UPDATE frame painted!
Again, been awhile since updated, but then again, its been wintertime. Been really motivated for a rumor of a Stroppe Reunion in 2021 (50 years, and 22491 is a super early 71 model so I feel compelled) so...if that does happen, I'd like to be ready. Rumored to be up in New England so that's a heck of a road trip from central Oklahoma...but hey, we will take the scenic route.
Since last update, I've cleaned up a couple minor frame details and painted. i didn't grind a single piece of slag or splatter off the frame... I did cut a very crude exhaust bracket off that was clearly not Ford OE or Stroppe. The truck clearly had dual exhaust on it but it was a piece of plate added and stuck to the inner frame side. It ALSO had a bolt on exhaust hanger bracket that seems legit, for the drivers side, and a welded on more legit looking bracket on the pass. I left that one on. I dont THINK this truck had factory dual exhaust based on the evidence discussed with Andrew, but I might run that stroppe option duels that you can buy. I planned to run headers...and going back to a single pipe from long tubes just seems wrong to me. btw that brown color on the frame isnt rust...I blasted off some undercoating and it left a ... a stain. just a brown color.... but oddly, its not oxidation. covered up perfect.
Even thought 22491 was NOT a power steering truck originally, it had been fitted with an EB steering box and holes were drilled and sleeved in the frame. I decided to leave those in place and probably run the power steering for drivability. And I have a power brake booster and bracket that came with it (again, didnt have originally) but I will probably run that too for comfort. Beyond that and the minor spring lift and 33's, i don't plan to take any other custom liberties.
So her frame is painted. Caught a day here in OK winter in the 60's and shot it with a product called "chassis shield" from summit. its a good 2 part epoxy. I ordered semigloss, and it came out glossier than expected..but it doesnt look bad.
This weekend it will be warm again, and I'm painting the front and rear axle housings, radius arms and leaf springs and associated brackets. all has been blasted and prepped. After that, I hope to be assembling pretty fast! I have some cosmetic resto to do on small parts, but the motor, trans, trans-case, etc are all rebuilt. cant wait for this to start looking more like a truck!
Pardon my paint booth, its about all I have besides painting out side. I built it with conduit so i can "roll up" the plastic sheeting when not using it. helps some.
more to come!
Cullen