a first step towards a paint job

[4x4x4crewcab]

I drop my replacement front fenders and front doors off next tuesday for edging. My first step towards a paint job. I also will be trying to locate a sandblaster for a little prep. on the replacement box I will be using. I hope to have the bottom and front of the box painted before installing.I also plan on a rhino type lining on the inside of the bed.

[1968flareside]

So how goes it?

[4x4x4crewcab]

GOOD BUT SLOW
Fenders are edged and painted on the inside in the original truck color and grey primered on the outer surface.---wrapped back up in the cardboard and in the garage.
The front doors are gutted edged and painted on the inside as well. I also have my new window runs and felts in the box ready for assembly. The front doors are also in the garage wrapped up and waiting. They will need a few moulding clip stud holes welded up but are for the most part ready for paint.
I have found a guy that will sandblast my box for a reasonable fee but
I just haven't had the time to deliver it to him yet.
When I picked up my doors I had left my front valance (filler under grille) with my painter for some minor repairing and edging. I hope to get the box to him soon.
I have new cab corners purchased and if I'm not broke from the box paint,labor,rhino liner etc... will install these and have the back of the cab painted as well.
School has started again now for the kids and so has soccer and all its running + the days are getting a little shorter so I'm sure these next hurdles will be slow. It is nice to see progress even if just a little.

[1968flareside]

Sounds great! Keep us posted!

[4x4x4crewcab]

I managed to get the box bottom,front and inside sandblasted. Now its off the the painter for some more of that nice green color and a little rhino type linerhttp://community.webshots.com/photo/111 ... 7069vdHLyV

[FORDification]

Hey, that's looking good! The bottom of that box is about as good as I've seen.

[4x4x4crewcab]

On to my next project the repair of the rear doors. Since rear doors in any condition are hard to come by and money is becoming even harder
to come up with by the day. I decided to try the following..True Ford lovers---VIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK---- I thought and thought about this and have decided to try it. I just couldn't pull my self to spend the money for patch panels (inner & outer+shipping). The only panels I could buy were fronts and I would have had to cut down anyway. I had these and think it will work great-------Remember don't view if your weak in the stomach
http://community.webshots.com/photo/111 ... 2584yQhWWA
and yes the other side also
http://community.webshots.com/photo/111 ... 1954uwvqFZ

[4x4x4crewcab]

Here are a few pictures of the progress on the box.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/111 ... 9120hcmbKN
http://community.webshots.com/photo/111 ... 9863LFerwb
http://community.webshots.com/photo/111 ... 0491gAmwdA

[4x4x4crewcab]

My rear door patch panel progress. This should repair the speaker hole in the door and also take care of the rusthttp://community.webshots.com/photo/111 ... 2948MSxevb

[FORDification]

Man, you're sure going through a lot of work to fix those back doors....but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do, right? I mean, I know they aren't exactly growing on trees... As I always say, take lots of pics and notes so that you can share your progress with us.

[4x4x4crewcab]

These looked like a great idea for finishing off the tailgate. So I purchased a set in white-------
should work good and be much easier than painting the letters---very nice guy to deal with if someone else is interested?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 7933414957

Also I have managed to find and purchase almost all of the NOS Ford cab mounts and retainers I need. I have also purchased another mode of daily tranportation so I can get busy on the truck----now to just find the time to really get serious on this project

[4x4x4crewcab]

Progress as of today: My replacment L.H. front door has all the guts installed and new window runs and felts replaced ,edged and hung on the truck
R.H. front door on the bench ready for the same progress very soon
L.H. rear door patch panel installed----here is a link showing a photo of this progress
http://community.webshots.com/photo/111 ... 2967MWEZTB
next big hurdle is the making/repairing/replacing of the rear door panel--
not shure how to tackle this yet
http://community.webshots.com/photo/227 ... 5936aBYIdh

[FORDification]

Hey, that's not looking bad at all....very professional, in fact. Are you doing the work yourself?

So what was your impression of the tailgate letters you got from Ebay? I've seen those auctions too and was wondering about them.

[4x4x4crewcab]

A good friend of mine is actually doing the body work and painting. His garage is small so I just shuttle parts back and forth when he wants a little side work. I do what I can like the cutting, sandblasting, piecing in and sizing of the metal etc... but when it comes to welding and the painting I back off a step and leave it to him.
I recieved the tailgate letters but won't put them on until after the truck is painted----Hoping this spring? They look very nice and by his description sound easy to install. I think for the money its worth a try and much easier than paint

[Ironbelly67]

Lookin' real good! The door repairs do 'look' painfull, but it's well worth saving the less abundant rear doors that way.