Bruce moose4x4 Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 Yes, the wheel well design is horrible. I'm going to add some holes to be able to flush the dirt out, but you don't really have much room to drill w/o hitting the outer panel. As for the next project, that will be the air compressor and tank. As soon as I get the wheel wells cleaned and Filmed I'll start on that. The spare tire carrier is way off in the distance as EFI comes first. Overall I'm pleased with Big Blue. He ain't perfect, but he sure is stout. Next up, Ouray! I read somewhere that a guy that played in the mud all the time, he drilled a couple of holes inside the bed just big enough to get the spray wand in and blow out the gunk. Might be able to plug the hole with a rubber plug when not washing. Not sure if this would work, haven't taken a gander at how the panels are put together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share Posted June 12, 2021 I read somewhere that a guy that played in the mud all the time, he drilled a couple of holes inside the bed just big enough to get the spray wand in and blow out the gunk. Might be able to plug the hole with a rubber plug when not washing. Not sure if this would work, haven't taken a gander at how the panels are put together. Since I just had it Line-X’d I don’t want to be drilling on that part of the bed. But I am looking for ways to get the gunk out from below, inc drilling holes. At some point the wheel arches will have to be replaced. But not now. I want to use the truck, which inevitably means more scars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothing Special Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 I'm glad you haven't found anything else loosened up or overlooked. Yeah, wheel arch rot is one of those things that seems designed into these trucks. That's why I decided it would be a lot better to make the mud able to dry out, and easier to flush. I think DieselBrad had suggested putting holes there.... To flesh this out, Brad has particularly recommended doing this during a bedside replacement, cutting the holes in the inner fender before attaching the new bedside with panel adhesive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 I'm glad you haven't found anything else loosened up or overlooked. Yeah, wheel arch rot is one of those things that seems designed into these trucks. That's why I decided it would be a lot better to make the mud able to dry out, and easier to flush. I think DieselBrad had suggested putting holes there.... To flesh this out, Brad has particularly recommended doing this during a bedside replacement, cutting the holes in the inner fender before attaching the new bedside with panel adhesive. I'll tell you, I wish I had used panel adhesive instead of welding in my wheel arches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share Posted June 12, 2021 I'll tell you, I wish I had used panel adhesive instead of welding in my wheel arches. "To flesh this out..." Wouldn't that be "To de-flesh this..."? I mean, you are removing the truck's flesh. Anyway, good to know. My paint/body man did that on Dad's truck when he put the new bedsides on. He explained it to me at the time, but seeing the carnage now drives home how important that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1986F150Six Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 Dane - Yes, the panels are expensive, so I'm bummed that I messed this one up. But I hope my body/paint guy can smooth it out some. He's told me before that he is pretty going doing that, so I'll check with him at some point. https://www.ebay.com/itm/124560005933?fits=Year%3A1985%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item1d005adb2d:g:CZMAAOSwewJgHJSv https://www.ebay.com/itm/144003185787?hash=item2187423c7b:g:MwAAAOSwcUZf~IQ0 https://www.ebay.com/itm/402888105458?fits=Year%3A1985%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item5dce009df2:g:ntQAAOSwoUtgtRRw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share Posted June 12, 2021 Dane - Yes, the panels are expensive, so I'm bummed that I messed this one up. But I hope my body/paint guy can smooth it out some. He's told me before that he is pretty going doing that, so I'll check with him at some point. https://www.ebay.com/itm/124560005933?fits=Year%3A1985%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item1d005adb2d:g:CZMAAOSwewJgHJSv https://www.ebay.com/itm/144003185787?hash=item2187423c7b:g:MwAAAOSwcUZf~IQ0 https://www.ebay.com/itm/402888105458?fits=Year%3A1985%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item5dce009df2:g:ntQAAOSwoUtgtRRw Thanks, David. You proved the point, they are expensive! And mine is in better shape than some of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1986F150Six Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 Thanks, David. You proved the point, they are expensive! And mine is in better shape than some of those. You think those are expensive? Try this one... https://www.ebay.com/itm/402768524294?epid=1922124554&hash=item5dc6dff406:g:tCUAAOSwBzdgU8I6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share Posted June 12, 2021 You think those are expensive? Try this one... https://www.ebay.com/itm/402768524294?epid=1922124554&hash=item5dc6dff406:g:tCUAAOSwBzdgU8I6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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