Project Red Rover - 1988 F350 - 7.3 NA

CTC Hawaii

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Hello Folks,

New Member. First IDI. Here learning the ropes.

My new to me 1988 F350 flatbed. 7.3 NA, 5 Speed 4x4. 102,000 miles. Runs like a sewing machine. Rotten cab....LOVE this truck.

I have a 1990 donor F150 with a much better cab. I'll be fixing that cab up and swapping. I'll drive it like it is in the meantime.

Had to get a few things up to ***** after purchasing. New mechanical fuel pump, Wiper switch, turn signal switch, couple of bulbs, new return cup o-rings, CDR valve, new tires.

Couple of pics. As purchased, and after new tires.

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TNBrett

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Has that truck been out there it’s whole life? I guess it goes to show that you don’t have to have road salt to destroy sheet metal when the air is full of salt. I like your truck though. There’s something about regular cab 4x4 flatbed duallies that I really like.


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CTC Hawaii

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Has that truck been out there it’s whole life? I guess it goes to show that you don’t have to have road salt to destroy sheet metal when the air is full of salt. I like your truck though. There’s something about regular cab 4x4 flatbed duallies that I really like.


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I'm with you on the reg cab 4x4's. Love them. Not sure of the entire history. It's quite likely it sat for quite some time on the wet part of the island, or very near the coast.
 

CTC Hawaii

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Worked a bit today on stripping the donor. Good bit of work to get the cab where I want it, but it'll be fun.

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CTC Hawaii

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Donor cab pretty much fully stripped now. Cleaned up some of the rust spots to see what I have to work with. Actually better than I thought. It looks like I won't need to replace the floor/rocker/pillars on the passenger side.

I suppose this would be a good time to reinforce the firewall around the clutch master cylinder area. Do you folks recommend any other reinforcing or firewall modifications? Super easy to do now. Firewall clearance around back of engine for more room to work while engine is in place?

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CTC Hawaii

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Whats your prep and paint plan for the new cab? You made some great progress!


It will likely take me a few months due to my day job, but planning these steps:

1. Wet Blast sheet metal repair areas.
2. Repair Sheetmetal, grind welds.
3. Wet Blast remaining areas of cab as needed.
4. Epoxy Primer Seal Coat.
5. Seam Seal.
6. Body Filler As needed.
7. Epoxy Primer again.
8. High Build Primer on Cab Exterior Surfaces.
9. Block/Sand, repeat as needed.
10. Color.

Big question is...What Color? I do like white.

I have the repair panels ordered. Should be here in a week or so.
 

Big Bart

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That should about do it! Excellent and comprehensive plan to do it right, good for you.

Color, that is a tough one. But to your point you have to paint everything so it all matches.

I like white for the following reasons -
1) Does not show dirt easily!
2) Keeps the cab cooler!
3) Neutral color.
4) Tends to hold up well in the sun. (Especially if single stage, clear does not like the sun too much.)

Other colors I think these trucks look good in.

I like the old school two tone approach.

I like the following colors.

Brown and tan. Or tan and brown.
Blue with dark blue.
Red and white or white with red.
Green and tan.

Google 1990, 1991, etc Ford F250 in Google images. You will find something you like.
 

CTC Hawaii

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That should about do it! Excellent and comprehensive plan to do it right, good for you.

Color, that is a tough one. But to your point you have to paint everything so it all matches.

I like white for the following reasons -
1) Does not show dirt easily!
2) Keeps the cab cooler!
3) Neutral color.
4) Tends to hold up well in the sun. (Especially if single stage, clear does not like the sun too much.)

Other colors I think these trucks look good in.

I like the old school two tone approach.

I like the following colors.

Brown and tan. Or tan and brown.
Blue with dark blue.
Red and white or white with red.
Green and tan.

Google 1990, 1991, etc Ford F250 in Google images. You will find something you like.

I believe you and I share very similar tastes. I like all of your color choices, especially 2 tone Red and White.
 

CTC Hawaii

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Interesting story...or Scary.

PO evidently installed a wheel with the correct lug pattern, but the center bore was too small. I didn't notice it when purchasing...

Had new tires installed. The tire shop did not notice it either. How they did not notice is beyond me as it would have stood out immediately upon trying to reinstall the wheels (which they did) and seeing the center bore hole did not slip completely over the hub. Essentially, the wheel was bolted on with the inside edge of the center bore riding on the hub lip. No contact between the wheel flat inside and the hub! I noticed it walking by and saw it looked kinda funny (studs appeared shorter than the other side and wheel off center a bit). Anyhow, glad I noticed it. Got a new wheel and good to go now. Kinda embarrassed I didn't notice at time of purchase, but honestly I would have bought it anyway, just would have changed the wheel before driving.

Second Pic is correct wheel mounted. Last pic is the wrong wheel mounted. Notice the Bore.

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CTC Hawaii

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Well, really digging the white. Might play around with a bit of 2 tone. Maybe Red and White or Black and White. I've always had solid white trucks and really like it.
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