New to me, 1986 Crew Cab 4x4

[rideair]

New to the forums. Thought I show off my 1986 3500 4x4, Crew Cab, Auto Long Bed, dual tanks. Got it off ebay at the end of June. It's an ex-Air Force truck out of the mid-west with only 46K miles. Pretty much a "Plain Jane" with AC, PB and PS, no radio. No rust in the truck or bed. I'm currently in the process of making it a "Chase Truck" for our hot air balloon biz here in Virginia. I'll be pulling the bed off and building a custom flatbed with a liftgate which will have aluminum side boards and custom side panels with wheel cut outs to cover the fuel tanks , installing new seat covers, carpet, dash and door panels, while adding some chrome trim/mirrors and running boards/steps outside.

Paul Waddell
Front Royal, Va

[3r!c84]

woowwwwwwww!
its long


looks good

[cochino12]

ha ha it does look REAL long with that topper, looks like a very clean truck! I wish I could have found a 4*4 when I bought my crew cab

[hessian18]

Nice truck !!




It would take the back 40 to turn that around ahahahha Specially with a trailer.


Thats what my Grandpa use to say about his 4dr dually and horse trailer.


Nice Rig !!

[77gmcjoe]

Nice truck!
I especially love the look of those extra long Dana 60 hubs sticking out of the dogdishes!

[manimal]

I am sooooooooo JEALOUS!!! Nice rig.

[old Rusty C10]

beautiful truck good luck

[joe231]

very cool!!

[Igotachevyor2]

Nice rig

[72BlckButy]

to the board from Mid-MO!!!

Great looking truck!

[rideair]

It’s time for an update on the balloon truck. We have been using the truck for the last two ballooning seasons here in Virginia and it has work very well. A few minor issues with a steering line and steering box gasket but overall great after a buddy went through it and fixed all the little odds and ends. As you can see the flatbed (8.5’x 80”), lift gate and sides are on. My head chase guy tells me the truck is perfect for what we do and how we use it, everything fits snug but not tight. Now with all the mechanical issues (except for a needed radiator, will be done during repaint) I’ve decided it’s time to dress the old girl up and make her look pretty.

After looking at many trucks on the forums for over the past year, I think the silver/black combo will work best for us because of the black flatbed and aluminum sides (which will be polished). I may decide to paint the lower half of the aluminum sides black to keep the lines down the truck clean. This along with the American Racing Baja wheels with raised white letters I think will give a work truck a very classy look.

Now for the interior of truck, I’ve never been a guy that likes “Gray” (shows dirt and hard to get stains out), “Black” I won’t be able to keep it clean with up to 24 people getting in/out over a weekend from rides, that leaves a Maroon, Blue, etc… I’ve always like the classy look of the older Mercedes Benz when they were done Silver/Tan. To me “Tan” does not show dirt as much and is one of the colors used from the factory. The question also becomes what about door panels and dash. If I remember correctly, the dashes in the tan interior was a darker brown with tan door panels. Should I keep that same look? Should the dash/door panel’s a different color?

If someone can come up with a better color for the inside, I’m open to ideas. Or a better color setup for the outside/inside, I’m all ears.

Paul Waddell
1986 K30, CrewCab, 4x4, Flatbed/Liftgate
Front Royal,VA

[rideair]

Here's a couple of pics from the redo so far. The only rust that has been found is in the driver side foot well and rear cab corner. Will be replacing the hood and front doors with a donor truck found as part of "cash for clunkers" program at a local boneyard. All new rubber seals will be put back (door/vent/window/windshield/etc..) all new carpet has been ordered, seats at the shop getting new skins, dashpad, wheels, bumper, bumper guards, grill/ light surounds, marker lights/seals, badging, etc...

The one thing I wish I could find was the interior trim for a crewcab. Thought of trying to piece together parts from a suburban/reg cab. Looking for a real nice seat of seat belts (may have a source). I figure I can always replace them later when I find a nice set.

Thinking of putting tinted glass back in or have the clear tinted at a local place, not sure at this point.



Any input on things I should do while I'm this far down the road would be great.

[str8axle55]

Looks great so far, you`re really going to town w/the repaint. It should look awesome done. What did you do w/the stock bed?

[rideair]

The bed was in perfect shape, no rust/dents except for the tailgate that had a dent across the top. It went to a local guy doing a restore for $1,000.00 that included the bumper and top, it was setup for dual tanks.

I thought about keeping it just in case I decided to take it out of the "work truck mode". Thus the reason for the job I'm doing on the paint even though it will be used to haul around a balloon and passengers, driving across cow fields. Getting enough extra paint for a bed when that day comes.

[rideair]

Thought I post a few updates of the "Balloon Truck Redue"

A pic when it was heading to the paint booth. Both inside/out sprayed base/clear. All new rubber, chrome, lights, carpet, custom seat covers, dash, wheels, tires, etc...(RubberTite Llodys dark brown floor mats on order to match dash/arm rest)

Now time to finish up a few details which include adding a set of CARR Super Hoops front/back and tinting the windows 35/50% before it will be time to place the flatbed back in place.

Some may not like the tan on silver combo, but I think it gives the truck a very classy look.

Paul Waddell
1986 K30 Crewcab

[Dsquared]

you can get all of the interior trim parts from LMC

[beamn7]

Looks GREAT!

[76Charlie]

I am extremely jealous. That's my goal off road truck....THATS SO SEXY

[snm95ls]

I'm jelly.

Looks great!

[nekkidhillbilly]

I want it

[JCampbell]

Wow. Looks great!

[yousesteers]

I had just about talked myself into painting mine solid blue because I did not think the silver over blue would look good with my tan interior. Now I like the way yours looks. Like the looks of your paint job.