The Missing Linc (1987 4WD 2.9 5spd short short)

[Rick W]

After earning a few bucks at the desk, I went back out for a couple hours. I did 90% of the welding on the receiver under the tongue, and I welded in the tongue jack. The tongue jack stands 4” behind the truck tailgate when it’s down. I still have to touch up the welds a little.

I also figured out how I’m going to brace that tongue a little bit better now that the other stuff is done. I have to dig out the right piece of scrap.

I measured for my safety chains (I’m going to tie them into the 2x2 that runs the length of the bed), and went in the shed of miracles and picked out a good length of 3/8. I cut equal pieces, and then I squeezed (in granddaddy’s late 1800’s vice) the end link so a 3/8 bolt will barely go through it. I’ll weld it too. Then I rounded out the link on the far end for the hook to the truck. I realized I’m down to about 2 or 3 miles of scrap chain. I’m going to have to keep my eyes open.

Then I busted out the Rustoleum. I did the black on the draw bar eye (far right) and on the center caps for the ‘Raith. Then I did the first coat of Regal Red on the safety chains and my box, and I touched up where I scuffed the tailgate.

Wait, scratch the last box thing, that was just so I didn’t unreasonably mess up my workbench.

Question: if I ever pull his trailer with Big Red or The Road Ranger, do you think it will be OK if I still leave the Regal Red on the chains and not the Sunrise Red?

 

[ericbphoto]

After earning a few bucks at the desk, I went back out for a couple hours. I did 90% of the welding on the receiver under the tongue, and I welded in the tongue jack. The tongue jack stands 4” behind the truck tailgate when it’s down. I still have to touch up the welds a little.

View attachment 105635

I also figured out how I’m going to brace that tongue a little bit better now that the other stuff is done. I have to dig out the right piece of scrap.

I measured for my safety chains (I’m going to tie them into the 2x2 that runs the length of the bed), and went in the shed of miracles and picked out a good length of 3/8. I cut equal pieces, and then I squeezed (in granddaddy’s late 1800’s vice) the end link so a 3/8 bolt will barely go through it. I’ll weld it too. Then I rounded out the link on the far end for the hook to the truck. I realized I’m down to about 2 or 3 miles of scrap chain. I’m going to have to keep my eyes open.

Then I busted out the Rustoleum. I did the black on the draw bar eye (far right) and on the center caps for the ‘Raith. Then I did the first coat of Regal Red on the safety chains and my box, and I touched up where I scuffed the tailgate.

View attachment 105636View attachment 105637View attachment 105638

Wait, scratch the last box thing, that was just so I didn’t unreasonably mess up my workbench.

Question: if I ever pull his trailer with Big Red or The Road Ranger, do you think it will be OK if I still leave the Regal Red on the chains and not the Sunrise Red?

Here, at BMW, we have a color called Toronto Red. It's an obnoxiously bright red. Think Toronto Maple Leafs logo. I really think that's what you need.

 

[Rick W]

Here, at BMW, we have a color called Toronto Red. It's an obnoxiously bright red. Think Toronto Maple Leafs logo. I really think that's what you need.

Thanks, great idea! You know I still have an 88 Ranger on the south side of town I never picked up…

 

[RobbieD]

Question: if I ever pull his trailer with Big Red or The Road Ranger, do you think it will be OK if I still leave the Regal Red on the chains and not the Sunrise Red?

Just alternate the links, red, white and blue.

 

[Rick W]

Just alternate the links, red, white and blue.

Don’t tempt me!!

 

[sgtsandman]

Don’t tempt me!!

I double dog dare you!

 

[Rick W]

I double dog dare you!

Hey, I’m one step ahead. Regal Red, Sunrise Red and Safety Red on the end links. But every time I go to weld them back together, they get all burnt up and messy!

 

[Rick W]

Way way way back in the day, when I was young and foolish, I found a “red“ paint that I used on a couple sports cars, a Porsche 914 and a Datsun 260 Z.

It was technically red, but it looked like red next to a yellow green or orange car, but it looked like orange next to a red or maroon car. I actually sprayed it on like you were supposed to. I had black stripes and accents on both of those cars, and they really popped. Too bad Rangers didn’t come in that color.

BTW, I’m not young anymore…

 

[sgtsandman]

Way way way back in the day, when I was young and foolish, I found a “red“ paint that I used on a couple sports cars, a Porsche 914 and a Datsun 260 Z.

It was technically red, but it looked like red next to a yellow green or orange car, but it looked like orange next to a red or maroon car. I actually sprayed it on like you were supposed to. I had black stripes and accents on both of those cars, and they really popped. Too bad Rangers didn’t come in that color.

BTW, I’m not young anymore…

But still foolish?

