Saving Luther a 78 J10 Golden Eagle

akguy09 · Post by **akguy09** » Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:56 am

Collectors plates in CO has no impact on my insurance

rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:35 am

Here are a few more progress pictures of the body work my painter sent me. Lots of wet sanding and another primer coat. The parts are getting closer to the color stage.

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rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:39 am

Paint progress (CONT)

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rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:20 pm

Picked up the front bumper from the chrome shop a few weeks back. They turned out very nice.

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rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:38 pm

I also cleaned up a couple gauge clusters. It took some work to get them nice and straight. A heat gun, flat stock steel, and some clamps did the trick. For the chrome surround, I decided to use adhesive backed 1/4" chrome auto trim. The truck came with the engine turned version, but I'm torn on which version to use.

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rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Wed Jan 18, 2023 5:30 pm

Today, I continued working on my rear bumper, and installed some 3M non-slip tape.

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rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 3:36 pm

Not much progress. I've run out of things to do while waiting for the body to get back from paint. I did clean up and paint the J10 emblems though, and started work on my headliner.

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For the headliner, I used a wire brush to remove the old flaking paint and vacuumed it, then used SEM vinyl dye to match the new interior. It's too bad that there is some damage from what must have been a gun rack that was installed at some point. I do have an idea on how to make it look better though.

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Mopar_guy · Post by **Mopar_guy** » Sat Jan 28, 2023 7:37 am

If that's vinyl on the headliner, ask the detail guys at new/used car dealers around you for a place that does their interior repairs. It's usually a guy with a van that goes around to different places. They're pretty good at fixing stuff like that.

rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Sat Jan 28, 2023 6:52 pm

Mopar_guy wrote: ↑Sat Jan 28, 2023 7:37 am If that's vinyl on the headliner, ask the detail guys at new/used car dealers around you for a place that does their interior repairs. It's usually a guy with a van that goes around to different places. They're pretty good at fixing stuff like that.

Thanks. There is a local Fibernew guy I’ve contacted before. The headliner is a pressed cardboard, so I’m not sure if he can do much, but it's worth asking.

rocklaurence · Post by **rocklaurence** » Sun Jan 29, 2023 7:47 am

I've re-furbished 3 truck headliners and had good success using Fiberglass resin to seal and harden the cardboard. Then using the vinyl paint like you did. Ive also been able to patch the areas in the corners with new board before laminating everything with the resin. However, the last one I did was sooo crispy from age and heat that after sealing and patching it it cracked in several places during re-installation. I started a video on it but have posted it yet.

SOLSAKS · Post by **SOLSAKS** » Thu Feb 02, 2023 2:31 pm

great build with great work.

sierrablue · Post by **sierrablue** » Thu Feb 02, 2023 4:12 pm

When we did the custom headliner for mine, we used a brush to get all the old glue and foam off, and then took some fabric and headliner adhesive (can be found at most auto parts stores), and glued it directly to the boards this time. Then we cut out the holes we wanted in the fabric.

Also, on the gauge cluster faces--if you haven't decided already, I'd go with the black bezel over the chrome one, personally.

rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Thu Feb 02, 2023 5:36 pm

This is the inspiration for my restoration. I found this picture on the web.

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Yesterday, I added a couple little flush mount vents on the headliner to cover up the damaged areas, and had the idea to add some led lights behind them. Although, I may change my mind and cover the second one I have with some tan headliner material from Joann fabric.

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Mopar_guy · Post by **Mopar_guy** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:01 pm

Good idea! Looks good.

rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:10 pm

sierrablue wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2023 4:12 pm When we did the custom headliner for mine, we used a brush to get all the old glue and foam off, and then took some fabric and headliner adhesive (can be found at most auto parts stores), and glued it directly to the boards this time. Then we cut out the holes we wanted in the fabric.

Also, on the gauge cluster faces--if you haven't decided already, I'd go with the black bezel over the chrome one, personally.

SOLSAKS wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2023 2:31 pm great build with great work.

Thanks SOLKAS. This build kind of snowballed into a much bigger project than I wanted, but I think it’s coming along nicely.

Sierrablue,

Even though the truck came with the engine turned bezel, I’m leaning towards the black one.

sierrablue · Post by **sierrablue** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:34 pm

It does look really good!

Please tell me that you're going to have the black accents on your razor grille. It always bugs me when they refinish them and then don't bother to repaint it. I won't hate you or the truck if you don't, but it always bothers me a lot

rangrbob · Post by **rangrbob** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 8:55 pm

sierrablue wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:34 pm It does look really good!

Please tell me that you're going to have the black accents on your razor grille. It always bugs me when they refinish them and then don't bother to repaint it. I won't hate you or the truck if you don't, but it always bothers me a lot

I absolutely do plan on repainting the accents on the grill as it came originally.

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