Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Almost there folks. The shop decided to add limiting straps for the front suspension because of the amazing droop available with the custom ORD springs. We also added some more travel to the driveshaft because it was pulling loose at full droop. Everything else has been tested to their satisfaction. I'll get my hands on it at the end of this week and put some miles on it.
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Supposedly well, but I want to drive it myself for a bit.
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Hey Folks: Got the rig back. I put 50 miles on it today and checked things over. It bled a quart of transfer case fluid over everything because the speedo cable was not even finger tight. Easy fix, but highlighted an interesting tidbit. The end housing was clocked clockwise about 90 degrees from where I remember it before the rebuild. Wonder if that's the proper setup. This transfer case had been worked on before so who knows what happened.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...7-1024x576.jpg The rear diff cover is dope. I like the stiffening bolts that keep things from flexing inside. I had it powdercoated black because, unless it is a Hickey cover, I really don't want too much attention there. The magnetic drain plug is a nice feature. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...3-1024x576.jpg They got the new fuel setup installed and the driveline slop is gone...so silky smooth. I'm afraid the bill for this work was aggressive; however, quality mechanic work rarely comes cheap. Wish I had the time to do the work myself, but three young children and the need to get it ready for the Copperstate Overland trumped shop time for me this time. |
Dude I concure. No way GM would've put the cable down like that!
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
After reviewing a bunch of pictures, it looks like most kick out left(driver side) underneath and pointed slightly up, but, there are plenty of exceptions in all kinds of directions. When I reinstall my right angle speedo adjuster (1.25:1), the cable will be entering in that same direction.
Two more pics. The shop installed a charcoal canister to eat fumes. Nice out of the way location. You can see some transfer case fluid that got on the vent hose for the rear diff. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...-1024x1820.jpg And here's the twin stick installed: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...-1024x1820.jpg |
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I added this tie down centered in the rear of cargo area. Between the rear seat frame and the tire carrier, I have some good points to attach to, but nothing all the way to the rear. I'm never gonna have anything truly heavy back here, so this sucker should do the trick. I even added a rubber isolator to prevent rattling.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...8-768x1365.jpg http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...2-768x1365.jpg |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
I know that's centered high in the middle behind the tank skid plate, but given the level of excellence you've set and achieved on the rest of the truck, I wouldn't keep and own someone else's error now.
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I'm not interested in going through the hassle. I want to know why it's clocked. I don't think it was an accident. Either it was the rebuilder or mechanic. Just want to know if there was a good reason for the change. But I'm not jacking with taking it back. That housing is designed to be clocked for different situations. Previously the output was way up high. It's just not a big deal.
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
The NP203 transfer case showed a leak at the speedo cable. I unscrewed the cable and then the sleeve, and of course the speedo gear comes to see me.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...R-768x1365.jpg The problem appears to be the sleeve. There's an internal o-ring like scrubber that seals around the shaft of the speedo gear. A new sleeve is AC Delco Part #326561. It's a discontinued part, so I'll have to get one mailed to me. If you look at the second picture, you can see the groove inside the sleeve where the scrubber seal goes. Mine was non-existent. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...1-1024x576.jpg http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...5-1024x576.jpg |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
I talked to the rebuilder. Apparently, that is a new rear output housing. And not surprisingly, they're not all the same. As a confirmation of the correct installation, the breather tube is indeed mounted up high on the housing. Now I just have to wait a few days to get the sleeve. I went ahead and ordered two sleeves because the seal tends to wear out, and I don't want to try to hunt one of these down ten years down the road.
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Here's the plaque installed. Lighting sucks in the garage.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9-768x1365.jpg And backed up so you can see the sticks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...5-768x1365.jpg |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Looking killer! Thanks for sharing the pics.
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The rear armrest is a nice spot for the fire extinguisher:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...3-768x1365.jpg ARB Fridge Freezer nice and securish: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...2-1024x576.jpg |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Man the Fridge is cool but takes up so much room! Are they carrying your luggage for you on this adventure?
