project: FTD

[dammitmitchell]

no as in the "stock gm performance motor" that came with the truck.. had a cool little surprise in it...
hyaaaaayyyy

[joe231]

so, can you elaborate on how you fixed the cracks in your dash pad before you painted it? any progress or before shots?

[79gmcc15]

[dammitmitchell]

i used "plastic epoxy"
i caught the cracks while most were under an inch, i also had three holes from where my sirius unit was mounted...
im sorry i diddnt take progress pictures
but here's the steps

wash wash wash the pannel with dish soap and water
scrub with either green scrubbie or soft steel wool, let dry for a few hours...
i WET sanded with 320, then WET 400 grit the cracked areas.. you CAN do this to the entire dash pad for a "smooth surface finish"
and i reccomend wet sandign because the vinyl pad wont heat up or "ball up" in your sand paper

i took the two part (generic brand) plastic epoxy mixxed up about half the tubes and applied it with a plastic bondo spatchula
i put it on thick and as it began to set i "skim coated" it and let dry overnight

NOTE!
it will NOT stick/adhere to an unsanded surface... period.. it will peel..
then i wet sanded sanded it with 400grit to smooth and blend it
then dusted off the pad with microfiber and soapy water
let dry
then did a "feathercoat" with the duplicolor vinyl paint (not the dye)
waited a little bit and did the second coat nice and thick (not a single run thank god)

Now for the speaker inserts i just grabbed some 6incher or bigger speaker grills (if you are creative you CAN in fact fit in the specialy stamped brands like kenwood etc just gotta be careful and patient

i took the grills and "flattened them" cur out all the rperforations and cut out the center metal support rod for the corner holes, filed it and cleaned up the edges (used a small ruler to make sure it was straight)

flipped dash pad over and with the grill on the "top" side i traced the outlineof said speaker holes and then proceeded to leave about an inch of "extra" metal on each corner, and notched them for an "easy spread" then bent the metal to fit flush with the speaker holes
and adhered it with some black silicon..

painted one more time
and now it's ready for install...


then now "next time" i do it i'll sand the whole dang thing

[dammitmitchell]

i have to finish the center hole and i'll post pictures.. but it loooks niceeee
BEFORE

[joe231]

Cool!
Thanks man!!

[dammitmitchell]

[TheSebring]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

no as in the "stock gm performance motor" that came with the truck.. had a cool little surprise in it...
hyaaaaayyyy

Just surprised you didn't go getcha flat tops. You're gonna have a hard time turning them big ole' tires with your compression so far, I think.

[dammitmitchell]

meh.. it's an excuse for heads.. period.. =-)

[highperf4x4]

my bad, they looked like new pistons. you must have done an awesome job of cleaning them up

[TheSebring]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

period.. =-)

You've got plenty of those .

[dammitmitchell]

gonna pull the vc's and headers and give it one mreo "good" thick coat of black.. BUT.. im dying for some alluminun VC's.... oh my got they are so dang sexy!!!!

[TheSebring]

Lol, alluminun. I'm getting this picture of a robotic nun in church that you think is sexy.

Get some of those VC's and post pics of 'em. Like to see how they'd contrast with your engine compartment painting.

[dammitmitchell]

hahahhaa!
that was a funny one.. ! good way to start the morning!

[dammitmitchell]

been busy today

[dammitmitchell]

i have since connected all hozes
carb lines etc...
equal length the rest of the wire i had "layin around" and even found a stray or two
hmmm.. 12 hrs today.. and got two HALF trucks pretty well dont.. (stupid freaking red f-word therw me an electrical curve ball.. spent three hours chasing down a intermediate open circuit found it in the turn signal connectors... grrrrr.. i was NOT pleased..)

[highperf4x4]

Dang that reminds me, my parking lights on the tool van aren't working. I friggin hate electrical problems. Where's Joe when I need him

[dammitmitchell]

well.. im here too dick..! hahahaha

[1985-GMC]

Its lookin good man. But your gunna make the rest of the truck jealous.

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

well.. im here too dick..! hahahaha

Ok, if you want to head over and fix it for me then be my guest!

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Its lookin good man. But your make the rest of the truck jealous.

[Rollinsqrbdy]

shes coming along real nice.

[dammitmitchell]

thank you

[highperf4x4]

you're welcome

[dammitmitchell]

photo evidence of for guys learnign to shut the hell up and take direction (not orders)... he listened well and we "hid" my fuel filter yaaaayyy... and he only screwed it up his first try!

[dammitmitchell]

i just simply could NOT resist the "shiny sunset" picture