72Jimmy 1st attempt at rust removal

[towbar]

subscribed.....loving the "do it your self in home garage" approach!!! Nice work!! Glad its getting a second chance on life!

[PD1292]

Thanks elco and towbar I have been doing some small work on the hatch i found and some work on the doors and tail gate attempting to get them ready for paint. Nothing post worthy, however if i split the hatch in two i might post just to help others out. thanks for the comments, barry

[PD1292]

Updates,
Broke down the frame to bare, cleaned it up sanded and washed it with purple power, then painted it with POR15. Then re-installed all the plumbing
with new brake lines (only the soft ones, wish i could go with SS but $s tight)
Put the engine, trans, and transfer case back in, cleaned up and POR15'd the gas tank. Installed Poly bushings in the rear springs (already did the front).

[PD1292]

I am sure many have replaced their leaf spring bushings, but if any one has not and would like to, I will explain how I did it to help any one who is trying it themselves. I dont know if this is the right way but it is the way I did it.

I am assuming that you know how to get the leaf springs off the truck, so when you have them out, start with getting the old bushings out. The original rubber bushings were pressed in (i think) and have a steel center, and a steel outer that was pressed in together. They are all stuck in the spring very hard. you may be able to press these out as one unit but I do not have a press.

Here is the steel outer sleeve out of the spring.
you can also see that the new poly bushing is the same size, and thats why it has to come out.

[PD1292]

Before i could get the steel outer sleeve i heated up the inner sleeve with a torch. I just directed the heat right inside where the bolt slides through and after a while it will start melting the rubber and eventually it will catch the rubber on fire. after this happens you can push the inner steel sleeve out, then while the rubber is still hot pry it out of the outer sleeve. then you will be left with the outer sleeve in the spring.

[PD1292]

I then used a sawzaw with a long blade and cut through the outer sleeve, but be careful not to cut into the spring itself. this will releive the pressure and then i used a air hammer with the tip shown to push it out.

[PD1292]

oops forgot to show the tip for the air hammer. others might work too..

[PD1292]

I also took the other frame with the body on it to the shop in the back and lifted it off of the frame so i could undercoat it. I use two lifts from harbor freight one is a 440lb and the other is the 880lb. it takes a little while to get it balanced but now it will lift level.

[PD1292]

Finally, back on the original frame. I put Poly body mounts on it but two of them dont touch the body. Do I need to put the doors back on before tightening down the bolts? Or just shim them until they are all equally touching the body and then tighten them down with out the doors on?. Or is it a good idea to put both the top and doors on before doing this? any help would be appreciated.. thanks barry

[Thealien]

Love the color, enjoying your build.

[fxdxharley]

you will want the doors on so that you can adjust the gaps and shim mounts as needed. the top on isnt a bad idea too because it will help align the windshield/ cowl etc and help support them also. it has been done both ways.

[fxdxharley]

she is looking very nice too btw!

[PD1292]

Thanks guys, I have put the doors back on and will shim it and tighten her down. Thanks for the comments and advise
Posted via Mobile Device

[pd1219]

Ok I am back, something happened with my original password and could not get back on to my original user name. I had to update to this user name so here are some updates. Doing several little things and was working on the hood but as the body man said this hood is like starting with a sack of potatoes. I tried for a long time to get it strait but finally just ordered a hood for it. doors, tail gate, and cowl, along with many other small parts have been ready to paint for a while, so as soon as I can test fit the hood ill set up the garage paint booth and paint it all. also got the windshield in, with the chrome trim.

[pd1219]

Test fit the hood. It fits well. getting other items ready for paint, and hopefully will not be too much longer before we have it all the same color

[Treachera]

Originally Posted by pd1219

Test fit the hood. It fits well. getting other items ready for paint, and hopefully will not be too much longer before we have it all the same color

Hey, man! Love the hood. I was on starting to get the urge to cut corners on my own build, but you've inspired me with your truck. Great Job on the build so far.

[pd1219]

Originally Posted by Treachera

Hey, man! Love the hood. I was on starting to get the urge to cut corners on my own build, but you've inspired me with your truck. Great Job on the build so far.

Thanks, can't tell you how many times I wanted to cut corners but it will hopefully pay off in the end, thanks for the encouragement. Wet sanded the cowling last night one more piece closer to paint

[pd1219]

I set up the garage paint booth again, so I could paint the rest of the items. The paint booth consists of two full frames which were made from 1/4 inch angle iron. the frame on the left (looking from the outside) has 9 frames made to fit paint booth filters. The one on the right has on large opening which a large fan (about 4ft) is placed up against it. I duct tape the entire perimeter of the frame and around the fan to seal any cracks.

[pd1219]

I added many lights in the garage to make the room as bright as possible. I plumbed some air from the compressor in the shop and added another air/water filter in to manage the air prior to it getting to the gun.

I also hung some 1 1/2 inch square tubing from the ceiling with straps to hold all my items I wanted to paint and then hung the parts by wires.

[pd1219]

Then I began to paint after cleaning the room one more time. here are some results.

Also I missed a dent on the door. oops!. at least it is on the inside..

[pd1219]

Then came the task of putting the parts back on without damaging the fresh paint job. The drivers side door was the hardest, I finally had to loosen the front body mount and shim it up a bit so the gap between the fender and the door would match. I could not even get the bottom bolt to go in the hole at the bottom back of the fender without the shim.

[BruthaMan]

Coming along nice, Barry! That door gap looks good and the paint looks fantastic!

If you ever need a hand, you know where I live!

[pd1219]

Thanks bruthaman, one more shot of the hood on and y'all will be caught up.

[Xeen]

Beautiful Jimmy!
Very nice work you should be proud of yourself.

[Heylookitsdylan]

Good lord, talk about rags to riches! She's beautiful!!!