1986F150Six Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 My wife has said multiple times things along the lines of "boy that paint sure is ugly" or "the truck is a little beat up, dontcha think?" Patina! "Patina is the history of the truck writ in the surfaces that we see and interact with. An old truck has been around for a while and stuff has happened to it; it has a history." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 My wife has said multiple times things along the lines of "boy that paint sure is ugly" or "the truck is a little beat up, dontcha think?" Patina! "Patina is the history of the truck writ in the surfaces that we see and interact with. An old truck has been around for a while and stuff has happened to it; it has a history." I'll have to remember that, the next time some young'n tells me I look old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 I'll have to remember that, the next time some young'n tells me I look old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefraze_1020 Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 I went back to the wrecking yard on Saturday and snagged a pair of mudflaps and brackets, a shifter indicator, and some pretty decent chrome mirrors. The first thing I did when I came home Saturday was replace the mirrors. I had a pair of aftermarket chrome brackets leftover from replacing the mirrors on the red truck a few years back. So, I polished up the wrecking yard mirrors, mounted them to the brackets and mounted the whole assemblies to the doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefraze_1020 Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 I went back to the wrecking yard on Saturday and snagged a pair of mudflaps and brackets, a shifter indicator, and some pretty decent chrome mirrors. The first thing I did when I came home Saturday was replace the mirrors. I had a pair of aftermarket chrome brackets leftover from replacing the mirrors on the red truck a few years back. So, I polished up the wrecking yard mirrors, mounted them to the brackets and mounted the whole assemblies to the doors. Yesterday I pulled apart the instrument cluster again to replace my shifter indicator. The old one had the white plastic sleeve broken in multiple places, making the indicator sluggish when I put the transmission in park. First thing, I took the wrecking yard indicator and wrapped the white plastic sleeve in electrical tape to reinforce it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefraze_1020 Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 Yesterday I pulled apart the instrument cluster again to replace my shifter indicator. The old one had the white plastic sleeve broken in multiple places, making the indicator sluggish when I put the transmission in park. First thing, I took the wrecking yard indicator and wrapped the white plastic sleeve in electrical tape to reinforce it. While I had the cluster out, I pulled the speedo cable all the way out and rubbed it down with a white lithium grease crayon. After reinstalling the speedo cable, I replaced the shifter indicator on the cluster, then reinstalled the cluster. On the column are two white fasteners for the shifter wire. One was broken, so I decided to remove both of them, and then wrapped two zip ties around the column to keep the wire tightly in place, so it won't catch on anything. The next time I need to pull the instrument cluster, I can just replace the zip ties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefraze_1020 Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 While I had the cluster out, I pulled the speedo cable all the way out and rubbed it down with a white lithium grease crayon. After reinstalling the speedo cable, I replaced the shifter indicator on the cluster, then reinstalled the cluster. On the column are two white fasteners for the shifter wire. One was broken, so I decided to remove both of them, and then wrapped two zip ties around the column to keep the wire tightly in place, so it won't catch on anything. The next time I need to pull the instrument cluster, I can just replace the zip ties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefraze_1020 Posted April 27, 2020 Author Share Posted April 27, 2020 Later, I started working on the mudflaps. First, I unbolted the existing mudflaps from the brackets. Then I grabbed my drill and wire brush head, cleaned up the brackets, and spray painted them gray. I have let the paint dry overnight. When I get back to it, I will mount my Washington State flaps, then bolt up the whole assembly to the frame and fenders. Is there anyone on the forum in Minnesota that would be interested in these old mudflaps? One is in great condition, and the other has some cracking up by where the bracket was, but it still pretty solid. They are free to a good home, just pay shipping. Do you guys know if the collar that the shifter is mounted into is removable? Or would I have to replace the whole steering column? The PO for some reason removed the pin holding in the shifter, drilled it out and put a bolt in there instead. My shifter is very sloppy, so I am thinking the best thing to do is replace the whole collar and shifter assembly. Can someone tell me how this would be done? The part in question is circled: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 Do you guys know if the collar that the shifter is mounted into is removable? Or would I have to replace the whole steering column? The PO for some reason removed the pin holding in the shifter, drilled it out and put a bolt in there instead. My shifter is very sloppy, so I am thinking the best thing to do is replace the whole collar and shifter assembly. Can someone tell me how this would be done? The part in question is circled: Yes, it can be removed but replacing the column may be easier I haven't taken a non-tilt column apart but assume they are similar in that area. Look for a skull shaped hole in the main tube beneath the collar and see if you see a rivet. You may have to shift as I don't recall in what position you can see it. The rivet holds the collar to the shift tube. If you drill it out in the truck you'll want to think about where the shavings will go (may have to remove the lower bearing/retainer to let them fall out there). In addition to the rivet, it will likely have a pretty tight friction fit. Take a look at the diagram here to see how it all connects: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/steering-columns1.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefraze_1020 Posted April 28, 2020 Author Share Posted April 28, 2020 Yes, it can be removed but replacing the column may be easier I haven't taken a non-tilt column apart but assume they are similar in that area. Look for a skull shaped hole in the main tube beneath the collar and see if you see a rivet. You may have to shift as I don't recall in what position you can see it. The rivet holds the collar to the shift tube. If you drill it out in the truck you'll want to think about where the shavings will go (may have to remove the lower bearing/retainer to let them fall out there). In addition to the rivet, it will likely have a pretty tight friction fit. Take a look at the diagram here to see how it all connects: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/steering-columns1.html Yesterday I finished getting the mudflaps mounted. One bolt on each fender, and one bolt on each frame rail. I'm pretty satisfied how they turned out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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