Got cut off. Thanks phone. The running boards have lights, but they don't work, and I don't care enough to figure out why not. Lastly is my big heavy duty chrome bumper. I live in Texas, where ranch hand bumpers go on everything, and I actually use my truck for ranch work, but again, i don't know how I feel about it.

I used to love chrome, when done right, it looks great. But, again, where i live there are so many "dirty ricers" that go to autozone and get every single chrome plated stick on accessory they can and glue it all over their vehicles. I don't EVER want someone to confuse me for... that, and I think its worn me out on chrome. Naturally, blackout is the next option, and I think that's going to be my plan.

Does anyone have any suggestions, or pics of well done square bodies, or maroon trucks period?

All I really know so far is this
-paint - might stay maroon, reallllllly contemplating going black. I think that would solve a lot of my problems
-Black ranch hand rear bumper, black front brush guard.
-All Terrain - what do you think of the wheels that aretruck?

 

Wow !!! First of all welcome to the site from Nova Scotia Canada where 94 trucks have long ago succombed to Ferrous Oxide >>>you have quite a project ahead of you >>> Enjoy >>>i drive a black 2010 Reg cab Short bed with some chrome >>> Check my photo album for a few pics >>> Gl with the truck and maroon is a nice color to work with>>>

 

OP, if I were you, I would peel the tan stripes off and Plasti-Dip the entire truck. That would solve a lot of your problems for a price that's hard to beat, especially when compared to a new paintjob which could cost anywhere from 3-5 grand. You can get everything you need in this kit on their website and have a nice black paintjob that's easy to wash and more durable than paint. I would just do the whole vehicle (body, wheels, bumpers, etc). It's easy enough to do, and if you don't like it you can always peel it off.

As for the chrome caps on the rails, I would just do as you said. Take them off and Line-X the bed and bed rails.

For the running boards, I say get rid of them and get some of those step bars. Can't remember exactly what they're called. But they would look a lot better and would still fulfill the same purpose.

Some aftermarket headlights and taillights do a lot for the looks of those trucks as well. Something like this would look good in my opinion. You could find cab lights that are smoked too if you wanted to go that far, or just niteshade them.

 

First off love the style truck. They are great.
You can do anything you want. Right now you have a clean slate.
I myself would keep the color, well close would go much darker but still maroon. This keeps from the extra work in the doors/wheel/hood. Might do the very bottom in flat black. Then a one of a kind hand made bumpers front and back...diamond plate flat black. 4" round tubing for the brush gaurd/4" round tubing for the steps/nerf bars, both in flat black. Color match grill/mirrors. 2" lift and new shoes/rims
Flush mount smoked led clearance light for the roof...
Just me and my thoughts

Good luck and have fun with her

 

I can.get the truck painted for cost on supplies and a case of beer, its just gotta wait til I get back to PA with it which could take 3-9 months. How easy do ya'll think those stickers will come off? Im fine with some paint fade,, it'd be less noticeable than big ugly stripes!

 

I have some ideas, but im in a hurry so i didnt read previous posts and ill throw them out when i get home from school. but put Phantom duals on it.

 

Remove steps chrome bed thing get the 96 style mirror they are black much nicer find a Sierra front end and you are set

 

looks like you should try a clay bar and hit it with a buffer. that should bring a nice shine out on it. also i get ride of the steps and get your self a set of mt wheels and n some bfg all-terrains and your truck would look great

 

looks like you should try a clay bar and hit it with a buffer. that should bring a nice shine out on it. also i get ride of the steps and get your self a set of mt wheels and n some bfg all-terrains and your truck would look great

Clayed it the day after i bought it two weeks ago. I.used to do.body work and.detailing, and.after washing, playing, polishing, and waxing, it.looked a bit better, but hardly noticeable. :/

 

you got a nice truck, honestly i would only change the mirrors, put a ranch hand on it and some bigger tires (not over the top though)

 

That plasti-dip idea might just be crazy enough to work in your situation. I've seen a lot of cars that have been dipped, and it turned out great. The key is to make sure you have enough to spray it somewhat continuously, just as you would if you were spray bombing the whole thing with Krylon or something. If you keep the wet edge going, it leaves a nice even finish.

As for 99silverado15 mentioning a Ranch Hand, they're crazy heavy, but hellaciously durable. You might be able to find a pretty decent deal on one for that year of truck. If not, they're easy enough to fabricate. There are a lot of posts throughout the web about doing just that.

 

you got a nice truck, honestly i would only change the mirrors, put a ranch hand on it and some bigger tires (not over the top though)

I want to do a beefier all terrain tire, but nothing ridiculous. I haul a 6 horse gooseneck trailer, so I don't need something huge.

 

That plasti-dip idea might just be crazy enough to work in your situation. I've seen a lot of cars that have been dipped, and it turned out great. The key is to make sure you have enough to spray it somewhat continuously, just as you would if you were spray bombing the whole thing with Krylon or something. If you keep the wet edge going, it leaves a nice even finish.

As for 99silverado15 mentioning a Ranch Hand, they're crazy heavy, but hellaciously durable. You might be able to find a pretty decent deal on one for that year of truck. If not, they're easy enough to fabricate. There are a lot of posts throughout the web about doing just that.

I don't know anything about this plastic dip stuff. What exactly is it,and why would it be better/easier than paint?

 

I don't know anything about this plastic dip stuff. What exactly is it,and why would it be better/easier than paint?

Originally, Plasti-Dip came in a can, and you dipped tools in it to give them new rubberized handles. This is similar to the process Channellock uses to put handles on its various adjustable pliers and such. While you can still get Plasti-Dip in a can (for dipping), they came out with a spray that you can use just like a can of spray paint. It's essentially a thin rubbery coating that has matte finish after it's sprayed. The benefits of using Plasti-Dip is that it sticks really good, but if you got tired of it, it would be easy enough to peel it off.

Plasti-Dip spray:

Plasti-Dip'd car (spray):

Don't like the finish? It's easy enough to remove:

 

First off dude, I wouldn't worry about the paint. I would rip off your side steps and get something to match the ranch hand bumpers, like matte black tube rails. I would keep those rims, IMO they look awesome. I would just strip them of the old clear coat and clean them up then reclear them or just black them out. Remember man, paint can always wait. Since you don't know exactly what color you want to paint the truck but you know what bumper and parts you want. Go that route first. I love blacked out trucks, but I think that truck would look awesome with a fresh paint job in it's original color, with the color matched grille. Older trucks like that are where it's at, you can't really go wrong with whatever you decide...Except at where it stands now. Haha. Good luck man and nice ride.