93 Dodge Ram 250

[Donny]

http://youtu.be/LGQXAowytQo

 

[Ron 73]

Great sounding engine Donny!

 

[ZooKypr]

Nice work...creative engine stand!

 

[Donny]

Hey thanks all! Zoo, that engine is SO big and SO heavy, I had to modify the crap outta that HF stand!

 

[Donny]

On page one, there's a shot of underneath where the transmission was, here's one after blasting, epoxy primer, and U-Pol Chip Guard applied, and of course Chassis Black on a freshly blasted frame. This pic is a few months old, truck goes to final paint on Monday!

 

[roadrunnerman]

Looks good donny. I know you've been going back and forth with the customer,but i hope he is happy once he sees the end result of your hard work.

 

[Donny]

He's good, just that he wanted to spend 10K for a new paint job, media blast, fix the rust. I knew it was not going to work, I told him I'd TRY, but, no promises! We'll be about 18K deep when done; still a good price for what he's getting!

 

[Donny]

Got pictures coming of the truck in new paint, finally, I cut "The Thief" off from this project, good riddance!

 

[roadrunnerman]

Can hardly wait to see them Donny. I know you've put a ton of work and time into that truck.

 

[Donny]

 

[roadrunnerman]

That truck looks like a $1,000,000.00

 

[Ron 73]

Wow, thats fan dang beautiful man!! Out standing work you've done on this Donny and it shows big time.

 

[Gpuller]

Great job...thats one sweet truck!

 

[Donny]

thanks all! I didn't put pics of the before on this site, to see them go to my website. Cheers!

 

[Donny]

Chasing little gremlins...this is new territory for me; actually putting the vehicle together! Glad I bagged and tagged everything, rather, nearly everything! As I go through the bins of parts, I find areas I could have done better in bagging/tagging stuff! For example, I have nuts/bolts that appear to be 'left over'...which likely are because I didn't search for the original bolts etc, just went out and bought some. The details of 'that bolt goes on the third fender screw hole...as it's 1 inch vs 5/8 to accommodate the bolt on starter relay' type of details. But, take LOTS of pics, I didn't take enough!

Got the doors together; power windows, power door locks, in the old doors was hard taking 'em out, but, putting them back in, OMG, what a PITA! But, got the new weatherstripping in, door glass window felts in, lubricated the roller arms for the power window, got the wiring harness' back in the proper place(s) (thanks to my buddy Wayne Keller who's a BIG local MOPAR guy; several B Bodies, few old HEMI's, and just a good guy...helps when I media blast stuff for him at no charge...favors returned are worth it, like these doors!)

The body side mouldings, another OMG! Its amazing how beat up they are, especially when laying them on new paint! These mouldings are requiring a complete re-do; ie new plastic moulding paint. The chrome strip in the mouldings I've got the A-OK from the owner to paint the same color Red/Orange (Diesel) as the 'Cummins Diesel Power' Fender Badges red background (Notice most Dodge Diesels have this Red badge in some manner or design) down and over this worn-out Chrome strip. This Red/Orange will really set the colors off big time; not too much, just subtle changes.

The interior is at the next-door upholstery shop, they've re-done the seats, and they look fantastic! (pics coming), new carpet is ordered, new headliner is being done also. I told the owner since the Infinity Stereo is kaput, and to replace it/fix it would be far more than an aftermarket Kenwood or Pioneer unit and new speakers, he went with the latter, so, Crutchfield sent me a complete set for sub $300.00 bucks! As I said, still got some little buggers to work through. But, as I told the owner, coming together is very FAST, its all prep work before paint, after paint its just assembly. Thank goodness this truck is 'simple'...

 

[roadrunnerman]

That truck is going to be the best one on the road when you get it all back together Donny.

 

[Donny]

Well, the truck FINALLY went to the upholstery shop. I watched, and waited for like 45 days, watched them take in small jobs here and there, and my truck sits, waiting for them. Finally, 3 weeks ago, I went to the shop manager and told him in a serious - joking manner that he has till that Friday to get the truck in (this was a Monday), and if he has ever heard of a Suspense...no, sadly many business folk are not ex military and don't know what it means to Get It Done -- they are tied to the 8-5 work clock. In the military there's no such thing as that sort of work hours. So, I still don't follow a set schedule; just 7 days a week, some days only 3 hrs or so at work - got to fit some time off in.

Well, this manager has thin skin, got all personally offended, I told him I'm tired of waiting, I need this truck in, and out, and out of here back to the owner in CA! What I want(ed) was a time it would go into their shop, so I could be ready. What I got from them was "It doesn't look ready, the bumpers, headlights are not in...and the windshield isn't in" Which, is an ignorant thing for them to say. Bottom line, we got sideways a bit, finally, after hitting loggerheads they took it in on Monday after I just let it 'hang' that I was not satisfied, especially as a friend, neighbor and customer. All I wanted was a TIMELINE, and them taking in new small projects here and there just frosted my *** -- back to the way things are run.

Anyways, after 2 weeks, they FINALLY took it in, and, it's really looking good! It should be done by the end of the week, and, for sure pics will be coming! And, their babble about me not "having the windshield in" was naught because they needed it out to aid in painting the dashboard -- just like I knew they would . Lesson to take away and learn from: I continue to be a forward thinking and planning businessman, and, other business don't, they just react, and I continue to be an asshole, but, in business that's really all that matters, if you're worried about being 'friends' with people, then lines can be and are crossed, then they become blurry, something I will not let happen.

 

[Donny]

Drama done. Its an unfortunate part of our profession and hobby; Drama. When you put car guys and gals together, and putting money into the mix, feelings always come to the surface, always! But, when the dust settles, progress!

 

[fatecaptured]

That's always been one of my favorite ram years. My Buddy's dad bought one brand spoken new. Was red extended cab with a 318 magnum. Awesome Donny!

 

[northerndave]

That is bad *** Donny!!

I have a big ole 1990 of brand X in my stable of junk that I thought was pretty nice for a 23 yr old truck but I have changed my mind now.... :grin: