Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

It's a pressure chamber that you fill with baking soda. There is a hose with nozzle that you hold. I do it outside as its a total loss system. Living where I do, a couple of pounds of baking soda blowing in the wind isn't an issue.

Not my picture. Stolen from google search. I have the same exact unit but mine looks like dookey due to wear and tear. 100 dollars well spent though.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...g/IMGP9345.jpg

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Is it also a hazmat suit recommended process? I have stood outside with a harbor freight blaster and a hood on and ended up with sand ev-er-y-where.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Not at all. I stand with the wind at my back and let it rip. No PPE needed. Maybe some safety glasses if I'm blasting down in a cavity. There's not near the pressure or violence as sandblasting. Keep in mind, I'm getting maybe a year of use out of a 50 pound bag, so the volume is low. That's why I like it, its very controllable and mild. No risk of damage to things like motorcycle engine cases, pistons, or even brake caliper pistons and bores.

My wife did say my mustache tasted like baking soda yesterday though, and she had no idea I'd be soda blasting. Maybe I should look into a face shield.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Wow, nice...that sounds like $100 fantastically well spent. I have friends generous enough to allow me use of their cabinet or pot when I need; unfortunately I am often cleaning aluminum or sheetmetal and, as you know, a person can gouge/erode it pretty fast. I assume the soda is more gentle on sheetmetal as well?

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I don't know much about sheetmetal. Soda is much more expensive than the sand I use (outside) or Black Beauty (cabinet) so I only use it on smaller, critical stuff to keep from spending a pile of money on media.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Where do you get the soda media? Cost? Looks like I'm gonna have to get one of blasters.
Thanks for the caliper tech. I've been wanting to give it try. Rockauto.com here I come.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Blaster and media are both Harbor Freight. About 100 for the unit and maybe 40 for the media. As long as you use the unit for sane stuff like carburetors or such, the media lasts a long long time. I've only used two bags of it in two years since I got the unit. And, that was blasting a lot of motorcycle engine parts for pay last year.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Just a small addition to your great post for consideration. I use a 3M painters half mask when blasting, etc. It provides a lot more (needed) lung protection. Know it is uncomfortable, hot, and a general pain. Will post pic of what I use.
Thanks for all the great information on your truck.
Les

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I simply could not be any happier. It's as good as I'd hoped.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...80b6a29d47.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...fef2cce0d8.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...9c451495ad.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...691f339302.jpg

Scot, you had mentioned needing stock dually wheels. I'm your guy. They're stacked there on the bed. If you don't take them I'll wind up making grinder stands out of them or something.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Looks sweet Kevin!

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

That truck looks awesome. What was the total overall drop for the front and rear?

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Thank you.

The truck is lowered about 2/2 drop. Rear is drop shackles and front is cut one coil from spring.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Cell phone pics of the other side. Sorry for the scrap metal clutter around the shop clogging up the pictures.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...8d90edc736.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...a9937d4a37.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...b182f69d04.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...583423fbf9.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...9e58ca4557.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...0cf6c093ba.jpg

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Super nice Alcoa wheels, are they new? Friend has the same wheels on his duallyed suburban 1984, BBC with 300K miles. I use them on my truck and trailer too. Have been using Alcoa cleaner, polish, sealer, which keeps them clean for a year, however, they stopped making it recently.
Les

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Very nice "work truck"!

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Perfect stance. Cool how the stainless fasteners around the filler neck show even at distance.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Truck YEAAAAAH! It does look great. Standing back and looking at it now, was it worth the wait?

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Truck looks good dude.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

WOW Tex ,that truck is sharp and I love those wheels ,I am going to be keeping an eye out for some of those for my 72 1 ton . As always you did good .

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

They're 1989 era Alcoas I bought off Craigslist. They were pretty horrible when I got them and required me to sand from 80 grit on a DA sander through 2000 grit before polishing.

Thank you. That's a tall compliment coming from a guy who builds trucks the caliber you do.

I think you guys like the stainless fasteners more than I do even.

Certainly. I'm a patient guy though. I'm not a bit sorry about the work or expense.

Thank you.

I'm surprised the positive reaction these wheels are getting. It seems like you can't even get through the front door of this place anymore without using at least a dropmember and semi wheels. I figured I'd get a lot more blank stares for my choice of rolling stock.

Now, update and progress report.....

I like the stance. Please squint your eyes and disregard the extra wheels and junk stacked onto the bed. I'd have liked to have it a smidge lower, but my hands are tied as far as tire size. Remember I have no overdrive and currently 4.56 gears so I couldn't afford to run shorter tires which would allow deeper lowering. So, with the necessary tall tires, this is about as low as I could go.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...faf825b587.jpg

So, I'm still waiting on two RockAuto deliveries. I've got brake line crush washers and front hub grease caps en route. Currently, the truck has no brakes. I just clamped the old brakes hoses shut with a couple of pairs of small vise grips to pinch them shut and cut them off short until I get the new crush washers. At that time, I'll install the new brake hoses and get them bled.

