Plastic Classic Forum

TampaBay

The weather today is fantastic. I drove to the boat launch, for a test tow (the boat launch is very crowded.) First, the ground wire was reattached, then I hitched up and hit the road. The maximum speed was 60mph (no problems with the truck or trailer.) That is Sarasota Bay in the background. http:...

TampaBay

The carrier bearing: I used a wire brush and then some Emory cloth, to remove a few areas of rust; and finished with a coat of "rusty metal primer." http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/shaft7_zps10bb84df.jpg Drive-shaft installed: Wow, what a project. My #1 test pilot is re...

TampaBay

Drive shaft is re-built: The first machine shop installed three new universals and the center bearing. This morning I took it to another shop, and they did the balancing and painting. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/shafts3_zpsa038b07b.jpg The transmission end. http://i1129.photo...

TampaBay

The new center support bearing was delivered.

Now, the drive shaft is disassembled on the living-room floor.

TampaBay

That project looks solid. You should be sailing soon right?

TampaBay

It was used in a couple "road salt" States.

In Florida, I used the truck (for a few years) to shuttle liquid chlorine from the pool store, to my house. That stuff is infamous for rusting out trucks.

TampaBay

You live in Florida...? I'm surprised that truck has so much undercarriage rust...more likely to see that up here where they put salt on the roads 7 months a year... Well, the truck was bought new in Louisiana, then went to Texas, and then to N. Carolina where my Father bought it from his friend. D...

TampaBay

Yikes! This has to be replace. The new parts are on the way.

Center carrier bearing and brackets.

TampaBay

Looking good.

TampaBay

Hitch is bolted in, and ready to go: Very glad to see this project completed. See the red, white, blue and grey colors? The right paint scheme adds one extra ton of towing capacity to a Nissan hitch. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/hitch23_zps30c6f287.jpg Red = frame, blue = stif...

TampaBay

I reinstalled the hitch closer in, under the truck. It could be installed 3 1/2" further out, but the frame and hitch are stronger with it tucked in closer. With a cutoff disk, I removed a section of the bumper that fell directly above the ball's new location. In theory, the bumper is less str...

TampaBay

I have heard about Por15. Other work is needed on the frame, and the Rustoleum is easy to remove. Plus, it's very cheap and has a low level of toxicity. If I pull the bed, and the frame becomes accessible, that would be an ideal time for the Por15.. The truck sees only light duty (at most,) and it's...

TampaBay

Almost ready to reinstall the hitch. Frame horns are cleaned and painted.

TampaBay

You might file this under "the answer to a question that nobody is asking." Here is a South African Gardenia seed pod, after a couple months in the sun. Very fluffy, there must be some seeds in there someplace. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/gardinia1_zps0b765955.jpg h...

TampaBay

A long day of grinding: I cleared away rust from the frame (and everything else I could reach) with an angle grinder, a wire brush, and the shop-vac. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/hitch15_zps92bec8a8.jpg Here the grinding is finished. This is a good time to inspect those back b...

TampaBay

Grade-5 and grade-8, these bolts get the hitch attached.

With some anti-seize and a little maintenance, these fasteners should last a lifetime.

TampaBay

The frame stiffeners ready to reinstall.

TampaBay

This looks like the set I have. http://www.tylertool.com/dewalt-dw1263-14-piece-cobalt-pilot-point-drill-bit-set/dewndw1263,default,pd.html?ref=froogle&origin={adtype}&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=478&zmap=DW1263 They snap in an instant, that has been my experience. Also, when the...

TampaBay

Four patches in total, they are cut from 1/8th inch sheet.

The trapezoidal patch (top) is the largest, the triangular patch (bottom) is the penultimate, but the best looking :)

TampaBay

Squidd wrote:Ummm...pilot points are for wood and non ferrous metals...

What? These are cobalt coated and rated for stainless. That's why I bought them. I'll have to learn more about drill bits.

TampaBay

The hitch is looking better, but these frame stiffeners need work. The small arrow at top points to a rust hole that will get patched today. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/hitch6_zps5f153263.jpg Sections of the original bolts remain, and must be removed (easier said than done.) ...

TampaBay

Plenty of prep work went into this (grinding, sanding, sealers and primer,) and now the hitch is refinished. Looking good in grey.

