Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks Swamp Rat. Little by little she is coming together. I am taking your advise and going slow, trying to think about all the variables before doing anything. Especially with a resto-mod type build, one bad idea can screw up a lot of things.
Def a process.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Wiring is coming along very nicely, but makes me glad I'm going pretty much stock on mine - at least for now!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Yesterday I got a lot of wiring done. OBDII port is wired and bolted under dash.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B25%3Aot1lsi
Jumper for tac signal soldered up and on tac gauge.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...A2425%3Aot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...A2525%3Aot1lsi
I created a battery BUS so I can hook up amp, power outlets and power the check engine light. It may also come in handy for other stuff if added later.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...B3625%3Aot1lsi
I also finished all the wiring under the gauge cluster.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...B3825%3Aot1lsi
I also received my 1.5" harness clamps today so I can route my engine harness securely.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B25%3Aot1lsi
So at this point I just need to finish the stereo wiring and one of the courtesy lights to wrap up the cab. All in all not to bad. Just a ton of odds and ends that kept holding me up.
Now for the stereo. I did metal work on the doors to eliminate the holes that existed. I prefer sound from the doors not behind the seats, but really want to leave the doors alone. So I guess I will find a solution for behind the seats. Today I plan on draining the coolant, installing heater hoses and refilling. Getting the courtesy lights finished up and making a plan for the rear speakers. More to come.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Today was a productive day. I pulled the radiator to center the core support and while I was at it mounted the evaporator and AC lines thru the core support.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...43825%3Aot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...43925%3Aot1lsi
Installed the heater hoses and control valve.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...55525%3Aot1lsi
Installed the steering column now that all the wiring behind it is done.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...43425%3Aot1lsi
and while I was installing the column on the motor side, decided to put in the brake lines that run to the master cylinder.
Not sure where to secure them on frame, but i'll figure something out. If anybody has pics of their lines that would be super helpful.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...46234%3Bnu0mrj
I had to paint some parts for the steering column so while they dried, decided to finish up the front bumper prep. I think it turned out nice. Gonna look good with clear coat. All in I think I have about a full week of sanding grinding on the bumper. Might seem like a waste of time, but for something different It was worth it for me. The back bumper shouldn't be nearly as bad because it was painted not chromed. I just have to smooth and brush it.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...43725%3Aot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...43625%3Aot1lsi
I'm literally waiting on 2 connector to finish up the cab wiring. I can then get the gauge cluster installed and start wiring under the hood. I shouldn't have much wiring under the hood at all. Just a few sending units, the starter and perhaps power for the windshield washer pump? Not to shabby. It's really coming down to the end of the build. After I get everything battened down I still need an alignment, exhaust and wheels/tires, but that won't take long at all. I suspect i will be chasing down a few issues once I get Reno on the road and jumping around like i do there's bound to be a few loose bolts.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

everything looks top notch. very nice!

its funny the amount of time you can spend on some stuff. i think that bumper looks sweet, and time well spent. sometimes it is nice to have a project that is just time, not much money. makes it feel like progress without the pain. haha there are a few different things on mine that are only there because i didnt have much truck money but i did have time.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

I ran my brake lines on either side of an existing hole on the frame so I could clamp them as shown in the picture.

Gary

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks a ton Gary! I really appreciate the pic. I guess I need to get that double clip. That is the missing piece of the puzzle. I do have that frame hole available.

Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks Ryanroo! you hit the nail right on the head with that thought. Time is definitely on my side. It been years, what's a few more weeks at this point. Thanks for checkin it out.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Chris;

I probably have some extra double clips around. I bought them from Summit and I believe it was a package of 10.

Gary

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey thanks Gary! I was trying to buy the clip from inline tube as they have one clip for two different sized lines, but their site keeps giving me error messages. If the site isn't fixed today then I will gladly take you up on some clips. No sense wasting them. I could paypal you some $$ for a couple of them.

Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey Chris;

Let me see if I have the correct size, if I do you can have a couple just PM me your address.

I had another member give me an AM radio, so it's time to pay it forward !

Gary

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Gary just got the clips. These will do the trick! Thanks!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Two steps forward and 1 month back :(
Well I have been making really good progress on assembly. I got the AC hoses installed under the dash minus one from passengers side that needed to be a bit longer. Had to order a custom length.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...B7925%3Aot1lsi
Glove box is installed and wiring in cab completed except for stereo which I am now leaving till later in the build when I make final touches to interior.
I got a bracket made and engine harness wiring secured to the motor.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C334%3Bnu0mrj
I wrapped the conduit with anti-ark tape to help with heat and to prevent any spark from a bad plug wire jumping to the harness. I have seen this happen and it causes a miss that is very hard to diagnose.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B34%3Bnu0mrj
I go the passengers side inner fender on.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...B8325%3Aot1lsi
So that was the 2 steps forward. Now for the 1 month back. I installed my clutch master cylinder and bled the hydraulic clutch system.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A25%3Aot1lsi
That went well. After bleeding the system I wanted to make sure the clutch worked ok. I pressed the pedal once and heard a "pop," "ting" and tried again to press pedal. It went half way down and stopped. Oh ****tttt! This is not good. I removed the slave cylinder and components to get a look and it appears the spring clip the holds the clutch fork to the pivot ball broke. This caused the fork to break loose of the throwout bearing So, to make a long story short, i have to pull the trans transfer case again, but this time from underneath the truck. Due to this development, I am thinking a hydraulic throwout bearing may be a better solution. Less moving parts. To say the least I am super bummed, but it's not gonna a fix itself.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...A9434%3Bnu0mrj

