Wow !! Nice work man .. What seat did you use with head rests ?

 

It should make you happy because its another dent saved! I might try my hand at painting. If it sucks I can just get my neighbor to do it. We swap work all the time and his paint booth is just 20 feet away from my shop.

 

double post

 

redroad - The seat came with the truck. Only 2 rear bolt holes matched up right until I welded a bracket and modified the other side so it has 4 botls holding it down. It is a bench, but folds 50/50 on the back. From what i have found out is that it is a supercab seat, but i may be completely wrong on that.

4xFordFreak - A paintbooth?!? Man I'm jealous. Now you have to give it a try yourself! I did mine in a dusty warehouse/shop, I went through ALOT of tack clothes.

 

A bit more progress....

First a picture of the issue with the bronco graveyard door hinge bushings. Kind of hard to see but like i said before the part of the bushing protruding out of the hold snapped off when the pins were pushed in. The bottom bushing in this picture is the only that didn't snap off. The doors are still opening fine and the hinges are tight, we'll see how long it lasts.


Rebuilt the rear slider with some new u channel rubber and got it roped in Also snapped a picture of the windshield that i installed a week or so ago.




I also went ahead and put in my new to me OEM dash pad. Bought it from a guy that had pulled it out of a uhaul truck.

 

Nice !! She's really coming together

 

These hoods like to rust through on the front edge. This one while on its way there was still solid. I figured i would fix it while i had the chance, also I was sick of seeing rust flakes every time i shut the hood.


Little bit of time with the spot weld bit and heat gun to release the glue/dampening compound that bonds the inner support to the outer skin.



I believe condensation forms and runs down to the front of the hood as well as moisture sitting on top of the grill causing these hoods to rust at the front/bottom edge. Here are the worst spots.



I'll sand blast the rusted areas and strip the rest with a DA, epoxy prime, and then weld back together and proceed with the normal paint procedure.

 

The hood is progressing slowly, but hopefully I'll pick up the pace so I can start on my next project for the truck. I did a compression test on the 351m in the truck and came up with

1 -130 psi
2 -130
3 -130
4 -130
5 -30
6 -140
7 -135
8 -110

The 30 psi in cyl 5 wasn't really a surprise as i knew the truck had a weak cylinder and lots of blow by. I had planned to go with a 460 for the sake of simplicity and not buying another transmission until i did some more research and realized my new engine choice could bolt up to my existing NP435. With out further a due here it is.



I'll start a new thread once I get further into it. Let the hating commence!

 

I got no problem with LS engines, but why?

 

Why not?

Couple of reasons, it will mate to my NP435 relatively easy, great aftermarket, excellent fuel economy and power, and most importantly they are cheap and plentiful and a bonus is it upsets people.

 

If the 351m bolts to your transmission so will a 460. What engine did you have in your truck previously?

 

Nice work and you should be proud of yourself for doing such fine bodywork. Trucks looking great.

Did you rope in your windshield too? Was it hard to do?

 

I must have not been clear, the truck currently has a 351m and yes a 460 will bolt to my current bellhousing which was my initial plan for a replacement engine.

Thanks! I did rope the front windshield in as well. For me the front was easier than the back, but both required the help of a buddy, lots of patience, a generous amount of soap and water and some butter knifes. i actually bought a used windshield figuring if i broke it during the install i wouldn't be out as much money.

 

Oh sorry! I went and read it thoroughly and now I understand. I thought you said you were staying with a 351m since the 460 doesn't bolt to the same transmission. Sorry for the confusion. Its been a long day.

Keep on truckin along.

 

No apology necessary! I hear ya on the long day!