Ricks Bronco: 1and 1/2

[rookieshooter]

Since I'm in a body work frame of mind. I've always wanted to junk that stock valance around the running light. What good is it on this truck?
I like massive amounts of air running around the engine compartment, plus it hides those coilovers, I just can't have that
I've mentioned it before, I just love the looks of a totally utilitarian 4x4 coming at you down the highway. I know if your like me (scary thought my Friend) a built 4x4 will turn my head every time. Kinda like a built Brunette.

So off it comes.



Now just a mere shadow of itself after trimming. Also gives the illusion of being lifted higher.
Could trim the fender/fender flares to match the bottom of light? Just below the Dzus fastener.
I just want it to get it to the point where it has...Off-road/trail truck written all over it.



Also primed the window pillars and window cowl today.

[Xplorer1701]

rookieshooter "I just want it to get it to the point where it has...Off-road/trail truck written all over it."

I think you have passed that point a long time ago, now you're just adding exclimation points to the end of that statement! Sampson is looking awasom, can't wait till he's decked out in black. As always, keep up the good work!

[rookieshooter]

Thanks X1701. As I'm posting this, Summit is shipping the Hot Rod Satin Black this evening.
Since the paint will be here any day, thought it wise to slip on doors and do some final sanding.
Weather permitting, it will have it's new color for this week ends car and truck show in Martinsburg WV. See if it will take a repeat win again.
Plus it's all free including all the drinks and food, can't beat that.
Don't worry it will see it's share of trails. Need to Trail Rate the new paint ha ha. Can't be going to the Truck Nationals with no scratches in the Trail class, that would be just so wrong.

But I'll just be glad to get back at what I like doing best after laying down some black and that's working on the suspension.

[rookieshooter]

Change Delivery »
Request Status Updates »
Scheduled For Early Delivery On:
Tuesday, 07/12/2011, By End of Day
Originally Scheduled For Delivery On:
Wednesday, 07/13/2011, By End of Day
Last Location:
Departed - New Stanton, PA, United States, Tuesday, 07/12/2011

Now that's the kind of scheduled change I like
It's been a long time coming.

[rookieshooter]

Just got this a few hours ago and I must admit it's starting to look sweet or should I say Bad A$$. This is just the first coat as you can tell from some of the primer showing through. It's got an 18 hour re coat window, so I'll wait until the sun is a little lower in the sky before doing another coat. 18 hours will put it too early in the morning when the humidity is too high.
Got lucky with the weather and the lower humidity.
Once another coat goes on and some drying time , that's when I notice just how this paint looks. But so far it's looking Boss. And yes the rear roll bar will be black also as well as the square tubed grill. Front bumper will be? Have not made up my mind on that yet. May be all black but first red and if I don't like it...Black. Now the suspension links will stay red as long as interior cage and the engine cage.
I remember a few years back when it was John Deere Blitz black that those Amber color running lights really looked good against the black.

Did not have to add any reducer, just the activator. It sprayed fine. Also summit sent the right temperature activator for my area, around 80 deg outside temps. They have several different activators according to your temp. In fact I just saw on the can it says mild temps.
Looks like I'm going to wind up with a lot of extra. If i build an adventure travel trailer like I mentioned a while back along the lines of a military model 416 trailer, I wonder what color it will be...Hmm.

[rookieshooter]

As per instructions. I have two coats on. Did not wait too long to do second coat, the first was still tacky. Then I'm to wait 24 hours and sand the whole truck again Then the final coat. On this coat I'm going to reduce just a little. After the second coat dried I still could feel some rough spots where the primer was not sanded smooth. Easy to see with the black, it's duller then the rest. So I'm glad the instructions say to scuff up the paint.
Once painted again over the sanded paint is when it gets the good sheen to it.
Now I'm thinking I won't have that much left over. And don't forget I'm doing the entire rear bed, inside of doors, rear tire carrier and under hood also.
Going to call my son over who has a great camera to take some quality pics.

