Roy's Garage: '90 2.4-4G64 5-spd D-50

Now that the truck is running great with no deferred maintenance, I can start thinking about some cosmetic changes. The following photos were taken this morning.

I'd love to find some bucket seats to install, so I'm not going to agonize over my Indian blanket seat covers: they cover that dreadful factory "baby-shit-brown" plastic upholstery. My home-made console, too, will get upgraded when bucket seats go in. Last but not least, I want to modify the door panels.

Attachment 10717 Attachment 10718

I'll start working on body work and paint soon. Meanwhile, I'm going to paint the hood of the parts-truck black and use that until the original hood can be painted the Sahara Gold the truck was originally painted.

The truck was involved in a collision sometime during its history, and the paint was never matched very well. The clear coat also gave up the ghost. I will remove the fenders and recondition them off-frame. Hood, too. The rest of the trucks' paint and clear coat are fine, though I will have some rust spots to contend with eventually.

Attachment 10720 Attachment 10721 Attachment 10722

The F-150 just got new u-joints, and in conducting that repair I found the leaf spring mount on the passenger-side severely rust-damaged and cracking, so I replaced it with a whole new unit...5 hours worth of banging, hacking, drilling and enduring rust falling on my stubborn head. I'll replace the driver's side later: it isn't in critical condition. The truck then got a much-deserved cleaning, in and out, after such great service over the winter.
Attachment 10723 Attachment 10724

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by royster

What a huge difference the new throttle position sensor made! The truck ran well before it, but the CEL was always coming on, and the truck would hesitate at about thermostat-opening.

With the new TPS working with all the other components, it runs really terrific.

---

$135.00 well invested: I was able to get the idle where it belongs, and therefore properly time the engine...you can barely feel it run.

I opened the old TPS up to see what's inside. It's a thick, circular circuitry board. Three prongs make the connections inside when the throttle is opened or closed. Though the electronics are beyond me, the positive results of replacing this part cannot be exagerated. I ordered it through RockAuto and used the discount code.

Next parts order will be leaf spring bushings...about the only part of the truck I haven't touched, yet.

I'll also be switching out the rear window, using the nicer one from my parts truck. My understanding...via info from Merrill and Noahwins...is that this is simple to do. I'm guessing to start at the bottom. Noah spoke of using a lubricant, and I'd be prone to use mineral oil. Any comments are very welcome.

Started the D-50 up this morning and it was blowing smoke. [Incert cuss words here]. My guess is another valve guide dropped. I'm waiting to see. If I have to re-do the head-job, I'll certainly have had enough practice to do it swiftly. (If it IS dropped valve guides, I'll just have them all repaired. It is unlikely valve seals wear out in 4,000 miles). The smoke stopped after warm up, so we can be sure it is valve-related.

I spent a LOT of time and energy locating chrome beauty rings for the front tires, but I finally prevailed. I also painted the parts-truck hood black (with some satin enamel I already had) and switched the hoods out: I can work on restoring the original hood off-vehicle.

Attachment 10769 Attachment 10770 Attachment 10771 Attachment 10772 Attachment 10773

While rummaging around a junkyard a few days ago, I visited the only D-50 they had. Poor thing was stripped pretty much, but I noticed the instrument cluster (always looking for the Sport cluster) and while it was standard, it DID have a trip-meter on it. Interesting. I was tempted to get it, just for that feature, but decided to hold out for the real thing.

The junkyard I found is a treasure-trove of stuff. I'll be going there for bucket seats, and also to look for the illussive chrome rear bumper I want.

Haven't checked the valve seals, yet: I'm tolerating smoke on start-up, for now. Once it's warmed up, no problem. I deleiriously hope for just improperly installed valve seals, but I also accept it may be the valve guides, meaning the head has to come off, again. I'm not worried, either way: it drives fine, for now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by royster

While rummaging around a junkyard a few days ago, I visited the only D-50 they had. Poor thing was stripped pretty much, but I noticed the instrument cluster (always looking for the Sport cluster) and while it was standard, it DID have a trip-meter on it. Interesting. I was tempted to get it, just for that feature, but decided to hold out for the real thing.

---

Thanks to a 'heads~up' from Lem Forder, I got a lead on a sports cluster on Craig's list.

One component I'm putting priority on is finding a gas tank, with fuel pump intact, from a 2.4 fuel-injected model. Last year, when I dropped my tank to fix a leak, I was able to see how badly rusted the nuts-n-bolts were: it's obvious that repairing the tank would take much more work than I care to do. Finding a tank in decent condition will allow me to spend that same effort on making it serviceable. My main concern is the fuel pump deciding to die while I'm out remote, somewhere. A serviceable tank would prompt me to replace the pump with a new one, for (hopefully) some worry-free driving. You can't gravity-feed a fuel injected engine in a pinch.

In other mundane and obsessive news, I'm cleaning up the little center hub caps that originally came with these trucks. I'm photographing the process. Instead of painting them standard black, I've stripped them and polished the steel. So far, the results are good, and I hope to get a rally-wheel affect when it's finished. These caps are impossible to find, and most are beat up from tire-changers whacking them out of the center with a hammer. Retaining the stock parts is one of my obsessions. Custom rims do look good on these trucks, but my choice has been to keep it as stock as possible. There are a few stockers on the forum, and I know they appreciate the retaining of genuine factory features.