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Update....sleeve is in. I'll pick it up a little later and get it installed. Heading down south tomorrow with my boys to fish for specs and reds. We're pumped. |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...R-1024x576.jpg
So I buttoned everything up and found another leak at the rear seal to the transfer case. Apparently, no one took the time to actually press the seal in. So after a little wrenching and hammering, all the leaks are addressed. Now I'm just driving it as much as I can over the next few days and then looking over everything over and over again. I just purchased a fancy VIAIR 400P Automatic Air Compressor for tire refill duty. I don't want to be the guy waiting on support trucks to transition me back to the road. Besides my final selection of hand tools and supplies, I think we're close. |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...3-1024x576.jpg
Again, I admit, I'm a novice at prepping for overland adventure. The organizers apparently have a whole support staff of trucks and mechanics coming, so technically, I don't need anything. But.....that just doesn't feel right. If I can handle most basic stuff, I'm not gonna act like I've been neutered of ability and rely on somebody to show up. That would be throwing away part of the fun of back country adventure. So above are my basics. It's not all of my stuff, but most of the hand tools. Chime in with any opinions on the matter. I'm all ears. No leaks have showed up. I'll keep pushing it. While testing the brakes, looks like I don't have enough clamp to lock them up. Any ideas there. They're good, just not enough to lock. They also pull a little right with full pressure, so I suppose my left brake line is showing it's age. |
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Also, after running it about fifty miles, I started to bleed transfer case fluid like a stuck pig. It took me awhile looking at it with the good folks at Foreign & Classic today to figure it out. It was the improper clocking of the rear output housing. Here's what I think was happening. Because it was clocked, the air vent tube was not directly on top of the housing. As the housing filled up with oil, the air vent hole would get submerged in fluid. Now the air couldn't escape. As things warmed up the air expands creating pressure on the fluid pressing the fluid up the vent tube or out the seal or the sleeve. Since oil was being refreshed into that part of the housing, the oil level didn't lower to where the air could escape, so it would keep pushing oil out. So, we clocked the rear housing to where I remembered it, and lo and behold, the vent is pointing straight up and we're no longer bleeding oil. Feels good. The twin stick starts to rattle a bit at speed, so I'm gonna piece together an isolater that will also prevent inadvertent shifts of the 4x4 levers. |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
I made this little isolator with my orange HDPE I had leftover from the tailgate. This does two things: (1) prevents unintended transfer case shifts (2) eliminates rattles from the shift levers. It's a little obnoxious, but it works perfectly. I hate rattles. It pops right in and out.
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Lookie there. Properly clocked output housing.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...-1024x1820.jpg I can't reiterate enough what fun this thing is to drive. It takes things like train track crossings like a dream. We're ready to go folks. I'm gonna park it tonight and start detailing in preparation for the haul on Sunday. |
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I've since looked at a whole bunch of examples of NP203s installed on the trucks. Apparently, my rear output housing was native to the last two years. Before that, the speedo cable exited near the bottom pointing out towards the driver's side. Pretty exposed. The '78s and '79s look like mine, nice and high, out of the way. |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Glad to see you got it figured out. Maybe after your adventure you can dress up the "Stick Holder"...
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Ran into one last issue. The fuel nozzle was ejecting as the tank topped off. The vent hose was too small. Fixing that in the morning. |
The 2017 Copperstate Overland
And so it begins.....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...R-1600x900.jpg Still need to add some straps over the top. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...R-1280x720.jpg Final assortment of gear. "Help me Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville Cordless Blender, you're my only hope." I think that's how the Star Wars quote goes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...R-1280x720.jpg |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
I thought a little bit of gear-stick rattle when you let off the gas was part of the charm?:lol: Congrats on getting it sorted and prepped for the trail, looking forward to the pictures!
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Man I'd be worried the flapping of any part of that tarp would do more damage than driving it across the interstate...
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Yep. Me too. It has a padded car cover underneath. Too late now.
As an update, it arrived safe in Scottsdale. There was some minor paint rubbing on the leading edge of the hood that I'll buff out with my orbital, but that's it. On the way home, it's traveling uncovered. It will be dirty. No need to protect dirt or let it get rubbed in like sandpaper. |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
I'm just counting the days waiting to get this started on Saturday........
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Enjoy your trip. Take plenty of pictures so that we can be jealous of the fun you had!
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enjoy!
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Here's the check-in and vehicle inspection. My personal favorite rig, other than mine, was the '79 Ford Bronco parked next to mine piloted by Keith.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6-1024x768.jpg There were 14 invitees and quite a few support staff. I just loved the mechanics that traveled with us. One of them was Randy Ellis. Randy is a super chill guy with a offroad resume of awesomeness. I'd known about Randy for years. It was great to actually meet him. |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
The first morning we worked our way out of Wickenburg up Highway 89 through Congress and entered the primitive road system near Yarnell. We worked our way east into the Bradshaw Mountains over trails to Crown King.
The easy way into Crown King is Crown King Rd (59, Forest 259 Rd.). We did not come the easy way. On the way up we had to strap the broken down Pinzgauer in our group to clear the trail. Pinzgauers are super neat Austrian military rigs with 6 wheels, independent suspension and portal axles. In this story, our good old 'Murican iron represents the puller, and the curious foreign rig represents the pullee. Wish we took a picture. This is the day that support staff following us killed both a Tahoe and an Acadia. Bad choice there. After lunch we followed the trail system north into Prescott for a night at the Hassayampa Inn. My wife hates this shirt. Can't imagine why. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...-1024x1365.jpg Here we are at the Old Mill eating lunch at Crown King. You may notice I removed the steps. The suggestion was made by the mechanics that they would not survive long. Good advise. I'll also note that these heavy E-rated tires are kinda important. We came across many trucks with streetish tires that were just shredded. Things get pretty real quickly with rocks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...R-1280x960.jpg Finally, getting some R&R in the Hassayampa Inn Parking Lot. This is B, my wingman. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...4-768x1024.jpg |
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Too cool. I see a Scout II, my first car was a 77 model. You look out over the parking lot and know everyone there's BP is down in the lub--dub zone... Send pics when you can.
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