My process is very time and labor intensive: angle grinder with paint stripping wheel, drill with sanding disc attachment, wash panel, then brush linearly with synthetic steel pad, wash (to prevent finger prints). Hood took about 8 hours.

This 5051 Al seems to weather very well, as any 5000 series should. If it proves to need a coating I'll coat it with Ardrox AV30.

The finish isn't perfect and I didn't want it to be. It's just going to get scratched up anyways. The initial paint stripping wheel leaves scratches that aren't removed by later sanding and brushing, but they blend well with the brushing.

Having just got a soda blasting setup I'll be trying that out soon.

 

You can use pop to take paint off?!?! Man, first walnuts now pop. What will they think of next!

 

I replaced my front sunroof. Managed to replace both of them with the SD rack in place. Now for the first time since owning the truck I have fully functioning sunroofs and it appears I have taken care of the leaky rear one. Happy days!

 

Got word that my PolyBush slotted radius arm bushings have left the UK.
Only took three weeks.

 

I would just take the sway bars off..thats what Ive done and what most people do. Not to mention, those extensions/spacers dont look like the most secure setup to me

 

Interesting........!
That sway bar was a headache from the start.
Yes, it seems to be very flimsy and therefore might have no purpose.
Gonna remove it today and test run.
What about the rear sway bar ? (It do not bother at this stage)

 

Wonderfull !!!!
Thank you, It is a very welcome piece of information.
Guess what is Hercu doing today?
Bay-bay Sway Bar !
(Sounds good)

 

hi iv got a series 2a with a disco 200tdi in it but the clutch broke last week so iv put the same size back in a 9" clutch plate and the original cover but since then I found out the cover I got is for a 9 1,2 I belive any idear what I should be using its the series gear box thanxs put it all back together no clutch now the slave is new it snatches going it to gear now any info would be great ps it was all working fine lol

 

Finally replaced the exhaust manifold gaskets (both to the block and to the pipe). Now my truck doesn't sound like a lawnmower! A breaker bar on the bolts to the manifold was a breeze. The only trouble was releasing the nuts from the pipe.

 

Today I had a few spare hours and decided to start tackling the brake pads,rotors,and wheel bearings.In three hours I got one rear wheel rebuilt.What a pain...but the next one should be a little easier now that I know what I am doing.