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

That's a bummer about the shift fork. You should be able to support the T-case and remove the cross member set up a floor jack under the trans mount and slide the trans and T-case back to access the fork for repairs.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Yeah, I haven't done a removal from under a car since the late 90's and it wasn't a trans/transfer case combo. Whole different animal. I am optimistic it will go well, but It never goes as planned. I am going to talk to Novak today and share my data with them to make sure it was all done correctly. After some more research last night I think this is definitely the best hydraulic system, just need to get it fixed up. There must be a reason the clutch fork broke. Too much tension or improper alignment. I have never seen that before.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

The evil culprit.
Today I tried like hell to avoid doing the trans and finally just bit the bullet.
I was able to shift the trans back (thanks DWilber) without dropping it to the ground, THANK GOD,! and remove the carnage. I present the problem.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C334%3Bnu0mrj
I spoke with the guys at Novak (They were very helpful) and they said it is rare, but not the first time this has happened. A broken spring is usually a result of improper installation of the fork onto the throwout bearing. When I removed mine it was installed correctly minus the spring. They are sending me out a new fork. I checked all my measurements while things were torn down to double make sure I had the setup correct.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C434%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C934%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C334%3Bnu0mrj
To make a long story short, my setup was correct. I did however extend my pivot ball to help pedal effort a little.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B625%3Aot1lsi
If you compare this to the earlier shots, the pivot ball is much further out now. They advised me to center the arm in the opening of the bell housing so it is perpendicular to the block. Hopefully this will all work better when the tranny goes back in. I need a break. This truck is killing me.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Man that sucks!!

The rest of the truck is absolutely beautiful and I love to see the updates...well, except the carnage :lol:

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

I have spent all evening reading through your build thread. You've done an awesome job especially with all the issues you've been up against. Top notch work on everything you've done, clean build and I like the root beer color.
Thanks for taking the time over the years to keep posting updates, it's a good reminder to those of us just starting a project that it will take years. None of this stuff happens over night. When I get frustrated with my lack of progress I look at builds like yours that have gone on for years but have turned out to be works of art. Thanks.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Now I see the deference with my factory hydraulic clutch and the aftermarket one. my pivot ball does not adjust like yours. glad your able to figure it out.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks so much Jarrod for your kind words. This forum has also inspired me to keep plugging away on my project. This truck will get done come hell or high water. It's a dream that deserves my best effort. I worked on cars/trucks for a long time and know well that nothing with cars ever goes as planned. So I roll with it, stay patient and one day soon hope to enjoy the hell out of my truck.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Looks like you are on the home stretch with the wiring. Too bad on the broken clutch fork, but better to deal with it parked in the garage than for it to break when you are driving it! Now you have me wondering about mine - I didn't even know there were a bunch of measurements to make. My clutch fork ball isn't adjustable though, so I assume it's just the push rod from the pedal I'll have to worry about adjusting.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey Rick, yup, just the front end needs wiring now. I am yet again waiting on some connectors. I decided to redo the rear light harness connector in a weather pack connector. That connector gets hammerd with water etc and the stock def needs upgrading. Most often measurements on the clutch were just for the throw out bearing length. Novak recommends doing this so that is what I did. I sure hope that the clutch will work as it's supposed to now.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

On the road again!
Well, was in Savanna for the weekend, nice town, and while I was away the new clutch fork arrived. It is definitely a re-design. The fingers that retain the spring clip are much beefier and the spring clip is much beefier.
New at top, old on bottom.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B34%3Bnu0mrj
A different rivet has also been used. Old first then new below.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B25%3Aot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3C25%3Aot1lsi
Bottom line, the new fork fit tightly into the throwout bearing. It all went together nicely. I also discovered that the piston on the slave cylinder had moved all the way out as a result of the fork slipping off the ball stud. I had to crack open the bleeder and push the rod and piston back to recover some of the slaves throw. Once I did that and hooked everything back up I re-bled the clutch system. It now works absolutely perfect. Pedal feels very nice with a significant throw. I love it when a plan works. I also received all my parts to finish the cab so tomorrow, it will be done. Ahhhhh, the smell of victory.

After going through all this with the Novak hydraulic kit I am going to do some drawings and a write up to make it easier. There is definitely a gap between what they give you for installation and what is truly needed to easily understand how to make it work well.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Man that's good news, glad they made it right. The new piece does look beefier for sure.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

"so tomorrow, it will be done"

The whole truck? Done? Woohoo!!!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Yeah I wish. Nope, just the cab. I still have to get the trans crossmember back in
and fuel line back on etc. before I can get the front wired. Still... not too far off.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Got the trans back in and everything hooked back up. Glad that little detour is over.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...C8325%3Aot1lsi
The dash is back in for a bit and to my joy bolted right in with no issue. I can't wait to see it lit up.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A25%3Aot1lsi
I pulled the grill down from the dusty loft in the garage and pulled it apart. It's in need of a little tlc. This is the inner grill re-painted and disassembled from the outer grill.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A25%3Aot1lsi
I replaced the Bowtie as the old was cracked and weathered.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3C25%3Aot1lsi
I spent the rest of the day getting the oxidation and chrome off the aluminum outer grill. Pain in the rear, but it is coming along. By the end of the day I had it pretty cleaned up. I still have a little cleanup, need to paint the headlight bezels and then a final polish. The first polish was good, but needs more for the brushed look to match the rest of the trim pieces.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B25%3Aot1lsi

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

****Bumper help please ****

Well, I didn't remove the bumpers, the original body shop did. I am having a hell of a time figuring our the brackets I have. Specifically, the outer front bumper brackets and the orientation of the rear step bumper brackets. On the rear, I only have one bolt that lines up on the frame. It should be two bolts according to the assembly manual. On the front both my outer brackets correspond to a slotted hole in the frame, but that only work on the passengers side. The steering box is in the way on the drivers side. Anybody have pics that could make this a little less of a guessing game? I would really appreciate it.

Chris

Here are pics of what I have.
Rear bracket
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C534%3Bnu0mrj
Rear frame. Rear lower hole lines up. Nothing else does.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...A5925%3Aot1lsi
Front outer brackets
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A25%3Aot1lsi
Front passengers frame area with slotted hole?
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B34%3Bnu0mrj

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

The pic you have labeled "front outer brackets" look just like my rear brackets on my 80.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks for your comments. I have gone ahead and ordered new front brackets and after checking based on your thoughts, it looks like the rear bumper can utilize the rear brackets I have.

Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Those brackets you have pictured look different than my front brackets. :PIC HERE
You can see my outer and inner brackets at the bottom.
FYI, I did have to grind some clearance on my driver side bracket where it was hitting on the power steering gear box if I remember correctly.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey thanks Mike. You are correct. I had to order new front brackets. I am now finding out that many parts I had, never made it in the truck on it's journey home from out west. I am left with figuring out the missing pieces to the puzzle.
Thanks for the pics.
Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey Chris !

This is what your front brackets should look like. 71 & 72's have this indent in the bracket to clear the directionals in the bumper. I don't know what the rears should look like for a step bumper.
Gary

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks Gary got'm on order.

As for progress I dropped off the bumpers for clear powder coat today. Hopefully they turn out good and that will preserve the raw metal look. In the mean time I have been focusing on the doors. I got the door panels dyed up and passengers door with all internals put back together. It looks like the door glass was dragged down a gravel road. Very scratched up and in a couple places deep scratches. Bummer. I know I made some of the scratches, but there must have been plenty from age and disassembly.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...65625%3Aot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B25%3Aot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...65825%3Aot1lsi
Steering wheel installed
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...56434%3Bnu0mrj
[IMG][/IMG]
On this pic you can kinda see the brush work I did on the chrome. It just tones everything down a bit.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...65725%3Aot1lsi
today I also received my grill center support which didn't make the trip from out west. Once I finish brushing the outer grill that can all go back together.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A25%3Aot1lsi

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Interior is coming along nicely, and I really like the brushed look on the mirror. Its probably not the right term, but it looks kind of "antiqued" in the picture with the darker areas around the rivets and all. I'm anxious to see how your bumpers turn out with this treatment.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks Rick!

Well ask and ye shall receive. The bumpers look nice. They aren't as brilliant and have a bit of tint from the clear, but I like it. Pictures don't do it justice because it's glossy, but it does have the brushed metal look.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...33925%3Aot1lsi
I got all the holes taped up so I could spray the back of both bumpers with corroseal and convert the rust.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...84334%3Bnu0mrj
All the areas that are dark or purple are rust that has been converted.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B25%3Aot1lsi
Once corroseal was dry I applied a heavy coat of corothane prime to seal out the weather. I love this stuff. It's like liquid caramel. Now all I have to do is spray the bed liner on the rear bumper's step and install.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3C25%3Aot1lsi
While waiting for the corothane to dry I decided to try something and apply a little peel and seal to my door panels. They felt really flimsy. Well, it worked great. The doors sound completely dead when closed.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...25234%3Bnu0mrj
Next bumpers get installed and I will get the master cylinder on and brakes bled.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Those bumpers turned out nice.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks Jarrod! I can't wait to see them installed.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Your making great progress.

I really like the dash and steering wheel.Looks great.
Interior is really going to be sharp.

The brushed parts are really cool too.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Thanks for obliging! Bumpers do look like they turned out well, but I can't ever get enough :) Want to see them mounted on the truck!