'78 F350 Dually Project

[drivesitfar]

Riv: one idea the guys use is oven cleaner and wipe it off and put rags or paper towels in trash.

another method that might work is Harbor Freight i think sells a $50 sandblaster handheld unit that you can fill up with sand and blow the sand off. it might take off some paint, but if the paint isn't on that well best to know before it's rusted through.

i'm not the best with CLEAN UP, but just trying to help.

so the other truck is gone and making room for the CAMPER.

 

[Toolfool]

Where would I go to get this done?

Where does the company you're working for have their trucks serviced ?

 

[RivennHewn]

Where would I go to get this done?

Where does the company you're working for have their trucks serviced ?

Most of the larger equipment/trucks we deal with come from places like Sumner, Cle Elum, and Marysville.

I'd like to find something closer to home, but it looks like you got a good sized yard........

 

[RivennHewn]

Thankful to those who serve



Under bed tool boxes done and dusted.

Also,
I tightened up all the nuts on the hydraulic cylinder ---- No Leaks!!!

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Why clean up the greasy mess? It's just RP at this point.

 

[RivennHewn]

Why clean up the greasy mess? It's just RP at this point.

RP that ruins too much clothing.

 

[RivennHewn]

Under pressure.....

so now that the hydraulic cylinder isn't leaking (fingers crossed) I need to refill the system.

There is no names/numbers or any form of ID that I can find on the PTO that drives the ram.

What type of fluid do I want to use?

Is there some that is specific to older PTO systems?

Thanks

 

[brewchief]

Find a mobile powerwasher/steamcleaner dude, see if you can bring to his spot since you have a brand new concrete driveway and your wife will kill you if it gets oily.

 

[txvwnut]

Is the current fluid you have gold in color? If it is then ISO32 should work just fine.

 

[RivennHewn]

As she sits today:

And the newly acquired '79 grill shell under way.

All cleaned up and look'n pretty:

Ain't that just about as attractive as a chick in a bikini holding a Golden Retriever puppy?

 

[RivennHewn]

Is the current fluid you have gold in color? If it is then ISO32 should work just fine.

I picked up a gallon of 303 Tractor from O'Reily's.
It was the only one that mentioned PTO on the label.

 

[Toolfool]

Wow, a metal grill ?! Dinosaur.

 

[RivennHewn]

Wow, a metal grill ?! Dinosaur.

I'd like to see the machine that stamped these out!
Pretty complicated piece actually.

 

[RivennHewn]

Another day, another step........

Rattle can truck bed liner. The grill insert was a little scratched and faded.

Looks pretty damn good now

 

[txvwnut]

I picked up a gallon of 303 Tractor from O'Reily's.
It was the only one that mentioned PTO on the label.

Tractor PTO is a little different than a truck PTO but I suspect you will be fine.

 

[RivennHewn]

More rattle can truck bed liner:

With a little luck and some nice weather, I just may get my face lift done

 

[RivennHewn]

Totally underestimated

The size and scope of this project

Way more involved than I could have ever anticipated.

 

[txvwnut]

I don't think you need to pull the wheels just to change a headlight.

 

[RivennHewn]

I don't think you need to pull the wheels just to change a headlight.

That would be more of a Subaru type thing

 

[RivennHewn]

Ready for re-assembly

Along with looking at houses, grocery shopping, fixing a leaking toilet, and visits from neighbors, I managed to get it all tore down this afternoon.

I did find some rust, that I'll take a better look at tomorrow.

I went and ordered a new set of fasteners for the grill shell and grill from LMC, and I'll be waiting til they show up middle of next week. I also ordered new headlight buckets for the rectangle headlights.

 

[RivennHewn]

Rust

Removed the battery and the battery tray to find the extent of the rust.

Looks like a battery leaked acid all over this area.

This is were the front radiator support meets the inner fender well support.

Some of the flanges with fasteners are completely rusted away.

Going to need some clean up, POR-15, and some paint with some additional re-inforcement brackets.

 

[Toolfool]

It's a good thing this truck found you in time to be saved.

 

[1Garageman]

It's a good thing this truck found you in time to be saved.

No kidding. He is like a doctor doing all kinds of surgeries on it!

 

[RivennHewn]

Must be in a training hospital, 'cuz I'm learning as I go.

 

[Toolfool]

Isn't that why they say doctors 'practice' medicine ?

 

[RivennHewn]

A little backyard fab'n....

Just because I wanted to, I'm making matching left and right battery trays.

The original tray, and where it sat were rusted thru in spots, so this is a two fold objective. Hold the battery, and reinforce the joint between the radiator support and the side wheel well.

I would have thought they were at 90 degree angle to each other, but they are at a 11 degree angle.

Maybe tomorrow I'll get the sides folded up, the corners welded, and some dimple die details.

Does anybody do dual batteries anymore?

 

[greasyfingers01]

Must be in a training hospital, 'cuz I'm learning as I go.

So a VA hospital.....

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[RivennHewn]

So a VA hospital.....

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

I understand that comment.

I appreciate those who serve, and those who need help for doing so and the price they've paid.

Especially on the anniversary of D-Day.

But for the purpose of this thread, let's leave it at that

 

[RivennHewn]

Illuminate me.......

I'll be needing to buy new headlights soon.

Seems there are a lot of new choices.

I'm all for better visibility, but not sure I want to look like a lowered, stanced, bagged, ricer with a fart can and an intercooler 'roll'n' at you down the road on 22" spinners

Anybody upgrading their vintage vehicle with newer technology lights?

