If you assemble first, be shure to "Jamb out" everything. This means painting behind every surface that will be covered.....door jambs, behind fenders, back of cab wall, etc. The best paint job (if you are going with a solid color) Is to paint in pieces then assemble, like the factory. As far as fitment, preassemble and mark where things line up first, then take apart and paint. Keep notes of how many and where the body shims go, follow notes when re assembling. Check out my How to assemble an AD thread.
Re - Spray What Russ said ! . If you're re - painting @ home or don't have the time & inclination to assemble , fiddle / tweak / ajust / dis assemble /paint / re assemble , blah blah..... Then just spray paint the areas now where the fenders fit the body & so on as leaving them in primer will GAURANTEE furture rusting . Radial LT tires unless you want to die and have a poorly driving truck ! . those boobs who gave you that bad (and DANGEROUS !) advice , shouldn't be allowed to check your oil .
Thanks Larry My Dad hasnt felt to good the couple of days so havent started anything as of yet. Going to work on it tonight got lots of sanding to do Dad tells me at least two more times all over. HA HA I have some pretty sore arms... But a good sore.. Thanks for all the input..
Hey that was a great help all kinds of clues,, Thanks and I've saved that link to my desk top for future ref.
He's running Oh yeah I am jumping up and down with JOY... The ole boy started right up after we gave it a good tune up. You all know how that makes a Day. Now the question i need answered is type of oil. I have no idea what type.
Oil thread !!! It's a subjective thing but , if it runs well , use fully synthetic multi - viscosity oils as they will make the engine last pretty much forever . Diesel rated oils to protect the cam and followers . Be aware that synthetic oils creep , seep and weep more than does Dino oil so expect some drips & drops , it's O.K. , just keep an eye on the level . Are you aware that oil threads often wind up in flame wars ? many have no idea what they're talking about but like the colors on the can or other foolishness and so go on the attack .
I agree with Ol' Chebby. 'Trim out' the parts before assembly, or they will rust as Nate said, and then put the finish coats on after assembly. I'm a little behind you in the engine running department, but a little ahead in the painting.... pluggin' away at it though. You'd think I'd make quicker progress being retired and all, but other people make plans for my time too. Glad you got him running.
Wheel lugs OMG !! yet another question. When putting on the new tires and wheels I have discovered two lugs on the wheel one on rear and one on lft front will not tighten up. When the lug nut us put on and tried to tighten down it gets so far and just spins the entire lug. Anyone got any suggestions on how to fix that?? TIPS TIPS TIPS thanks
First thing to determine: Is the problem the nut or the lug? Remove a lug nut that tightens well (call it nut A) from its lug (lug A). Remove the lug nut that does NOT tighten well (nut B) from from its lug (lug B). Install nut B on lug A. Does it tighten? If yes, lug B is bad. If no, nut B is bad. Lug nuts can be bought at FLAPS. Take a good old one along to match with. Lugs can also be bought at FLAPS. Front lugs can be removed by removing the front hub and applying a large hammer with great gusto to the threaded end of the lug. Make sure to support the back side of the hub on a very solid surface. An old socket or a piece of pipe that is large enough that the head of the lug can pass through is good backing. Again, take the old lug to FLAPS for matching. Same routine for the back axle, but depending on axle type you may have to pull the axle shaft.
lug for sure the lug and thanks for the info found out my Dad has made the change of the lugs in the past on another truck he had so we will give it a try this weekend.
Has anyone ever thought You'd Never get done?? Been since 2007 working on my ole truck and I must admit I havent worked on the ole 52 in months until the last couple of weeks. Not that I don't want to but got to admit SURE could use some help. Dad can't really help out any longer. Except to say keep sanding .. HA HA HA LOL the Devil in my head says Just paint it and then The good angel says NO keep sanding You'll be sorry and mad if you don't. Sorry guys just needed to VENT...
Sure sure. Just got to take a break and do some reading up on them. Then you get fired up again and attack it some more. Same advice, dont rush it or you'll be sorry forever.
I'm right there with you, Karen. The "patina" look is cool AND it's a great way to get out of the sanding ordeal! However, I want to stop all rust and the only way I know to do that is sand every piece down and start over~ I just want this truck to last as long as it possibly can, so it just has to be done, right? Hang in there, we're here for you!
Hey Karen. It's been a while, glad to hear you're getting a chance to make a little progress. Don't forget part of the "joy" of doing this is doing it ourselves, and that means more time. I come back here often to get encouraged a little, too.
