Always appreciated! All good projects come to an end. Budget friendly DIY jobs are my specialty!

Got a bit more on the grill done. It is pretty much done except for wet sanding the clear coat and buffing. I used Automotive Touchup black primer, and my paint code UA paint. 3 layers each, wet sanded 600 the primer and laid down the paint. Wetsanded with 2000 grit and polished it. Then I clear coated in Eastwood high gloss aerosol 2k clear coat. Results are excellent. Such a nice glossy finish from this clear coat. For what I invested in this project I could have had it painted, but I have self satisfaction in doing it all myself!

Masked pic before primer. I masked the mesh for am OEM look.


Painted and cleared.


I also did my choppy ugly Leer 700 handle. Now it is painted in UA black and cleared with the Eastwood clear. I expect it to be near invisible after I un-mask tomorrow.


I also read the importance of wearing a respirator for this specific clear coat. I went and bought one for this job. I have always used dust masks before for my projects, after using this respirator I wish I bought it sooner and used it for all of my paint projects. I would probably be a little more healthy!

 

So sad to see this thing on its way out . . .

 

You'l like my next one! It's still going to be awhile, probably until next spring.

 

Yeah, when sanding, painting etc... you really should use a respirator.

 

Is this the stuff that keeps your sanity intact and away from the girlfriend? If so I need to start practicing. You already know the news

 

I know I will! Your taste is too good to produce something I won't like

 

Almost a whole year without an update, not good at all! Gotta stop slackin'!

Some folks pay attention to my "What did you do to your F-150 today?" postings so this might not be news, but its worth a mention!

Like a typical car guy, my mind is always changing. I was hell bent on getting into a 2011+ truck after fixing my truck up. I then decided to buy a new and faster DD car to replace my current one. Well instead, I decided to be a fool and buy a 3rd car for fun/play and last May I ended up buying this 2000 Trans Am WS6 6spd. Mint car, cared for, never in winter, I had to. I missed having one of these so bad. Feels great!



So the truck gets to stay with me for another year or two. I barely drive it as it is, so the mileage will stay low, and I have plenty of time to get it in tip-top re-sale shape later on. As of May 8th of this year, I have owned it for a whole 4 years. Not a big deal but it is officially the longest I have ever owned a vehicle, so big deal for me!

Shortly after buying in 2011:


Current look 2015:



So for some of the updates That I have completed from June 2014 to June 2015.

I pretty much barely drove the truck until winter, then winter hit and I was fortunate enough to not have to use it at all. So it went inactive until April. At this point my inspection ran out so I had it in for inspection. It failed for seized e-brake actuators, and for loose tie rods. Fixed both myself easily. I ordered Moog inner and outer tie rods, Quick easy job. Nightmare of a time finding a inner tie rod took big enough to fit, only to find out a open end wrench 1.75" would get the job done perfectly.




Also gave myself a bit of a scare breaking loose the outer tie rod, slammed my wrist right into the brake dust shield. To the other hand-tool only mechanics, be safe! lay something down over it.

Here is the YouTube link that I studied for the e-brake repair. This Briansmobile knows his stuff. He is thorough, clear, and not a BS'r.

My drivers side actuator was seized solid. Passenger side was barely moving.


Grinded them both up and never seized them good. Works great! I believe the dealership wanted $120 in labor just to do this to the drivers side only. CROOKS! This was easy!


Filthy truck pic since it rained the day I had it in for inspection, only to bring it back and do the repairs myself


I bought some Bora 1.5" spacers on F150forum since they had a small deal going on. I had to grind the 'nipples' of the OEM studs down to clear them on my XD wheels which do not have pockets for them.


I have some good rub now, which was expected, and will be taken care of later.

Before I washed it my buds talked me into taking it up to the local 4x4 spot. All I did was cruise around. The Trail Grapplers to bite extremely good!






Ever see a Harley Davidson valance this dirty?


And somewhere in between, this happened.


That's about it! Since then I have toyed with the Pontiac and the truck has hardly moved. I didn't give it a official handwash until late May. There is a little cruise in on Thursday evenings in my town and I got the g/f to bring my truck down for it. Foolishly I had forgotten to put my center caps back on.




Now I need to get on with my maintenance slacking. CD changer repair, spark plugs, exhaust manifold leak. One step at a time!

-Darren.

 

Looking good as always! I'm looking forward to the days of getting another vehicle. To be able to take my time with maintainance as you do. No needs of having it on the road as a daily. That has got to be relaxing!

Really digging the car. A parts guy at my shop just picked one up. Says it's the most fun he's had in a long time.

Your truck at its dirtiest is probably cleaner than mine at its cleanest. Keep up the good work! Never gets old reading about and looking at your rigs.

 

What’s up everyone! Back with a photo update of the truck. I haven’t played with it too much this year as buying a 2000 Trans Am has had all my excitement and attention towards that. Here are some pics of this summer and fall with the truck.

June 2015

With my springtime update I had mentioned that I had added Bora 1.5” wheel spacers in spring time for a more negative offset appearance. Some lower wheel well trimming was needed. Love the look though, and with proper lug torque I haven't felt anything spooky or dangerous.








I’ve killed the battery about 10 times this summer by letting it sit too long. My Cavalier was quite useful for saving it this year.


I love this view into the garage.


October 2015

Some more recent photos straight off my phone.






















And for kicks a shot of my mileage build-up decline. Its amazing seeing this as the first year I had this truck ( 2011 ) I put on probably 15k. Once I got a good daily driver things got much easier.


A couple more photos to finish the update off with. I played around with these in photoshop a bit so they are altered photos.










That is it for now. I’ve been accidentally beating up the girlfriends 2012 Focus lately so she will be driving it to her work all next week. I had a deer head-butt the FR fender denting it, and decided to back it up with the passenger door open bending it back after hitting my house with it… Whoops lol. After she’s done with it I’m going to attack spark plugs, FR 4wd actuator, and the CD changer issue. At that point it will be in great shape. Considering having a radiator flush and I intend to do a trans pan drop & filter swap since I bought a filter 2yrs ago. At that point I’m going to see if I can de-mod it a bit and possibly sell it. That is my goal next spring but we shall see. Stay tuned!

 

Still looks good!

 

I sprayed the parking brake actuator on my 05 with motor-cycle chain lube.

 

Thanks!

 

Still one of the best looking trucks around. Which reminds me, I really need to find an hd valence...

 

Nothing much new, same ole! Been putting money into the house and not so much the vehicle(s), which isn't a bad thing I suppose. I drove the truck a couple times last week, filled it up and put some Stabil Marine 360 fuel stabilizer in it and I believe it likes it. Seemed to run a little better and the pep was present. And now I have a full 30 gallons of stabilized fuel to prevent corn sugar gunk. I went off a recommendation of a friend, and figured with it sitting for winter in the cold garage moisture may be present to the tank with temperature fluctuation.

Currently sits at 126,534 miles. Not bad considering April 2015 it turned 125,000.

I don't have a battery tender and I would like to get one, pulling the battery out is getting old ( I need a heated garage too ). Been browsing the Deltran battery tenders, any input?

 

Darren, how are ya bud.. Sent ya PM..