Father/Son '77 Stepper

[nasqar]

The front end is starting to go back together. We had brand new gm weatherstipping in the factory sealed bags that were installed! The funny thing was when the new strips were on and the doors were closed, the back window blew out the back....I guess we have a pretty tight seal! We will order the inner fender wells this week (unless someone has a good set they want to sell us cheap!) The $200 donor truck in the background has saved us so much money. I am giving the leftover truck to a gentleman for his labor!! Pretty sweet deal.

[nasqar]

Memorial Day weekend: Parts.....some assembly.....some paint.....AND GRADUATION!!!!!! I am so proud of my lil' man.

[nasqar]

I have tried to order a radiator core support kit and to my surprise....NO ONE carries them. I have called LMC, Autozone, NAPA, Carquest, O'Reillys, and Advance Auto and 2 of them told me to call LMC.

If anyone can give me some ideas, that would be awesome. We have started to test the fit of the panels. Our donor truck had 1 upper and lower support grommets that was ok but the other side was dry rotted beyond imagination. If we can find at least a decent one for the other side, we can get the front end pretty much finished.

[nasqar]

Our friend that is helping us re-assemble the stepper. Harry is one of those local guys that can fix anything and loves to just help. We would not be where we are without him. A big thanks goes out to him and his family for his time and letting us keep the trucks at his house.

[nasqar]

Yeehaw......He graduates!

[nasqar]

Here are the fenders after spraying the filler primer. I cleaned up the one step and shot it also. The other one looks like someone took a torch and cut a line in it?????

[nasqar]

OK....we need some help on the next steps for shooting primer and paint. I have no clue how to set the compressor and gun. I am attaching pics for everyone to see what I have to work with. I don't know what size the tip is but i know i sprayed primer in college. I have purchased a new set of HVLP but my compressor isnt able to push enough air to make them work so I'm resorting back to the old stuff.

What is each dial for?

What should each one read for painting?

Will this compressor allow me to keep spraying or will I need to wait for it to pump back up?

On the paint gun, what is each dial for and how should they be set?

Any help will be so appreciated. I think we can get the front end together and sprayed by next Monday if we can get lucky!

[nasqar]

2 coats of red Rustoleum applied and letting dry overnight. My wife wanted to know what I was thinking with that intense red color....I just laughed and said it will get your attention when it's all done!!!!

[spike38]

Originally Posted by nasqar

2 coats of red Rustoleum applied and letting dry overnight. My wife wanted to know what I was thinking with that intense red color....I just laughed and said it will get your attention when it's all done!!!!

Definitely an attention getter.

Spike

[nasqar]

We got half the underside of the hood sanded down. Hopefully it will be done by Friday night and be painted and dried by Sunday night. That will leave the inside of the fenders, core support and top of the firewall. For some reason the top of the firewall has some rust holes in it. Is that common for this type of vehicle?

[nasqar]

The dog house will be taken off the truck tomorrow in order for us to shoot some matching red on the core support and inside of the fenders. The drive shaft was sent off to get cut down to fit the new drivetrain. With any kind of luck, the stepper could be driven home by next weekend! Still missing a core support grommet. Kam will get to the salvage yard tomorrow to hopefullly find a salvageable piece.

[nasqar]

Change of plans. We are leaving the doghouse on for now and just get it ready so Kam can drive it until he goes into the military in September. We will then see what we will do. I got the hood sanded, primed, and partially painted. Here are some of the newest photos.

[nasqar]

Well, I did have some help. We're trying to teach 'em young

[nasqar]

Starting to resemble a truck!!

[spike38]

You'll be driving it in no time

Start them out young
And it stays with them for life

Spike

[nasqar]

My 9 year old daughter is probably the most active outta all my family. Sad but true.

[nasqar]

The back frame has been sanded, partially primed, and partially painted. It wont be as strong as some things out there but rustoleum will have to do for a daily driver. We need a little more paint to finish.

All new shocks have been installed at all 4 corners and it seems pretty solid. Harry found 2 core support mounts at the salvage yard plus all the missing bolts needed for the fenders and bumpers. $30 for everything....yeehaw, the mounts were $50 alone new from LMC (if they had them in stock)...

The air cleaner got cleaned today so the only thing we need is a radiator. That has been a challenge because no one seems to have a good used one.

Now that school is out, hopefully Kam can get some stuff done quicker for us. The drive shaft will be sent off this week to get cut down and readied for service.

[nasqar]

Here is the pics of last weekends work. Harry the assembler found a radiator and radiator cover from a guy that has more of these old trucks than anyone has been able to count. He traded us even up for the radiator that we had!!!! The only thing we need now to drive it home is the drive shaft cut down, 2 belts, and a new battery......

This air cleaner was full of "stuff" so 2 days of engine degreaser sitting on and in it made it easier for us to clean, prime and paint.

[nasqar]

Finished hood and hood springs....we had some help!!!

[nasqar]

More.......I swear she didnt inhale any fumes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nasqar]

more......

[spike38]

Originally Posted by nasqar

More.......I swear she didnt inhale any fumes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LMAO!!!!!

This one will be a keeper, for when she gets older.
Enjoy it while you can.

Spike

[Gordonr1973]

I like those red inner fenders!!

[nasqar]

Originally Posted by spike38

You'll be driving it in no time

Start them out young
And it stays with them for life

Spike

My son isnt as involved as I hoped he would be but I am having a blast doing this whether its for him or myself. I didnt have anyone in my family that would take time to do this with me so I make sure my kids play in the garage with me and go to car shows with me. My wife has actually came out to visit a couple times lately!!! That is encouraging....

[spike38]

Originally Posted by nasqar

My son isnt as involved as I hoped he would be but I am having a blast doing this whether its for him or myself. I didnt have anyone in my family that would take time to do this with me so I make sure my kids play in the garage with me and go to car shows with me. My wife has actually came out to visit a couple times lately!!! That is encouraging....

My son didn't have any interest in cars, Until he had to start paying
for minor repairs on his own vehicle. My daughter on the other hand,
Was my helper growing up. And even taught her how to do minor repairs.
She could drive a 4x4 with a stick shift threw the woods,
By the time she was 14yrs old.

Spike