because my fingers are all banged up.

Well, I'm into the second day of sanding the crappy clearcoat off the truck. I'm using 180 grit and a DA sander. I'll go back over it with finer grit paper once I've got all the crud off.

How do you get to the area in between the cab and the bed? Can I get some sort of chemical prep so the new paint will stick. I'm not that worried about the finish.

Edwin

 

Take the bed loose and move it back.

 

I've never done that. How much work is it to do? Are there any gotchas?

Thanks

Edwin

 

I've never done it to my Dodge, but I have on Fords and Chevys. It was not hard at all....just removed the bolts that hold the bed to the frame....one person on each side to pick it up......and back it went.

If I remember right, the fuel filler hose was all I took loose.

 

Can't wait to see the finished product. Are you going "all out" or doing a budget type job? Will you be posting your costs and time spent (and pics of course)?

 

Take the fuel fill hose off, and disconnet the tail lights.

 

Just took the bed off of my truck last week. It’s not that hard. There are 4 bolts on each side that need to be taken out. Open up your fuel door and remove those 4 screws. Then unplug the wiring harness under the bed near the rear bumper unless there is enough slack to let you move the bed back as far as you want.

 

It's a budget job insofar as I'm putting in sweat equity by sanding it down myself. But I'll probably take it down to Maaco to have them shoot it. I'm not to good with spray paint.

Well, I hadn't thought of posting costs. So far I'm out about $100 or so for a DA sander, disks and primer paint. When I go to far and expose bare metal I shoot a little primer on it to keep it from rusting. I only work on it 5 or 6 hours a day so far.

I've taken off the lights and fenders to get a clean area to sand. One fender has a crack I'll need to repair also. I also took off the trim strip which was surprisingly easy with just a screwdriver.

I think my tank is full so I might have a problem if I unhook the filler tube. I was wondering if I just spray some chemical prep thne spray it white in between since it won't be seen that much but moving the bed back may be an easier thing to do.

I'll snap some pics and post in my gallery so those who have never seen a dually without it's fenders looks like.

I'll probably have to buy a new DA sander since the $20 chinese made one is falling apart already. Looks like the bearing that holds the disk in is loose. I'll have to disassemble it tomorrow and see if it can be fixed.

Edwin

 

I am in process of pretty much doing what you are... I removed the sleeper, flatbed and sent the whole thing to Maaco - who sanded and painted the cab and sleeper (see gallery for pre paint pics). to sand/paint the cab - $800 and sleeper was $200. They did a reasonable job though they did not sand beneath the grill and there was some flaked areas that they had just painted over. They are fixing that this week. I will have the truck together again in about a week (day job and disability makes getting things accomplished alot slower than it used to). I will post some pictures when complete.

I am painting my flatbed myself - it is steel and gets roughed up a lot so it gets a roller coat of gloss white rustoleum. I usually end up doing that about every year anyway...

 

That's one of the reasons I'm doing the sanding job myself. It's most of the labor involved and I know how to do that. I can do a better job than a min wage flunky can do and I'm not pressed to get it done in a hurry.

The other reason is cost. I'm partially disabled myself and my business doesn't take in that much some months so I like to use my down time to work on the truck. Parts and materials still cost money though so I economize whereever I can.

I bought a used grille from another DTR member because mine is damaged and I'm thinking of buying new tail lights. I need a few running lights because they're broken also.

There is very few dents so I don't think I'll do any bondo work since the dents are small and all in the bed. Heck a few dents show character.

I'm taking it easy today since my arthritis is flaring up in my left shoulder so I think I'll see if I can fix my DA sander before it completely comes apart.

Edwin

 

If you do get it down to bare metal, use a self-etching primer. I usually get a gallon of it from NAPA, but Autozone has it in spray cans for like 4 bucks.

 

Hear you on that one... I have the arthritis with degenerative joint disease - compounded with.... Some days are just better than others.

Be interested in seeing the completed project... Best wishes!

 

I asked for that once at the local AutoZone and they didn't know what I was talking about. This is typical so I'll have to go back and ask some body else. Right now I'm just rough sanding to get off the crud then I'll go back over it to smooth out the scratches. It doesn't matter what I put on it just to keep it from rusting until I finish sand it. I haven't decided if I want to bondi the little dings yet. They are mostly in the bed sides and any truck which doesn't have a few has been kept in a garage all it's life and not driven.

I need to get another tailgate also so if anyone knows of a decent one let me know.

Edwin

 

Yeah, I got an autoimmune disorder which causes me all sorts of strange problems. The arthritis comes and goes. I'm glad I have VA medical. I couldn't afford the meds otherwise.

Edwin

 

The photos are in my gallery as soon as they're approved. They show what I've done and what it looked like before. The PO or whoever painted this should be beaten. I got the left side of the bed done today. I discovered a way to keep my fingers from being chewed up more. Gloves!

Edwin