What Bob said. I bought one when I needed it, it was only 15 bucks or so

 

Great build so far. Wish you the best of luck on it. At times these old trucks like to give you some heck but in the end you can't beat them. Sure they have character ( rust & dents), but they seem to always get the job done. Sometimes you just need to give them some TLC. Heck the young ones are fast approaching 17 years of abuse!! There are many of the old 87-91 still getting beat on around me.

 

Mine is in my junkyard tool bag. I missed a lot of good leather wrapped wheels because I didn't have it with me.

 

Got some oxidation remover and it is finally red again! Me and a couple of friends got it washed and dried in my driveway, then we started putting it on with wet cloths, wiped it off, and then washed and dried it again. I can't believe the difference!

Here is a pic of just the bed done to show the difference side by side.



Here he is all done!



Let me know what you guys think! Ideas and tips are also appreciated!

 

Wow, that made a big difference. I figured you'd have to use a buffer to get it looking that good. Nice work!

 

Ya, me to. Couldn't find any clean cloths so we used cotton tee shirts. Just water, wet cloths, Turtle Wax "Color Back", and an afternoon. Thanks for the advice and compliments!

 

Lookin a lot better!

If you have (or have access to) a buffer, use it. With the right compound it'll make it look even better.

 

Might I suggest you take a trip over to the IDI section here and check it out. IMO it's a much better option for your truck then a cummins. Certainly MUCH more bang for the buck. Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

I have 2 VERY similar trucks, CCLB, F350, C6, an 87 w/460 and 89 with 7.3. On both I put 37x12.5s. With that truck all it takes is taking about 2" off the lower rear corner of the fender and about an inch off the lower corner of the bumper and they fit perfect. Plus with the C6 and 4.10 axles they do A LOT for your gearing.

Yes any column from a truck with a C6 will bolt right in. The only variation is tilt, and shifters.

As mentioned earlier you need a steering wheel puller. It's really just a bar that you bolt to the threaded holes in the steering wheel and has a center bolt that pushes on the center shaft. Without one the steering wheel is near impossible to remove.

FWIW though you don't need to remove it to remove the entire column.

 

with 12v's floating around nowadays for 1500 bucks and capable of unlocking copious amounts of power for free, how is an idi the best bang for the buck?

not saying an idi isn't a good idea, but unless its free or very cheap i wouldn't suggest it over a cummins. 12v's are cheap, already turbo'd, DI>IDI, and have free power options. all this, and I like IDI's....JMO

 

Maybe I shouldn't have said "MUCH" more bang for the buck but done right it can be an all but free conversion. The key to doing it almost free is to find the right donor truck for cheap. Take all you need and sell the rest.

I'll admit I don't know much about "unlocking copious amounts of power for free" from a 12V. But I know that IDIs are better then often given credit, common, and cheap. That and a 12V conversion isn't the easiest thing to do, and you need a lot more then just the engine. But yes to unlock a lot of power from and IDI you have to add turbo, unless your donor is an IDIT.

 

You sure it's not gunnite? ha!

Maybe your truck was a swimming pool in a previous life

 

aye - take it slow and easy with that, too.

 

wow Tye, that is fantastic. I am impressed.
Wouldn't have believed it unless I saw the pictures.

On your tires, are you intending to re-use your stock wheels?
The width there may come into play as a limiting factor on what you end up being able to do ...

 

That paint looks a million times better now, great job. The cummins would be a cool swap but you have to worry about trans and mount/brackets etc. plenty of write ups in the forum though. Keep the posts coming btw

 

Thanks for the advice gentlemen! The diesel swap is a long way off. Right now I will just enjoy my big block and fix it up.


Got some progress done on the truck. I got a free bedliner on craigslist



I also painted my wheels. Here they are in prep.



After the first one dried.



Before and after comparison.



Here is one mounted after I painted the hub.



I was gonna take an overall pic of the truck with the wheels painted but it was dark by the time I got a set of them on after drying. Will post a pic of the whole truck tomorrow. Repainting the toolbox and finishing the last wheel is tomorrow's project.