Dad's Truck Build

[Gary Lewis]

Bob - That's good to know.  It was a guy named Gary @ Eaton that told me not to heat springs to 400.  So perhaps they stress-relieve at a lower temp?  Anyway, it is easy enough to paint rather than powder coat, so I'm being safe rather than sorry.

Jonthan - You are right, it is "aesthetics" and there is no right or wrong.  Only opinions.  And, as I've said, I find all-black monotonous.  My brother and I talked about it when I started down this path, and we agreed that some accents to break the up the black would be good.

Toward that end, here's what I did on the rear suspension.  But, that was before I learned that it is better to make the fasteners black as touching up black is far easier than touching up the silver.




So, for the front the things at the top of this pic will be silver, meaning the end links, the brackets that go on the front of the crossmember, and the brackets that wrap around the bushings.  All the other pieces will be black.

But, I'm happy to see others thoughts.

[1986F150Six]

It is your truck, your money and your time!

[Frank Wyatt]

I think it looks good and I agree, there is no right or wrong. The truck looks good, what is the color? I've only been able to see the firewall but it looks sharp. The engine in my truck is black and my dip stick handle broke off so I borrowed the one that is in my spare engine block and it's yellow handle adds a touch of contrast under the hood. Keep up the good work.

[Steve83]

Gary Lewis wrote

...I find all-black monotonous.

All of any color would be "monotonous".   I like to paint the underbody white, but not for cosmetic appeal - it's functional, so I can see what's happening during maintenance, repairs, or diagnosis.  But none of it is visible when the truck is driving around, unless you're under it.   This is my black Bronco:





This is the blue one I'm building:

white knite wrote

...yellow handle adds a touch of contrast under the hood.

Ford changed some of the service points (dipsticks, filler caps, ...) to yellow so owners could find them.   Not to make the engine bay more colorful.

[Frank Wyatt]

Steve83 quote Ford changed some of the service points (dipsticks, filler caps, ...) to yellow so owners could find them.   Not to make the engine bay more colorful.

I can understand the reasoning behind that since the '90's I've been seeing more and more people who are completely lost and confused under the hood of a vehicle. I even saw someone ruin a car once by driving it until it wouldn't move or run any more because they didn't understand what the red light saying HOT meant.

[85lebaront2]

It wasn't just Ford, Chrysler did the same, my 1986/7 engine has the old ring shaped oil dipstick, the 1989 engine from the parts car has the T shaped "engine oil" handle on it, the older transaxles had an inverted "J" for the dipstick/vent, later ones have a T handle with trans fluid on it.

[ArdWrknTrk]

But what goes in the 710 hole? Because there's nothing showing on the stick.

[Gary Lewis]

Steve - Yes, everything done in any color would be monotonous.  And while white makes it easier to see underneath, it would also make it harder to look spotless.  (Black may not be spotless, but you can't see the grease or oil as easily.)  So I'm going black with accents.

Jim - I'm afraid to ask, but what is the "710 hole"?  

[85lebaront2]

Turn "710" over.

[Gary Lewis]

[scbill]

Somehow, I just knew the "710" thing was coming. hehehehehehe

[Steve83]

...followed by the obligatory link to KaleCoAuto:

[Ford F834]

Gary Lewis wrote

Jim - I'm afraid to ask, but what is the "710 hole"?  

Ask the genie in the magic lamp 🧞‍♂️


And speaking of painting the undercarriage white 😳

[Gary Lewis]

Yeah, I walked right into that one.  

As for the white frame, I saw that on FB this afternoon and thought how appropriate it was to this conversation.  Thanks for sharing it, Jonathan.

[Ford F834]

Don’t feel bad Gary, I didn’t know about the “710 hole” either... until now. It’s funny though... 😅

[Gary Lewis]

Well then, I'm in good company.  

[Steve83]

Ford F834 wrote

I didn’t know about the “710 hole” either... until now. It’s funny though...

Then you'd really enjoy the rest of the KaleCo site.  I like the cross-drilled brake lines, & the O-pipe.

[85lebaront2]

I was impressed that they had the hard to find muffler bearings for my Chrysler, but the do not have the Lucas PN 530433, replacement wiring harness smoke.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I think you have to go to Sheldon Brown for that.

[scbill]

Finally found the right blinker fluid..B