Project Checkbook - 1971 Jimmy Custom

[jaros44sr]

Nice work so far, that s usually the biggest bill. I see some Corvette center caps in your pile, are they for sale. I need two.....

[tristan]

Those are someone else's headache. There is a 68 (?) 'Vette parked right behind my truck so they may belong there. This shop specializes in Corvettes and usually has some drool-inducing split windows, big blocks, 1954s, and other rare birds lying around in various stages of disassembly and re-assembly.

[tristan]

Interior paint prep completed and primer is going down! The doors are off for seam sealing and priming also as I have decided to get the door frames and door edges done while everything else is apart. I placed a large parts order with Wes last weekend for the new heater/AC control unit, center AC vent, glove compartment liner, and various gaskets and grommets needed for the windows and interior. The shop is going to rework all of the heating and AC ductwork also as it is a complete mess.

[IronCanine]

Super jealous of that NM tub. Everything is looking great.

[tristan]

I've decided to replace all of the window gaskets as long as everything is apart so the windshield is also coming out. During the week the shop removed all of the top glass so that the window gaskets can be replaced. All hinges, lift gate and tailgate hardware, catches, latches, bumper strips, weatherstripping, etc. are now out of the door and gate frames to leave a clear field for primer and paint. The doors have been stripped of their glass, lifters, scrapers, fuzzies and vent window assemblies and all of that stuff is apart. I'm springing for new rubber, scrapers, fuzzies, etc. since everything is torn down.

[tristan]

Here are some views of the top with all glass now out and the fiberglass repair nearing completion. Anyone have a paint code for the top? I keep telling them "white but not too white" but they say that one doesn't show up in their PPG book.

[lolife99]

Just found this thread!
I like the way you are doing this project.
Subscribed!

[tristan]

A few more of the door frames and edges. I'm glad that I had the windshield removed as the shop found a few spots under the gasket that had some rust damage. Those places were welded up yesterday and the entire windshield frame was seam sealed and primed. The rear bumper is off and I am strongly tempted to send it out for a makeover. It is in pretty good shape but the chrome is faded and it has a couple of minor dings and dents that need to come out.

[Senorx]

I'd be interested in a top paint code too. I'm in the beginning stages of getting my top redone as well. Fiberglass is beyond my skills, so the pros are doing it. They are using a product called Zolotone for the texture. Then a clear coat with UV protection. I'm going with a satin finish.

[tristan]

The windshield frame and dash are now taped up and primed and finish paint should be going on the interior soon. I am so grateful that I didn't have to replace the windshield frame. Those pictures of the new replacement ones with their 25 extra (and partially misplaced) holes, or the rather weary-looking salvaged ones that come up occasionally on the parts forum, scare me to death.

[Chulisohombre]

Looking great. Attention to detail is great. These guys are doing a awesome job. I wish I had the cash to do this.

[tristan]

A great leap forward this past week - interior paint!

I also want to give a shout out to the great work done on my instrument panel and steering column by board members Tom Garris at Classic Gauge and Cluster and Les Boatright respectively. They look better than new, were packed with great care and the work was done expeditiously. You can't go wrong with either of these fine gentlemen. Here are some befores and afters which really don't do justice to their work.

[tristan]

Here is a first set of interior paint pics.

[tristan]

More interior shots.

Next steps are to:

1. Clean up everything else on the firewall that is below the level of the bottom of the dash - pedals, vents, etc.
2. Clean up and paint all of the ochre small parts like the AC vent housings, side panel retention brackets, tailgate stuff, etc.
3. I'm going to have all of the interior and exterior chrome items from the rear bumper to the door handles evaluated to see what needs to be sent out for replating.
4. Remove, clean up and repaint the rear bumper brackets and the trailer hitch. I have a couple of Hickey tow hooks that I think may be able to be mounted to the trailer hitch with a little modification.

This is relatively small stuff but I need to slow down for a while for financial reasons. I'm mulling over the next big job which may be an engine compartment teardown and makeover but that decision is still in the future.

[tristan]

The repairs to the top are also complete and it will be painted soon. It turns out that U-Pol Raptor underliner appears to exactly match the original texture on the top although it is the wrong color. No problem, it will just be oversprayed with Plain Old White. The inside will be POW without the texture. Those sliders that I whiffed on a few weeks ago on the Parts board would have looked nice in those side openings, oh well.

[67Steven]

Man, I love that color. Almost wish I would have gone that route, but the family would have revolted.

[tristan]

Yeah, I have this strange urge to have a couple of hot dogs with Heinz mustard on 'em for lunch today. :-)

[warbucket]

That is a awesome color, one of my favorite . I used raptor bed liner on my top and painted it General Motors Corp 40A white. Here's a link to see if the color and texture is right for you.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=459891&page=7

[tristan]

Thanks Warbucket, I am following your lead both on the Raptor base coat on the exterior as well as the GM 40-A white on both the inside and outside of the top.

I had a visitation today to see progress on the paint on the doors as well as progress on the small interior and exterior parts. I have another shopping list for the HVAC ductwork, radio, cowl and front corner panel seals.

Here are some pictures of the small stuff. Thank God my carpet strips, side panel retainer strips and door panel retainer strips are in great shape and just need buffing out. They have a little rust on the back side as they all do but are not bent, dented or rusty on the exposed side. The door sill plates are punky and I will most likely buy repops since they are available unlike the other interior chrome parts.

The window regulators have been media blasted and will soon get a coat of primer. I picked up a replacement steering wheel off EBay that needed just a bit of TLC and its cracks have now been epoxied up. My door handles are peeling and I think I will look for NOS replacements.

[tristan]

The bumper is heading off for replating soon and the doors and tailgate are now painted.

[tristan]

A few more door and tailgate shots. My jerry can for the Hickey spare tire holder (up on the counter) has been media blasted but is still waiting for paint. I kind of like the artistic look of the small ochre parts hanging on the paint rack.

[tristan]

The next step is to remove the pedals and repaint their mounting assemblies as part of a general interior firewall cleanup. The deluxe pads are in good shape chrome and rubber-wise. The heater core is coming out for a clean and check and I will need to replace all of the plenums and ductwork for the heating and A/C.

Here are a few overall pictures of the truck. I feel a big bill heading in my direction.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Looks great! Keep up the good work. What is your plans for the window regulators?

I was thinking of sand blasting mine and then have them have them plated in zinc chromate.

[tristan]

Thanks for your kind words. The shop plans to paint mine with epoxy primer which is OK by me since they will be hidden and will be protected by my new door fuzzies.

[mx289]

Making great progress Dave.

That paint looks so good.

Maybe mine needs to be Ochre ? Lol

Looks like you will be ready for a very enjoyable spring/summer cruise.