 

[Growlertdi]

so that nice Grill you got off of CL didnt fit or what?

you were cleaning it all up, respraying the centers, then you mention buying a new one from LMC.. what'd I miss?

 

[RivennHewn]

Growlertdi,

I'm having a hard time keep this all straight too!

The CL grill shell/grill will be going on the dump truck. I had to order some parts from LMC to get it done.
The buckets that holds the round headlights needs to be changed to ones for the rectangle type. I also ordered new brackets on each side that hold and position the shell, along with the mounting hardware.
That's why I was asking about upgrading the headlights.

As for today's progress, I took the battery trays up to a local sheetmetal shop and they were kind enough to bend up the sides for me.

I brought them home and welded them up, and got a coat of truck bed liner(imagine that) on them. They're sitting in place, waiting to get mounted up tomorrow.

 

[C_F]

Those battery trays turned out pretty schweet!

 

[drivesitfar]

Riv: i almost pulled the trigger on a 71 Ford F250 that had 2 batteries cause the original owner that still owned it used the second battery to power up the small canopy/camper he had on it when he'd go hunting for a couple weeks at a time. i think the things i've heard are good about having 2 batteries and something to be said for having a high quality switch between the two. nice fab job on the new plates. are you going to weld or screw them in place.

i checked in one day and you were taking this truck to the dump and using the hydraulic dump and then I checked in and you have the front end off of it. best of luck and all the additions you are doing make a ton of sense.

keep up the good work and maybe you might want to buy stock in the company making the rubberized paint you are using.

 

[Pointbock]

Illuminate me.......

I'll be needing to buy new headlights soon.

Seems there are a lot of new choices.

I'm all for better visibility, but not sure I want to look like a lowered, stanced, bagged, ricer with a fart can and an intercooler 'roll'n' at you down the road on 22" spinners

Anybody upgrading their vintage vehicle with newer technology lights?

http://danielsternlighting.com/ is a place to start. I don't know how Ford ran their lighting in trucks of that vintage, but in a '92 Cherokee, adding better battery cables, grounds, and using the switch to trigger a couple of relays made a big difference. Still in the halogen realm but I was able to go to a higher watt replaceable bulb in a good housing. I have not been impressed with the retrofit kits I've seen, either in the look or function (both hid and led.)

Why the switch from round to rectangle?

 

[tarbellb]

Illuminate me.......

I'll be needing to buy new headlights soon.

Seems there are a lot of new choices.

I'm all for better visibility, but not sure I want to look like a lowered, stanced, bagged, ricer with a fart can and an intercooler 'roll'n' at you down the road on 22" spinners

Anybody upgrading their vintage vehicle with newer technology lights?

I have a 2003 Tacoma that had terrible headlights, old, yellow, hazy glass. Could barely see it seemed.

My girl has xenon on her Acura and they are amazing. Super clear, focused, etc...

Went searching for a retro fit kit, found Kensun HID Xenon on Amazon +/_ $50 for the entire kit.
Added some new (not nearly as nice) plastic headlight housings to the kit.

Wow, what a upgrade.

Pros:
_ super bright, focused beams
_ very easy install, pretty good instructions
_ leaves just about everything stock in place, just add ballast and lamps
_ 24 month warranty on ALL items
_ pretty good customer service
_ did I mention bright

Cons:
_ had one bulb go out within 12 months- see notes
_ I hard mounted my ballast, nothing to difficult but some people dont want to drill holes?
_ not as good as a factory OEM xenon kit
_ long term to be proven

Its been about 2yrs with them, replaced 2 bulbs now.

Overall for the price its been a huge win, very bright, safer, and love the look.

You can pick your own color/temp, I went with 6000k, they are white w/ a tint of blue. I would consider going 5000k.

Anyways, you asked, thought I would chime in. Check them out on Amazon, tons of reviews.

 

[RivennHewn]

Those battery trays turned out pretty schweet!

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with them. A fun little fab project!

Drives,

Anybody that's spent time in remote locations can see the benefit of dual batteries. I'm not exactly sure how I'll set mine up yet. A little more research will be in order. I do know that I want a good size power inverter so I can run power tools off it. A bigger is better kinda thing.

Pointbock,
Thanks for the link. Round VS rectangular is a personal preference. I've owned '79s before and I'm kinda partial to them.

Tarbellb,
I appreciate you taking the time to add your write up on the pros and cons.
I need to get something ordered soon and this helps!

The mailman brought me some new stickers for when the dump bed is up. I don't want anybody using the tool boxes for a step or a seat.

 

[Toolfool]

As for today's progress, I took the battery trays up to a local sheetmetal shop and they were kind enough to bend up the sides for me.

I thought you purchased a bigger brake ???

 

[RivennHewn]

As for today's progress, I took the battery trays up to a local sheetmetal shop and they were kind enough to bend up the sides for me.

I thought you purchased a bigger brake ???

Ya, about that.
Seems I spent that money on a truck(or two).

16 gauge material is a little stiff anyway......

 

[F350]

The dual battery tray is pretty much the places where Ford used to put the optional factory dual battery trays. They used an isolator and a relay for dual batteries.

If you don't want the newer headlamps that look rice-ish, dump the U.S. spec 6024s and get Hella E-code 6024s along with improved wiring with relays. Back then, all headlamp wiring were direct from alternators to headlamp switches, heating the switches up and weakening output big time along with undersized wiring. Using 85-87 relays will solve this issue, and headlamps get full output taking the stress off the factory wiring and headlamp switch.

 

[RivennHewn]

F350,

Thank you.

I"ll be looking into swapping mine out