Today I also bit the bullet and ordered new Moog steering parts. That's four new tie rod ends and two new adjuster sleeves. When they arrive I'll install them along with my new idler arm and will have all brand new stuff on the front. Remember I just got done with ball joints and shocks. It will be 100 percent and ready for alignment at that time.

On the rear, I still have to take two of the old stock wheels, bust them down, powdercoat, and install the last two new tires to have fresh inside duals. I also need to swap the rearend out at that time. I also have new shocks to install then. I did run into a significant snag today with regards to the rearend swap. The park brake cables are completely different between the two rear ends. I'm gonna wind up busting it all apart and swapping the 88 model backing plates and cables onto the 80 model rearend. I just hope my new brake parts will interchange. I still haven't had the heart to research that yet. I'm afraid I'm gonna be stuck with a pile of brand new parts that won't work. We shall see.

I also need to put on my big boy pants and just order 32 new lugnut covers to complete the wheel and tire phase.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I love the new stance.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Stance is dead on, and it's a truck thats still able to be utilized for its intended purpose.

If I could muster about half of your shop work ethic, I might eventually finish some stuff! Great work Kevin!

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Crap! I forgot about that. After 84 or so the parking brakes went from the divided along each framerail style to combined on the driver with the passenger side cable facing out the rear of the backing plate. You might be able to get away with drilling the correct cable hole in the restored passenger backing plate, giving the parking brake hardware (out of the 88 axle) the same treatment that the other stuff got and swapping it over. I had a similar snafu on my truck, but I worked in a wrecking yard and was able to grab the couple different parts.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

You nailed the stance! I love the Alcoa's. I think I'm gonna have to have a set now. $$$$ :) We have the five hole's on the DSE dually. You doing a killer job on the truck. I think we could all learn some work ethic from you.......

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Come on, you know you wanna :lol:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4...9-02-04_12.jpg

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I'll take em brother. Let me know when & where.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Stance is perfect. Great looking work, as usual. Have you run up to see if your super-groovy new fuel system fills good yet? Gonna look great with a round of hay on the back!

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

I learned a lot of work eithic from two very influential men in my life, an old German boss and my father in law. Neither knew the concept of compromise, no matter how small and seemingly unimportant the job.

I don't know of any spiked covers that fit these 1 1/16 hex lug nuts.

I can bring them to the fire station in Hurst some day if it makes it convenient for you. It's about 50 miles closer than where I live. I still need to bust down one pair to use for my inners. Then when I get them installed, I'll have four left over tires/wheels for you.

I dumped five gallons out of a can which worked very well. I'm optimistic that it will do as well at the pump. The truck is currently uninsured so I don't drive it unnecessarily until I get it squared away.

Today's update is very anti-climatic. I didn't have a lot of time so I decided to just focus on finishing the fuel filler.

First off, I trimmed and re shaped the section that sits below the bed to better mimic the outer shape of the filler bezel. Then, I fired up the welder and welded and sanded until it is pretty much seamless. I'm not gonna go buy body filler (mine is all dried up) and get too mental on this deal. It looks much better according to Valerie.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...109d2a2df1.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...b442ddc11d.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...448784606a.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...302aeaee7d.jpg

Made up a bonding strap.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...12234950f4.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...9df9c06f21.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...bd7b34ce1e.jpg

I'm waiting on Rockauto order of brake hose crush washers, tie rod ends, and tie rod adjuster sleeves. It's probably gonna be next payday before I can afford to do the rearend swap. I'm gonna wind up having new u bolts made so that will take a few bucks. Who knows what I'll find when I drop the driveshaft to do the swap either (concerning u joints). Plus I'll need rear diff oil. All that adds up.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

TX that fuel filler looks like a professional did it now! I think those wheels look very cool with your flatbed, can't believe they shined up that nice....looks like it's ready for some work!

With that last hole you could put a filler cap with a strap attached...

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Your truck is coming along really great i'm loving it!! :metal:

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

That does look 100% better. i am glad you went back over it and filled that groove. makes it look totally gucci! the button heads were worth the wait as well

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Love the fuel filler update...great job!!

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Yes sir. Just let me know a Sat/Sun when you get things swapped as you want them & I'll drive out to the station like before. The Mrs was correct.... the 'revised' filler area is better.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Somebody call me??? j/k

Great build as usual, Keith. I am watching this, but miss the Ayer's Garage Facebook page with all of the powdercoating shots! Has the 78 sold?

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

The 78 is sitting next to the shop. I guess I'm gonna pull the suspension and drivetrain out and do something drastic with the rest of it. I got too many trucks.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Thank you

"Gucci". Valerie got a kick out of that.

Thank you

They've got your name on them. You can see the glacial pace I am working at here so it might be a little bit before I get them swapped out, but never fear, I will save them for you until we can put together a day for me to bring them to work.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

No worries.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Truck looks awesome.

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Who is Keith? :uhmk: :lol:


Looks very nice Tex!!
I'm so very proud of you for moving over to the "Square Side":metal:

Re: The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build
 

Wait till I start on the 4 wheel drive. I'll be over there annoying the guys on the 88-98 section. Plus my build I did in the 60-66 section, and all the builds I did in the 67-72 section. I'm a universal annoyer.