Some photos of the "tuna can" hub cap project. While I had the wheels off, I clear coated them.

Here's what I starterd with, and then how it turned out. (The flash doesn't do it justice).
Attachment 10786 Attachment 10787

I found that a stripping wheel was perfect for inserting into the cap in order to spin it. Discovering this, I was able to do the whole process in fairly little time.
Attachment 10788 Attachment 10789

I had 3 caps off the parts truck (I gave one to a forum member some time ago) which were in better shape than the ones my truck came with, so I used those and the best one from the original set. Spray paint stripper first, then a series of sandpaper, stripping pads (the plastic ones) and on some of them, wire wheel for stubborn spots. Some un-denting was conducted (carefully).
Attachment 10790 Attachment 10791

When pretty smoothed out, I used a series of rubbing compund, polishing compound, and finally PlaticX (for headlight polishing) and some mother's aluminum polish...using an old t-shirt and the hand drill. It turns out that the center indent is exactly the size of a 2" PVC coupling, so I used that to spray a center accent (hammered paint). I experiemented with clear coating a finished product, but it diminished the shine, so these are all protected with some McGuire's polymer wax.
Attachment 10792 Attachment 10793 Attachment 10794

The truck was happy about the upgrade.
Attachment 10795

These photos are literally photos: I use a disposable camera, have the film developed, then scan them to my computer. A couple pics came back with some interesting lighting affects.
Attachment 10796 Attachment 10797

I need to take some daylight pictures of how well the wheels came out...they very much look like rally wheels, but most of the photos were taken last evening, when I was finally done, so I used a flash...and the images suck.

Today I took out the "redneck air-conditioning" rear window from the parts truck, and spent a good part of the day cleaning and restoring it. I got it installed this evening, and it looks terrific. Photos another time. And I do agree with those who said removing and installing the back windows is easy.

Nice work Roy, nothing like a bit of spun finished metal. Your wheels have got that cool 80's retro look to them. Might be time to invest in a second hand D-SLR camera, a shutter remote and a tripod. After some experimenting with a D-SLR, you'll find it is nearly impossible to take a lousy photo with. The tripod and remote will allow you to take photos in really low light and still look pro (handy for those 'work in progress' shots in the garage at night)

Good thing you can paint good because the photography is a little rough

man you are tough ... he explained why they were not so good.

Truth is, a digital camera is not on my priority list, though it is likely in my future. The days of developing film are quickly coming to an end, joining the list of harder-to-find items like chrome beauty rings and pre-1975 bumpers...more symptoms of my younger days fading into fast-food plastic obsolecense. In the meantime, this is what I've got, and it's how I'm able to share.

The rear window is in and looking good (crappy photos later) and at present I'm installing some bucket seats I got at the bone~yard.

The junkyard I got them from is huge, and fairly old. But that '73 AMC rear chrome bumper I want is going to take a lot of searching. In searching the junkyard it becomes really apparent how much plastic has gone into and onto cars in the past 20 years. Though these little trucks require a few expensive sensors, it's nothing like what's on cars today: I really DON'T need an idiot~light on the dash telling me my tire's air pressure is low. I hail from the days when you rolled your own cigarette while the VW warmed up, you checked everything yourself (or there were "service stations" that did those tasks as a standard...and employed people) and you didn't rely on some sensor/device to shift into 4-wheel drive when IT feels you need it.

It's not so much my holding onto nostalgia as it is retaining good, solid serviceable stuff that works reliably. I'm hands-on with the basics in my life, and there is much sanity to being self-sufficient, as many on this forum will attest to. My joke about "driver-side fart sensors" isn't too far from the truth: people seem to be out of touch with the roots of modern mechanisms, like where telephones came from (this includes phone booths) or hand-cranking an engine to get it started (I did this once, in my life: a 1958 Morris Minor).

If you've forgotten your roots, you're out on a limb...without foundation.

[Conclude rant, thank audience, return to Time Machine]

I think part of the appeal of owning an old school vehicle is the simplicity of maintaining it, the reliability and if something does go south - you have a fighting chance of being able to roll up the sleeves and fix it yourself. Plus old cars can take a beatin'. You lean on a new car and the panel will buckle under you. Yeah it can be 'fun' hunting down something that is broken or worn out on a 20 year old + car/truck, but chances are there's a compatible part that, with a few tweaks and some lateral thinking, will do the job. That reminds me - one of the local pick-a-part yards recently got in a complete and running L200 that I need to go check out before the idiots turn it into a skateboard...

Rally Wheels
Recent rain brought signs of rust on the newly-stripped caps, so I have polished them with paste wax. I'll have to do this occassionally in order to keep that look.
Attachment 10839 Attachment 10840

Door Panels
I finally removed the door panels from the parts truck, and made templates. I did some experimenting, and though I'm not real happy with this round of "look", it gave me experience in working with various materials and approaches. These are the original door covers hashed over: later, I'll make new panels, but for now, this spiffies things up a bit.
Attachment 10841

Bucket Seats, Rear Panel, Rear Window Exchange
Ah, these wonderful bucket seats! What a difference, although I now know what Merrill was talking about in regards to losing a few inches of seat adjustment when you convert from the stock bench seat.

