Well, I ran into a little glitch the other night when I was trying to get the chassis ready to be towed back over to the body shop.

I had just finished putting the steering box back into place, and was going to put in the center link, when I noticed that the boots on the joints were shot. I figured, no problem, I'll just have to get a new center link, and presto, done. Well, I started looking at the center link, and noticed that it wasn't stock. Apparently, this truck was lifted a little bit by the owner having put in re-arc'd springs, which was fine. The difference was that the stock center link was replaced with a raised center link going to the pitman arm.

I went to my local tire shop to see if I could just replace the joints on the link, or if I'd have to get a new link. They said that without knowing the joints that were on there, they'd have no way of knowing what to get. That's sort of true, i suppose, but I went home and decided to start calling around. I found out that Skyjacker still has the raised center links, but they informed me that most people now just put on a raised pitman arm, and just use the stock center link. So, while it's a bit more expensive, I'm picking up the new center link today, and the new raised pitman arm should be arriving next week some time.

I did talk to the body shop, and they said that the doors are still being worked on, but the cab has been shot, and I could drop off the new front and rear glass anytime.

I'll try to take a picture or two when I go over there next. 'later

 

Ok, I'm trying to be regular about what progress I'm making on Buford. I've added a couple pictures to the album, and I've taken care of a couple more build issues.

I just got the fuel fill tubes back from the powdercoater, and they turned out quite nice. I installed them the night before the towtruck came to take the chassis back to the body shop.

I also got a new lowered pitman arm and center link, as the aftermarket center link I had was shot. I installed those, but didn't take any pictures yet, as I still have to get the pitman arm coated after I get it back from the shop.

Anyway, for those of you that are paying attention....enjoy!

tim

 

Update.....for those that give a rip...the hood, tailgate, and fenders are now done. Also, the floor pans are in, seam sealed, and everything was DP-40'd, and sprayed.

I've put a couple new shots in the album for those that wish to snoop....well, also because I haven't the faintest idea on how to post them in a thread.

At least I'm following the rules, and keeping my progress confined to one thread!

'later

 

Lookin great! Thanks for the update. I love seeing that glass-smooth black paint... Looks awesome man!

 

Awesome project!!! I wish I would have had the space to totally blow mine apart like that. Great job!

 

wow buford looks great!!! i remember my truck all apart like that,its time for me to do it again.lots of work,time and money,but worth it if your keeping the truck for the long term. i'll keep my eyes opened to see you driving around,i'm down in washington a lot in the summer time.-billy

 

Thanks guys. I Appreciate it.


Hey, Billy. I wouldn't keep an eye out for him this summer, though. If my addition is right, it's going to take me a while to get my stuff together to be able to build the engine. So, I think Buford is probably going to be sitting at home until next year.

If by some miracle I can get everything done in the time I thought I could, I might be able to turn the key by about September or so, which sucks as that's when the weather starts to go for the year. The big thing for me is not to hurry it...I want to do this right if I'm going to do it at all.

Anyway, I should have a few updates in the coming weeks. The body will be going back on the frame, and I'll be getting the bed and the cab floor done at Line-X. I'll post photos when it happens.

'later

 

Ok, not a major update, but I got the new trim and weather seals from Dennis Carpenter today, as well as some other little odds and ends.


I also added a couple new shots in the photo album of the bed and the cab. Getting close to putting the body back on the frame!

Anyway, that's about it for those that are keeping tabs.

'later

 

Are you going to put the original trim back on or are you going with the racetrack trim? It is coming along nicely, you are inspiring me to get off my duff and go work on my supercab today. Changed the oil and antifreeze yesterday, but what I really need to get going is body work. All in good time.

Your truck is looking great, keep up the good work. It is always nice to see these old trucks being renewed.

 

I'm going to stick to the original trim. My truck didn't come with racetrack, so I opted against it. I think it would have looked nice with the racetrack too, but it wasn't what I saw in my head. The funny thing is that the driver's side front fender had racetrack trim, so all those holes had to be welded shut in order to match the rest of the truck.

I'm still debating about what to do in the side step/nerf bar department. Originally, I was going to rig one of those power steps by Kodiak to work, so the bottom side of the truck would be really clean, and it would be trick what with the door opening causing the step to come out. The problem is that with no side step or nerf bar, there is nothing to protect the side of the truck from every car door opening into it on the planet. After all that's been done to make the body at least look presentable, that didn't sit well with me. So, I'm probably going to go with some sort of bar to serve as a step, but also protect the side of the truck. We'll see...I have time to decide.
Thanks for the comments, tho.....appreciate it.

 

I just re Read part of the 1st page, you Really dont want to spray foam inside the pillars, or anywhere else really. Here's why...

The new cars that have this done (F150's included) are Dipped in a Ecoat primer to seal the bodies. Our Trucks..that technology wasnt there. There is a rust inhibitor thats been used, but for the most part, its bare steel everywhere they couldnt spray. So if you shoot in a bunch of foam, its going to hold moisture against that mostly bare steel, and help accelerate the rust problem.. It might not be something that shows up for awhile quite a few years even, but I'm not looking to speed up the rusting of my truck, and really dont like the thought of having to put new A Pillars in ...


Good Progress You've made! Keep up the good work!

 

wow- looks great. If you dont mind, how much $ do you think you have put into this? I am thinking of doing a frame-off resto after I am done with my current truck. The Truck I have right now is my DD so a frame off isnt really an option.

 

I figure when it's all said and done, it's going to be in the 35-40k ballpark....and I know...I'll never get my money back, but that's not why I'm doing it. I'm doing it because I love the truck, I don't like new trucks, and some other personal reasons. Besides, I'll be one of the only guys around that'll have a brand new 1979 Ford in his garage.

Another point is that when I'm done with it, it'll have more grunt and more character than any of the new Fords out there, for around half the money (depending on options), and it'll last three times longer.

I know, I don't need to defend my actions, but those are the reasons running amok in my noggin.

 

Man I agree with this statement 100%. I have had my chief (Navy) to ask me why I don't get a new truck instead of working on my old on all the time and I said the same as you did above.

 

ok cool. That gives me something to shoot for when I am older (I am only 15).