Need inspiration...ready to throw in the towl!

[stang1986gt]

Just need some butt kicking here.... Each time I crawl under my truck, I find more rust. The floor boards have been patched and look ok, but the rails that run on the outer part of the floor boards (sorry, I don't know the exact name) need fixed. Also, at the very front of the rocker panel where it curves up into the door post is rusted. Do they make these panels? If so, where? The descriptions in NPD and Autokrafters are less than detailed. I need the truck and it's sentimental because my grandpa gave it to me. I don't have the money or the patience (or a good garage) to go through what Keith has gone through finding a nice solid cab. Can all this stuff be fixed? The cab mounts are awesome, believe it or not. Runs like a champ (still slips out of park...driving me nuts) and is fun to drive.

Sorry to whine. Just really frustrated.

[heep70]

Not sure about the replacement parts availablity. Go the the junkyard and get a couple car hoods and form your own parts. I did that with my Toyota. Had some fun doing it also. I also hate body wody work.

[FoMoCo]

The square shaped members are available, google rust repair, ford, truck, the're out there. Dont get to concerned with rust, it's an old truck in the salt belt. Think of it as patina or battle scars.

Nick

[layedout72]

patina for life! haha makes a car have so much character.

[trukcrazy]

Just need some butt kicking here..

Well you have come to the right place for that. Get out there and get that truck repaired and back in A-1 condition! No time for whining!

Feel better now? I am sure there is someone here with the experience to get you through this and help you save your truck. I would think you could get the pieces you need from a parts truck. There are plenty of them on here most of the time. I am sure Keith or some of the others that have dealt with this will have some good advice for this. Hang in there and we'll (you'll) get through it.

[gonzalo medina]

The man up there said it perfectly. It seems like that truck is more then a collection of problems. It has it's own special value. it's up to you to you bring that out. Nothing in life comes easy buddy. Determination and drive will take you there. For every problem there's a solution. Find the solution and act upon it. The greatest obsticals bring the greatest glory.

[Aubrey]

Trust me, I have felt the same way. The more I look, the more I need to do.

Life and old Fords are full of rust.

Sometimes you just have to look at what you have and remember ours is a labor of love and not for any other reason.

Keep the faith!

[390Nut]

I'm right there with you, especially on the sentimentality part. I intend to keep this truck for much the same reasons, as it belonged to my father. I grew up riding in this truck, learned to drive in it, and took my first drivers test in it (passed with flying colors even, and that was in the early `80's! )

Lots of rust, and a lot of bodywork, which I neither know how to do, nor have the time/equipment/dry place to do. I intend to get it done, it's just a matter of when.

If you really need some inspiration, I suggest hitting the user galleries and browse through all the beautiful (and the not so beautiful, yet!) trucks of the other members here.

Plenty of inspiration, if you just know where to look!

[stang1986gt]

Thanks guys! I think I'm just getting overwhelmed with a new baby on the way, need to remodel her room (reason I put the truck back on the road) and other household things. I am feeling better about it though...just need to tackle one thing at a time.

Every time I walk out to my driveway I see the 'ol girl (truck, not the wife) and smile. I love that old thing! (Wife too...haha)

[trukcrazy]

Glad we could help and feel free to solicit our help anytime. Good luck with everything.

[jzjames]

Is the roof leaking?

[1968 royal ranger]

dont forget you can clean the rusty area up, treat it with por15 to stop the rust and tackle it slowly . doner truck parts sounds like the best way to go
you could do like most everyone else and spend 10.000 on newer truck ,but it will soon be older to ,its nice to treat the areas and know whats fixed and whats not . i crawled under my 68 f 1 and degreased , power washed , and painted my frame and underside of truck , help give me confidence most surface rust stopped in that area anyway .
dont make it a burden, you will really enjoy it in the end if you complete it

[stang1986gt]

Is the roof leaking?

Haha, no, but it does leak at the top passenger side corner of the windshield. That's why I keep her under cover...haha.

After our baby is born, I plan to tear down my car port, have a concrete pad poured and start on a garage. But at least when I have the concrete, I can safely put her up on jackstands and start cleaning/scraping/powerwashing/getting stuff in my eyes and face. Then I'll feel better. Drove it the other day and it drove so nice...I felt bad for bad mouthing the 'ol girl!

[stang1986gt]

The square shaped members are available, google rust repair, ford, truck, the're out there. Dont get to concerned with rust, it's an old truck in the salt belt. Think of it as patina or battle scars.

Nick

I did this but I could not find these replacement parts. Do you know if any of the parts places carry these? They are more of a U shape...hard to describe but I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about.

[jzjames]

The leaking in the top of the the pillar area should be sealed with something waterproof. Best bet is to gouge out all the loose rust and broken sealer pieces out of your drip rail and get it sealed off so that no more moisture can get in ther from that spot. Your cab then should dry out an you can start to attack the rust repairs if you want to.