These came out of a 2001 Saturn, and fitting them was no small issue. I was very lucky to have the parts truck bench seat hardware to use. I therefore had two sets of track to build on, and yes: the holes and bolts are under the carpeting, you just need to locate them.

While the bench seat was out, I fabricated and installed a rear panel. I wasn't 100% happy with the end result as far as appearance, but you don't really see it much, in service.

I removed and rehabbed the rear window from the parts truck...a much nicer one than what came with my truck, and works so much easier. In using acetone on the interior painted trim, I found it easy to expose the aluminum, so I went with the shine of aluminum inside, metalic gray (with clear coat) on the exterior.
Attachment 10842 Attachment 10843 Attachment 10844 Attachment 10845 Attachment 10846 Attachment 10847

What The heck...?
In making a new console, I used the parts truck center hump to mold expanding foam inside the console. Wax paper on the floor keeps it from sticking, the weight holding it down assures an absolute perfect fit. Looks like hell, though.

And, yes, noahwins: that's a blue steering wheel, but I need it to move the parts truck, for now. You're welcome to it when I'm done. PM me for arrangements.
Attachment 10848

Clear coat them and they won't rust. Just remove any wax with lacquer thinner.

Maybe try something like penetrol in a spray can to seal your centre caps. There are a number of metal clear coats but most of them are either expensive or toxic (or both).

Quote:

---

Clear coat them and they won't rust. Just remove any wax with lacquer thinner.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by geezer101

Maybe try something like penetrol in a spray can to seal your centre caps. There are a number of metal clear coats but most of them are either expensive or toxic (or both).

---

Thanks for those suggestions. I had tried to clear coat them originally but it seemed to diminish the shine. However, I'll try a metal clear coat and see what the results are.

Camoit, do you prefer laquer thinner over acetone? I've used acetone all this time but never tried laquer thinner. (Anyone else's opinion is welcome, too).

I appreciate the replies on the Painting Plastic Interior Parts thread, too: working with plastic is a new thing for me, and it certainly has its own rules and requirements. Thanks Pennyman for the TSP suggestion, I'll do that and every precaution offered by the other members. I hope to get good results.

For the resourceful do-it-yerselfers on the forum: I'm creating a console (glorified cup holder) using plastic parts from the parts truck...steering collumn cover, pillar covers and that worthless plastic arch under the dash. It's coming along nice, but the painting will be crucial for it to really work, visually. Some teaser photos follow.

Some will get a laugh out of this venture: it looks ridiculous, I'm sure, but it is working well so far. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Attachment 10849 Attachment 10850 Attachment 10851

How I started out...
Attachment 10852

A Mitsubishi mini truck with CUP HOLDERS? Nice work Roy. It might look a bit industrial, but it's practical and a first attempt at my guess so I'll give you two thumbs up! I'm toying with making my own roof console for a mechless head unit and courtesy lights so it might be enough to inspire me to give it a shot...

Attachment 10860

OAK with piano hinge top for storage with arm rest and unused ashtray for fuses and tiny things lol... :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by geezer101

A Mitsubishi mini truck with CUP HOLDERS?

---

Indeedy, AND coin holder.

Thanks to all the suggestions, it's painted and installed, with working electrical, too. I did use the TSP and scrubbed real good. Then I used a plastic primer, waiting well beyond the recommended time to start painting. As advised, I took my time, light coats, and the results are terrific. Photos soon.

There are also arm rests in the center, I'm about to cover them with padding and upholstery, and the project is finished. I hope you will be stunned by the results.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BradMph

OAK with piano hinge top for storage with arm rest and unused ashtray for fuses and tiny things lol... :P

---

Awesome!

I need my ram back this makes me miss it awesome work though Roy! Glad to see you doing the fun stuff to make it more enjoyable and not just run better

Thanks RNMM, and good to hear from you. It has indeed been a lot of fun, but a lot of frustration, too. That's what cars are, sort of. But this is a 'project vehicle', and it was intended to be a recreational focus with practical benefits. I still get 25-30 MPH and the truck does serve as a little work horse. The modifications I try to keep simple: there is no need for too many bells-and-whistles...tempting to put gadgets and trinketry everywhere, but it's not necessary. Part of the appeal of these little guys is their simplicity.

I like Geezer's idea of an overhead console for map lights and such. (The GPS makes the map light obsolete for those who indulge in technology. This truck represents a return to manual existance, meaning unfolding a paper map, looking at the road system, and relying on brain cells for navigation). The only real technical upgrade this truck has is the stereo system: the rest remains pretty much as it was manufactured. I had thought of a lot of things I could incorporate into the console, but it ended up being a cup holder and light-switch panel (for extra interior lighting)...and a compass. The project "forced" me to use every provision I built into my garage, and that was an awesome experience. The tools I had amassed came into play, too: the Dremmel tool, clothes iron (for heat-fusing materials), electrical connectors/tools to install them, hot glue gun...all kinds of stuff (toys) I really enjoyed blowing the dust off of and giving a go-round once more in life.

