ol Curt Progress

[daverod]

Originally Posted by ol Curt

Now for the burning question. On the long drive home I was thinking about how I never intended to have the cab off as this is to be a daily driver. But the bed is off and i have had the hood and inner fenders off. The only thing keeping me from lifting the cab off, cleaning the underside of the floor where it is solid, cleaning that frame up good in that spot.....and I think making it easier to install the trans is taking the clutch stuff off and the steering column out.Both of those will have to be done to covert it to the automatic.

Wouldn't it make sense to at least lift it off and clean those areas up and paint? I would just leave the motor in, and just disconnect the hoses at the heater and unplug the wiring harnesses.

Is there a method for marking the steering shaft to make sure I get it right when I put it back in? I had also considered adding a Borgeson joint in place of the rag joint anyway.


Sorry for so many questions!

I would take it off. That way you could find some more work stuff to work on . I'm pretty good at taking stuff apart hav'nt really put anything back together though. On the steering thing I don't think it would matter. Could'nt you just pull your steering wheel and line it up that way. With all that work you did on the floor I can't believe you have'nt taken it off yet. I know what a pain weld all thet stuff is. I can't imagine doing it with the cab on. I had my cab off and just tilted it on its back. Some good info the the trans stuff. Guess I better tear into mine someday soon. I've got 2 350's and a 400. I was hoping out of the 3 one would work.

[ruffrida2005]

Ol Curt, I would stay away from the chrome pan. I will just trap heat. Get a nice aluminum one with fins to help cool it down. You can scuff the chrome on the crossmember and paint it. That's what a lot of people do to rims.

I would take the cab off and check it. It's a lot easier to install the trans and get the crossmember in the right spot when drillin holes. If you have a hoist, just ask Alan how he made his lift.

I'm not sure if your running a diffrent steering colum or not, but you can always cut the old shaft out, and replace it with 3/4"DD pipe and get 2 joints. it will clean it up a lot. I hate the rage joints.

[ol Curt]

I crawled under the old truck today and felt the parts of the floor pan that had not been replaced were so good that I can't justify tipping or removing the cab. Some light wire brush work and a little POR 15 should make it real good for a driver!
Thanks for the tip on the finned cover...I'll have to look for one of those.

I'm always on the lookout for something I can do early morning on ol Curt cause my garage is attached, and you DON'T want to wake the wife early! I thought I could put some seam sealer on. Little did I know that the Autozone wouldn't carry it. The young guy was trying to sell me some clear silicone that couldn't be painted. Couldn't find the real stuff....guess I have to wait til Monday and go to an autobody store!

[daverod]

Originally Posted by ol Curt

I crawled under the old truck today and felt the parts of the floor pan that had not been replaced were so good that I can't justify tipping or removing the cab. Some light wire brush work and a little POR 15 should make it real good for a driver!
Thanks for the tip on the finned cover...I'll have to look for one of those.

I'm always on the lookout for something I can do early morning on ol Curt cause my garage is attached, and you DON'T want to wake the wife early! I thought I could put some seam sealer on. Little did I know that the Autozone wouldn't carry it. The young guy was trying to sell me some clear silicone that couldn't be painted. Couldn't find the real stuff....guess I have to wait til Monday and go to an autobody store!

Autozone here has it comes in a caulking tube? Near the bondo.

[ol Curt]

Couldn't find it at Autozone...called Advance, Pep Boys and O'Reillys. All said they didn't carry. I went to one O'Reillys that is sort of slow business wise and the guy looked in the back and found one tube. I asked out of curiosity if the other stores in town showed any. He said both did! LOL

I got a lot of work done in cleaning up the rest of the floor and prepping for whatever coating I decide on this week. Damn, it was hot!!

I looked at my seat a bit and am undecided on what to do with the foam. The back of the seat was original and had 1" of foam. The bottom had been recovered and my grandpa was pretty short, so I can't help but wonder if they put extra padding in it. It has a piece about 5" think. How thick were most of yours?
First Pic is of the back padding.

[ol Curt]

I should mention that this was the first time my wife has weighed in on ANYTHING with this truck and she says I have a nice cover and it should be NEW foam!

[ol Curt]

I'm not sure if your running a diffrent steering colum or not, but you can always cut the old shaft out, and replace it with 3/4"DD pipe and get 2 joints. it will clean it up a lot. I hate the rage joints.

I'm not sure what you mean by this process. Can you give me more info?

Thanks!

[ruffrida2005]

This is what I'm saying you can get to clean it up. I found it on summits website. but it gives you an Idea.

[ol Curt]

OK, I just need to get it set in my mind how the pieces relate to the existing shaft.

