Highlifta-palooza - Ford F350

[OldSchoolRC]

Flipping back and forth between the two builds. Got my chassis parts in, so messing around a bit. Stock chassis, motor, and tranny, but using locked TLT axles under the leafs. Like the stance much better!! Using the wheels and tires that I picked up for the defunct Blazer build, fits perfect. Also, used the shackles from the Junfac kit as they are a little longer, giving a slight suspension lift. Debating on stripping the body, but probably not anytime soon, it's not in too bad of shape, the clod body is taking forever and I want to go play!! lol. Snow has all but melted outside...spring is coming!!

New stance:
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/Picture002.jpg

Junfac shackles and TLT's
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/Picture003.jpg

Made a new front bumper...I had one previously, but it was a "first attempt" and ...well, it looked terrible. Liking this one way better. Left some room on the bottom for driving lights as well. Didn't go crazy on the stinger, gives a little better approach angle. Pretty happy with how it came out.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/Picture004.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/Picture005001.jpg

[Arcocustom]

Truck's stance looks pretty good. Not a fan of stripping bodies. I had an original 87 Clod body that was a wreck and I just gave it away rather than fuss with it. Dude I gave it to used Castrol Super Clean and it took of about 6 layers of paint no problem. It was bad, :deadhorse: but if you saw it now... :first:

[OldSchoolRC]

Not a fan either...Tried it once and it was a disaster, so took what I learned and tried it again. It's going better this time, but for all the time I'm spending on it with the clod body, I may as well just spend the extra $$ and get a new one. At least I wont get the chemical burns either - paint stripper is really nasty stuff.

[marksteven]

Great looking bumper you fabbed.

[Arcocustom]

Not a fan either...Tried it once and it was a disaster, so took what I learned and tried it again. It's going better this time, but for all the time I'm spending on it with the clod body, I may as well just spend the extra $$ and get a new one. At least I wont get the chemical burns either - paint stripper is really nasty stuff.

Yes, paint stripper is very harsh. Just the fumes makes my skin tingle and you pure know it ain't good for ya. I was gonna say new shell but, I didn't want to spoil your fun. :p Me, the only way I'm stripping a body is if it's a vintage peice worth $$ and or if it is super rare.

[860Crawler]

In for updates!

BTW, where do you run your rigs? My in-laws live kind of near Douglassville, Schwenkville actually, and I bring my CR-01 and usually a buggy down whenever we go and I never know where to run them except in their yard and the baseball fields behind their house

[OldSchoolRC]

Yes, paint stripper is very harsh. Just the fumes makes my skin tingle and you pure know it ain't good for ya. I was gonna say new shell but, I didn't want to spoil your fun. :p Me, the only way I'm stripping a body is if it's a vintage peice worth $$ and or if it is super rare.

Ordered a new clod body...jut in case. :) The ford I can sand lightly and re-paint, I sprayed it very light for that reason.


In for updates! BTW, where do you run your rigs? My in-laws live kind of near Douglassville, Schwenkville actually, and I bring my CR-01 and usually a buggy down whenever we go and I never know where to run them except in their yard and the baseball fields behind their house

Schwenksville, know it well. There's some great areas along the Perkiomen trail by Sno Mountain (ski area), though there's a lot of people around there in the summer. All kinds of trails go off into the woods. Lots of great parks there as well. I've run my on-roads in the new school parking lot up 73 a ways - large and very smooth. I personally usually run in my backyard or nearby construction sites - depends what I'm running.

[860Crawler]

Cool thanks! I did run mine off the Perkiomen trail a few times down in the river when it was shallow in the summer. I've been to the ski area there for a VW show last summer, didn't think to bring the rig there though! And I've run in the back lot of my in-laws Tea Room. You've probably seen the place its a big pink house on RT. 73 in Gilbertsville

[OldSchoolRC]

THE Tea Room? LOL, how could you miss that place? My wife was just there last fall for a b-day party. Small world, you are in my old stomping grounds, used to run the G-ville Pizza Hut right up the street just past the hobby shop on 73. If you're looking for some places to run, there's plenty within 5-10 minutes of your in-laws. Didn't realize you were up this way closer.