You can go to any autoparts store and buy fake vent-holes (chrome!) and sparkly stick-on statements...gawd, the crap they sell to "customise" vehicles...but it doesn't look good on other vehicles, it won't look good (or serve purpose) on mine. So I hope to represent the average working guy whose "statement" is simply honest attention to detail and serviceability...with a sporty attitude.

The bucket seats opened up a whole bunch of room that was unaccessible when the bench seat was in. The first console let me know what would work, and what was impractical.

By the way, I can easily make paper templates of door panels, center hump contours and the rear top panel if anyone wants to venture into making their own. Just PM me if you're really interested. (I didn't make a template for the rear large panel, but it can be detatched easily and traced if you want one).

I think we need some installed photos!

Hopefully tomorrow. It came out awesome!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Redneckmoparman

I think we need some installed photos!

---

Attachment 10863 Attachment 10864

Attachment 10865 Attachment 10866

Armrest
The jury is still out about the material on the headrests: it's just there with saftey pins, for now.
The little box I got at Mal*Wart for $6. I hacked it up and modified it to fit so passenger-access to the seatbelt base was easy. The black device on the board is dash light illumination.
Attachment 10867 Attachment 10868 Attachment 10869

Behind The Seat Storage
I installed some hooks to hold bungie cords. I have a flat Craftsman tool set that has a restraint and cover behind the driver's seat. Note the crank for the spare tire: it is mounted on a typical broom catch. A tire inflator is Velcroed to the carpeting.
Attachment 10870

Is that a roll of TP in that last photo? :lmao:

Who'd have thunk it?

Attachment 10875 Attachment 10876

And now, just today I was at a friend's house...he and a buddy are parting out two cars for destruction derby. I was welcome to any discarded stuff, and I got all kinds of great crap. So the new door panels are already under way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BradMph

Is that a roll of TP in that last photo? :lmao:

---

No, they're very absorbant paper towels for cleaning up personal spillage when things get exciting in the cab. "It's the quicker dicker picker-upper".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by royster

And now, just today I was at a friend's house...he and a buddy are parting out two cars for destruction derby. I was welcome to any discarded stuff, and I got all kinds of great crap. So the new door panels are already under way.

---

Since I can't FIND the rear bumper I want, I'm going to MAKE one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by royster

Since I can't FIND the rear bumper I want, I'm going to MAKE one.

---

Done. Photos soon.

I really wish I HAD taken pictures of this truck when I first got it...which will be a year ago in September. I had no idea, at the time, that this forum existed, or that there were enthusiasts for these trucks. What a year of learning, discovery, adventure and creativety it's been. And personal growth, too: this truck has pushed me to "do the right thing" instead of minimal repairs and casual maintenance.

With the resources and materials I got from the parted-out vehicles I'll begin phase three of the interior make-over: a more conventional look (the materials are gray 'velvet') and completely new door panels made from the experience this last round taught me. If you haven't delved into upholstery stuff, I can share the things I learned about using a staple gun, heat-fused bonding and pop rivets. As a carpenter, I use a clothes iron for heat-fused edge banding, so the step into materials bonding was easy, and clothes irons are $1 at any yard sale. A hot-glue gun is good, too...for those of us who don't do this work professionally. I also took the time to make sure-footed wiring connections that can be disconnected for servicing, instead of a twist-splice and tape. As with my home-improvement work, it has been done so that anyone can service it without trying to figure what the contraption is or how it was put together.

And I am forever grateful to the experts and amatures alike who helped me along with this project truck. Each member here has their truck for different reasons, though our common bond is an affection for these unique guys that came along some 30 years ago, and refuse to die.

Below: the evolution of my truck interior
Attachment 10894 Attachment 10895

I'll get some better photos of the console.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by royster

Since I can't FIND the rear bumper I want, I'm going to MAKE one.

---

Attachment 10899

Attachment 10902 Attachment 10903

Attachment 10904 Attachment 10905

Bumper project
Attachment 10906 Attachment 10907

Attachment 10908 Attachment 10909

Attachment 10910 Attachment 10911

Attachment 10912

hmmm interesting looks appealing in the pic but id like some better lighting of the bumper from back and both corners up high and level with it i wish you had a digital camera even a shitty one i mean my old 2mp cell phone took almost decent photos and you just have to connect a usb cable to download the pics you should look at some garage sales you can usually find a digital camera cheap or cl or goodwill i bet even has them and some are powered by AA batteries like mine but mine is taking a dump cause nothing is built worth poo anymore but my cell phone does the job for now when the handmedowns dont work anymore

Actually, I took those views, they just didn't come out well. It IS time for a digital camera...I actually HAVE one, but have never been able to figure out how to down-size the images so they don't take up enormous amounts of disk space on my computer. What options were available weren't small enough to allow posting on internet connections. So I'm in full agreement with you on the camera issue. I was very disappointed that I wasn't able to get a good (lighted) view from the back. I'll get those soon enough.

Meanwhile, it's time for focusing on firewood season, out here in the land of woodstoves. I think we're in for an early winter, damned global warming!

EDIT: I found the camera cord and manual, so I'll work on learning how to use it - I do agree, it's ridiculous to go through the process I do to provide photos.

My HP Compaq only has a 40Gb hard drive and holds the stupid amount of photos I take with my Canon EOS 350-D. Worse case scenario is you can put your photos onto your PC, transfer them to an online media storage site like photobucket, then delete them from your PC. Or buy an external drive to store all of your media onto, they're pretty reasonably priced now for a trazillion googlebyte drive. End of the day you will end up with far better quality pics that you can delete or edit without handing over cash for something that might turn out to be a dud shot.

Thanks, Geeze~meister: I'll be working on all of that. The time has come. (Keep in mind Redneckmoparman had to tell me how to use a voltmeter!) Despite being a website Administrator, I'm still largely computer-illiterate. Techno-phobia? Possibly. I came from the analog age, and it's hard to give up that which was so difficult to learn...same for working on cars: the Valiants and Ramblers are long gone.

>sigh<

Time to grow up a little...again.

Hey geezer: you're almost at 200 posts: when are you gonna put up an avatar?

Hmm, when I figure out how to? And also when I find a pic that I think works for me. I haven't got an avatar on on any other site either - maybe I'm the guy who has "no need for a label"? :shrug:

Sort of a trivial detail...especially since the black hood is temporary...but I painted a thin, gold stripe across the front to provide some definition. I also took off the chrome license plate frames (still on, in this photo) and replaced them with black. This morning I shortened the ladder racks by 4"...makes a huge difference in how they look. Still trying to get my computer to accept digital shots, but for now, regular camera shots will have to do: I'm working on a new roll of film and will get some GOOD shots of the rear bumper.
Attachment 10917

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Redneckmoparman

id like some better lighting of the bumper from back and both corners up high and level with it

---

Here you go:
Attachment 11001 Attachment 11002 Attachment 11003 Attachment 11004 Attachment 11005 Attachment 11006
I had to mount the plates out a little, and also create a plate for the lighting. Note there is an intermittent plastic "gasket" between the bumper and the body, typical of 70's and 80's vehicles. I can still access the spare tire crank, but I'm thinking of modifying that whole contraption into something much easier to access. There's a lot of room under there: it's a real temptation to make tool boxes and storage spaces.

I chopped 4 inches off the height of the ladder racks, and they look much better, more proportional to the truck.
Attachment 11007 Attachment 11008 Attachment 11009

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by royster

Not that anyone here gives a rat's ass, but here are a couple pictures of my garden.

---

...and my prize tomato, with a few pickings from the morning I snapped these shots.
Attachment 11010 Attachment 11011

BTW, RNMM, a digital camera is on my shopping list. It is quite possible these are the last film-based photos I'll be posting...and quite frankly, I'm glad. Thanks for keeping on me about that: digital is so much clearer.

Ever try your cell phone for taking pictures? You can send them to an email. Roy, are you using that wood for a crush zone on your bumper or did I miss a photo of some steal placement? Just an idea, maybe a couple old shock absorbers instead. Dumb thing with our trucks I noticed is that almost any bumper put on the truck will ding the body in a minor bump.
That tomato is huge!, do you live by a Nuclear Power Plant by any chance?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by geezer101

Hmm, when I figure out how to? And also when I find a pic that I think works for me. I haven't got an avatar on on any other site either - maybe I'm the guy who has "no need for a label"? :shrug:

---

Geezer, they aren't a label for say. They are something that makes forum life a little interesting, plus gives it some color. You can change them and find that right one that fits your liking. Now stop being a stick in the mud and get yourself an avatar so we can label you. :lmao: Find one you like anywhere on the net, let me know and I'll fix it for you.

PS. Just thought of something...as a moderator (so to speak) I can find one and pin it to you, so make your choice. hehehehe!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BradMph

Ever try your cell phone for taking pictures? You can send them to an email.
That tomato is huge!, do you live by a Nuclear Power Plant by any chance?

---

I neither HAVE nor WANT a cell phone.

Quote:

---

do you live by a Nuclear Power Plant by any chance?

---

:marge: Not only live nearby, but work there, too!

(Kidding) Those are Mortgage Buster tomatoes, rivaling Beefsteak. It was proudly given to friends who made BLT sandwiches with it. I've had two more about that size, the rest have been average...but boy are they delicious. Nothing like home-grown produce and marijuana :bart:

Home grown is ALWAYS the best I need to get mom setup for gardening next year..... Bumper looks really good though Roy! Fits the truck quite well!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Redneckmoparman

Bumper looks really good though Roy! Fits the truck quite well!

---

Coming from you, I consider that a valued complement.

The measurement to go around the sides is 65 inches, and the best I could do was some 61, so I couldn't wrap it around. Still, if a state trooper had to push me to the side of the road, the tailgate is likely to survive.

As I learned in the recording studio: anything I did once, I can do better a second time. One song I recorded required 27 tries before I got it without mistakes. So I can make a better bumper, but for now, this one works just fine.

