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I have restored many car and truck but this is my first F1 build.
How are you guys painting/priming up inside the rolled edge of the bed sides?
On the new tailgate I was thinking of soaking a rag or brush in epoxy primer and pulling it through the tube. Maybe this is an option for the bed side?
What have you done to get primer and color in the tough spot?
I hit those hard to reach areas first and try to fog in as much as I can. If I get runs, no problem, I fix them when dry before going on to accessible panels.
I don't know too many people that have gotten too concerned about coating inside the bed rail rolls. Most new beds are made from coated steel to resist corrosion. Old beds are going to be as bad as they'll ever get. A restored truck isn't likely to see or live in the harsh environment that it lived through during its working years. They'll be kept clean and dry inside for the most part so they won't continue to corrode. I like the primered rag or sponge brush on a long stick idea, though. I think carefully applied seam sealer at the bottom of the roll seam to keep anything from weeping out and staining would be a good alternative/insurance.
Thanks for the replies guys! I was thinking about a primers rag or sponge but I like the undercoating gun idea. This bed kit was from Midwest Early Ford and it is just raw steel. And this will be a semi daily driver. I know people hate this but it is a mess of years of parts I have collected over the years from various farm fields. 49, 50, 51, 52. It's on a ZR2 S10 4x4 frame with the firewall of the S10, air bag and ABS brakes all intact. The ZR2 is 6-7" wider than standard S10. This is just a fun truck to run around in and safer for my teen drivers. So don't start bashing me, it's just a collection of junk to build something cool for kids and I to run to school and such. Better than a civic.....
Here is a few. Started with an excellent running S10 4x4 but trashed frame. Bought a nice ZR2 Frame and completely rebuilt it with all new parts.
Standard S10 4x4 cut up for mock up with F1 Cutting up S10 Mock up. Zr2 frame to replace rusted standard S10 frame Test fitting ZR2 Frame media blasted, epoxy and painted. Every part is new or refurbished.
Welcome to FTE!
Wow! That is an ambitious project. Be sure to keeps us updated with lots of pictures.
We generally don't bash around here. We have all sorts trucks here and we all get along. We will gladly give our opinions but we know that they are just our opinions and it's your truck. Well, in your case parts of trucks that you will make into one.
I look forward to watching how the build goes. Do you have a desired timeframe for completion?
No real time frame. I have many auto projects going at one time. I am working on a 79 Pontiac formula that I cut every piece of sheet metal off of, including the roof. All has been replaced with new or good used parts I have collected over the years. I am picking up a 76 F100 that my brother has owned for 25 years. That one has sat in a barn for 17 years or so, it's actually in pretty good shape. I am collecting parts for my 69 Dodge charger swap onto a 2012 charger platform. ( actually it's a roadrunner body that I have bought all new AMD 1969 charger sheet metal for). I also have a partially finished 1967 RS Camaro that I need to get back to.... So ya, I love building unique vehicles. I have finished one that I drive..... My 1979 Trans am I bought almost 30 years ago. I completely rebuilt it and LS swapped it.
Trans am current condition. I drive it a lot.
parts collection for the Charger project.
Second pallet of charger parts.... Formula with all new sheet metal. Current condition Formula as i was removing the roof and then quarters, floor, doors, fenders. Not much original metal left. Current condition of my 67 Camaro. All new sheet metal except the roof and firewall. Trans am i pulled out of my barn and restored and LS swapped. This was about 5 years ago. Formula and trans am as i swapped spots in my shop to work on the T/A. 5 uears ago.
I don't have a good picture of the 76 F100.
But as you can see, I have ADHD when it comes to projects....
Thr ford F1 is the one right now taking up 3 bays in my shop so it is getting the most attention right now.
Love the 79 Trans Am !! We had one back in the late 80s early 90s. One of the cars I wish we never sold. Black on black with factory t-tops, it had the Olds 403 engine & auto trans. It also had the ws6 suspension package.
That is some great ambition and follow-through Luke. I chuckled when you said that the F100 is getting attention cause it is taking up 3 bays. I can relate to that for sure. I have a '79 F100 that needs loads of work but only takes up one bay so I leave it alone. I have another project ('72 Land Rover) that is spread all over the place and I'm trying to work on that first so that I can get a garage bay back before winter so my daily driver doesn't get snowed on outside. I'm sure your F1 will be nice when ready for the road. This forum has all the advice, support and answers your want and need. The thread archives are impressive too.
Keep us posted with updates from time to time.
Tom
Wow! That's a lot going on. Often frame swaps don't go well because it is more difficult that people realize. I don't think you will have any problems.
Well...other than the normal problems classic vehicles throw at you because they are ornery.
Love the 79 Trans Am !! We had one back in the late 80s early 90s. One of the cars I wish we never sold. Black on black with factory t-tops, it had the Olds 403 engine & auto trans. It also had the ws6 suspension package.
Thanks! Ya, this was my first "car" and it was special ordered with a 301 and a auto, WS6 too. I bought it from the original owner decades ago. I swapped in a St10 4 speed in the 90s and then it sat in a few barns as it was a rusted mess. I got a great deal on a 98 LS1 Trans am that was mint so I parted it out for $1500 more than i paid for it and I i kept the drive train. I even swaped in the rear disks. The old car stops on a dime even with the wide sticky tires. It is lowered with GT leaf springs, drop coils, subframe connectors, stock big sway bars and a later Z28 quick ratio steering box and 17x9 rims.
So, I started assembling the bed kit I got from Midwest Early Ford and then welding it together. I want to get this in epoxy so more surface rust doesn't start. I didn't like the chain tailgate latch idea so I made my own latch. I'm not sure yet if I'll make another one for the other side as the one seems to hold just fine. I still need to make a stainless strike plate so the paint doesn't get all chipped up in that area. I also used Pros Pick tailgate straps, these require me to notch the bed so the gate will close without jamming the strap in between the gate and the bed.
I then made little patch squares to fill the holes where the old chains would have latched onto the eye bolt.
