To remove or not to paint frame?

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Toad455

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Hello, I'm not sure if I should have posted this in the paint and body section but since it's suspension I figured I'd start here. I'm fixing to sand blast and paint my frame for my 78 2wd. My question is I'm not sure if I should remove the lower front frame cross piece that's under the engine, that the lower control arm u bolts attach to. I believe it will clean up and paint easier if apart, there's only three bolts on each side that hold it in, BUT it also seems like it may be a pain and maybe I should just leave it alone since it's in the correct position. Would any of you remove it just to paint? Thanks.
 
TotalyHucked

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They're not bolts, they're rivets and they're a PITA to remove. Depends on how far you're going with the build. Cool little cruiser/driver or super nice show truck?
 
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are you referring to the entire k member? If so that’s a pretty straightforward unbolt. Anything riveted I would say it’s not worth it unless they’re damaged or there’s rot.
 
legopnuematic

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On my 79, I had the frame blasted as a unit, as having it be a roller was important at the time, then I disassembled it, cleaned the remaining areas with a purple 3m wheel, then painted and reassembled.

If you look at my 79 thread in my signature, starting at post 495 shows that process.

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TotalyHucked said:
They're not bolts, they're rivets and they're a PITA to remove. Depends on how far you're going with the build. Cool little cruiser/driver or super nice show truck?
Click to expand...
This one has three bolts on each side. The support underneath the engine. I'm building it as show and light driving but no mirrors on the floor or anything like that. Just local shows.
 
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Fri00 said:
are you referring to the entire k member? If so that’s a pretty straightforward unbolt. Anything riveted I would say it’s not worth it unless they’re damaged or there’s rot.
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Yes, I believe it's the k member, no rivets that I can see.
 
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legopnuematic said:
On my 79, I had the frame blasted as a unit, as having it be a roller was important at the time, then I disassembled it, cleaned the remaining areas with a purple 3m wheel, then painted and reassembled.

If you look at my 79 thread in my signature, starting at post 495 shows that process.

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Nice, thank you. I'll check out your thread. That cross member looks heavy.
 
legopnuematic

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Toad455 said:
Nice, thank you. I'll check out your thread. That cross member looks heavy.
Click to expand...
It’s not too bad, maybe 50lbs give or take?
 
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legopnuematic said:
It’s not too bad, maybe 50lbs give or take?
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After seeing your pics it's coming out today,ha. May as well since I can blast it at home like I did the cab and all the other parts. If I don't do it I'll regret it later even if you can't tell whether or not it's been out, but I'll know.
 
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legopnuematic said:
On my 79, I had the frame blasted as a unit, as having it be a roller was important at the time, then I disassembled it, cleaned the remaining areas with a purple 3m wheel, then painted and reassembled.

If you look at my 79 thread in my signature, starting at post 495 shows that process.

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Lego, on your second pic from the top, what are those two plates on the floor? I see them bolted on in your top pic. Are those just for lifting? Thanks.
 
legopnuematic

legopnuematic

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225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
Toad455 said:
Lego, on your second pic from the top, what are those two plates on the floor? I see them bolted on in your top pic. Are those just for lifting? Thanks.
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Brackets for a tow bar I made when I flat towed the truck once.

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Oh ok, thanks. That's cool idea.
 
Craig Nedrow

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I did mine myself, but in retrospect sand blasting is way faster, I only un bolted what would unbolt. My motor mt rivets were a little loose so I heated then up and beat them with a big hammer while holding a sludge hammer on the other side, so check for loose rivies.
 

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