1986 D50 Sport - A Long Time Coming

[parrell456]

Hello everyone, I'm posting some pictures in my gallery and a link to my CarDomain page (with even more pictures) of my '86 D50 Sport that I've been tinkering away with since I bought it in 2005. I had a few pictures posted on MightyD50, but we know how that turned out...

I was in the Canadian Air Force up until July '09, so once the body was done (in '06) my truck was kept in a sea container for 11 months of the year, and I only ever had a couple weeks during the one month it wasn't being stored to work on it. Needless to say it has been a long process, but I always wanted a D50 and had a vision of my ideal custom, so it'll be worth the wait!

She's not done yet, but I'm getting closer! Thanks for checking her (Scarlett) out!

 

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2055804

[TotallyBalistic]

thats a sweet truck man. that red looks great on your truck and those wheels look really good on there. keep up the good work and keep us posted on updates

[parrell456]

Thanks, it's even "Flame Red" (PR4), just like a '06 Dodge Ram I had when the time came to choose my hue. I almost went for a wild colour, but the truck was red from the factory. It was the better choice IMO. I'm rolling around ideas and methods to lower her a couple inches, and there's lots of little details to take care of, so I'll be back with more stories and definitely more pics! Thanks for the support!

[Spicoli]

I remember seeing this truck in the gallery on MD50, super clean and simple nice job!

[parrell456]

Thanks Spicoli, that's what I was going for and it's good to hear someone else say it! Yeah, not much has happened since I had it on mightyD50 though, just the brakes and wheels so far.

[RickDees]

Being this is my first post here, I too fell off the earth when the mightyd50 site down.
I hope this site goes way beyond what the mightyd50 was, I know it will.

I certainly remember you and Scarlett , I hear you about not being done, 2 things we have in common, one being not done and mine is a 86 (Christine).
(though I don't remember your name)

What are your plans with Scarlett now that you are home?
It is GREAT to see you are home safely, Thank you for your service!

Rick

[parrell456]

Well I had the doors taken apart when the body was done, so I'm going to make new door panels and change the interior all to black while I'm at it. I need to get it registered again so I'm just going to leave the suspension as it is for now (I don't know how long I'd have it out of service while I tried to change the suspension), but I have new Belltech parts for the front and rear for when I do decide to lower her.

I do have a problem though, and this is definately the best place to look for answers! My roll pan is from Grant Kustoms and it has LED tail lights built in. I wasn't able to figure out how to make them work and a local custom shop told me I needed a switcher or something to make them work. Something about LEDs not drawing as much power compared to the stock bulbs, so they can't simply be wired in... Does this sound right? I don't know wiring that well, putting in my stereo was a long "draw tons of diagrams" ordeal. Has anyone switched to LED tail lights? Any insights either way? How is this done? Thanks everybody!

[TotallyBalistic]

they are correct on the leds...you have to wire something in to make more of a draw. on some 18 wheelers they just use a standard bulb hidden somewhere for each side to make enough draw. im sure there is something somewhere that you can wire up that will help you out...lookin forward to seeing your interior

[pennyman1]

2 ways to solve the LED draw issue:
1. use an electronic flasher in place of the stock flasher - it's more of a relay unit and don't care about the current draw
2. wire a resistor in series with the leds to increase current draw

you will also need a convertor to convert separate turn / brake lights to combo turn brake lights

[mikewarme]

How much bondo you use there?