[jonn6464]

Like the title says, I'm diving into a mild resto on my 75 TD.

I started with new wheels and tires...

Pretty much the bottom 3-4" of the old girl needs new metal, so I started by cutting out the floor pans and then moved onto the driver's side. Had to rebuild the rusted out inner cab support from some extra metal I had in the shop. Then put in a new rocker panel...

More pics to come

 

[jungle]

Looking good so far.
I used Zink based weld through primer before I covered mine up. The copper base can cause rust.
Jim

 

[jonn6464]

Looking good so far.
I used Zink based weld through primer before I covered mine up. The copper base can cause rust.
Jim

Yeah, that's also what I'm using. 3M zinc based. $30 a can, hope it works!

 

[jungle]

Should be really good. I used SMC brand but 3M should be just as good.
Jim

 

[RWG75]

Only a Dodge guy would call that “mild”.

 

[mttaff]

Lol, I was thinking the same thing! I love the wheels you chose. A lot of times it's hard to find a newer wheel that looks good on an older truck.
Eric

 

[jonn6464]

Only a Dodge guy would call that “mild”.

Ha! Point taken.

I guess I'm trying to say that I'm not doing a full frame off/nut & bolt/replace every part type of restoration. I would consider some body panel replacement pretty standard in any level of resto, even a mild one.

If you have a few minutes, you can see my 1970 Duster rotisserie restoration here (been going for 4 1/2 years now). This is why I'm considering the work on the Trailduster "mild", compared to it.

'70 Duster - First MOPAR Build

I've been on this forum for about a month now, and I have to say it's pretty awesome! There is so much info here and members have been quick to reply...

www.forabodiesonly.com

 

[jonn6464]

Lol, I was thinking the same thing! I love the wheels you chose. A lot of times it's hard to find a newer wheel that looks good on an older truck.
Eric

Hey thanks. Yeah I like them too. I kinda stumbled on them accidentally. Vision 353 Turbine is the make & model.

I like the old school turbine wheels, but they can sort of date the truck back to the 80's. Which is fine if you are going for the stock look. I Googled turbine wheels and these popped up. Plus they have them in 15"-20" sizes. So, you can make pretty much whatever wheel/tire combo you like.

I knew I definitely wanted the white letter tires, which actually narrowed down the wheel size possibilities.

I'm happy with how they turned out.

 

[KurtfromLaQuinta]

Ha! Point taken.

I guess I'm trying to say that I'm not doing a full frame off/nut & bolt/replace every part type of restoration. I would consider some body panel replacement pretty standard in any level of resto, even a mild one.

If you have a few minutes, you can see my 1970 Duster rotisserie restoration here (been going for 4 1/2 years now). This is why I'm considering the work on the Trailduster "mild", compared to it.

'70 Duster - First MOPAR Build

I've been on this forum for about a month now, and I have to say it's pretty awesome! There is so much info here and members have been quick to reply...

www.forabodiesonly.com

Your Duster is turning out really nice!
And so is your truck!

 

[jonn6464]

Your Duster is turning out really nice!
And so is your truck!

Thank you, sir

 

[RWG75]

I would consider some body panel replacement pretty standard in any level of resto, even a mild one.

Around here I think we call it patching up a few of the usual spots.

 

[wedgeheaded]

Loving it. I had an 84 4x2 and miss it. I'm a big fan of the earlier 72-80 body style too. It's gona be nice.

 

[jonn6464]

I finished a bit more metal work last weekend. Almost complete, just need to do passenger floor pan and rear wheel well lip on both sides. Then I still need to clean up the welds and seam seal everywhere.

Lower quarter panel and driver side floor pan...

I found a nice rust hole under the inner cab support, and also had to rebuild the cab support. It's a bit ugly, but it will never be seen...

I ordered an extra set of wheel arches to repair the inner wheel well lip on both sides. Now I'll have some metal to attach the outer wheel lip to...

 

[RWG75]

Cool trick on the outer wheel house!

 

[KurtfromLaQuinta]

Nice progress!

 

[jonn6464]

I managed to get a little time today to get after some more metal work. Slowly, but surely, I'll get the old girl back on the road!

Both floor pans are in and seam sealed. In regards to seam sealer, I do not live by the thinking that "less is more".

Also, got the driver's side rust repair done. Now I just have to finish sanding down the filler.

 

[RCCADMAN]

Is your TD dropped in front at all? Or am I just looking at it wrong. I seem to have a little more room between my tires and fender. (77 RC 2WD)

 

[jonn6464]

Not dropped, to my knowledge. But, it could very well be the original (or very old) suspension and has sagged over time.

Also, tires are 265/60R18, so they do take up some space in the wheel well.

Is your TD dropped in front at all? Or am I just looking at it wrong. I seem to have a little more room between my tires and fender. (77 RC 2WD)

Here's a pic straight on...

 

[RCCADMAN]

OK. Yes, I was looking at it wrong. That is about what mine looks like with 31 10.5's. Holly sells the LCA's that are like the vans but are a direct bolt up for the RC's and D series trucks 72-93. I plan to go that route if I ever make my truck the priority. sigh

 

[jonn6464]

I needed a little break from bodywork, so I decided to restore my tail light assemblies. I thought I'd post this in case anyone might be interested in doing theirs.

First, a quick spin in the blast cabinet and then primer & paint...

Next, for the brake/turn bulb, I got a trailer hitch connector and a reproduction pigtail. Measured out some wire and got to work with some butt connectors and heat shrink...

Then, time for the reverse bulb connection. Found the pigtail at O'Reilly's and paired it with a simple bullet connector...

Ran the wires together in sheathing and tested the connections. Everything looked good...

When the time comes to install these, I'll slap a beautiful new lense on each side and call it good...