19comanche86

Still no update on the Comanche Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No updates on the Comanche. Still at the paint shop. Might check up on her next week sometime. Did make a move though, traded in the gladiator. 11mpg was killing me and the wife and I are wanting a camper which the gladiator wouldn’t be able to pull, at least safely or efficiently. Picked up a 2021 Ram Rebel EcoDiesel. It’s absolutely amazing it rides fantastic and is getting 22 Mpg city. Haven’t had it on the highway or towed with it yet. I’ll update you guys when I get an update on the Comanche Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh yea I’m already anxious [emoji23] my friend that is doing the paint for me works at the fire department with me and also has a side business so this is definitely gonna take some time. I told him not to kill himself working on it , when it’s done it’s done it’s been a 10 year long build so at this point what’s another couple months for paint. In the mean time now that I have an empty garage I’m totally redoing it. Taking down the popcorn ceiling, putting in 12 can lights, new paint and new floors. Took sometime yesterday and redid the suspension on my gladiator. Went with the Teraflex 3.5” kit with Falcon shocks. Oh man does it ride nice.

This is one of my favorite builds. Absolutely awesome. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Off to paint she goes [emoji1319][emoji1319] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Added some hood lift struts. Awesome set up, made by spiker engineering. She goes to paint tomorrow morning. FINALLY!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

After a couple months…FINALLY Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not sure how I feel about this. The stock flares were absolutely trashed, was only able to find one replacement and then we realized the 33s had almost no clearance. So I went with the Napier flares. Quality is good. I hate that they attach with screws from the front side. I also absolutely hate the black fender look. Especially against the red. These flares will be body matched sarge green. It really pained me to cut the fenders on this truck. Oh well I guess it had to be done. It is what it is [emoji53] Still more trimming to do in this picture. And it looks even worse with the stock wheels on lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Going through the boxes of my interior pieces today and found this. My grandfather wrote every single thing down that was down to this truck from day one. I haven’t seen his hand writing in many years. Times like this make the project bitter sweet. I miss him more than I could ever tell you guys. He’s been gone 12 years, July 12 2009. Wish he was here to see the truck now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Got the hood pins installed, trimmed the inside of the hood to clear the compressor. Ordered hood lift struts. Then picked up the Interior from the shop. All redone in black leather. Making progress!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My good friend that is going to do the paint and body for me was supposed to pick the truck up tomorrow to get started. He’s currently in the ICU with double pneumonia thanks to stupid @#$%ing covid. He’s in absolute fantastic shape and young (52) and he’s getting hit pretty hard. Seems like every time I get close to paint there is a delay. Patience is a virtue right lol I was able to get my wheels mounted and balanced. I love these, they are way more aggressive. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This color is going to look so good on the Comanche. Can’t wait Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Couple buddies came over and surprised me. Got the raptor laid down. This thing is 100% ready for paint. [emoji1303] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ready for raptor liner tomorrow. Kinda went over kill on the masking but the over spray is a pain to get off I’m not trying to create anymore work than already necessary for my paint guy lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My grandfathers best friend got that for him the day he picked the truck up in 1986. I have no idea where it came from. I was torn on taking it off or not because I’m worried one day it will get damaged or something stupid but I really like it on there so I’m gonna leave it. -Ryan Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was a nightmare Pete, I’m a Firefighter and it happened at work. I’m just glad the pain is gone. At 32 years old I’m too young to be having back surgery lol 11 years with the fire department will do that to ya I guess. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Still alive…had to have emergency back surgery last week. Herniated L5S1 and it was crushing my nerves. My left leg and foot are now numb. They did a micro discetomy and my pain is gone thank god. Interior is at the upholstery shop getting done in black leather. Some buddies are coming today to help me raptor line the bed and some other stuff before she gets picked up for paint. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So awesome. I love this thread bro. New tires look sick Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Got an update for you guys! Wife is doing well after her surgery. Full recovery with no issues. Took a small break from working on the truck. Contacted a friend from work who used to do paint and body professionally and still does it on the side. He came over and looked the truck over and has agreed to do the paint and body for me. His work is absolutely flawless fantastic show car quality. I was looking at between $8700-$10000 from a few different shops. He’s going to do the whole truck for me, down to the bare metal and make it perfect for $6000. I’ll be assisting him for some of the prep and body work, this is something I have been wanting to learn for a long time. I rolled her out of the garage and got a few new pics with the gladiator, then prepped the bed for the raptor liner. Also scored some new rubicon wheels. This was not the plan as I just put the wheels and tires on the truck but couldn’t pass this deal up. Plus these are the wheels I wanted to begin with. Should have some new content over the next week and a half while I finish stripping her down before Tom comes and picks her up. He’s going to do the cab/chassis first and then bring her back to me so I can start the wiring, exhaust and driveshaft while he finishes the bed. The paint has been purchased, it will be Sarge Green Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Been a slow week haven’t gotten anything done on the Comanche. Unfortunately paint is indefinitely on the back burner for a while again, probably another year at this point [emoji17]delays at the paint shop, which was actually a blessing in disguise because My wife’s having to have a somewhat emergency surgery next week so paint money is going to that. So now the focus will shift to getting this thing running and driving and doing the interior. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tight fit up front with the radiator and condenser but it all fits Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was a tight fit going in. I’m having a hard time getting the carriage bolts centered in the middle of the motor Mount so I can slide the lower bushing in. Anyone have any advice? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I’m happy with this. Came out good Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Pete! Lol BIG progress!! Engine bay and fender wells are raptor lined!! LS1 is going in hopefully Thursday evening [emoji24][emoji23][emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk