Thanks Gary. I was saddened to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

Thanks, Rob.

 

Nice to see you back to work on ol Myrtle! And interesting to hear about your long haul job.

That's a lot of work you've done on the brakes. I had the same experience as you damaging the pistons getting them out of the calipers. Then I went in search of just the replacement pistons and had a bear of a time getting them back in. From all that I concluded that rebuilding calipers isn't worth it. I told myself next time to just buy new/refurb ones and be done with it.

 

I did underestimate the amount of work when I planned to do this... Needless to say, doing something for the first time will always take infinitely longer.

I actually got the idea of overhauling my calipers from your thread... So I blame you Luke! No, seriously, it looked rather simple in the Haynes manual too, but those pistons come out at some force! But, replacement pistons were $13 compared to caliper/piston for $20... And I would have had to wait a day, so easy decision. Only wasted about $10 for the overhaul parts, no big deal and didn't waste much time. But yeah, lesson learned for the future.

I bought some blue caliper paint to use on the calipers and drums, but then both came painted silver... Not sure if I could just paint over that, instructions said start with bare metal, so I've left it for now.

And the long haul driving has been interesting, especially for a foreigner... 41 States at last count...

 

Foreigner????

 

Well a Green Card and 100 000 miles on American roads doesn't make you a 'local'. Did you forget my story Gary?! Hey, I don't blame you. You show interest in everyone's projects on FTE, so impossible to remember every truck, never mind personal stories!

South African with 9 years in UK...

 

Oh, I remember - especially the UK part. But you've been here a while, or at least it seems you have, so I don't think of you as a foreigner. You've adopted our vernacular as well as our tendency to drive on the "wrong" side of the road so I've moved you into the "local" column.

Perhaps it is my remembrance of having had to go to Lamb's Conduit street in London to register as an "alien", as well as never being fully "at home" in the UK that makes me willing to accept people rapidly.

 

Thanks Gary, but I don't have much choice in deciding which side of the road I would like to drive on... Although, saying that, an 18-wheeler could make it's own path!

 

So it's been a long time since I've posted in my tinker thread.

I prep'd the truck for paint last May by removing trim etc. I also wanted to get to the front suspension so I removed the hood and fenders too. I then painted the brackets and front part of the frame with Chassis Saver and installed the levelling coils(1.5" raise).

Needless to say the process wasn't all easy... There were quite a few broken bolts. And the old shocks were very tired.

And finally Eddy was ready to head over to the paintshop. It was all a bit rushed as I only had a few days. I wanted the truck in the shop while we were away for 6 weeks. I was lucky enough to accompany my wife on her work trip to the Japan. To be continued shortly...

 

So we came back from Japan and it wasn't done(barely started). So long story short, I got the cab and frame back after returning from our recent vacation, 3 weeks ago!

So the plan was that I would complete any engine work while the paint guy kept hold of the fenders, hood and bed. Then, when I was done, he'd put everything back together. This plan finally got him to paint the frame and the cab(outside).

But over the last few weeks the project has snowballed. I guess that can happen when you have time on your hands...

So I removed the engine - starting with the transfer case which really did not want to separate from the transmission. The engine/transmission combo was even more difficult. The load leveller was too big and proved useless really and more importantly I had no idea what I was doing. I got it out though, but I won't try to lift them out together again. If I had a transmission jack I probably wouldn't have in the first place.

Anyway, so I ended up removing EVERYTHING and I'm taking it back to the paintshop this week. The idea being that it can now be painted properly - the cab and the frame(which was obviously a rush job the first time). I'm being optimistic, but hopefully it's done in 2 or 3 weeks. I'm also going back to work this week so I'll then start putting it all back together on weekends when I eventually get it back.

The first picture is with the new tinted sliding rear window which hopefully remains paint-free.

 

Rob - It is going to come out GREAT and you'll love it. But, my advice is to take your time and don't push it. Hopefully it is a hobby, so take your time and do it in a way that is fun. (I'm preaching to myself, really.)

 

Thanks Gary. Yes, it's a hobby and I have plenty of time. I would just like to be done with the paint shop - I don't like it when other people are dictating my progress. I know you and others have had similar experiences... I'll be happy when the truck is back in my garage - all of it!

 

I understand. But, I haven't "had" similar experiences, I'm "having" similar experiences. And, I've come to realize it isn't a race. I want it done right and well, so am not in a hurry.

 

Sorry, having... Hopefully yours is coming to an end soon too. How long has your truck been 'being painted' now, 18 months? And great job on the website, it's bookmarked and I'm already using it to collect my replacement fasteners!

 

Yes, probably 18 months. Last I checked I'm to get it week after next. But, I won't shed a tear if I don't.