"Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion

[Wikid61]

The 454 could become more spirited w/just a cam bump. Those tiny heads are done 4200 RPM so the cam would be an RV/Towing. Add headers-done.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Wikid61

The 454 could become more spirited w/just a cam bump. Those tiny heads are done 4200 RPM so the cam would be an RV/Towing. Add headers-done.

I'm looking for headers now. It will get a free flowing exhaust system and the carb rebuilt. Cam and intake are a remote possibility "if" I find a good deal on an intake.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I'm looking for headers now. It will get a free flowing exhaust system and the carb rebuilt. Cam and intake are a remote possibility "if" I find a good deal on an intake.

A/F/G body car headers work too. I got the headers for my dually (1 3/4" full length; 3" collector) off C-list for $50. I made my own collector flanges 3/8", added o2 sensor bungs, & had them Ceramic coated for about $150.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I worked late in my yard. After a shower I browsed FB marketplace looking for deals. I ran across a 20 foot Kearny that was priced good enough to get my attention.
Since Jake is 19' and change, he wasn't fitting well on my 18' Kearny. After some negotiations I got a price I couldn't resist. Unfortunately it was a bit of a drive in the country, but I made the deal and headed out.

I rolled in late this evening with a new trailer that's in great condition. Jake has transportation home from the body shop now.

[N2TRUX]

Wrapping up the week, I had to get my yard finished before Sunday. I worked the last bed and spread mulch as the sun started to set. I updated the puppy path so they have a dry walk back from the yard.

[N2TRUX]

Meanwhile I had to spent some time work on truck stuff. I went by my buddy Berdos shop and picked up some parts.
I desperately needed a set of rear arm rests. I had no idea no one duplicates these. My buddy dug through his stash and found a really nice pair.

[N2TRUX]

I also picked up a set of rear bumper brackets for my buddy Mike Losh. Hes do a "budget" build and trying to save a few bucks where he can.

[N2TRUX]

Since I dont do a good job of sitting still, it was bugging me that I hadn't had a chance to spend quality time with my new trailer. I gave it a well needed bath last night and rolled the spare tire out to see how it looked.
The tire was new, but the rim was not. It had three colors of paint and they were all peeling.

[N2TRUX]

I decided since it was going to be in a prominent place it needed to be restored. I sanded all the flaking paint back and gave it several coats of high build primer

[N2TRUX]

After the primer cured, I scuffed it down with Scotch Brite and layed down several layers of satin silver. It was a perfect match for the powder coating the Kearny trailers uses on their wheels.
Yes, I painted the back side too

[N2TRUX]

I couldn't resist mounting the restored wheel in place. It may not look good sticking up in the air, but I won't get caught with out a spare now.

I do need to buy locking lugs to secure the wheels so I may pick up a set of chrome lug nuts while I'm at it

[LT7A]

The first cleaning and improvement job on any type of vehicle is always cool. Makes it better than when you got it and starts it to looking "yours". Yard looks great. You guys have a good Easter.

[rodstored-72]

ken,
yard looks great!!!! I do miss the St. Augustine grass being out here in the desert. I keep threatening to put some in the front though... most out here would think it was some kinda of anomoly cuz of the wide blades!! LOL!!! my time out there (Dallas) did teach me to keep a very clean edge & mow height (neighbors are always asking me to do theirs) LOL!!! Those mirrors are very cool!! If you let me I will use the same on my build when the time comes here shortly. Thanks again for the time on the thread & answering of the many questions we all have!!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LT7A

The first cleaning and improvement job on any type of vehicle is always cool.....

After I buy anything I give a thorough cleaning and inspection.
There are a few things I do like and some things I dont. I made a list of areas of concern as well. I have been checking things off the list and so far the pros are exceeding the cons.

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

ken,
yard looks great!!!! I do miss the St. Augustine grass being out here in the desert. I keep threatening to put some in the front though......Thanks again for the time on the thread & answering of the many questions we all have!!!

I love the lush feel of St. Augustine grass and I'm really happy its indigenous to this region.
I enjoy learning new things at every opportunity. I get the same pleasure from sharing what I have learned in Hope's it will benefit others.

[N2TRUX]

One of this disadvantages of dealing with a shop that's busy is it's easy to loose your place in line. Aaron at Homegrown Hotrods took in a couple of "quick fix" projects that turned in to the proverbial "can of worms". He suddenly realized Jake needed immediate attention and pushed him back to the front of the line

He refined a couple more panels and layed down a few coats of Tamco K2 sealer.

[N2TRUX]

He blocked the doors where he welded up the mirror mounting holes and started the process of getting everything flat.

[N2TRUX]

He roughed in the firewall and sprayed it with Tamco high build primer. It got a bit of blocking along with the hood and fenders. Once again Tamco K2 sealer was laid down to protect the progress.

[N2TRUX]

Jake is home in my shop again. He has an inch or two of shop dust everywhere and hes rolling on a set of ugly wheels, but hes home.

[N2TRUX]

The interior is still a shell with a set of borrowed seats. I have 11 days to make this presentable. Let's see how it goes

[N2TRUX]

I have seen several posts recently asking wheres the best place to buy seatbelts. As much as I like to support the aftermarket vendors, theres not a good source out there for seatbelts.
Yes I know of a few that sell or restore OEM belts them but they are really expensive.

In my experience your best option is to restore OEM sets. It's not "cheap" but what value do you put on your families safety?

Follow along as I show how I do it. It's a three stage process but the end result is well worth the effort.

Let's start by examining the plastic covers and function of the retractors. If the plastic is damaged theres not practical way to repair them, so I locate replacements. Jake's belts had bad housings so I reached out to my buddy Donny Clark for a replacement set.

[N2TRUX]

The set I got from Donny had plastic housings that were chalky from UV damage but still restorable. The retractors were a bit sluggish but they worked.

I drilled the pop rivet that holds the cover in place and exposed the retractor mechanism. I lubed them with Penetrol and started cleaning.

[N2TRUX]

The housings were cleaned inside and out. I used a a small wire brush with mild bristles to carefully remove dried layers of plastic. I gently work in a circular motion to prevent deep scratches in the housings

[N2TRUX]

I use a small wire wheel to clean surface rust from the mount tab, and Scotch Brite the rest. The exposed metal gets a quick layer of primer to seal it.

Yes, I used paper towels as masking paper. I didn't realize I was out of paper and tinfoil till I was past the point of no return. No it's not recommended, but it can work in a pinch where bleed through is not a concern

[N2TRUX]

While the primer was drying I worked on the center belts. The plastic housings were cracking so I need to trim them down. Since I'm using buckets and a console I wont need the center set.

After testing location on my TMI buckets I cut the plastice down accordingly.

[N2TRUX]

I sprayed the mounting tabs with satin black and went to work on the buckles. Fortunately these were stainless and chrome so the surface rust cleaned up fairly easy.
I used rubbing compound on the chrome. The plastic end of my wire brush worked as a scraper to remove stubborn spots without damaging the chrome. The remaining rust was polished away.
Scotch Brite recreated the brushed finish on the stainless buckle housings.