[ol Curt]

Originally Posted by ruffrida2005

This is what I'm saying you can get to clean it up. I found it on summits website. but it gives you an Idea.

So, does one end of that go on to the existing round shaft and have a set screw or a pin that goes through the original?

[ol Curt]

What hav eyou guys done about your drip rails. I fell it was a problem with these trucks having he rail all the way around the top. It makes sens on the sides. I have minor areas where I can see a little rust dripped down the side and back of the interior in the past. I don't want to paint the interior till I know I have all that sealed.

Has anyone cut all but the sides rails off and welded them shut?

[daverod]

Originally Posted by ol Curt

What hav eyou guys done about your drip rails. I fell it was a problem with these trucks having he rail all the way around the top. It makes sens on the sides. I have minor areas where I can see a little rust dripped down the side and back of the interior in the past. I don't want to paint the interior till I know I have all that sealed.

Has anyone cut all but the sides rails off and welded them shut?

Allan cut his off he just showed it on strodder thread. That drip edge does have drain holes in it. I think they just get pluged.

[ruffrida2005]

yeah look back through Alans thread and see what he did to his.

On the steering, You will attach one of the joints to the end of the steering column and then hook up the DD pipe to the other joint that hooks to your gear box. All it does is clean up the old shaft, unless something has moved then it allows it to work. This is what I have to use on mine because I have power rack.

[ol Curt]

"On the steering, You will attach one of the joints to the end of the steering column and then hook up the DD pipe to the other joint that hooks to your gear box. All it does is clean up the old shaft, unless something has moved then it allows it to work. This is what I have to use on mine because I have power rack."

Do you by chance have a pic or two of yours?

thanks

[ruffrida2005]

Here are 2 diffrent ones that I've found on here. Mine will be a little diffrent because I have power rack and pinion. If using the stock stuff then this is what u'll use if your bagged. The Heim joint keeps the top rod up high enough so when your letting air out it doesn't get in the way of the upper control arm.

[daverod]

Do you have to do that if you lay frame?

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by ol Curt

What hav eyou guys done about your drip rails. I fell it was a problem with these trucks having he rail all the way around the top. It makes sens on the sides. I have minor areas where I can see a little rust dripped down the side and back of the interior in the past. I don't want to paint the interior till I know I have all that sealed.

Has anyone cut all but the sides rails off and welded them shut?

My drip rail still goes around the top, but I did removed the one going down the A post. Strodder is folding his over and welding shut.

[ol Curt]

Well, I ought to be really good at carving turkey this Thanksgiving. I have been trying to mold some new foam to the shape of the old for my seat. I believe my mother in laws Hamilton Beach electric carver is a bit dull. Sorry no pics...camera at work. Will have some tomorrow.

I was not short of help tonight. My neighbor Frank, who has trouble putting gas in his mower and my wife both decided to critique. I told them neither of them would be allowed to ride in the truck if they didn't shut up. Not too much, don't you think that spot is a little to square?, etc, etc
I don't know why my wife has taken an interest in the seat. She could care less about anything else that has been done. But damn, she sure is interested in this!

[ruffrida2005]

Dave sorry I didn't get back to you, Yes you will have to do that to lay frame. Your upper control arm will get in the way if you dont.

Ol Curt your getting by on Joe with not having any pics.

[ol Curt]

Yep, I know!! I suspect the sherriff has been busy keeping unruly town hall people like myself under control!

[daverod]

Originally Posted by ruffrida2005

Dave sorry I didn't get back to you, Yes you will have to do that to lay frame. Your upper control arm will get in the way if you dont.

Ol Curt your getting by on Joe with not having any pics.

Thanks Ruff just some more stuff to do.

[ol Curt]

Finished my seat last night. My friend says my wife looks happier about it than me. I told him that's cause i did all the work and was tired. I also wasn't excited that she was in the drivers seat!

[daverod]

Don't let her drive she'll aways want to.

[ol Curt]

She and my neighbor have poked a lot of fun at me while I have been working on it. I told them they couldn't even ride in it, much less drive it!

Got much of the interior painted in primer and one coat of paint today. Hope to finish that and take pics tomorrow.

I think I'm going to sell the th350, crossmember and column I just bought, as I want to get this thing on the road and I'm still waiting on the column as Tony has hurt his back and is out of commission for awhile. I am anxious to get the seat and tank back in and once they're back in whatever trans ins in that thing is stayin!!

[ol Curt]

Can anybody tell me how far the interior paint extends into the jamb area. Also, what part of the doors were painted in the fawn color from the factory...just the inner cover, or the whole door?