kramttocs Posted September 17, 2019 Author Share Posted September 17, 2019 No, I've not heard of anyone taking those rivets out, but I can understand why you'd want to do it. What I don't understand is the question about what color to paint "the step/tongue hole center piece" and the comment about boots. I've not looked at Big Blue's hitch right there lately, but I don't think I ever step there. Powder coat it? Not sure what it's technically called but it's the step with the hole that you'd drop a pin in for a hay wagon tongue or bolt a ball to. No doubt there is a super simple name that's alluding me. Yeah, the original plan was to powder coat it and I've decided to go with the textured black like the receiver hitch and kind of like the black bumper trim pieces. I was just thinking that it might look neat in body color but that wouldn't last on a driver like this. It came apart with little fuss so going to straighten it tomorrow (slight bend near the hole) and drop it off at the shop - too long for my oven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 Not sure what it's technically called but it's the step with the hole that you'd drop a pin in for a hay wagon tongue or bolt a ball to. No doubt there is a super simple name that's alluding me. Yeah, the original plan was to powder coat it and I've decided to go with the textured black like the receiver hitch and kind of like the black bumper trim pieces. I was just thinking that it might look neat in body color but that wouldn't last on a driver like this. It came apart with little fuss so going to straighten it tomorrow (slight bend near the hole) and drop it off at the shop - too long for my oven. No idea what that's called, but I figured out why I never step there - it's got a ball bolted on it so there's not much room to put a big foot like mine. Anyway, I think black will be a good color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 No idea what that's called, but I figured out why I never step there - it's got a ball bolted on it so there's not much room to put a big foot like mine. Anyway, I think black will be a good color. Hey Gary - I was going to post this in the Big Blue project thread but didn't find it so will just throw it here since it does apply to Camano also. ... While in your shop, David was showing me the Medium Duty truck radio bezel that you are planning to use with the row of switches at the top (great idea). Not sure what your trailer controller plans are but I have never been a fan of the trailer controllers down below the dash despite all our farm trucks having that as the norm. Just a couple days ago I stumbled upon the Reese 8508700. There is also a Redarc version but I like the functionality of the Reese better from what I've compared. This unit has a remote dial and led indicator that allows you to mount it in the dash. For Camano I am going to 3D print something that looks very similar to the dealer installed a/c controls located in the dash cubby to house this dial and my GVOD toggle but when David showed me that bezel I thought it would be a good place for the trailer controls also. Just an idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Hey Gary - I was going to post this in the Big Blue project thread but didn't find it so will just throw it here since it does apply to Camano also. ... While in your shop, David was showing me the Medium Duty truck radio bezel that you are planning to use with the row of switches at the top (great idea). Not sure what your trailer controller plans are but I have never been a fan of the trailer controllers down below the dash despite all our farm trucks having that as the norm. Just a couple days ago I stumbled upon the Reese 8508700. There is also a Redarc version but I like the functionality of the Reese better from what I've compared. This unit has a remote dial and led indicator that allows you to mount it in the dash. For Camano I am going to 3D print something that looks very similar to the dealer installed a/c controls located in the dash cubby to house this dial and my GVOD toggle but when David showed me that bezel I thought it would be a good place for the trailer controls also. Just an idea. Scott - I hadn't seen that controller, shown below. But that would be a good place to mount the dial and LED. Good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny G Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Don't sell yourself short. It's impossible to read through any of the other project threads and not pick up great ideas and methods that one will use later. I've been bookmarking threads for future restoration reference for years. This site is a veritable schmorgasboard - can't say that and not think of I can clearly remember reading a post where you told someone to bring something to last years show and you'd coat it. This was before I'd ever considered buying a gun so I am more than happy to blame you! Like I am doing now lol... Since you are tearing it all down and detailing everything. One of the things I have been trying to wrap my head around is the climate control panel. My metal sliders are rusty, and I think it would be cool to be able to pull that faceplate and either get the red/blue restored or come up with something custom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 Don't sell yourself short. It's impossible to read through any of the other project threads and not pick up great ideas and methods that one will use later. I've been bookmarking threads for future restoration reference for years. This site is a veritable schmorgasboard - can't say that and not think of I can clearly remember reading a post where you told someone to bring something to last years show and you'd coat it. This was before I'd ever considered buying a gun so I am more than happy to blame you! Like I am doing now lol... Since you are tearing it all down and detailing everything. One of the things I have been trying to wrap my head around is the climate control panel. My metal sliders are rusty, and I think it would be cool to be able to pull that faceplate and either get the red/blue restored or come up with something custom. I like how you think! I was actually looking over that control unit a couple weeks ago hoping to find a way to remove the levers and coat them as mine are rusty also. Nothing obvious stood out at the time but I recall Chris over at FTE mentioning something about drilling out the melted pins to hold the face halves together and restoring the color so I tabled my progress on it until I could look up that thread. I seem to recall something about there being pieces of color plastic sheets in there to filter the color but could be mistaken. I don't think any powder coating will be an option on the levers since they are likely integral to the switches but just some black spray paint will look good and be an improvement. When I get back from Tulsa I'll look up that thread and play around with a really faded spare unit I have. If you do anything before then on it, definitely let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny G Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 I like how you think! I was actually looking over that control unit a couple weeks ago hoping to find a way to remove the levers and coat them as mine are rusty also. Nothing obvious stood out at the time but I recall Chris over at FTE mentioning something about drilling out the melted pins to hold the face halves together and restoring the color so I tabled my progress on it until I could look up that thread. I seem to recall something about there being pieces of color plastic sheets in there to filter the color but could be mistaken. I don't think any powder coating will be an option on the levers since they are likely integral to the switches but just some black spray paint will look good and be an improvement. When I get back from Tulsa I'll look up that thread and play around with a really faded spare unit I have. If you do anything before then on it, definitely let me know. it looks like you can get it off easily enough. It's the how to restore the decal part that is going to be hard. I wish i had a spare to mess with. I think you could probably dissemble and remove the levers. I imagine they are just a pin and spring set up. But you could also end up damaging the unit and making it non functional. If I remember correctly these guys run on vacuum not electrical output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 it looks like you can get it off easily enough. It's the how to restore the decal part that is going to be hard. I wish i had a spare to mess with. I think you could probably dissemble and remove the levers. I imagine they are just a pin and spring set up. But you could also end up damaging the unit and making it non functional. If I remember correctly these guys run on vacuum not electrical output. Yep, the 86 are primarily vacuum. That would be great if the levers do come out (and go back in ). I'll take a bunch of photos when I tear into my spare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted September 22, 2019 Share Posted September 22, 2019 Yep, the 86 are primarily vacuum. That would be great if the levers do come out (and go back in ). I'll take a bunch of photos when I tear into my spare. I'm pretty sure you can remove the levers on the vacuum part. I took one apart, cleaned it, lubed it, and put it back together - and it worked. I think I drilled and tapped the plastic that I'd ground off for some small machine screw like a 4-40 or 6-32. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted September 24, 2019 Author Share Posted September 24, 2019 I'm pretty sure you can remove the levers on the vacuum part. I took one apart, cleaned it, lubed it, and put it back together - and it worked. I think I drilled and tapped the plastic that I'd ground off for some small machine screw like a 4-40 or 6-32. Stopped by the paint shop today. Looking like a truck again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts