Wife's 48

[joedoh]

my middle eastern seat guy would always say "two weeks" when we were done talking, i was always confused until his wife told me thats how he said goodbye.

[8man]

Thanks Russ, that builds confidence.

[8man]

Well, once again, after almost 3 months, they tell me they are buttoning it up. They had it to find out why the cruise control would not work. They took most everything out from under the dash to get to it. Oh, I put it in LAST!

Anyway, I was told it would be ready for pick up this Friday.

The good news, the shop foreman who took it on a test drive said it handles great at 80 on the freeway, and the cruise worked!

[8man]

Well, after 3 months of procrastination, we got the truck today!!!

On the way home, I stopped for gas, and as some mentioned, my fuel line is a little low and I had to hold the filler nozzle to keep it flowing. At about 3/4 tank I finally got tired of it and said "that's good enough for now". About that time two guys stopped in a F350 to talk about the truck. One of them really liked the look.

Got it up to 70 on the highway coming home, cruise worked fine and it really is nice to drive. Handles, accelerates, brakes and turns like a new truck.

IMG_5029 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

That is it sitting in the driveway, just before Laura drove it for the first time! She had a ball and couldn't stop talking about what it needed, like a rear view, which I had at home, waiting to get the truck back to install. Well, it's less than an hour later and it's installed. She absolutely does not like the side mirrors. I didn't have a problem with them. She loves the sound of the cam and the duals, so I think it is a win.

We just ordered the trim rings and baby moon hubcaps (smoothies) for it. She wrestled with that for a while, but that is what we are going with.

So I'm going to test fit wood tomorrow and adjust where necessary and get it ready to stain and seal. I have to build the wood side panels so it can live up to it's name, Farm Truck (her name for it). Once I get measurements, I'll take the truck to the interior guy so he can finish it up.

Happy Days!

[youngrodder]

Turned out very nice. I could see why the wife would be excited to drive it.

Marc

[mongocanfly]

Looks great Robert!!!!

[8man]

Thank you both. I will admit that it was fun watching her drive it around the neighborhood. Made me feel really good!

[joedoh]

i cant even believe tahts the same truck you started with! amazing work!

[Rickysnickers]

Fantastic!!!

[8man]

Thanks Russ, it seems so long ago that I started on it, but driving it made the time worth it.

Thanks, RickyS, I just wish I could paint, as I didn't do that.

I did everything else, except trouble shoot the cruise control, so I do feel good about it.

[OutlawDrifter]

Looks great Robert!

[8man]

Thank you sir.

I've started on the bed wood, but not made much progress with all going on right now.

[Tempest67]

Great looking truck.

I painted for the first time a few years ago, and enjoyed it.

It's not perfect, but wet sanding the clear coat and polishing sure helps to fix alot of 'miscues'.

try a fender or door sometime, .........."you can do it"

here is a before the paint, after the paint, and finished pics

[8man]

Ok, now you are giving me hope, not good for a guy with ADHD and OCD.

I haven't given up on the idea. As I get the '54 metal work done, I may well give it a go. I even started some YouTubes on painting.

I just need to get the bed done in the '48 and then I can get back on metal work.

[Tempest67]

when you spray the base, all you need is good coverage, and when you spray the clear, be sure to put on at least 3 coats, so you have enough to wet sand.

As for polishing, I used a DA sander with the sponges, and only did a section/panel at a time, and I took my time. I did NOT use a high speed polisher as I was afraid of burning through, but the DA worked great with 2 different McGuires polish's. (101 and 201.......I think?)

[dsraven]

I find it really helped me when i sparyed the primer etc. you gotta have a good light to reflect the surface back to you so you can see the texture etc, and also you gotta know how the paint reacts. maybe, if it is afirst time spraying, try painting something else first. start small, like running boards or step side steps or something applicable to your build. that way you find out how the paint lays out. i have sprayed some pretty thick stuff (gelcoat fiberglass) and found you gotta play with it a bit before you get the "how to" for that particular product. we don't all have perfect conditions, or the exactly right gun or tip size or shop temp etc, so you gotta play it by ear a bit. you will figure it out. mix it, see how it pours for viscosity, try different gun pressures within a range etc. try spraying a test pattern on some hard surface and adjust the gun but also notice if the gun seems to spray great then if you keep spraying it changes some. you may have a restricted air supply simply with the quick connects. a pressure gauge at the gun can tell you some about that. try it without any paint in the cup. set the pressure and see what the pressure does if you hold the gun on for longer like you are spraying so you can see if you get a constant pressure at the tip.
anyway, youtube it, there is a good youtuber that explains that whole scenario and how to check and fix the pressure drop at the tip.

[8man]

Thanks Tempest and Raven.

I have some things to overcome first, and then finish the 48 for my wife, then I'll get the metal work finished on the 54. That should give me plenty of time to watch videos of how to and hopefully I'll be ready to try it then.

[8man]

Well, it's getting close. Carpet needs to be installed and the back wall has to be covered, but it's almost ready to bring home.

IMG_3809 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

IMG_3810 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The best news is that Laura loves it!

[Tempest67]

looks fantastic

..........what is there not to love?

[8man]

Thanks Tempest!

[OutlawDrifter]

Beautiful! I'm a big fan of the diamond stitch.

[8man]

Thanks. I wasn't until I saw it on the seat and that sold me. She liked it all along.

[rnrdthefox]

Really a great looking truck and you are at the finish line. It gives me hope...

[8man]

Thanks for the compliment on the truck, and if it gives you or anyone hope, all the better!

[57FleetsideC4]

Looks fantastic!! Preview of what mine will look like. I am doing something very similar on my 57. Steve