[rookieshooter]

Well this is the first pic with the new paint all done. Took on a little trail ride...you didn't think i was not going to test did ya? I really like the new or should I say "Old look" like it used to. The tuffness of this single stage paint ought to do well on the trails.



Click on pic
It's hard to get a good pic of the smoothness of the Satin Black so I thought this short vid might be a better indicator of the color. Nothing fancy, but that's what I was shooting at. Just had a brief shower about 3 hours after i finished the final coat. Did not seem to hurt.

[gmanpaint]

Oh go ahead and shoot some of that Urethane 1:4 clear coat on it

It would give it some depth and when you scratch it on the trails, it will buff out.

[NORDFORD]

WOW! That looks better than I imagined! NICE WORK!

[janderson4010]

Rick ive always liked sampson but wow, that thing looks kickass now, it looks 10x meaner then it did before, mad max style

[rookieshooter]

Well might as well see how hard or easy it is to repair some damage already LOL
When fist doing this door I tripped over the air hose and the little cap that screws into the gravity fed paint container was not screwed down all the way and some paint splashed out and on the door. In fact you can see some just above and to the right of the door handle and a few drops on the floor.

I'm in the process of sanding down the splash streaks.



And in a few minutes another coat and like it never happened.

I thought this truck turned some heads before, but now it's insane. In fact a guy and a girl that I've never met, pulled up to me when I was pumping gas and the guy said "that sure looks better then before" and then throw in a few thumbsup along the ride home.

[rookieshooter]

What are your thoughts on the back roll bar...leave black or paint red?
Tube doors and interior cage will remain red.

[janderson4010]

black all the way

[5spdman]

i think if your cage and tube doors are gonna be red, then the roll bar should be red as well....black body, red bars...except for the exo-cage on the rear...that should stay black...

but thats all just IMO...sampson is yours! all yours!! all i can say is bravo!

[janderson4010]

now that 5spdman says that i guess you could really go either way with that rollbar and look pretty bad a, either way man

[rookieshooter]

Appreciate your input. I think it would have looked good black but after what 5sp said, it did look strange with the inside cage red and then emerging out black.
But thought I'd go out and take some pics other then my yard, plus it's a whole bunch more fun on those humps and only a few miles from my home.

[rookieshooter]

Just received my window sticker.
Saved a few bucks by ordering a few weeks ago. Plus no waiting in line to check in Truck.
Glad I got it painted in time, don't want to go up there with the same Ole same Ole paint.

[vroomzoomboom]

Originally Posted by rookieshooter

Just received my window sticker.
Saved a few bucks by ordering a few weeks ago. Plus no waiting in line to check in Truck.
Glad I got it painted in time, don't want to go up there with the same Ole same Ole paint.

i am sooooo envious

[MrQ]

Rick your rig, as always, is looking top notch. Painting it all one color really makes it look complete. It was a good call to keep the roll bar red, it comes off nicely against that flat black. I mean it never hurts to have a little contrast in a color scheme.

[rookieshooter]

Wish you could make the trip again VZboom.
And MrQ please, hit me over the head with a hammer if I even suggest painting this truck a different color scheme.


Well I've added extra cooling fans for the engine, B&M Supper cooler for the tranny, a tubbed tranny pan that lets air circulate through pan, hood scoop and modifid the cowl below window to let air circulate around engine and even mounted the oil filter that has plenty of ambient air going around it when driving.
Now time to cool the driver

In the top pic i need to modify the base so it will fit on the dash. Don't need that universal clamp thing. I'll use that for keeping my Lays potato chips closed.
The next pic is where it's permanently mounted, well at least during the summer.
This East Coast heat and humidity is oppressive and today's heat index... 115.
Not bad when moving but this truck is hot when not moving.

Now all I have to do is to... Turn on the switch Don't let it blow the papers off your compurter desk ha ha.

It'll get a good testing in a few weeks up at the notoriously HOT Truck Nationals. Find me a spray bottle and I'll be all set.