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- #41
Door panels complete.
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Box Rocket
SILVER Star
Cool little truck! Getting some good advice from others already. On the paint, I wouldn't be resistent to a repaint. If you were doing a true restoration of the interior and mechanicals then maybe leaving the paint alone would be a good move. But with the mods you're doing the "original-ness" isn't worth it unless you just like the way the current paint looks. If you like it, then leave it. Otherwise a repaint should be no big deal. But I do agree with NOT bedlining the exterior!
Switching up the steering will make a HUGE difference. The Stock J-arm is notoriously weak especially if you want to wheel it with 35's. Ferg's suggestion of the axle gusset is a good one, and I agree with him about ditching that shock and brackets on the top of the axle. Totally unneccessary. Get a good high-steer setup from Marlin or elsewhere. I used the Trail Gear kit on mine and converted to power steering since my '80 didn't have power steering. High steer will require a later IFS steering box but it's stronger, smoother and all around a better setup IMO.
Here's how the IFS steering box worked out on my truck.
FARI0768 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Gets the draglink and tie rod up out of the way. You can see the axle truss we added as well.
CXKJ7480 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Good stuff! I'll be following along for sure. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the truck.
Switching up the steering will make a HUGE difference. The Stock J-arm is notoriously weak especially if you want to wheel it with 35's. Ferg's suggestion of the axle gusset is a good one, and I agree with him about ditching that shock and brackets on the top of the axle. Totally unneccessary. Get a good high-steer setup from Marlin or elsewhere. I used the Trail Gear kit on mine and converted to power steering since my '80 didn't have power steering. High steer will require a later IFS steering box but it's stronger, smoother and all around a better setup IMO.
Here's how the IFS steering box worked out on my truck.
FARI0768 by Adam Tolman, on FlickrGets the draglink and tie rod up out of the way. You can see the axle truss we added as well.
CXKJ7480 by Adam Tolman, on FlickrGood stuff! I'll be following along for sure. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the truck.
