Ranchero build

[Tom S]

Man, that looks killer!

[KYBlueOval]

WOW!

[hiball3985]

Looks great. Glad to see it coming together. What sway bar is that, 59 type?

[Ford Blue blood]

Thanks guys.  Now the fun part, color sanding and buffing.  Can't decide if I hate this more then blocking!

Rich the front springs are stock(that were in the car) with a turn and a half cut off.  Stock spindles.  Wheels are 15 X 7, tires 235-70s.  Not going to mess with the ride height until all the parts are back on the car.  It might look high because I didn't roll it after taking it off the jack stands.  We'll see when I put it out in the sun today.

The sway bar is 58 Edsel Ranger/Pacer.

[lalessi1]

I can only wish my car was that straight! Awesome job, it looks perfect!

[Ford Blue blood]

Rich, here is the stance as it stands right now.  Think it will be OK when the rest of the "stuff" is on, that is a couple of days down the road....the ranchwagon I had was way too low!  Hard to get around without dragging the exhaust.  Have the mufflers on this one tucked up tight so it can go down if it strikes me to put it down.

The tail light reflectors were sanded, de-rusted, painted with self etching primer and then shot with rattle can "chrome".

No pics but I started putting the bed stainless in, just can't help myself!  One side is done hit the other tomorrow.  Bumpers and grill we be after the buffing is completed.

[mustang6984]

I suspected that was what you had used. You are the first person I have ever known who used the rattle can chrome. How do you like it? Was it as easy as they say? sure looks nice.
And the car color...looks like a shade of purple with burgundy in it. what is it officially? I do like it. It really pops!

[RICH MUISE]

Really really liking your color and wheel choice. The stance looks much better than I had originally perceived. It's got that little California rake I couldn't see before. It should be fine just where it is, Don't let it sit too long before you start the color sanding, lol. It just gets harder.

[Ford Blue blood]

I suspected that was what you had used. You are the first person I have ever known who used the rattle can chrome. How do you like it? Was it as easy as they say? sure looks nice.
And the car color...looks like a shade of purple with burgundy in it. what is it officially? I do like it. It really pops!

The "chrome" goes on pretty much like any other, just can't load it up heavy.  A little practice to get the "touch" and most applications turn out nice.  Now, it is not even close to chrome but does give a nice shinny look.

The paint on the Ranchero is a stock GM color.  86 Caddy, Dark red metallic.  Does no have any "metal" in it, just red pearl.

[Jeff Norwell]

Beautiful Bill.

[mustang6984]

The "chrome" goes on pretty much like any other, just can't load it up heavy.  A little practice to get the "touch" and most applications turn out nice.  Now, it is not even close to chrome but does give a nice shinny look.

The paint on the Ranchero is a stock GM color.  86 Caddy, Dark red metallic.  Does no have any "metal" in it, just red pearl.

Good to know. I will have to get a can and play with it. I am guessing the taillights/brake lights will be a LOT brighter with that background.
That color is just stunning. I guess GM can do somethings right...LOL!!!

[Wirenut]

That really looks nice, I love the way it looks without bumpers. Makes me want a ranchero!!
Thanks for sharing the photos and letting us tag along..

[Ford Blue blood]

Got the rest of the glass installed.  The channel that snaps into the door frame is a challenge!  I have a piece of door glass that remained complete (not sure how given the cars condition when it came home) and used it for a template to make sure the clips lined up with the holes they snap into.

Bending it around the corner is very tedious.  To make the bend without kinking the channel or the stainless I lined the new piece up on the glass and strapped it down with wide masking tape.  To start the bend you need to pull firmly on the "tail" while holding the top portion in place.  After a couple of degrees the tail will curl up.  Work your hand down the length gently twisting it back and forth.  As you do this you will feel the stainless moving.  This twisting needs to go all the way down the tail.  By doing this every couple of degrees you will get a nice tight bend with no kinks.  It took me about 20 minutes to do each side.  After the bend is complete you mat have to trim a little of the stainless off the end that buts up against the vent window.

[Ford Blue blood]

As it sits right now.  The door handles are off because I forgot (or lost) the pads that go under them!  Got them ordered, easy install.  The door locks work both inside and outside, windows crank up and down and the door handle works!  Got the bed stainless all snugged down.  That turned out to be easier then I thought, the cab corners go one last.  Found that out the hard way!  Car still needs final polish then a thorough cleaning inside and outside!  It is a mess with dust in every crack and corner.......

OK, any tricks to get the four hood bumpers in their holes?  Got frustrated and put them aside before I messed something up.  So if you have the solution I would appreciate some help.  Thanks in advance.

[RICH MUISE]

Bill, It's been a very long time since I installed my hood bumpers, but I do remember them being a chore to install. I think I used plenty of lube and a small flat screwdriver to push the rubber into the holes. Those tapered bumpers are dual purpose...they also center the hood up in the opening.
Not super  important, but those glass channels you bent up originally had 3/4 of an inch or so of the outer stainless rib protruding up over the little ss raingutter over the wing windows. That keeps them from falling should the clips (I glued mine) or adhesive holding the channel  fail. We had some long threads on bending that stuff.