Attachment 11067

GARAGE UPDATES
The evolution of my garage has been guided by using it, and finding what works for me and the tasks I need to conduct. Below, the kitchenette as it looks today, and the Ram 50 grille has been added to my automobilia artwork on the walls. Some sort of bumper~facade will be added, and the tin foil for headlights begs a different material...maybe wax paper.
Attachment 11078 Attachment 11079 Attachment 11080

The entry to the garage: you can tell a lot about a person by what they have and how they store it.
Attachment 11081

use the headlights from the parts truck in the grille for more realistic look...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pennyman1

use the headlights from the parts truck in the grille for more realistic look...

---

That's a cool idea, but space doesn't allow for it. I'd really like to find some plastic lenses I could cut and fit...that might happen. The other consideration is that a local Ram 50 owner needs a good grille, in which case, I'd give it to them.
Attachment 11111

Quote:

---

Roy's Garage:
Replies: 246
Views: 8,351

---

Wow, difficult to imagine my thread getting over 8,000 views! I was surprised to see that.

One year ago, today, I bought my Ram 50.

It...and this forum...changed my life completely.

Attachment 11154

Attachment 11217 Attachment 11218

These are two DIGITAL photos I took this afternoon, thanks to the generous offer ragragtimetime made me regarding his old, unused camera. Transferring pictures is awesomely easy.

A HUGE public "thank you" for the Good Will ragragtimetime conducted in this kind jesture.

Hey I can see your truck! Thats awesome seeing people help each other.

Ah, now you got it Roy. Going digital is a piece of cake and the images are near fool proof. And your D-50 never looked better :thumbup:

Thanks, people. It was stunningly simple, but it took ragragtimetime's help for me to "get it". It's amazing how grainy the old photos are compared to the digital clarity.

Now to get some candid shots of BradMPH visiting the Hamburger Heinie Hotel with his tryst. Camoit's drone helicopter camera shows him driving there!

Awesome!!!! and no more driving to the store and waiting for prints delay and then scanning lol and the resolution looks awesome! But fyi if you still want some old school print photos you can go to walgreens.com i think and upload your digital photos and they will have them printed for you by the time you get to the store unless you live super close to one

I'm making no excuses for the filth and clutter: this is everything in service. Photos can speak for themselves.
Attachment 11282 Attachment 11283 Attachment 11284

Attachment 11285

I had many seats to choose from, the day I went through the junk yard. I'm very, very happy with my choice.
Attachment 11286

Right on! I can dig it! Looks pretty functional which i applaud big time!

Looks like Royster is getting ready to move into his truck with his kitty cats. lol Looks nice Roy, especially the native American blanket. Oh by the way, if you get stopped and they ask you if you have a weapon in the car, that little tool in there will be considered one and they will harass you about not telling them, then the car search becomes the next mission they perform. Bastards

But on another note, isn't it nice having a place to lean while driving....I luv my console for that, but spilling drinks is another story.

Now Now brad just because you live in spokompton and have shitty ass cops that will harass anything they get near doesnt mean the rest of us have that problem

Finally a good shot of the rear bumper. I took great pains to match the indentation of the rear gravel pan.

Attachment 11345

Not much to report, in respects to modifications or maintenance: the truck has been in service reliably for quite some time. It is earning its keep as a work horse. I wish I could report that some body work and painting were going on, but Autumn has demanded my focus in other areas...including professional work, which the truck has proven itself excellent for (as long as I'm not building a deck). I've had it a year, now, and I love it more every day. It's in a state of function/looks that are fine, for now, but I sure dream of the day it's all the original color. I was hoping to get to some cosmetic stuff before winter sets in, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards. Preparing for winter comes first.

Thanks to the forum, recent exchanges have put some things on the list: new carpet, for one. (Thanks, MIHIFISI and contributors to that thread). Frame-rust removal...which is where I left off...is on the list. Possibly replacing the head gasket, again, due to questionable leakage...not sure about that. I have the replacement front bumper (almost in perfect condition) to paint, yet. Painting the dashboard is a desire, and thanks to those who participated in information about painting plastic.

There are some really terrific contributors on this forum. I'm certainly grateful they're here and share so freely.

And thanks, camoit, for behind-the-scenes keeping the forum running smooth, which includes the absence of Trolls and spammers, but also keeping the Administration board upgraded.

Bad Company: Silver, Blue and Gold
Attachment 11528

A very special 'thank you' to ragragtimetime for the digital camera: yet another life~altering transformation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BradMph

... if you get stopped and they ask you if you have a weapon in the car, that little tool in there will be considered one and they will harass you about not telling them, then the car search becomes the next mission they perform. Bastards

---

Here's an example of the fascist propaganda we have to look at every time we pump gas.
Attachment 11536

This "program" has been in operation for at least 15 years. It's intimidation, pure and simple. Over the years, people have drawn Hitler mustaches on the trooper's face, or schwastikas on his hat.

What a society when you have to cow people with such tactics.

^ wherever you go, you hear tales of cops "just doing their jobs". Now all they have to do is get us to believe it more than they do without making it sound like a cliche...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by royster

Finally a good shot of the rear bumper. I took great pains to match the indentation of the rear gravel pan.