TampaBay

I drove the truck to Dang Welding & Machine Shop in Sarasota. The guys put the truck on a lift and torched away the hitch, the bumper, and the hitch supports. I considered taking this project on myself, but I turned it over to the Pros, and they did great work. These parts will be cleaned up an...

TampaBay

Last night at low tide, this fisherman was trying his luck on the South East corner of City Island.

TampaBay

Now that the boat and the truck are in good shape, it's time to work on the golf game.

Great day at the TPC Prestancia.

TampaBay

Not good for sailing, but we need the rain.

TampaBay

I applied blue thread lock onto these spreader bracket screws. Oops, they are not properly clocked, I'll remember that for next time.

TampaBay

Time to get this party started. Over the last couple days, the wind was gusting to 30+ knots. That's to much wind, but a new weather pattern has moved in. Here is the Gulf side of the Manatee river. We'll launch South East, and sail North West. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/cha...

TampaBay

I believe it's a Trumpet Tree.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabebuia_aurea

TampaBay

OK, no one knows what type of tree is? The mystery lives on. Spring break is a couple days away, and I will be able to find crew. The Manatee river is just north of here, and I'm planning to sail just far enough West to catch a look at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Picture to follow as soon as the ba...

TampaBay

Another look at the tree with yellow flowers: Can anyone can identify it?

TampaBay

That's a palm tree back there, but let me point out a few of the other plants. The bush in the bottom right corner is Rosemary. It's great to cook with. When I need some I grab a pair of scissors and head for the front yard. Just above the Rosemary, and above the back corner of the truck is a Bird ...

TampaBay

Zach, There is a small gauge on the heel of the spray gun. I turned it's adjustment knob until it read 40lbs when the trigger was fully pulled (while painting.) Everyone on Youtube was saying that "40lbs at the regulator equals 10lbs at the nozzel." The compressor has adjustments, but I l...

TampaBay

I switched paint. As it turns out, an enamel primer is not compatible with a lacquer top coat. The first top coat went on tonight; it's Smoke Grey enamel. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/bodywork44_zps97bdfada.jpg The paint has a couple runs. Unexpected things happen, for example...

TampaBay

Changed my mind about this greenish tan ( on right, the primer is left.) http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/bodywork38_zpscc914c15.jpg The new color is Midnight Blue. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/bodywork40_zps66afe0be.jpg A gravity feed spray gun. http://i1129...

TampaBay

Testing paint: This is Rustoleum Ultra Flat Camouflage (light greenish tan.) It lays down perfectly even. I am planning to spray the truck in the garage, and cancel the trip to to Maaco. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/bodywork36_zpsf9baddd9.jpg Glass is taped and papered. http:/...

TampaBay

More Bondo work.

TampaBay

Looks exactly like a boom vane.

TampaBay

This section is under the passenger side tail lamp. The welds are not good, but I'm getting a little better.

TampaBay

Two patches in.

TampaBay

Thanks for the tips Zack, they are needed. Welding takes more practice than I imagined. Three panels of 26 gauge (useless for this job) went back to Lowes. Then I visited a steel supply company close to home. I Bought 16 square feet of 20g sheet, and a 4' by 1" strip to use as seam backing. Th...

TampaBay

I picked up some new gear. Practice starts tomorrow.

TampaBay

Is that a big spider I see at about 6 o'clock (in the last photo?)

TampaBay

Before.

After.(the rivets look shabby but that will work for now.)

TampaBay

I have been using regular metal cut off wheels in my Dremel. So far, it has been very useful.

TampaBay

Zack, Good idea for making frame patterns. The first one was easy, all I did was trace along the forward edge of the bed. The other frames are very similar, the shape does not change much other than getting progressively shorter. Here are the frames. The rails that support the bed extend out to jus...

TampaBay

Using the good side of the truck as a template, I'm building plywood frames (five in total so far.)

TampaBay

I'm laughing out loud. Thanks.

It was rusted into place; and I mean good.

Well, now it's fixed, and the best part is, I have a few new tools.

TampaBay

Working on the hitch today. First thing is to pick up new tools at Lowes. BFH, chisels, and a couple SawsAll blades. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/tools3_zpsd6b6aa1e.jpg The hitch was rusted into place. After sawing, and hammering with a chisel, I was able to fold it inward, th...

TampaBay

Wheel off, inspect brakes, pull out a few dents.

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