Project Dirty White
#1
Project Dirty White
An 88 SWB RRC. Dubbed "Dirty White" by my wife when she saw it the first time. I recently picked this up after two...yes two other trucks fell through. I don't know what it is with sellers lately. For some reason I couldn't give away my money.
So this was my third choice. A little rougher than I wanted. But I think very doable. Its got a factory LT230 and non ABS brakes. Already has a OME lift and some other off road goodies.
Buying long distance is always fun. When the truck to finally showed up it was a bit more rough than I wanted. I've always wanted a white RRC so it works out.
It was advertised as "mechanically problem free" (direct quote). It promptly broke down On me not ten miles after I purchased it. I had to have towed home on the very first drive.
Turns out the ign amp module is crap. I ordered a new Petronix distributor and coil.
Now the fun part. I just had my shoulder surgery yesterday. SLAP repair and rotator cuff repair. Sooooo...progress on this turd will be slow. I've made a list of small one handed projects I can do. Gonna start with getting it clean.
This how it sits now.
Flat oxidized paint. Permanently embedded greasy fingerprints. It doesn't look like it's been washed for a very long time.
Today I gathered up my strength and went out to wash it. I use dish soap to strip it as much as possible. I was really surprised at how well the paint responded to a simple wash. I followed up with Polishing Compound next. Then I hit it with a clay bar. Then 2 coats of wax. I've only done about a third of the truck and I had to come in and rest. But it looks great. The paint on this thing is full of flaws,chips and scratches. It's never going to be perfect not even close. But I really don't want it to be. It has to be good to go off road and I don't want to have a panic attack if it gets scratched. This will still be good enough to wash up and look decent clean.
So this was my third choice. A little rougher than I wanted. But I think very doable. Its got a factory LT230 and non ABS brakes. Already has a OME lift and some other off road goodies.
Buying long distance is always fun. When the truck to finally showed up it was a bit more rough than I wanted. I've always wanted a white RRC so it works out.
It was advertised as "mechanically problem free" (direct quote). It promptly broke down On me not ten miles after I purchased it. I had to have towed home on the very first drive.
Turns out the ign amp module is crap. I ordered a new Petronix distributor and coil.
Now the fun part. I just had my shoulder surgery yesterday. SLAP repair and rotator cuff repair. Sooooo...progress on this turd will be slow. I've made a list of small one handed projects I can do. Gonna start with getting it clean.
This how it sits now.
Flat oxidized paint. Permanently embedded greasy fingerprints. It doesn't look like it's been washed for a very long time.
Today I gathered up my strength and went out to wash it. I use dish soap to strip it as much as possible. I was really surprised at how well the paint responded to a simple wash. I followed up with Polishing Compound next. Then I hit it with a clay bar. Then 2 coats of wax. I've only done about a third of the truck and I had to come in and rest. But it looks great. The paint on this thing is full of flaws,chips and scratches. It's never going to be perfect not even close. But I really don't want it to be. It has to be good to go off road and I don't want to have a panic attack if it gets scratched. This will still be good enough to wash up and look decent clean.
#2
#3
I want to insulate the floors. Get the ac working. Recover the seats. Not sure how. Orginal grey leather or a more durable material. I want to re-stain a the door wood a dark ebony. I want to break up all the grey inside with touches of charcoal and black. Since this thing is a bit rough it will never be a resto. So I don't have to worry about originality. I won't butcher it but I don't feel bad about modifying it.
Last edited by Shiftonthefly1; 04-27-2017 at 08:33 PM.
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10