2000 Dodge Dakota Sport

['68 Coronet R/T]

Okay, this is the current project.
It came with the engine block in the bed, rebuilt heads on the rear seat and miscellaneous parts in a plastic tub with a lid on it.

Not sure how long it was sitting before it got here but I started working on it in 2019 before the owner wanted me to paint his 79 Ford Freightliner.

The engine was in rough shape and needed a rebuild:

Got that done and the engine installed but never started.

The truck sat this way for the whole time I did the '69 Chevy C-10 project. Of course the engine was covered.
Got the truck back in the shop and after dropping the fuel tank, cleaning out the bad gas and replacing the fuel pump module, I got it started this week.
Engine sounds good and tight with no immediate issues present.

I need to put a new radiator in it as the old one leaks and then it is on to the body work and paint.
The paint code is PR4 which is Flame Red and is a tri-stage paint.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Looks like you got some stripping ahead of you. Nice job on the Semi.

The paint code is PR4 which is Flame Red and is a tri-stage paint.

Originally it had a a mid coat, you can get that color in a regular basecoat now. No need for the mid coat. Save you a bit of hassle. Ive shot that color in both Cromax and PPG with the base-no mid formula. Looks the same. Looks like it would be close to SPI medium red as well.

 

[AAE]

That tractor looks great!

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Thanks. Here's what it looked like when I got it.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Can someone tell me how these molding strips are attached?

I am thinking adhesive but not sure. Here's a look with the door open.

Thanks.

 

[texasking]

I am almost positive it is double sided tape.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

I am almost positive it is double sided tape.

My thinking as well. I will know for sure in a few days when I feel like working on it again. LOL

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

I am almost positive it is double sided tape.

Yes D/S tape. Try heating it up a touch with a heat gun. Get one edge started and you can pull it off.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Trying to find a cheaper paint option.
Here I brushed on some SPI Red and SPI Dark Red (no reducer) next to the remaining original paint on the fender.

I'm not really good at color matching as I don't see tints. The dark red is obviously a close match but not exact.
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Me, I'd start experimenting with tinting the Dark Red with some of the SPI Red. First guess, 10 to 12 parts Dark Red : 1 part SPI Red. Should lighten the Dark just enough. It doesn't really matter if you don't get it spot on. get it somewhat close and no one will be the wiser. Should save you some money as well.
Are you doing the jambs as well? If you are, then if it was me I'd go with what I mentioned above and call it good.

I'd text Barry and get his opinion as well. He probably has some insights that us Plebeians do not.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Thanks Chris, I had considered trying that as well. I have a full gallon of the Red and only a partial quart of the Dark Red left. It will be enough to play around with to see if I can get the right ratio.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Well I got it stripped and shot two coats of epoxy. This is a 2:1 mix of white and black primer.

Block sanded, did some minor dent repair and filler work. Then shot some 2k regular build primer on it.

The owner said he didn't want any emblems or decals on it, other that the Ram head on the hood. So I filled the holes on the front fenders where the Magnum V8 emblems were.

You can also see the new plastic lower front bumper cover sitting over the spare tire. Supposedly primed and ready to paint, so I followed their instructions and then shot a coat of 2k primer on it. Now it has tiny cracks in a number of places. Kicking myself now for trusting them, I have adhesion promoter and should have used it. Live and learn.

 

[El Toro]

Jim aftermarket part? They prime them but very thin and have to be very careful not to sand thru the primer. I always give them a coat of epoxy and let it set before 2K or sealer Seams like 1 out of 6 or 7 will do this in the collision world

 

[Jim C]

seems like alot of money to dump into a truck that is prob not worth 1/4 of what the final bill will be for all that. forget all the paintowrk. just the engine alone i would think would be enough total it. i would assume it has to have some kind of sentimental value to the owner?

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

seems like alot of money to dump into a truck that is prob not worth 1/4 of what the final bill will be for all that. forget all the paintowrk. just the engine alone i would think would be enough total it. i would assume it has to have some kind of sentimental value to the owner?

The truck belonged to his wife's father and when he passed away she inherited it. He mentioned selling it and she started to cry so here we are.
I have told him repeatedly that truck is not worth the effort or the money. He said he plans on keeping it and wants it to run and look good. Once day is 8 year old son will probably be driving it.

I just want it done and gone, so I can get back to work on my '68 GTX.

 

[Jim C]

I knew there had to be a story with it

 

[Whitesnake]

Hey used truck prices are up lol

 

[texasking]

A lot of people around here are spending money on fixing things because of the prices and availability of anything to replace it.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Shot the color Monday:

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Shot the Euro Clear yesterday and started some reassembly this afternoon.