kids 2 dogs & 5 cats and we have a foster mom cat & 4 kittens. Also have workers coming to redo the master bath so could not get out.
I next week I am on vacation and took 2 extra days so hope to get out then.
Dave ----

[Jonathan]

FuzzFace2 wrote

Jonathan wrote

FuzzFace2 wrote

Jonathan wrote

FuzzFace2 wrote

I think I have everything to mount the spare but the wheel for a 5 x 5.5
Think when I am off from work next I will hit a junk yard and see if they have anything.
Need to do the same for the jack as mine does not work, it's for looks only
Dave ----

I didn't try my jack yet. I should pull it out and test it.

How do you find salvage yards with our trucks? I can never find any local to me that have trucks that old.

To tell the truth in the 6 years I been down here I have yet placed foot in a JY.
Most of the "little" parts I needed members have come through for me.
I also found on the other forum someone parting out a truck when I needed vent window frames.

Wheels are a little large to be shipping and I think the bolt pattern is pretty common so hope to find one local.
We also have places that sell used tires and may hit up 1 or 2 of them to see if they got anything laying around.

We do have a few pick n pull yards about 30 min away and you can look on line to see what they may have. Last time I looked (a year ago) there was not much listed for our trucks.

I think like up north (they do not hold anything older than 10 years old) they are starting to scrap older stuff to make room for the more common stuff that will move. How many people do you think would be stopping in for parts for 80-86 Ford pick up trucks?
Dave ----

Where do you live Dave?

About 30 min east of Raleigh N.C.
Thing is my work hours makes it hard to hit the JY's, out the door at 3am and not back in till 5 or 6pm.
Wife went away last 2 days so I am watching the fur kids 2 dogs & 5 cats and we have a foster mom cat & 4 kittens. Also have workers coming to redo the master bath so could not get out.
I next week I am on vacation and took 2 extra days so hope to get out then.
Dave ----

Your work schedule sounds rough. But we live close to each other. I tried to take a day off next week for my birthday but my manager wouldn't let me.

[rcarlisle]

6/9/2021: windows tinted.  Sides are lightest film, back is a medium.  But it looks darker in photo.  Totally easy to see out of.  

I didn't really want to do it, but trying to mitigate some of the cab heat.

[rcarlisle]

6/11/2021:. Had the day off and plans vaporized.  So what better than remove the dash and check blend doors.  As expected, the panel vent for was broken but wouldn't move much.  Someone had put a3" screw up thru the bottom to hold door closed.  The bracket that holds defroster vacuum motor was broken as well.  After studying on it a while and remembering a post I saw earlier this week, decided to Fox it all with zip ties.  

Also had to figure out why the vent slider was hanging at each end.  I completely dismantled it.  Apparently the slider jumped track?  And was riding the space between the white and black part?  I got it all cleaned and back together.  Hopefully it will stay.

Also had to remove a dead mouse carcass from top of heater core box.  

No point in rehashing my repairs.  They are ugly.  But everything works.  I will post a photo or two fire reference.  But this is probably NOT the way to do it.  Proper way would be to replace the plenum.  

It all works properly now.  Wife and I even went to dinner in all our air conditioned glory. Air and window tinting worked well.