Attachment 11345

---

Hey I'm guessing you have a Mark Twain addiction, with that custom Plate you have there. LOL

Actually, it refers to the song by Rush.

But Mark Twain is certainly a part of my life. Did you know he was a good friend of Nicola Tesla?

@geezer: nod.

Hello all. I decided to stop in and say 'hello'. I made good on my threat to go offline, and am using a friend's computer to say hello.

Truck is running great, life is good.

Livin' the Interstates Anonymous life, which includes the absence of Internet. I don't miss it much at all.

Blessings~

Roy

good to know your doin good roy! take care of yourself and ill catch ya on the flipside!

Thanks, RNMM. I check in from time to time by remote. I DO miss some of the people here...others, not so much. Such is life.

Put 250 miles on the odometer yesterday, truck ran great and gave good mileage. I finally DID clear coat the hubs caps, will see how that lasts, but they had gotten really rusty, so I re-buffed them and clear coated them.

Many good wishes for all, 2015 promises some good opportunity...if we're willing to work towards them.

Just turned 226,000 and running great!

Living life well, hope each of you are doing good.

Cheers~

Roy6

Caution: not for the faint of heart!!

Dismantling of the parts truck started today. The photos tell the story.

Attachment 13610 Attachment 13611 Attachment 13612

Attachment 13613 Attachment 13614 Attachment 13615

Are you selling off the metal for scrap? How many saw blades did that take?

ROY I NEED A MEASUREMENT!!!!! I explained it in my thread for JJ, i need to know the crankshaft centerline in relation to the frame so i can position my new one correctly

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by noahwins

Are you selling off the metal for scrap? How many saw blades did that take?

---

I'm pleased to report that it took merely 5 blades and about 7 battery recharges for the DeWalt 18 volt saw.

Scrap was a bit disappointing: $44...however, I kept the doors, fenders and tailgate, as well as the transmission and differential. There isn't much metal to these little trucks, though the front end frame is plenty beefy. So...am assumption is that scrap (here in Virginia) is going for roughly $100 a ton. I weighed out at a total of 900 pounds (I think).

RNMM - I forgot about the measurement you need ( and am a bit surprised no one here has given it to you, in all this time). The truck is gone, now, so I can't help you on that...other than to measure from my '90. That's a bit of a task, as the computer I use to go on line is 9 miles from my house. But, I'll see what I can do.

BTW, Noah, do you still want the steering wheel? It no great prize (sun faded) but it IS intact. Let me know, and I'll get it out to you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by royster

I'm pleased to report that it took merely 5 blades and about 7 battery recharges for the DeWalt 18 volt saw.

---

Hey that $44 probably recouped your cost in blades and electrons!

Sure, I'll take the wheel. I can re-dye it. PM me with how you want to do it.

nahhh its all good thanks though you dont have to, anyways a dismantled truck would make it much easier.

PM'd ya, Noah, and thanks, RNMM, for letting me off the hook.

Final photos of the parts truck:

Attachment 13716 Attachment 13717 Attachment 13718

Attachment 13719

Pony as he looks this morning:
Attachment 13720

Hey roy do you still have the shifter from the parts car? I need one. See my want add for pics and the parts I need

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thefreack

Hey roy do you still have the shifter from the parts car? I need one. See my want add for pics and the parts I need

---

Hey, good to hear from you, freack.

Yes...I still have the shifter. It's for a 5-speed and I don't need it. I'll check your post in the want-ads.

Hope all is well.

Roy Your Back!!

Thanks for the notice, MIHIFISI. I check in on occasion, using a friend's computer.

Hope all is well out your way.

Odometer turned 230,000 yesterday. Still hummin' along, still a joy to drive.

This truck has taken me on a lifetime of adventure.

Attachment 14451

& you "flipped the odometer" on the camera...i see the above pic is @ 10:lmao:

That camera has been a real blessing, RRTT...and I'm still using the 100 watt bulbs you sent :grin:

Odometer just turned 20,000 miles since I bought the truck in August of 2013.

Attachment 15178

Two years ago, when I made the gas tank repair, I inadvertantly used regular fuel line, as opposed to fuel-injected line. Time and ethanol finally took their toll and the line burst a couple weeks ago. There was no way to make the repair curbside, so I had to have the truck towed home.

Of course, I insisted on fuel-injected fuel line (which endures more pressue than regular fuel line). Pimpled clerk at Advanced auto insisted there was no difference..."Fuel line is fuel line" he said.

.... oops reply submited in wrong thread...

Thanks, Claych. When I first got this truck, I knew NOTHING about fuel injection...or a lot of other things regarding Mitsubishi engines. (Just read this thread!!) What a learning experience it has been, and I'm better off for it all. That includes getting onto this forum. Speaking of which, my forum "birthday" is coming up.

damn still wrong thread (lol at Me)

pimple clerk at Advanced auto ?...see if you can guess what i am now?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZN4r8p6KbU

I see your John Bellushi and raise you a pimpled clerk ala Simpsons ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGTxD-5OnqA

I'm experiencing some pinging on hills and under moderate load. I thought an octane boost (89 instead of 87) might eliminate this, but it hasn't.

