Hey all,
Just wanted to show the progress on the 51 F1.

I had started sanding and preping the front of the frame myself on-and-off about a year ago but after making little progress I made the decision to take the cab and bed off and send the frame out to get sandblasted. So this last week me and a buddy had been working on it everyday, and today we finally got it stripped down to the bare frame! I hopefully will be dropping it off tomorrow or Monday at the snadblaster. After I get it back I plan on painting it with POR-15 and topcoating with their black Chasiscoat semi-gloss.

I made a rolling stand for the cab out of some left over 4x4's I had and 2.5" castors. Seems to roll in and out of the garage pretty well and will allow me to work on the entire cab.

Here are a few pics of the progress. I have more in my gallery.

After pulling the front clip and motor, and dropping the front axle and springs


I cut off the motor mount the previous owner had made himself


after sliding/carrying the cab to the front of the frame we put the cab up on jackstands, then lowered the frame and was able to roll it out from under the cab and back into the garage


Got the bed, rear axle and springs removed. Down to the Bare Frame Finally!


Bed removed

 

You're off to a great start. Keep up the good work!

 

Good job. I have done the same thing also. The POR-15 appears to be good stuff but will blister and peel if brake fluid should find its way to it. Good luck and don't let the heat get to you.

 

Your truck looks to be in very good shape which will help you out in the long run, stay motivated and you'll likely be sqalking your tires before too long. Keep us posted, I like success stories.

 

Its SO easy to take it apart.. hope you can put it back together faster than I did.. (almost 10 yrs)..

looks great tho..

sam

 

Been there twice !!!! The truck takes a little longer to reassemble .Good luck , keep at it . Later , Denny

 

Looks great !!! I will have some pic. of my 51 ready soon. If i can down load them. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

 

Well ;your off to a great start with a excellent truck to begin with. Looking forward to seeing & hearing more about your progress.
I've always used Rustoluem Hammer paint on my frames; not flawless; but pretty durable for daily drivers.

 

Wow! That is one heavy duty engine mount crossmember!

 

Thanks for all the encouragment
I dropped off the frame at the sandblaster on Saturday, should get it back middle of this week. I will keep everyone updated with the progress.
I have had the truck for a year and half and hope to have it running and driveable in another 3 1/2 years......

You like that thing huh!! I dont know what the guy was thinking....he built a rear bumper out of Diamond plate also that weighed at least 150lbs!! I think I will be able to pay for half the rebuild with all the money from scrap metal I get!!! haha

 

I did the same with my frame, the Por 15 is good on sandblasted metal but don't use it on new smooth metal, it will peel off. I also top coated mine with semi gloss chassis coat for UV protestion and it still looks as good as it did 6 years ago, mind you it hasn't been out of the garage yet. Yes and watch out for the brake fluid, it better paint remover than paint remover.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the info on the brake fluid, I wll keep that in mind.....