Lil Red Ford

WVJefo · #1 03-12-2017, 04:21 PM

Bought my 95 last summer. It is my daily driver and weekend project.

I got inspired by an old Dodge model the Lil Red Express.

Replaced Starter, Power Steering pump, Water pump & fan. And have made a tonneau cover.

Plans for the summer, shackle flip, redo interior, paint job.

Will keep you guys updated.

WVJefo · #2 03-19-2017, 01:32 PM

Did my headlights & painted the grill.

Headlights were done with a 400 grit wet sand, then 600 grit, a 2000 grit wet sand, two coats of UV resistant clear, and a final buffing

WVJefo · #3 03-19-2017, 01:47 PM

Checking out the bed.

I am going to paint the truck this summer. But want to check the condition of the bed. With plastic fenders and bedliner it is hard to tell what is going on there.

So removed plastic fenders and bedliner. For a 95 everything was in very good condition. IT seems the liner has been in place since day one.

Some pics for your viewing pleasure. What the bed looks like without the fender and the condition of bare bed.

WVJefo · #4 03-26-2017, 03:47 PM

Not everything goes well. Discovered that I can't handle fabric.
Things learned

1 Don't use vinyl. It does not stretch and will not follow curves. Unless you are a professional fabric/upholsery guy.
2 Don't use professional strenght fabric glue. No matter what the Joanne Fabric lady says. The glue just grabs and any mistake is forever.
2 a Just don't listen to Joanne fabric lady, unless you want to make drapes.
3 Get a friend to help lay the cloth.

If headliner looked good I would have pics. But it is wrinkled and is only up because there was just metal there before.

johnday · #5 03-26-2017, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVJefo

Checking out the bed.

I am going to paint the truck this summer. But want to check the condition of the bed. With plastic fenders and bedliner it is hard to tell what is going on there.

So removed plastic fenders and bedliner. For a 95 everything was in very good condition. IT seems the liner has been in place since day one.

Some pics for your viewing pleasure. What the bed looks like without the fender and the condition of bare bed.

How does the underside of the floor look? Paint in my bed looks new, but it's rusting through from underneath.

WVJefo · #6 04-18-2017, 10:00 AM

Getting parts together

from Rockauto
KYB Shocks all 4
Window cranks
Bed Bolts

From Ebay
Head & taillights & new Stereo Soundstream Double 2 Din VR-624B DVD/CD/MP3 Player 6.2" LCD Bluetooth USB

From Pick & pull
Nice leather power (going to need to do some wiring) seats & full lenght center console.

Will be posting pics as & install

WVJefo · #7 04-23-2017, 06:54 AM

Picked up set of headlights / taillights and installed them this weekend. Also painted the rubber of front bumper. IT was a dull grey now nicer black.

before & after picks

WVJefo · #8 05-06-2017, 01:30 PM

Some Before pics.
Pulled the carpet, it is 22 years old and not sure if I can reclaim it. Best case is clean & dye. Next case is DIY carpet using indoor/outdoor carpet and the original as a guide. Last case is buy new molded but that would hurt the rebuild budget.

Used some carpet cleaner, a scrub brush & a wet dry vac & just waiting a day for carpet to dry. Will probably need a second scrubbing. Will post the after scrub pics.

Rust is not bad on floor so will be patching the hole & then bedlining the floor.

Opinions, advice, & suggestions always welcome

WVJefo · #9 05-21-2017, 02:09 PM

Used DupliColor Vinyl & fabric for the carpet & it worked. Not a new carpet but better than the stained mess that was the carpet before. Even the bottom of the doors. It did take 3 cans.

Used regular carpet cleaner (twice) & a wet dry vac to clean it.

Installed the new seats & console. And a new 2 din stereo with bluetooth and backup camera ready. Just need to fab something for shifter hole.

Next Month pull the bed to get the frame coated and put the new shocks on.

WVJefo · #10 06-17-2017, 04:53 PM

Did last little bits to interior. Shift boot, headliner.

Took out bedliner & checked bedbolts. Going to be removing bed for restore & paint next couple of weeks.

WVJefo · #11 07-09-2017, 02:46 PM

Pulled the bed. Used Dupli color rust barrier and some Eastwood Internal Frame Coating on the frame underneath. Flipped the shackles and put on new shocks.

Wire brush the frame then wipe down with wax and oil remover. Used up 2 spray cans Dupli color and then bought quart. The quart is pretty thick so followed instructions and added 10% acetone to thin it. Don't use a foam brush this stuff just eats them up. Regular brush does fine.
The quart was $44 and the cans are like 8 so not sure which is cheaper. I will go with cans next time, less of a mess. Painting with a brush when under the truck just does not work for me.

Flipping the shackles was fairly easy with the bed off. Lucky last owner put new shackles on so there was no grinding just nuts & bolts and then it is literally a flip. Just rotate the shackle and the bolt holes will line right up with just a little help.

Since I have the bed off and a can rust barrier I hit the rusted spots. Not looking for pretty, it is the bottom of the bed & no one will see it.

Lastly I used the Eastwood Internal Frame Coating. It has a two foot hose to get into the tight spots. The stuff is thin and will run.

One other new item. ATF & Acetone is really good on rusted/ stuck nuts & bolts. Use 50/50 mix in oil squirt can. Shake often.

Of course eyecandy included

WVJefo · #12 07-09-2017, 02:48 PM

OOOPPPSSS

Before pic

WVJefo · #13 08-26-2017, 02:07 PM

Getting my build thread caught up.

Got the bed painted. Bed, Bottom, sides pretty much all the bed. I got base coat/ clear coat and some single stage paint mixed at the same time. The single stage was for the outside of the box & the bed. The outsides would be covered by fenders & the bed by the liner so no reason for BC/CC
IT is called Sage Green

20170718_102224.jpg
Before paint
20170722_164443.jpg
after paint
20170723_170617.jpg
20170723_170623.jpg
IT was sand, a little rust barrier on bottom, then paint the bottom with some spare rustolem I had. Bottom now matches the patio furniture. FOr the heat shield above the muffler I used some engine paint that was hanging around the garage looking for something to do.

Fenders are a BC/CC. not yet buffed out.

As a cameraman i suck. Out of focus & upside down. Thank God not my day job.

20170826_163524.jpg

WVJefo · #14 08-26-2017, 02:13 PM

Replaced front shocks this weekend. Out ones were really bad.

Grateful for the passthrough sockets on the top bolts. They broke off anyway but don't care. Nice doze on anti seize for the next time.
Love that stuff but is a bit hard to get off your hands.

johnday · #15 08-26-2017, 03:12 PM

Making some nice headway there. Hope to be right behind you this coming week.
When you flipped your shackles, how much did it drop?