Heeding Geezer's advice I checked my timing, and it's right where it's supposed to be: 7 degrees BTD and this is with the timing connector grounded.

I'm ready for someone to tell me the distributor is going (with its attendant sensor) or anything else.

Would really like a simple answer, though...one that doesn't cost anything.

sounds like carbon buildup on the head and valves - run some fuel injection cleaner through it - I found Redline Fuel system cleaner works the best for me - available at Pepboys and other parts stores

Roy, I have found that going by the book sometimes doesn't pay off. Especially with timing. All sorts of stuff goes on the ignition timing - distributor gears wear a little, timing belt stretches just a touch, the rotor button is keyed a little to one side or had a little bit of movement... and then you are scratching your head saying "why can't I get it to run right?" So, undo the locking nut on the distributor, connect up the ground to the timing and start it. Raise your RPM to 2,000 (where your engine does it's day to day thing) and gently swing the distributor from retard and advance until you hear the RPM jump. This is the sweet spot on your timing. Now retard it just a tiny bit and lock up the nut. Take it around the block and see if it's behaving itself.

I had a Nissan that ran 'o.k.' the entire time I had it until the timing belt popped on it (EFI 1.8 GM Family II engine). I broke out the timing light and set it by 'the book' but I felt it should've had more. Did the above as an experiment - ran the best it ever did. Then I sold it to some Chinese guys (who probably killed it lol) I figured that setting the timing at idle RPM was the thing that held it back and I had no idea whether or not the timing marks were entirely accurate. Got nothing to lose by trying it out...Let us know if you give it a shot and what your findings are Royster :thumbup:

Many thanks, Pennyman and Geezer. I'll try those approaches.

Another issue I have is setting the TPS. I hooked up the voltmeter to the ECU as instructed, but couldn't change the setting: no matter what I did, the setting remained the same...4.95. It's supposed to read 0.4 or some such thing. Perhaps the meter setting was wrong, though I tried various settings with the same results. The TPS is only a year old. Fooling with that ECU is my least favorite task on this truck. I just don't understand it, and it's a bitch to get to. I finally just set the TPS at a midway point ( biased toward -) and called it a day

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pennyman1

sounds like carbon buildup on the head and valves - run some fuel injection cleaner through it - I found Redline Fuel system cleaner works the best for me - available at Pepboys and other parts stores

---

Couldn't find this at Advanced, (and Pep Boys is 20 miles away) so for now I added some Lucas fuel system cleaner. I like Lucas products, so we'll see what happens.

I've yet to try Geezer's suggestion; I want to start with the simple stuff, first. Since I never run the truck past 3,000 rpm, it seems likely that carbon deposits are lving in there, rent-free.

Today is the anniversary of my joining this forum. I take this opportunity to thank many of you for your sharing of experience, insights and humor. The forum has been quite an experience, and I thank Camoit for his constant efforts to keep this a troll-free forum...and everything else he does behind the scenes to keep MightyRam50 a good community.

There are actually too many members to thank in one posting, so let this be just a general "thank you" to all who have been so kind to me in these past two years.

Attachment 15278

A measure of a mans' self worth is the company he keeps. Another measure is what he brings to others. It's people like you that make this site everything that it is and what it has to offer :clap:

Wow. I wasn't expecting that, Neil. A humble thank-you for the recognition.

I'd like to note that your contribution to the forum has been remarkably helpful to many.

Royster, relatively new here. 1990 Dodge Ram 50 2.4L 4G64. I was driving down the road yesterday and lost power. I eventually discovered the timing belt was stripped but oddly intact. Now I'm realizing that the "silent shaft" belt failed. I had no clue what a balance shaft was until yesterday! Any tips for replacing the balance shaft belt/ timing belt? Any info/links/advice is much appreciated!

Hi cjb~
Thanks for asking.
My own experience is here in this thread. The important questions are: how many miles does your truck have? Does the engine still run, or did it suddenly shut off and won't re-start? How did you discover the B belt failed? (I assume you took the plastic timing cover off).

Part of why I ask is because you might want to consider also installing a new water pump, and possibly a new oil pump, since you'll have good access to those guys when you replace timing belts.

If you're going to take on those tasks, why not start yourself a thread in this sub-forum? I'll gladly stand by to help where I can. Other members will also add great insights and help. I posted lots of pictures in "Roy's Garage", I just wish they had been more "shop manual" closer together rather than personal stuff in between...but that was my experience. Point being, you can referrence the photos here to compare to your own situations, as you come up to them. There are a couple procedures a Haynes manual simply doesn't cover, or assumes you already know. Thanks to the forum, that information is readily available, simply ask.

Not sure how long you've had your truck, but if you haven't looked at this other thread, give it a glance and see if there's anything you aughta do: http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...and-do-it-ASAP

I did manage to make some degree of organisation to my thread, so see the "menu" I created for Roy's Garage http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...ll=1#post25752

The most important tip I can offer you is: don't be afraid to ask (what you percieve) a dumb question. I asked lots of them, and there were very good answers. Again: the beauty of this forum is a good-natured sharing of information for / love of these trucks.

And this is my 900th post.

I think.

Therefore I Am.

My favorite quote by Descartes. :thumbup: