With the cab off, we started working on cleaning the rust an grease from the frame. My 3 year old is a great helper and we stripped it down, scraped and flap wheeled it as good as it was going to get without sandblasting. I fixed the rear two crossmembers and bolted them in place for the first time since I bought the truck. Took out the rearend and primed it. After that we laid down some red oxide rustoleum "Heavy Rust" on the entire frame.





He loves this stuff...can't you tell?


9 inch out...still need to put in those crossmembers at this point. Just bolted them in with grade 8's


After it was all primed, my 11yo helped take apart the front axle and I got to teach him about the beauty of "leverage" with the help of my trusty breaker bar. He got it off after some work!



Front end sitting on a modified furniture dolly so I can work on the front axle for a while.


Decided the front end needed some more work but will have to wait for another day... so we set out to start painting the rear half of the frame.

Went with Rustoleum Industrial paint. Gloss Black. $31 a gallon at Home Depot. I think it turned out really well using brushes. It was oil based and we made a mess on the driveway...whoops!

We painted the rear end the night before the frame using Rustoleum "Hammered" finish in Copper. I think it turned out pretty snazzy. (the truck will likely be a copper color as well) I am going to do the front axle this color as well.

I will have to grind some paint off when I get my lower shock mounts (they have to weld on)...but I couldn't resist painting it now. I can touch it up later.


Crossmembers are in...




The pictures don't do it justice... when it is in the sun it looks even better!



That's it so far...I'll keep you posted when we do the front end!

 

Lookin’ good. Positive forward progress (with little helpers) is always so extremely rewarding.

 

No wonder it turned out so well, with the quality helpers you have. You can't start them out too young. Looks great. I am using the same paint and I think it works well and doesn't break the bank. I'm not doing a frame off at this time, I want to drive my truck first. That doesn't mean that I want to drive a greasy, rusty piece of crap. I am cleaning the frame, axels and all the support hdwr and using a brush on in those areas. The Rustoleum primer seem to work better if the surface is a little rough and fills in nicely. Keep us posted on your progress.

Gil

 

I wouldn't have done frame off either if it wasn't for the fact that that the truck was just a shell when I got it. The paint seems to be pretty hardy stuff so far. We scuffed the surface too.

We have no shortage of hands around here...I have 6 kids and just found out we have another one on the way (due on Thanksgiving)!

Lots of helpers, but no money to make it a quick progressing project. I do just enough to keep them interested for now. My 11 yo in the pics jumped in to help when he deducted that the truck could possibly be done by the time he drives if he helps out! Hey, whatever works...
If the 3yo keeps interested - it will probably end up his truck...if I don't have to sell it before then for diapers!

 

Why not just POR-15 the frame? I know its expensive stuff but i have never heard anything bad about it. I just got a gallon from the swap meet and plan to do my frame soon. Your Frame does look really good im not knockin it but i wouldnt want to worry about that thing rusting again in a few years. you know? The Hammered paint looks awesome on your rear end! I was thinking about going with the silver myself.

 

I thought about it...but really, in AZ there is little worry about rust in the first place. Using the Rustoleum, I can touch it up pretty cheaply if needed as well.
Since my frame still is not really done, I didn't want to use an expensive product, just to have to grind or scrape it off later to change something.

Thanks for compliments all!

 

Yeah, we did two coats of primer and I was stoked to see there were no brush strokes left in the primer and it smoothed the surface of the frame really well.
Paint went on the same way...no brush marks.

 

Speaking of looking good, my wife made a funny comment...she said, "Wow...now at least the junk in the garage is shiny"

Having the kids help is really cool. It is why I got the project to begin with. GIves us a chance to work and learn together. Better than playing video games all day.

 

Rustoleum is actually pretty good stuff! I've been trying to remove it from my truck for the past month. Even the sand-blast cabinet is having a tough time with it. I hope my new paint stays on as well as the yellow Rustoleum the PO sprayed on the truck at least five years ago!

 

He does have a point living in AZ. The one reason i went strait to the POR-15 was because i live in Washington at the moment and its always really wet exept like 2 months out of the year, lol.. Ive used rustoleum in the past on other projects i think i used the white primer and it came out really nice. It is really cool having a helper around i have a 3 year old and he always wants to do what dad is doing if its jacking up the cars or wire wheeling some rust away he always wants to give it a try. Ill make him a mechanic yet lol.

 

I have a 19 year old. He just wants to drive them-not work on them. He takes after his mom!

 

do u plan do keep the straight axle if so what mods r u gonna do like lowering?power steering or brakes?? disc brakes??

 

Lookin great...The little ones helping make that much more enjoyable...your a good man including them

 

Looks great. I enjoyed the progress pictures. Keep up the father / son aspect. Both of you will benefit as you grow older. chuck

 

You are building fantastic memories with your boys. They will always remember that special with Dad

JimG 1098