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Rust bucket 80. Updates and insight
- Thread starter Red Merle
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #2
I couldn't get the hitch off. I ended up grinding the whole rear end down and just painting it. I had already wheeled off a ton of rust, so I just kept going and got that whole rear section ready for the Fluid Film.
Took the front bumper off too and repainted it. The truck looks great now from the rockers up.
Took the front bumper off too and repainted it. The truck looks great now from the rockers up.
May the Force be with you!!!
keep us up-dated on the progress
keep us up-dated on the progress
Wow, looks like the rust literally murdered your undercarriage! Keep up the good work!
- Thread starter
- #5
It's kinda crazy and I may be crazy too for putting in the effort for this truck. That said, these aren't common in my neck of the woods these days and this one is surprisingly in great shape other than what you can see underneath. The body is excellent, the interior is like new and everything other than the AC works as it should. The truck sat for long stretches of time in a garage and I think that led to more rust forming underneath than anywhere else.
Too bad you can't sandblast the entire belly and slap some paint on it!
I understand your rust battle, if the rest of the truck is as good as you say it's worth it. Just watch for safety stuff like leaking brake hard lines. How did you apply the Fluid Film? I gotta get busy with coating both of my trucks sooner than later.
- Thread starter
- #8
OK, another update. I got the running boards off this weekend and also removed the front bumper and hit it with a decent looking rattle can job. This is what the rest of the truck looks like as of now. Still more rust to tackle on the under carriage and a couple of items like a front axle job, but I think it's starting to come together.
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Will be a nice winter beater.
That's what I did. Still need to post pics but that is exactly what I did. Had a guy use Starburst sand, epoxy primer and poly top coat. Came out well; we'll see how it does in the winter but for now she's really good.
Awesome! I'm curious as to how well it holds up too. Always thought this was an option for crusty rusty rigs!
I had him paint it white so I could see any trouble spots materialize, as well as leaks and fluids and what not; its actually way easier to see under there now since light penetrates the nooks and crannies. It was 600 bucks; if it holds up, well worth it.
pictures!
Here ya go!
How it was before...
How it was after...
Still, the rear axle housing was just too far gone...
So I got a used one and blasted that too!
I'll be doing fluid film out the whaazoo to try and keep her good. This plan could fail miserably but another mud guy gave the tip to go to this same dude and his truck is holding up well after two year and no fluid film so I'm fairly confident.
Edit: The post tagged old rear is actually the front axle; wasn't looking close enough when labeling
How it was before...
How it was after...
Still, the rear axle housing was just too far gone...
So I got a used one and blasted that too!
I'll be doing fluid film out the whaazoo to try and keep her good. This plan could fail miserably but another mud guy gave the tip to go to this same dude and his truck is holding up well after two year and no fluid film so I'm fairly confident.
Edit: The post tagged old rear is actually the front axle; wasn't looking close enough when labeling