We got a lot done today. First of all she now sits on her 6 wheels after being on jack stands for 3 years! The front diamond plate was mounted to the bumper. The rear compartment door area was finished and primed. We primed and temporarly mounted the front bench seat and gas tank. We decided not to install the diamond plate floor until the truck is back from the shop. Tomorrow we sand the body to 320 grit paper. I made arrangements for the flat bed to pick her up on friday morning. So close now I am having trouble sleeping!!

 

looks good. It's gonna take a lot of paint to cover that big beast. It will look impressive!

 

Getting closer and closer. You're not the only one having trouble sleeping. I hope you'll document the flatbed loading and unloading process (when you get it back).

 

Yes Dennis, gallons & gallons of paint. I am curious how many will be used. I estimate 2-3 gallons of red and 2 of black. The body shop will be using the blue-black that was used during that time.

Ilya, I definately will document the loading for both trips. Was just going to take some pics but maybe I will shoot a little video.

 

Oh man! That is looking GREAT! I'd believe your sleepless nights, I'd be the same way too! That'll be somethin seein this thing rool out to meet up with the flatbed to go to the painter! Keep it up, you're almost there!

 

Truck was moved the body shop today but what a fiasco!! I couldn’t make up this story if I tried. We got the truck all loaded up with parts and the doors were secured. We couldn’t get the steering wheel nut to thread so the steering wheel was just pushed down in place. I went to put the truck in gear and it would only go into 5<SUP>th</SUP> or reverse. The clutch was stuck and we couldn’t get it un-stuck so I had to start it in 5<SUP>th</SUP> gear and drive it out of the barn. Oh, by the way the brakes are out and I only have my emergency brake. So picture me sitting on a 5 gallon bucket, holding a steering wheel that could come off in my hands, starting and driving a vehicle in gear and I almost forgot a smoking engine ( carburetor problem – too rich) I wanted to film me coming out of the barn but we had too much going on to do it. Then the semi with his low-boy trailer showed up and he wants me to drive on to the trailer with the issues I am dealing with. I was a nervous wreck but we got it loaded and un-loaded ok. The body shop said they will have it for around 2 weeks. I need a vacation!!

3 years since she was out in the sun

 

What a story! This is amazing, but great job getting her on the trailer and into the paint shop. We're all very anxious (as I know you are) to see her in red. This has been a magnificent thread to follow.

Take that vacation... You deserve it!

 

As I was reading your post, I pictured a black and white silent comedy film in which the vehicle falls apart as the driver is driving it. You know what I'm talking about, something like you'd expect to see in Laurel & Hardy or The Three Stooges.

In any case, glad you got her loaded and loaded. If you thought you were a nervous wreck loading and loading the truck with the problems while it's in primer, think of how you'll be when the truck is gleaming in red paint.

 

Two weeks!!??? That's like a lifetime to wait. I think I'd get the trans to shift better before I moved it after paint. And brakes maybe? Several years work to think about having to redo. Shtuff happens Bud.

 

Keith,
Wow, its always something with on old Ford ain't it? When my dad bought his 52 F1 I helped him get it home. We got it started and the brakes pumped up.....sorta. I drove it across town having to pump the brakes to stop, heel/toe the brakes and throttle to keep it running (wouldn't idle), double clutch the old 4 spd crash box tranny, try to steer with a half a turn of slop in the gear box, and drive on 4 old worn out bias ply tires that tried to pull the truck all over the road.....what a drive!!

Its going to be a long 2 weeks
I can't wait to see it in all its colors
Bobby

 

I agree, brakes are pretty easy to fix and I would hate to see all you fine work be damaged because you can't stop.

 

Thanks Joe!!

Ilya, very funny analogy!!
<O</O
Arctic- I had the new clutch stick before but was freed when I bumped the engine in gear. The brakes are another issue. I have rebuilt the entire brake system by; installing new front and rear rubber brake lines, new front wheel cylinders, having the four rear wheel cylinders rebuilt twice, installing a new master cylinder, rebuilding the brake booster and lastly relining the brake shoes. Now when we recently bled the brakes fluid started coming out of the booster vent line so my master cylinder is bad again and the booster will have to be gone thru again. I am so sick of these brakes!!
<O</O
Bobby- This old Ford really pisses me off sometimes although some of it is my fault. I probably should have started the motor more and run it through the gears while it was on jack stands.
Heading out to the barn now to clean up the place and maybe spray a coat of paint to dress the place up a little. Looks strange without the truck sitting in there.

 

lmao, Keith. Great story on moving the truck to the trailer. I could picture it in my head. I had no idea how big and long that truck was until you posted the pic of it and you on the trailer. Whew. That's gonna be a lot of paint. I cring at the thought of that paint job price tag. yeoowza. Can't wait to see the finished color. Umph two weeks that we all have to wait.....

 

In my experience, two weeks body shop talk is close to three weeks.

 

Ron,

The price tag is $1800 including materials because I am bringing him the truck with the majority of the body work done. He is going to spray a primer sealer on and have his guys sand it to 600 grit. Then he will spray the single stage industrial red and black imron paint. He is giving me a great deal and I said I would advertise his business at every show or parade.