BajaF250

[philofab]

So, whatta saying about my driving???

What I'm saying is you actually DRIVE it at speed. I'm amazed how many people build trucks and then never use them to their potential.

[BajaF250]

So, whatta saying about my driving???

What I'm saying is you actually DRIVE it at speed. I'm amazed how many people build trucks and then never use them to their potential.

I was only kidding! I just can't help it... it's just WAY too much fun! What's funny, I'll occasionally make a decision that I'll take it nice and easy and the next thing I know, I'm blast'n down the road with my hair on fire!

[BajaF250]

I gotta say, Tom, you and the crew at Autofab really outdid yourselves on BajaF250. The end result simple and to the point yet so perfectly executed for its intended purpose. Congrats, you've got groupies!

Count me as a groupie on this one. I stumbled across a website some time ago that had your truck build on it and really liked it. I've gone back and re-read this thread now several times too. You've hit the nail on the head in my book: a nice older truck with tasteful, practical, and functional updates. A true sleeper. Nothing better in the desert in my opinion.

Todd Z.

Thanks Todd... I'm finding that there are many of us out there that like the sleeper look, I thought I was the only one out here that didn't want to show off! And I can say, the truck works pretty well out in the desert.

[BajaF250]

Is there a 3rd seat up front (looks like there might be a jump seat)? Do you have any pics of this set up if so?

I took a couple of pics of the center seat/console today.

[toddz69]

Very nice! What is the center console out of? Nice that it's been upholstered to match the seats.

Todd Z.

[SC150]

Thanks for posting that. I looked around on ebay today and found something very similar for 70 bucks. Think I'm gonna pull the trigger on it this week.

[BajaBronco13]

Baja250, can you take a picture of your inner fender where you mounted the side yellow marker light? I need to cut my Autofab fenders to put in that side light and would like to see how you did yours if you don't mind.

Thanks.

Chris

[BajaF250]

Baja250, can you take a picture of your inner fender where you mounted the side yellow marker light? I need to cut my Autofab fenders to put in that side light and would like to see how you did yours if you don't mind.

Thanks.

Chris

Ok, I'll get that done this weekend when I get back into town. Actually, my fenders had a cutout and tabs moulded into the fenders themselves to mount the lights. I did have to clean them up a little but didn't spend too much time on them.

[BajaF250]

Very nice! What is the center console out of? Nice that it's been upholstered to match the seats.

Todd Z.

It came out of a Dodge 2500, not sure what year... I got it from Hwy 67 truck wrecking yard. They had the seats and center console out before I saw the truck. I went and got the material for the seats when I had Robbie at MasterCraft build my seats, so that material isn't MasterCraft specific. I bought the extra to match the center console and seat. I'm also going to upholster the door panels with the same material when I get around to finishing the darn things.

[BajaF250]

Thanks for posting that. I looked around on ebay today and found something very similar for 70 bucks. Think I'm gonna pull the trigger on it this week.

I think you'll find that no matter what you put in there, and match to the rest of the interior, you'll be very happy with. I chose the dodge because it fit between my seats just perfectly.

[ChaseTruck754]

I think you'll find that no matter what you put in there, and match to the rest of the interior, you'll be very happy with. I chose the dodge because it fit between my seats just perfectly.

Yup.

2002-2004 center sections from the stupid doodies work well too. Got one going in my '74 crew cab - but it will have the stock buckets on either side of it in that truck.


As for the material - any auto upholstry shop can order the materials to match pretty much any seats you have or buy. The tweed and vinyl used on suspension seats isn't anything super specific and is easy to match.

[BajaF250]

I think you'll find that no matter what you put in there, and match to the rest of the interior, you'll be very happy with. I chose the dodge because it fit between my seats just perfectly.

Yup.

2002-2004 center sections from the stupid doodies work well too. Got one going in my '74 crew cab - but it will have the stock buckets on either side of it in that truck.


As for the material - any auto upholstry shop can order the materials to match pretty much any seats you have or buy. The tweed and vinyl used on suspension seats isn't anything super specific and is easy to match.

Yeah, that's why I went the way I did. I didn't like the green selection MasterCraft had. It 's sometime tough to get "custom" work done through MasterCraft so but Robbie didn't have any problem taking my material and making the seats for me. I'm glad he did. You are absolutley right, nothing special... just make sure you get good material though. There are varying grades and quality. Go high end, it'll make a difference in the end and doesn't really cost that much more... negligible.

[toddz69]

Very nice! What is the center console out of? Nice that it's been upholstered to match the seats.

Todd Z.

It came out of a Dodge 2500, not sure what year... I got it from Hwy 67 truck wrecking yard. They had the seats and center console out before I saw the truck. I went and got the material for the seats when I had Robbie at MasterCraft build my seats, so that material isn't MasterCraft specific. I bought the extra to match the center console and seat. I'm also going to upholster the door panels with the same material when I get around to finishing the darn things.

Thanks for the info on that - I thought it looked like something out of a Dodge. My dad has an '02 Dodge 2500 and it has one that's nearly identical. Going the extra mile with top quality and matching upholstery is nice!

Todd Z.

[BajaF250]

Baja250, can you take a picture of your inner fender where you mounted the side yellow marker light? I need to cut my Autofab fenders to put in that side light and would like to see how you did yours if you don't mind.

Thanks.

Chris

Hey Chris,
Here are a couple of pics on the side marker mount. Let me know if you want additional detail and I'll snap a few more pics...

[BajaBronco13]

Thanks man that's exactly what I was looking for. I'm going to attempt to cut out my side marker holes on my Autofab fenders as well.

Chris

[BajaF250]

Hey Chris,
Once you cut out the marker light access holes, you can just lay some fiberglass tabs to mount the lights. It'll work well, be easy and clean.

[BajaF250]

Tony,
This is a shot of the core support structure and wheel wells. I used John's Bronco kit and modified it to fit my truck. I also added additional x-bracing and mounting points for all the "stuff" under the hood. The wheel well panels are stiff enough to use as mounting points as well. The only issue with mounting to the wheel well panels is you have to remove all mounted items before you can pull the panels.

[BajaF250]

Well, it's time to redo the power steering on the old truck. My p/s box has over 310,000 miles on it and it's starting to wander a little. Actually pretty good considering the use! So, I tore off the box and pump and sent them off to Tommy Lee for rebuild and AN conversion. He's sending me a remote resevoir and filter so I can start the plumbing. The box and pump rebuild should take 10 days or so.

I've also asked if they can quicken the steering up a little, but I'm pretty sure there aren't many options with those Delphi boxes. They'll take a look and let me know. If there isn't an option, I'm going to leave it alone. I don't want to add an external steering gear to quicken it up. Don't like the feel of them.

[SteveG]

I'm pretty sure Howe makes a faster ratio gear box for our trucks (assuming yours uses the same one).

[philofab]

I've also asked if they can quicken the steering up a little, but I'm pretty sure there aren't many options with those Delphi boxes.

How many turns lock to lock is it? If anything has a faster ratio it would be the Lightning or Big Bertha. I will check the boxes when I get home.