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View Full Version : Most dramatic before/afters ever? (dial-up warning)


mattadams
10-26-2004, 07:35 PM
Well ok maybe not, but pretty dramatic too... My goodness, the truck has been through many phases. Here she is the day I picked her up.
http://mattstruck.com/phase1.jpg

Added the airdam and started putting some PIAAs on:
http://mattstruck.com/phase2.jpg

Put a brush guard on, and mounted some PIAA 80's on it.
http://mattstruck.com/phase3.jpg

Installed a rollbar with, of course, some PIAA 80's on it. Moved PIAA 520's to brush guard. Swapped out the chrome nerf bars for some black Westins.
http://mattstruck.com/phase4.jpg

Got some new flares, new lights on the brushguard, and some other goodies here and there.
http://mattstruck.com/phase5.jpg

Got some Lincoln Wheels, replaced the old euro brushguard with the fabtech, got all the tubular stuff line-x'ed, got some new PIAA's on the prerunner and a few other goodies.
http://mattstruck.com/phase6.jpg



Then, for a long time...

Nothing dramatic happened...

Until one day, in April 2004, when a hail storm came through and turned this beautifal truck into a pimpled, unattractive, beast.

The options were, have it fixed and brough to original shape, sell it, or do something wild...

I chose...

To do something wild...

And thus the project took form...

First, we undertook some massive disassembly, taking this off, bondo'ing the dents, primering over the bondo, sanding things down.
http://mattstruck.com/primer2.jpg


Things were further disassembled, body was completely bondoed, primered, and ready to be painted...
http://mattstruck.com/apart1.jpg


After many months, the paint transformation was nearing its end. The damaged hood was replaced with a Fiberglass Fabricators Hood, the roof repaired. The front fender, replaced and repainted. The bumper cover replaced. Hail damage on doors, bed, and tailgate was repaired. The truck was sprayed Lustre Gray, and the paint job began to take form.
http://mattstruck.com/flames2.jpg
http://mattstruck.com/flames4.jpg


Slowly but surely, things began taking form. Windows were reinstalled (including new windshield to replace damaged one, new power sliding rear window to replace manual sliding power window), trim was slowly reapplied, and taillights were reinstalled.
http://mattstruck.com/flames6.jpg
http://mattstruck.com/flames7.jpg


Over the stressful few days before the SEMA Show, things picked up a hurried pace. Skyjacker 6" lift was installed, BF Goodrich 35" tires were mounted on centerline wheels and installed, new brakes were installed, bumpers reinstalled, new airdam installed, bumper cap reinstalled, custom rear bumper (that had been sitting in my basement for over a year) was finally painted and installed. Rollbar was reinstalled, prerunner was reinstalled. Lights were hooked up again. new Grizzly double-bend nerf bars were installed. CR Laurence power sliding rear window was hooked up. New Nifty products carpet was installed. new Xtreme Catch-all floormats were installed. Custom wiper nozzle mod was completed. New PIAA Horns were installed. Emblems from 2004 F-150 were installed in place of old ratty ones. The truck switched from fog lights in the airdam to driving lights, sporting new grills. It was only missing a few parts, but it was getting there.
http://mattstruck.com/flames10.jpg
http://mattstruck.com/flames11.jpg


Finally the truck began to take its final form. The lightning grill and grill shell (grill painted to match the flames) was installed. Factory fender flares were painted and reinstalled. Mock hood scoop was painted ot match the flames and installed. Custom Sportmasters tonneau cover was installed. Vehicle was aligned. Things were good.
http://mattstruck.com/flames12.jpg
http://mattstruck.com/flames13.jpg
http://mattstruck.com/tonneau1.jpg
http://mattstruck.com/tonneau2.jpg

And next week the truck will be on display for the SEMA Show 2004! WOOHOO!!!! Hope to see everyone there!

rino351
10-26-2004, 08:07 PM
The final product looks GREAT!!!
I wish you good luck for the SEMA trip!
AWESOME!!

cntrycowgirl
10-26-2004, 08:08 PM
matt, she looks great. you certainly deserve it. good luck to ya and maybe we can all go out and celebrate when you get back.

MMPC
10-26-2004, 08:36 PM
I agree, man, looks good! And I know the hell you've been through to get to this point... :D I think the sponsors at SEMA will be thrilled to have your truck represent their assorted parts.

UrbanCowboy
10-26-2004, 08:38 PM
Wonderful set of Pics. Great Work!!

Burg460
10-27-2004, 02:45 AM
WoW! :shock:

That does look really good. I still wish I could have made it Saturday but by the time I would have got down there it would have been like 6:00 and I didn't want to waste a trip and plus I don't have your number so I couldn't call.

I am very impressed. It does look like a whole new truck.

Walker2970
10-27-2004, 06:54 AM
all i can say is http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/navigator/lhdevil.gif


jake

Up2myLbowsNmud
10-27-2004, 12:21 PM
ooh i like how the bedcover-thingymajig looks:)

...in addition to the other stuff... the bedcover-thingymajig is what i havent seen yet..

Heath
10-27-2004, 01:04 PM
Sorry Man... It still looks like a$$... But I do want to see pics of the nifty piaa's in the rear bumper...

Oh yeah and since I called dibs on the lights you used to have on the back like 2 years ago, how much for those???

UrbanCowboy
10-27-2004, 02:39 PM
A Toneau cover for a showbar. I've always wondered how that would look on my truck. I assume that's a custom 1-off piece?

Tray
10-27-2004, 04:02 PM
Needs more RMFTC stickers

mattadams
10-27-2004, 09:48 PM
The tonneau cover was definately a one-off custom piece. They can't make it because theres so many varieties o rollbars, etc. but it came out good I think :).
heath, I will take more pics when I can remember....
And yes, it does need more rmftc stickers, one project at a time right now :)

CNTRYCOWBOY
10-27-2004, 11:43 PM
Looks great. Good luck on the trip. We'll have to party when you get back.

Walking Eagle
10-28-2004, 07:26 AM
Damn I feel old since I've been around for most of stages pictured above. It's looking good, can't wait to see it in person.

Heath
10-28-2004, 05:24 PM
Most... Shit Jeff I've been around for ALL of them!!!


Now where the hell is that pic of the rear bumper!!!

mattadams
10-28-2004, 05:28 PM
oh thats right, Heath is my #1 priority in life, ahead of getting truck ready and getting packed for Vegas, I'll be sure to drop everything I'm doing and cater to your picture requests.

UrbanCowboy
10-28-2004, 05:45 PM
Wow, thats neat. Can I have your autograph Heath?

clavos
10-28-2004, 08:18 PM
Turned out awesome! whats next on the list? Have fun in Vegas.

mattadams
10-28-2004, 10:58 PM
Tonight was doing teh wheel wells and re-installing flares (had to take them off to do the wheel wells) but got those done. Now need to put the interior back together somewhat, and then Im just about ready to roll! :)

Heath
10-28-2004, 11:22 PM
Damn right I am... And UrbanCowboy, I MIGHT grace you with my presence next time I'm in CO... And MAYBE, you can get an autograph... Ask MMPC, he's probably got an old one laying around he can photocopy and sell to you!!!

Glass
10-29-2004, 05:33 AM
Looks good now...Have fun in Vegas. When you get back you get to re-route your exhaust... :lol:
Ohh, ans whats going on with taking up 2 parking spots in that 3rd to last pic...the multiple coats of paint make your truck a little wider?
---JOHN

mattadams
10-29-2004, 06:28 AM
naw it was just a temporary parking job, when I was switching vehicles (see my buick parked right next to the truck LOL)