 

[Rick W]

Baby steps:

I pulled out the Lincoln emblems box and the Ranger/Ford emblems box to find the eye candy for the trailer. Amazed myself that I actually had everything I wanted except some of the right 4x4 emblems and another RedNeck Edition badge. They’re ordered. Only like 50 left over now. No good place to put a hood ornament (yet).

I also need the chrome Lincoln stars for the tail light lenses. They came from the lenses of 90s or 2000s Town cars at the pull a part. I hate to pay for the whole light, but I haven’t found any busted ones, nor any other star that looks as good, and I have new lenses. I may hit all three again this week. I may use vinyl until I come up with a couple.

I made the backing plates for the chain bolt connections. I wouldn’t trust the harbor freight thin gage in an emergency. 1/4 x 1 flat stock, 2” with a 13/32 hole in the middle. I’ll bolt them and weld them, and do the fillers for those rectangular holes on the tongue at the same time (I cut some 2x2 tube that will slip in that channel). I’ll have to pull the corners of my wire shelving and then touch it up.

& my last two 7 blade connectors came in so I have enough for all the projects.

A little under the weather, didn’t feel like getting dirty. Shame clause the 60+ and sunny was perfect.

EDIT: I also figured out how I’m going to do the side marker lights. I’m going to mimic the side lights on the front of the truck. That was the last thing I needed to figure out so I can put the wiring in. Actually, one more thing, I want to do a third brake light, somehow, with a 100a circuit interrupter, so it flashes.

 

[RobbieD]

I also need the chrome Lincoln stars for the tail light lenses. They came from the lenses of 90s or 2000s Town cars at the pull a part. I hate to pay for the whole light, but I haven’t found any busted ones, nor any other star that looks as good, and I have new lenses.

You could probably find some at a gangsta jewelry store, but it'd likely be more expensive than the junkyard.

On the other hand, the cheapest source would be to vandalize a few cars at Johnny's Hideaway.*

(* if you've been in 'Lanta long enough, you'll know . . . )

 

[Rick W]

You could probably find some at a gangsta jewelry store, but it'd likely be more expensive than the junkyard.

On the other hand, the cheapest source would be to vandalize a few cars at Johnny's Hideaway.*

(* if you've been in 'Lanta long enough, you'll know . . . )

hahaha

Do you know what one of my dubious claims to fame is? I’ve only been to Johnny’s four times, and I was escorted out twice!

A while ago. Neither was my fault. Rowdy friends…

 

[RobbieD]

Outstanding!

"I've been thrown out of MUCH better bars than this!"

 

[Rick W]

Almost close enough to taste…

Remember the Missing Linc’s tail:

I stripped the spare dress plate pieces, and the spare pieces of the Town Car. I had to cut down the Town Car pieces by about 8 inches apiece. All the aluminum pieces got buffed, and then clear coated.

Over the last few days, I put the tailgate dress plate together, and touched up the paint all around the trailer.

Today, I put the tailgate together, and I put the emblems on it. I also put the emblems on the front of the toolbox, and on the sides of the bed.

The tail lights are just hanging in there, won’t get screwed in until I do the wiring which is the next step. There will be an amber strobe on the front and the rear of the yellow stripe down the side (matching the truck), and Amber directional signals somewhere around where the tool box meets the front of the bed.

Say hello to the Missing Linc’s “Lincoln Town Cart!”

When I put down the tailgate to put the screws in the back of the dress plate, I chipped the damn red lens. Turns out I have to lower the bumper about a half an inch for it to clear when the tailgate lays flat.

Next is the wiring, which shouldn’t be too bad, install the chains, and then I have to make a cover plate for the tongue.

After I get the license plate, which I forgot, the first thing I’m going to do is get a load of mulch, and probably screw it up!

Then, off to the next project, which I think is finishing up the interior of The Road Ranger, and straightening out the upper deck of its trailer.

 

[Rick W]

Lowered the back bumper. I only needed about 1/4 inch for the Lincoln red lens to clear. I was simultaneously starting the wiring, and struggling over where and how to do a third brake light, and then the light bulb lit up (yuk yuk, get it?): under the tailgate and above the license plate just jumped out. I have a 10” narrow LED.

On the truck, I have 4 equally spaced 9-LED alternating strobes under the tailgate. So lowering the bumper just about a 1/2” more, and all would fit.

Not my proudest moment, but temporary, I made a couple spacers out of a piece of deck board. 5 quarters and I squeezed them down to an inch.

When I mounted the bumper, I used two 3/8” bolts that ran long on the bottom. I cut the spacers with slots so I could slip and twist them over the bolts without ever completely taking the nuts and bumper off. There are some aluminum blocks on those aluminum channel beams I bought, about 1x4x6. When I start that project, I’ll cut them the same and swap them out.

I was also having a brain fart on the wiring, senior moment. Compared to The Road Ranger and other wiring projects, it’s a piece of cake, but I had to do a sketch to lay it out. I’ll probably have it in a couple hours now.

Pics to follow