boyz in da HOOD!!

Yep, you guessed it. I got the hood painted and installed! Granted all might panels are not aligned properly, I think it still looks nice. I will wait to align everything once my doors are installed.

I painted the underside with some rustoleum hammer finish (update pics to follow). Rolled it on and brushed in the tight spots. Hopefully it holds up with my engine heat.

Note to self: While installing a million pound hood that you and your friend are holding up, DO NOT ask your wife if she can help with putting a bolt in and screwing it. She just might lean over and get a cramp right as she gets the bolt in place... thus dropping the bolt down into the engine bay. If you do think you might have to ask your wife for a extra hand make sure you have her warm up first. :)

Bumper Instalation

SO HAPPY! My bumper is installed!!!! I have to say... it does look like its starting to come together now.

I also installed my driver side fender, driver side cowl panel, upper cowl panel, headlights and bezel!

Check it out, let me know what you think!

So different from how it looked when I first got it!

Chillin' and Grillin'

* Note: This is the beautiful princess photographer that helped make this tutorial/blog happen.

** Note: This is the handsome stud riveter that was used in the process. He is professional, safe, and knows excactly what he is doing.

SO HERE IT GOES!

I'm so pumped up! Just got the grille installed with the help of ma boy and daughter! He is and excellent riveter and she takes some excellent pics! Check it out, this is how I did it incase you need help with yours.

1. first remove grille and disassemble headlights and hardware from old grille. The old grille can be removed by three bolts located behind the radiator/grille support panel, located inside the fender well.



2. Rivet holes on the original grille are 3/16" so I started with a slightly smaller drill bit. I made pilot holes through all the rivets (4 per side, 2 in middle) which did not quite knock out the rivets. So I finished them off with a full 3/16" drill bit. They all came out very easy and the pilot holes made it even easier.

3. Next I cleaned up, primed, and painted my headlight buckets. They are not too visible so I wasnt much concerned with the looks, just that they are a fresh black.

4. after the paint was completely dry, I begin to mount the headlight buckets into my NEW grille! First fit it in to make sure you have the correct ones on each side. I dont believe they will fit opposite. I used 3/16" diameter aluminum rivets with a gripping range of 1/8". These work PERFECT!

*rivets used

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*how to insert rivet into gun. Needle side in gun.

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* I found it easier to place the rivet head into hole first, then into the gun.

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5. Next get a strong 3 year old to pump those rivets in while you hold the pieces together! Again, there should be 4 rivets per side and a middle support bar. My NEW grille came with two middle support bars so I also riveted those in.

6. Next is the fun part! Bolt the grill back into place! Now you can either sit back and enjoy the new bling on your truck... or you can be pissed off because the shop provided only screws but no U-Clips to bolt on your new headlight bezels.

The Learning Curve - Painting Improvements

Well... I think I'm getting the hang of it! I went to my friends paint shop and he showed me how to set up my gun better and how to get better strokes. I experimented using his technique on my cab cowl panels and I like the results! I even put on my emblems just to see how it looks.

I also finished my fenders and grill support with results that I am happy with. I will post pics soon. I REALLY need to get the doors done so I can start the inside interior work (carpet / seats).

I cant wait until I can start hanging and aligning all my body panels! I'm sure it will be a real pain in the A$$!