I'm getting ansy...
 

I finally got the Explorer off to paint. I had so many trips planned for business, I told the painter not to worry about time frames. I'd rather them do a great job and have it a little longer than do a good job and have the X back just sitting in the garage. Now I find out a couple of my trips have been cancelled, and I want my X back... :-D

I want my cake, I want to eat it, and watch someone else clean up after me... :-X14

Relax, go for a drive in the Escape and pretend. Its not too much different than the X is it?

Only 200 horses... }>

200.....you'll never notice that slight of a difference.:D

Shouldn't... :-X19


I hate this pic...

http://www.cobraxp.com/PagePics/Expl...y%20Shop01.jpg

It is from last Friday. They have now primered it and are supposedly putting the first paint coat on today... :-tap

Looks like it might actually get back to me sometime next week!!! :-fire

Which shop did you take it too? I just try to keep up on quality body shops. :D

Larry Miller Truckland is doing the work. I met the Collision Center manager when my dad and I hit a horse in his '04 F250. Truckland did the work on it, and they did an extremely good job. Pics of it are here:

http://www.cobraxp.com/f250.htm

I talked to Laif (the manager) and told him about what I was doing to the Explorer and the custom work that I was doing. He gave me a good price on the job. I went by Friday afternoon and the body is now painted. All that is left is the bumpers, wing, and a few little parts (door handles, etc). I should get it back this week.

If anyone is looking for a good shop, I would recommend at least stopping by Truckland and talking to Laif. They are doing very good work there - not just throwing a paint job on vehicles to match Ford's paint.

:-tap

Cool. Good to know. I'm kinda picky about that kind of stuff if I need it done. Back in the day, I used to do it and then I read a few MSDS......... I'm a computer nerd now.

Just the fact they took the rear windows and window edge trim off will make their job LOTS easier to get quality work. I bet it'll look sweet when it's done. You staying white?

Looking good David! It sure has come a long way since the last time I saw it.

Jeff

Where have you been!!!!!

When are you coming into town!?!?!?!? I've got a place for you and your wife if you need! :-X22




For those of you that might not know e9tac - let me introduce Jeff. He has one heck of a Lightning. He used to live around here, but defected up north to Washington. Next time he is in town, we'll definitely have to have a lunch meet!

I was in town last month! I visited with Ken and also got to see his finished L.

Thanks for the compliment on the L, but you should see it now because it's come along ways since you last saw it!!!! It's tore down right now waiting for the Vortech & intercooler install.

I'll let you know the next time I'm in town and the same goes for you...if you make up to the PNW I'll leave the light on for ya!

I saw Ken's L at the last show at the South Towne Expo Center. It is looking good!

I was up in Seattle and Tacoma about a month ago, but I didn't know how to get in touch with you. PM some contact info so I'll have it for the next trip.

Well, I had hoped to get the X back this week, but looks like that won't happen. They painted the body and it looks great, but today we found a place on the roof that was loose. When the priner was sprayed, apparently some of the solvent loosened the old paint in the grooves where the roof rack was and it turned loose. So...... now the entire roof is getting sanded to bare metal and redone. We went around the rest of the X checking for more spots, but didn't find any. They are going to repaint the entire thing to just be sure.

Its bad to see, but at least it was caught before it was put back together and turned over to me. I will give Truckland credit - even though it is going to take longer to get my ride back - at least they make sure the job is done right. Some places would have touched up the spot and kept going.

Sounds like Truck-Land is doing a good job. I have put off getting my truck painted since the guy I used to use closed shop and retired.

Is Truck-Land reasonable on pricing? I don't mind paying for quality work but price needs to be fair also. I have 1 crease in the bedside (from son in law) and minimal rust spots by the doors. The original Ford paint is starting to flake off in large areas now (typical of the 86 year)

I've also been mulling the idea that I can do the bodywork and shoot it myself but in the back of my mind wonder if I'm just asking for trouble :)

I have gotten nothing but positive service from Truckland. As far as the pricing, its no Maaco $199 job, but they are not as much as some of the quotes I got from individual shops. Most of the shops I went and got quotes from were in the $5000 to $6500 range. I saw the bill yesterday and it is going to be roughly $4000.

You have to keep in mind also that I have a lot of fiberglass work done, plus removing and welding holes for the roof rack, etc. I didn't have any body damage, just cusotm work. Most of the door dings I fixed and filled myself. The largest part for me was the labor of the extras I did. I didn't want a show quality paint job, but I did want a better than OEM job done.

I think Laif told me 'normal' paint jobs normally run anywhere from $1500 to $2500 there - just depending on what needs to be done. If you can do some of the body work yourself, it would be what would save you money. The labor is the most expensive part - not the painting itself.

