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1. Removed the old weatherstripping in the window channel run. This job sucks. This stutt is rock hard, and makes a hell of a mess in removing it. I can't believe how this stuff crystallizes the glass runs in the doors are the same way.
2.Removed tail light bezels and tall lamps. I was going to replace the tail lamps, but they cleaned up so nicely I am going to reuse. Rich, if you are reading, I also need a RH bezel - tried to work a dent out and went through the anodizing.
3. Polished the two vertical trim strips on the tail gate.Came out pretty nice
4.Finished the hand compounding and waxing of the rest of the tali gate area.
A very cool deal is the tailgate has the decal emblem of the dealer who sold it new, and it matches the dealer it was sent to according to the Marti Report. I also removed and polished the letters on the tailgate. The " R"came out a little dull.
Also, finished cleaning up the various pieces that has been soaking in the evaporust. Regulator before and after:
Exterior work continuing (prox 15 hours since last update)
Been a busy boy finishing out the original paint (hand compounding and waxing) to see if the concept of keeping the original paint and stripes with everything else being restored to as new condition will work. I love the way it is turning out, but the paint on the roof and most of the hood is just too far gone. Will have to call my painter buddy to see if he has any ideas on how to refinish these areas to match the rest of the paint.
Finished the center caps on the 10 holers on the LH side and installed. The truck has had mile marker front hubs installed in it - will see about painting the dials red.
Removed and refinished (as best as I can) the wheel well moldings, then did the race tracks and window sill moldings on the truck using 400 grit, then 800 grit, then 1500 grit, then OOOO steel wool followed by a good coat of wax. The front LH race track had at one point someone sand all the way through the anodizing, but it still looks passable for this truck's theme. Also polished out the best tail lamp bezels I had - still not sure I will have to replace them.
installed all new side marker lights and bulbs. Used a special little nail file I have to sand the peanut bulb connectors in the pigtails. Installed the cleaned tail lamps with new bulbs.
Installed new Bronco Ranger and XLT cowl emblems
Removed driver's side glass and vent window assembly to polish and/or paint the area worn where everyone lays their arm on when the window is down. Vent window weatherstripping looks OK, everything else is junk. Glass will clean up nice with steel wooing.
Started LH jamb area clean up. Need to move the truck outside to see what I'm doing. Going to replace rusty fasteners, etc...
On Monday I got an excellent used from and rear bumper. Almost perfectly staight, which is all I need since they are to be powdercoated. Also got a used grille shell - jury is out whether I can salvage it or not
Reinstalled the tailgate window regulator and motor. Also installed new latch and inside tailgate handle -old one was just too pitted to use. Tomorrow I definitely finish the tailgate.
Nice work Joe, it's really looking good so far! I hated working on the tailgate parts, so nice work there! To be honest, I kinda like the patina look on those areas that have the paint worn off, like an old original survivor!! But, yeah if you are going for a top notch resto I understand your direction and desire! I had a old truck that had similar areas where the paint was gone and just decided to clean it up and clearcoat the area to protect it some until I could decide if I wanted to repaint the truck! Sometimes you're just ready to drive and enjoy them the way they are. Me personally, I would get the bumpers powder-coated and paint the top and enjoy it for the summer, then decide. BUT it's nice to complete the job that you had intended from the beginning, so I get it. AND your paint guy "might" be able to feather those areas in with great results!? She sure is looking much better with all your hard work and time!! PROGRESS!!!
FWIW, I would replace those MM lockouts and get a set of OEM factory original spicers. The Spicers are much better lockouts and will enhance the original look! Just my $.02
Every one is side by side in my line and I try to help everyone as much as I can, when I can. I happen to have have two 79 parts Bronco's and most of the parts Joe's asked for are still on one or the other.
Every one is side by side in my line and I try to help everyone as much as I can, when I can. I happen to have have two 79 parts Bronco's and most of the parts Joe's asked for are still on one or the other.
Yeah I know, was just messing with ya!! You're the best, keep helping others as you do daily!! I Always appreciate your contributions and mostly PARTS!! haha
I better use this tailgate after all the work it is taking (3 hours)
Today I got the rest of the tailgate weatherstripping in. The window channel w/s that goes in the roof actually went in a lot easier than I expected - it was about an inch too long. Had to cut it at the angle as the original so it fits right.
Window fuzzies went in no problem. Biggest headache was getting the repo rubber end caps to fit. Took a little trimming.
Layed the new sill plate in to see how it fits/ looks. Really wakes everything up, but 4 screws broke when removing it so will have to grind down stubs and drill out the remainders.
Thought at this point I would try the window lift motor to make sure it works before installing the rear glass. Turned ignition switch to run, no action when switch was moved up or down. Am going to write up a separate post on what I found when light testing the switch harness and relay in the dash.
Sounds like fun, I need to get that replacement environmental control panel to you ASAP, so you can take the switch out of the trouble shooting equation.
Today was dedicated to getting items together to go off to powdercoating. Removed both bumpers and the cactus smasher. Was only able to salvage 5 of the 8 original bumper bolts for various reasons, and will have to look for replacements since apparently the Freewhelin package used plain bumper boots that were not capped, but simply painted. Had to sawzall off the trailer hitch. It was welded to the frame in 4 places and bolted to the bottom of the bumper
Items going to be powdercoated this go round:
Front & rear bumpers
Spre tire carrier
Inside tailgate cover
Cactus smasher
Mini running boards
Towing hooks (not original)
Various items attached to the core support (see pic below)
Also removed the super janky aux. trans cooler someone had installed. ILT makes C6 to radiator replacement lines.
Tomorrow will be to remove radiator and othe misc items to facilitate repainting front side of core support, rewrapping and cleaning wiring harness, and finishing up cleaning of the door jambs and related parts reconditioning.
Looks naked!
And, got a killer deal on a grille shell. 5.00 & 50.00 shipping
Started out out by replacing all the mismatched lug nuts on the truck with nice, shiny new ones. Next moved onto the DS outside mirror. Ordered a replacement glass from Rock Auto for 6.15 - it first perfectly and came with some super tough double sided attaching tape. Sanded and painted frame, deep cleaned the plastic part and installed. Something new to look at.
Next it is onto finishing the doors. Pulled RH door panel, RH door glass and vent window assemblly. Then the poopy task of scraping out the crystallized window track material. I have never seen a substance deteriorate that badly in all the car resto stuff I have done.
Moved onto compounding and waxing the cab side of the doors and door jamb areas. What a difference this makes. Got 3/4 of the way through the P/S, still have all the D/S to do. Also have to polish inside door handles and window cranks (all in suprisingly good condition) clean door panels and armrests (also being reused) install weatherstripping etc., etc.
Because of Covid, my powder coating place wil not allow drop offs, but they will come to my home to pick up all the parts on Tuesday at no extra charge.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