Got my rear axle TLT lockouts today...3 sets! RC4wd has them on sale, $13/set. Can finally get rid of the rear axle spindles and tie rods on all three sets- Clod, F350 and the OG TLT.

[OldSchoolRC]

Update!

Got the bumper painted and mounted, servos are in and connected, and started refinishing the body. I sanded down the back of the grille to open it up, and I'll put mesh behind it. Small detail, but will really help the look of the front end. Not happy with the steering, might end up moving it behind the axle as the shocks stick out a bit far and hit the steering blocks, so I cannot get full lock.

Bumper: went with gunmetal ilo black just for something different. Drill holes to mount lights as well.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/picture015.jpg

Grill ready for some re-work.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/picture016-1.jpg

Lots of sanding in my future...
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/picture017.jpg

[jeffro]

Its coming along fine OS, what would we do if we didn't have sanding and all this lovely building to keep us out of trouble, well, most of us, anyway :) (like I've said before, been married twice :D )

[OldSchoolRC]

Oh, I have plenty to keep me busy, have a honey-do list 3 miles long! :) Sneaking these in when I can.

[OldSchoolRC]

Got paint?
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/004072010005.jpg

Added some diamond plate texture to the top of the bumper - will paint black when I spray the bed.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/004072010011.jpg

Highlift brothers...coming along!
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/004072010012.jpg

[Northwest 4x4]

the biuld's are really looking up and cant' wait to see them done

[OldSchoolRC]

Thanks bud - me too! :)

[OldSchoolRC]

More progress!

Sprayed the bed with textured paint (aka simulated bedliner), and finished off the bumper in the back - needs a plate yet, working on that as well as exhaust. Nevermind all the sanding dust, lol - it's EVERYWHERE
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/004112010005.jpg

Grill back on and front bumper. Now that it's all assembled, not liking the way that bumper looks. Seems a little small - I wanted smaller, but think I overdid it.....but gives great approach angle! May change it up, not sure.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/004112010006.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/004112010007.jpg

Flex shot!
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/004112010011.jpg

[chaos]

Outstanding, i like the mesh added to the back of the grill..nice work.

[OldSchoolRC]

Thanks, wasn't sure anyone noticed that. :) Worked ok, but could use a somewhat finer mesh next time.

[Northwest 4x4]

where did u get the mesh I need it for the grill on the pajero biuld it has no grill as of now

[OldSchoolRC]

Went shopping at Staples and picked up a metal mesh trash can, and just cut out what I need with a tip snip. Works well, is very strong as well, but the mesh is not super fine.

Here's what it looks like on a 1/6 scale build.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/monster%20mo/mo005_sm3.jpg

[Northwest 4x4]

ah I see I need somethnig like that but finer, I'm not going to use window screen

[Moondoggie]

It's amazing what can be scavenged to get mesh! I believe Wyoming cut up heart shaped (candy?) box once. Excellent work though; front grille looks good! :thumb:

[OldSchoolRC]

I always check the office supply section of the stores I hit, seems to be a good spot for mesh. I found a slightly finer mesh at Target, but didn't buy it at the time and haven't got back to get it yet. Window screen is too flimsy imo, and this stuff is super strong, but too big. Got to be a middle ground somewhere!

[OldSchoolRC]

Done pretty much, just need to get my rear end down to the LHS for some tubing for exhaust and hitch mount and some flat black to cover the inside of the body. I plan for this to be a tow rig, so not worried about the tranny hanging down underneath. I AM worried about the steering, test drove it around the basement and the steering is terrible - need to do something better with the linkages. Will swap it over to BTA I think at some point.

Very happy with this truck, think it'll make a great tow rig for my soon to be added FF03 (VERY exited to see this car coming!!) Just need to whip up a trailer at some point. I hear I have till june or so. :):)

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/05062010003.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/F350/05062010001.jpg

[Budhatrain]

I can't wait to do a high lift project. I have to agree about the bumper- it looks real good but maybe needs to be beefier on the bottom stretch. Maybe a couple tubes thicker dia runs to match the thickness of the rear bumper. Your fab work is top notch though!