If you decide to do some of it yourself, let me know. I'm not the greatest body work man, but I'm willing to help any way I can... :-X22

mbryson -

I'm sorry - I missed the post all together! :-X19

I am picky about who touches my ride also. I have always done the work on my rides because I didn't trust anyone else. The one time I did let someone help me, they put parts in wrong and basically screwed it all up, and it costs me a new engine. Lesson learned there. :-X01

They took everything off the truck - windows, seals, etc. I don't know if it made it easier for them, but I truely think they do all their jobs this way so they can spray in the cracks, etc. It makes for a cleaner looking job instead of tape lines in places. I have been extremely impressed on both jobs they have done for me (mine and dad's F250).

Its going back white. I would not have been able to stand it another color and the engine bay be white, and I didn't feel like pulling the engine again...

So how is is comming along this week?

Just got back from the shop just now. Everything is repainted and is being reassembled. I took a couple of pics, but have to resize them. I am going out of town tomorrow for a week, so it will be ready when I get back!!!!

All they have left is to reassemble, service the tranny, and undercoat it. I was hoping they would be done today, but I'd rather them remember where all the bolts go and not rush... :-X14

Your ride has got to be done and back home in the garage where it belongs. How'd it turn out? I bet Dave is happier than a pig in new mud!

Well...... it was home for a day or so.....


There was a small stress crack on the rear splash panel underneath and looked like it might spread to the front. So I took it back and they are fixing that problem... :rolleyes:

So much for having it back as my Christmas present. Hopefully I will have it this week for a New Years present... :-X03

Except for the time involved to go pick it up, take it home, see how it looks in the garage , be disappointed, take it back and drive back home.....I think you still got the Christmas present and now you'll get a New Years present too...:)

I'm envious!!

So, are you painting it white again?

does truckland do very custom paint jobs? or will i need to take my truck to a different shop?

Yes, its staying the same. ANd welcome to FTE! Glad to have you and hope to see you at some of the Utah meets!

I'm really not sure how many custom jobs they do. I haven't seen many up there that seemed to be custom, but that doesn't mean they don't. How much 'custom' are you looking for?

Thanks for the welcome.
We have a 1953 F100 done in Pro Street.
My son just got a 05 F150 4x4 SuperCab all Black.
Looking for new rims and tires. they seem to have gone to 6-lug bolt pattern "6x135"; wierd. Anyway, we are looking at Eagle Alloy 187's:
http://www.bigwheels.net/wheels/mc/eagle_187_large.jpg

Any recommended places to get Rims and Tires? We are in North Utah County.

I do not have any help on tires locally. I do have some friends that could get them and ship them. I can see about a price from him if you would like.

The 53 sounds nice! You should create a gallery and add some pics. Your son is more than welcome to join also and create one for his new 'toy'... :-X22

The Utah chapter is relatively small, but we hope to have a lot of participation and get to know each other better.

Me personally - I just want my X back... lol... :-X14

David,
Thanks for the welcome; we have a 97 X as well with a 5.0.
http://www.primequip.net/images/65%2...rig_ps_frt.JPG
And a 65 FFR replica roadster with a 5.0.
http://www.utcobras.com/images/stori...x5/uclj013.jpg
Larry

Beautiful setup! Sounds like a nice stable of rides you have!

I've got a 46 Ford 2dr Coupe in Atlanta I hope to get out here one day and begin on. Don't know when I'll be able to do it, but hopefully soon. I've got to build the garage in the back first just to have a place for the toys... :-D

My first car was a 47 Ford Coupe. Nice car; we installed a 51 flathead.
Sounds like you need a "big garage" for toys.

Yeah, I'm looking at building a 24'x32' garage. It will be big enough to hold one or two projects plus the saws and tools. I will be glad to have a workshop again.

My wife says she wants another boat (we sold all the boats and jet skis when we moved to Utah) before I can start on the 46 though. Needless to say, I've got a few projects in the fire... Now I just need to figure out how to retire so I have time to get everything done... :-X14

Now David, don't you think you should get a 4x4 before you get the boat? (So you don't get stuck in your backyard :-D )

Nice setup Larry!! Welcome to FTE and the Utah Chapter. Good to have you aboard.

Nope - you have that covered for me... :-X14


I actually have plans for about a year to two years for a 4x4. My dad's best friend in Atlanta buys himself a new truck every 3 years and applies it to his business (self empoyed and ahs to update every three years for taxes). He bought a 2005 F250 6.0 4x4 Ext Cab Short wheel base in October 2004. Since then, he has put 5,200 miles on it. I'm buying it from him when he gets ready to upgrade... :-X22