Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

I'll let ya know when it's done. Should be in a couple days. Their doing 100% mandrel bent stainless system from the flanges all the way to the tips. They only had one flowmaster 44 stainless muffler so will be an extra day to get it, but should be a very nice system. It will have an H pipe built into the drop down pipes from the headers so I can remove the entire front section as one piece if needed. The rest will be pretty straight forward. Straight out the back. I did get 3" stainless tips, but not sure if we'll use them or not. It depends on how they look coming out the back.

I can't wait to hear it. I am not a magna flow guy and the 44's sounded like they were right in the wheel house for me so we'll see. I'll have to post some audio for you guys to hear it.

Until then.....

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Looks just fabulous! And congratulations on the successful maiden voyage!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Sure is a nice color!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

I'm jealous Chris........ Looks awesome !!!

I'm still working on mine but it's slow going !!!!
Gary

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Looks Good..

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks guys for the compliments. I can't wait to picker her up tomorrow and hear the new pipes. I am concerned about the issues I have, but nothing more time and money can't remedy. Lol.

Many more pics coming. Hopefully this is motivation for those that think these projects never ever end.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Your truck looks great! Keep the pictures coming...

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

I feel like this means me...Haha

Looks awesome. Lovely color and I bet it sounds downright mean with dual 44s. The firing order of the ls engines makes them sound just a little different than the conventional, but it's a good different!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey thanks Mike. Really appreciate it. I am going to do a photo shoot in a month or so. Still working out the bugs and it needs to go back to paint for some touch ups.

I can assure you, I was not pointing fingers. However, if the shoe fits.... LOL
Anyway, thanks for the compliments. I can't wait to hear the dual 44's either. Should be a nice hum coming out the back.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Awesome to say the least! The truck looks great!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks swamp rat!

Yesterday I did a test with the epoxy as I have read some horror stories about this stuff not curing. I mixed up a small batch and poured it onto my test piece. I was nervous for about a half hour as it didn't seem to be setting up, then all of a sudden it started to cure and fast. This morning it was rock hard and crystal clear. Good stuff.
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...hg74d4efot1lsi
So, this morning I made another batch and poured it on the back side of both pieces. I think the smoothness of it will be a better base for the 3M trim tape to grab onto.

On the exhaust front, the truck is done. However, I asked for pure duals. Straight back from headers to the bumper on both sides. I guess the tech didn't like that once mocking stuff up and decided to route the passengers side over to the drivers side and do the H pipe after the trans. I haven't seen it yet, but not thrilled about that. If I don't like it, I may have them redo it. It's an expensive system and to not have it the way I want it seems ridiculous at this point. I think the main issue was the sum of bends needed to get over the crossmember.

Gonna pick it up shortly so we'll see. I'm sure this guy did a great job, but it will bother me forever if It's funky. I've seen a ton of dual systems on these trucks straight back so don't get it. Maybe it was just easier to do it this way? Or. maybe I just need to relax.

Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

It looks absolutely stunning! I'm with you on the exhaust. You want it the way you want it. It's not the tech's blood sweat and tears that went into building this truck the way you want it. It's not his call to deviate from your wishes...Kinda pisses me off, and it's not my truck :lol:

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

What a purrty truck!

I agree with Mike 100%! You would think they would have called you for the okey dokey prior to modifying the job?

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

My duals have always went between the transfer case and frame on the passanger side, never given me any troubles with the fuel line i have passing thru the same area, its a small area but its been done many times..

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Well picked the truck up yesterday and drove it a little more. I must say, I went to get it and had a full head of steam, ready to make him redo it. When I got there he still had it on the lift where I left it. I think he may have anticipated a bad reaction. Much to my surprise, it looks great! The guy just did an awesome job. It is also very serviceable which is huge for me. Take a look. Yeah it's different then most setups, but I am happy with it.
Passengers side.
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...%3Ced24cot1lsi
Drivers side
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...%3C%3Beeot1lsi
H pipe
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...83f3d%3Aot1lsi
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...B2%3C89dot1lsi
tailpipes
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3C25%3Aot1lsi
I took the opportunity to drive her some more and wow, she has some balls. the 373's and sm465 are a good combo. In third gear she really pulls hard. The exhaust sounds great. Not too loud unless you really lay into it. The 44 mufflers have a little slap which I don't like, but it's in a very small rpm range. before and after they sound really throaty. I will upload a good audio file. Talking in the cab was also very pleasant.

So once I got her home, it was back to fixing the issues. The list is as follows:
Gauges don't work and keep popping fuses.
Horn stay on all the time.
windshield wipers don't work.

After doing some research, I found that the horn issue is a common one with the after market nostalgic grant steering wheels. I cut out a piece of thin plastic that matched the shape of these two pieces.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3C25%3Aot1lsi
the brass retaining tabs on the contact ring (right) ground out on the hub (left) and that is the issue. The plastic acts as an insulator between the two pieces. Problem solved! I used thin clear plastic from packaging of a saw blade I purchased at lowes.

Next, the gauges.... I disassembled the dash panel and put in a new fuse. Everything works except the temp gauge. I assume a post on something was grounding out. So I sleeved all the gauge posts with rubber and felted the dash panel. I think this will do the trick. The temp gauge is fine so classic instruments is sending a new sender to me.

Much to my horror, the wiper motor had to be removed for bench testing. All the wiring seemed fine, but not sure it was getting a good ground. I decided to get it out just in case it needed to be replaced. Well, glad I did. I benched tested and it was fine. I then decided to do a little digging and open up the washer pump.
This is the inside of the washer motor filled with sand from when it got sand blasted several years ago.
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...9%3Ad%3Bot1lsi
Turns out i had ordered a replacement and had one in the garage ready to install. So I made a new ground strap on the body of the motor, swapped the old washer pump for a new one, and back in she will go.
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...d6dfg64eot1lsi

Hopefully next week I will be able to get her inspected. Today I hope to wrap up the electrical gremlins and put the last coat of epoxy on my wood pieces.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

The exhaust looks great! I'm glad it worked out for you!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

x2! The exhaust does look really nice. Glad the gremlins aren't being too stubborn and you're knocking them out.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks guys. It's funny, the exhaust almost looks like it would have been run this way If the truck came stock with an Lq4.

Today was just awesome. I stayed up late last night and today was able to knock out the rest of my issues. The windshield wipers motor was indeed a bad ground strap. Once fixed, it works fine as does the intermittent module.

The dash instruments all work now minus the temp gauge. Should have that squared away mid-week. I also have some weird issue with the vintage air blower staying on, regardless of control panel position, when key is turned to on position. Gonna call them monday. Apparently, the ecu's in those units are pretty sensitive so who knows. May have done something without knowing it somewhere. I thought it was a bad ground, but all my wiring is in good shape.

More to come...

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Looking great man.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Very nice. It's nice to see that the exhaust shop did quality work.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks guys.

Today I finished up the wood pieces and installed them in the truck. The wood is definitely a focal point in the truck. Very happy with how it turned out and.
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...674de56got1lsi
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...f7d5h9heot1lsi
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...A7353gh8ot1lsi
and finally in the truck...
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...6cd%3Bd5ot1lsi
Took her for another ride today, this time out on the highway, with no issues. Still waiting for the other shoe to drop, wheel to fall off or something I forgot to tighten. God I love this thing...

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Very nice work on the custom wood trim. Looks great. Glad to hear you're getting to drive her.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks Mike! Now I wish I would have done more of it. Maybe I'll do some strips along the top of the door panels. For now though, just gonna enjoy it for a while.

Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Update!! Well, been driving the truck a bit and still working out small bugs. The temp gauge ended up being a short in the harness somewhere. I installed the new sending unit and had the same issue. Looks like there is a short somewhere in the harness. The sending signal has to go through the firewall connector and the gauge cluster connector so will probably be in there somewhere. For now it is bypassed, but will hunt that down and get her fixed.

I am experiencing leaking pwr steering fluid. It seems to be coming out of the return line for the pump. The pump that came with the LS is for a hydroboost setup. For some reason fluid is coming out of this return line tube. I am going to re-bleed and see if that fixes the issue. Perhaps there is still air in the line trying to get out and forcing fluid out at the weakest point.

I also have to adjust the steering as well. I didn't adjust the drag link properly for the drop pitman so my steering is off one full turn on one side. Yikes.

Other than that she is running beautifully.

Hopefully some pics next weekend in Carlisle.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Carlisle 2015!!
Well, had a blast! Being that I have wanted to get to carlisle since I was in HS with a build, you could say this was somewhat of a dream come true. It felt really good to make that drive, meet a lot of great people and chew the fat with fellow truck owners. I learned a lot about issues I might encounter and It was cool to see what others had done with their builds.

