mattZ
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- October 7, 2015
- Messages
- 95
- Reaction score
- 23
- Location
- Michigan
- City, State
- Hazel Park
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000, 5.0 Eddie Bauer
Thread for keeping track of my before and afters of my modifications and repairs. I've done quite a bit already to keep this old thing running well. She sat for many years before I got it so most seals we're shot.
Since mechanical issues are now fixed, ive done a lot of rust work. Almost ready for final paint to go on it.
For the rust work I am trying two methods, the drivers side was bad so I cut out all rust and added in new panels. Much more labor intensive than the passenger side, but it seems to have turned out better. The passenger side wasn't as bad and I tried an easier (probably more frowned upon) method. All rust was cut out and cleaned off, covered in rust reformer and underbody coating. Then (don't yell at me, it's a test) locktite dense spray foam was used to fill holes. I know that the great stuff foam acts as a sponge, but my idea is: locktite foam is much more dense and water resistant. Also the foam is getting completely coated in underbody.
In hindsight, I think the idea was sound, but the body work to smooth out the surfave of the foam is much harder than if I would have just put new sheet metal in. I'm thinking in about a year I'll just redo the passenger side the right way. Either way here are pictures.
Last two pics are the installation of the roof lights. I was debating between putting lights on a rack and finding a way to waterproof the wiring, or just mounting right to the roof and wiring inside the cab. The ladder option was the best. Waterproof butt splice connectors used. Fused at 30 amps but after calculating, it would be better suited for a 20 amp fuse.
If anyone has followed my journal this far, let me know what you think!
Since mechanical issues are now fixed, ive done a lot of rust work. Almost ready for final paint to go on it.
For the rust work I am trying two methods, the drivers side was bad so I cut out all rust and added in new panels. Much more labor intensive than the passenger side, but it seems to have turned out better. The passenger side wasn't as bad and I tried an easier (probably more frowned upon) method. All rust was cut out and cleaned off, covered in rust reformer and underbody coating. Then (don't yell at me, it's a test) locktite dense spray foam was used to fill holes. I know that the great stuff foam acts as a sponge, but my idea is: locktite foam is much more dense and water resistant. Also the foam is getting completely coated in underbody.
In hindsight, I think the idea was sound, but the body work to smooth out the surfave of the foam is much harder than if I would have just put new sheet metal in. I'm thinking in about a year I'll just redo the passenger side the right way. Either way here are pictures.
Last two pics are the installation of the roof lights. I was debating between putting lights on a rack and finding a way to waterproof the wiring, or just mounting right to the roof and wiring inside the cab. The ladder option was the best. Waterproof butt splice connectors used. Fused at 30 amps but after calculating, it would be better suited for a 20 amp fuse.
If anyone has followed my journal this far, let me know what you think!