Seemed like the truck was received well and got a lot of compliments. That was also very cool.

Now for what needs attention on the truck. I spoke to several people at the show about the kwik AC bracket I installed. I was told that I would probably have belt issues eventually. Well, with 400 miles on the truck, the serp belt is squealing and on revs, squealing more. It was suggested that Holley makes a really nice stock looking bracket that performs better. I am looking into this and will probably get it. It's not cheap, but if it works.....

Also, this was the first time I had the truck moving at sustained speeds of 60 or above and noticed i have a driveline vibration and 70 and above unless i am hard accelerating and then it goes away. If I am de-accelerating it is there as well. Below 60 and she is smooth. I have not yet tried pulling her out of gear to see if it is there, but that is next. I am not sure at this point. i am going to remove the driveshaft and clock it 180 degrees and see if that gets it. If anybody has experienced this as well i would be interested to hear your solutions.

My touch up paint arrives today as does a new ECU for my vintage air unit. It was defective so I will replace it when I have time. I am swamped with work till September so might be a while.

And lastly, I thought it was funny when I arrived at the Carlisle, I noticed more sand blasting sand made it's way to the bed floor. that stuff is just everywhere.
Lol.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Looking good Man!!!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Very cool your driving the truck. looks awesome.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

It's cool you finally got to go take the truck to a show. Looks great!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks guys. After 6 years it feels surreal. I can't wait to get the rest of the details squared away and do some more shows while she's pristine.

More to come!
Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Well, today I was able to squeeze in a half day of truck time. I received my taneau cover from crafttech and got it installed. It was pretty straight forward and installed easily. I ordered the black maxx so it is 3 ply vinyl and black on the topside and underside.
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...psvkqykmso.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...psmxxwox4h.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...psusmfflu7.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...pshqkbkrcc.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...pszq1yscy3.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...pscjscwi4e.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...psr1tofc4b.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...psj0pxnhzz.jpg

I also got many of the paint chips fixed and rotated my drive shaft 180 degrees. hoping that will do it for the vibration. We'll see. I also received my new AC bracket from Holley, but not sure when i'll be able to install that.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

And, you hung your fuzzy dice:metal: Cover looks really nice on there. I like that it is very low profile when viewed from the sides.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

The cover looks good. Will it keep the water out like rain or washing the truck. I'm think of installing one on mine.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

This is not water proof. It looks great and would certainly protect your stuff in rain headed down the road, but not water tight by any means. It would take some mods to make that happen. I'll see what I can come up with.

I think extang's flush mount might be water proof, but not as nice fitting on our trucks and more expensive.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

I will have to check them out see if I can find one that keeps most of the water out some time I will use the truck to go flying RC air planes and it is best if they don't get wet.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Finally they arrive!
Today opened the mail and found these...
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0zubjayk.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1439763388
They turned out pretty nice I think. Just need to have the little lady paint them and the badging portion of this build is done. BTW, I ordered these 20 WEEKS AGO! Beware! If you plan on actually getting a pair of these, you might want to order them before you start your build. Once you pay them, you are on their clock it seems. At week 19 I told them if they can't produce the emblems to refund my $$. Suddenly they were in the mail.

I am grateful to have them and certainly a nice custom touch. Not too many people are doing these from the emblem vendors I researched. A lot of them have switched to acrylic only.

I have also painted the engine cover to match body color and am putting on vinyl graphics that match these emblems. Should look nice. We'll see.

Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Them are some awesome emblems you have their . I could picture some on my truck but I have a 5.3.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

The badges got painted this weekend. Now just need time to stick them on.
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1440337432

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Those badges turned out amazing. Your wife did a great job painting them!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey Thanks Rick! I'll pass that along to her. She'll be thrilled. I can't wait to stick those things on the fenders.

Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Aaaaaand Their on. I was contemplating putting them just under the cheyenne badge like the "super" designation...
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1440415877
But then returned to my senses and put them where they are supposed to go.
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...pssietpqal.jpg
Now for the engine cover. I painted the front of the cover and picked up my vinyl stickers for the sides, but adjusted the size at the vendor and now their too small. Guess I have to go bigger.
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1vtcozty.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/...pszdndupsw.jpg