Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

In fact she is Debbie from American Graffiti. Although he's rather blurry, the guy looking in the window of the speed shop is Toad. About 10 years ago these 1/25th figures were included in packages of hot wheels. There was also a Wolfman Jack figure but he doesn't really fit into my diorama.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

those are cool mark

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

This morning I had fun driving my truck to the store while my wife and daughter took her dog to the local Petco Halloween costume contest. Julias came home with 2nd place as Under Dog! Here he is before and after the show:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/674/bFOju4.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/v2mFK5.jpg


He’s a Labri-leaner breed. When he’s near enough, he plops his rear end on your foot and leans against you hard enough to lose your balance if not paying attention!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Awesome dog and Costume...:mm:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Hot Dog!!!!!! We have a weiner!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Lovely looking dog..

And placing in a contest is even better.

I suspect, looking at his winning face, he knew he had achieved something.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Cool doggie, & nice work on the yard projects! I dig the subtle touches to the truck as well.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Mark,
Thanks for posting the pics & your updates. Since you said your truck was done I was afraid we wouldn't hear much from you. Glad to see you're still posting here. I've stolen many of your ideas that you've used on your truck & I want to thank you for your informative how to's with pics so even dummies like me can copy what you've figured out.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Mark...
Seriously. ...
Did you forget the "hers" truck???
The projects never end my friend...
:lol:


:5150:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Like everybody else’s dog, he is unique and special. He’s very tolerant and fun to have around.

Although I don’t post much on my build thread anymore, I do check in on the forum every day and respond to questions where I believe the input might be helpful.

I’m also planning to go back over the tech articles covering topics like spotlights, front suspension, engine swap, etc. and reinsert all the missing pictures. ImageShack was terrible in the past about dropping photos, but seems to have finally gotten their stuff together. It just takes a lot of time and effort to repair those threads as it’s not always easy to know which photos are missing.

This is problematic. My wife doesn’t want her own truck, she either wants mine (trading me her Honda CRV, or she wants a 40 or 56 Ford convertible!

Although she does also want a “yard truck” for hauling rocks and going to the dumps. Maybe a beater 60-66 long fleetside would be the easiest solution after all!

And even though activity on my truck has slowed, I’m still toying around with a few more “improvements”. The main reason I gave up on the bumper bullets was failure to obtain correct alignment. A big secondary problem was routinely smashing my knees into the protrusions every time I worked on the truck. That got old in a hurry. I’m now considering some clear fog/driving lights in housings similar to what has been fitted to Project X:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/oBwmct.jpg

They would be mounted lower (maybe 1/3 or less of the housing above the bumper) and farther apart than in this last photo of the bullets:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/912/gIVS9Y.jpg

The bumper guards would be completely eliminated. I’ll have to play around with a bunch of photo chops before committing to the real thing.

I’m also thinking about adding a hill holder. I’ve studied the old Studebaker version but since it used through the floor pedals, it’s not practical to adapt. They are also too old to be find easily. Subaru’s on the other hand had them for years, so I’m researching how easy those might be to adapt. There seem to be several custom installations on Jeep forums that might be relatively easy to fit. The last option is a Hurst Line Loc style setup, but they restrict how long the system can be engaged, which might toast the solenoid if stuck on a hill in traffic for an extended period of time.

My son has also committed to the diamond tufted sun visors, but he’s backed up several months so that won’t happen for a while.

Until next time… Also thanks again for stopping by and checking in.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Mark I just wanted to say thanks again for the offer of the GMC letters. And thanks for all the great ideas that you share on the forum.

Thanks again!!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

You’re very welcome!

Another detail that has been bothering me since the first installation, has been the dash camera. I mounted it on the back window so it could capture and show everything going on in the cab. Unfortunately I hated the way it looked – sticking out from the back window with the wire hanging down. In this photo I did the best to conceal the camera with a Moon Equipped decal:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/631/tXjp7H.jpg

Eventually the Moon decal was replaced with a USMC sticker which did a great job of hiding the camera mount:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/674/mZKpy7.jpg

Regardless, I still didn’t like the whole arrangement as it ruins photos like this one (in my opinion) having all that junk showing in the back window:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/vHEIUF.jpg

So I tried a variety of new locations, and settled on this one directly above the rear view mirror. Fyi the blue reflections are from my neon garage clock:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/7JjdsI.jpg

Here’s a closer view of the same photo showing how well concealed the camera is:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/9XkUwG.jpg

Here’s a shot from the other side:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/674/NoyOX0.jpg

This interior shot doesn’t look all that great due to all the clutter outside the truck:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/0A9Pmg.jpg

And finally here’s a close up of the mounting showing it attached where the old factory mirror mount used to be. The wire runs under the windshield gasket and is 99% hidden.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/Ab8qMq.jpg

With the black stick-on-the-glass mirror, it keeps everything pretty discrete, and the new location really opens up the recorded images. I’m not sure what to do with the USMC decal in the back window. I may leave it alone and possibly add another to the inside so it looks the same on both sides. Or I may remove it and add a smaller version somewhere else.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

nice ..is it still powered by the cigarette lighter

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

In a manner of speaking - yes it is. I haven't had a cigarette lighter in the dash for years, so when I needed power at the back window I wired up a "Power Socket" behind the driver's seat. I left that one in place, and picked up another one that is mounted off to the right of the fuse panel:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/909/OG9IJT.jpg

This allows easy access to unplug the camera and use the power for a cell phone charger if needed. Just open the glove box door and grab the adapter. It also has a strong spring loaded lid which assists in holding the adapter firmly in the socket.

I also discovered aftermarket lighter sockets and power sockets aren't the same. Lighter sockets have "fingers" in them that expand allowing the lighter to pop out when hot.

Power sockets are smooth, and offer no features to pop out a hot lighter. I haven't checked, but imagine new cars come with lighter sockets so they don't end up having law suits.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Minor update on the above post – the USMC decal was removed from the rear window, which really opened things up:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/NwP7Km.jpg

But so that I didn’t abandon my heritage completely, I added a smaller version in the lower corner of the passenger side windshield:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/674/UmbU0z.jpg

Here’s a closer view:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/745/GYSajQ.jpg

Although the photo isn’t very good, this is a second decal added to the inside, so both sides match instead of having a blank backside:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/G77n66.jpg

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Small decal in duplicate is really neat.

Again your attention to detail.

Cab interior pic looks great. Bit of a command centre.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Hey Mark, Is that suction mount that you had on the rear part of the camera assembly that you bought or is it a separated item you found for the installation? I'm asking because I'm rigging up a laser alignment system for my Silverado to make aligning and loading my camper easier. I'm searching for mounting options and that mount looks like something I might be able to use to mount the laser in the back window.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks Rian, That’s kind of how I feel about it every time I climb in the cab!

The suction cup mounts that I’ve used came with the cheap Chinese import cameras I bought for dash cams in both of our cars. GoPro sells a bunch of different mounts, but they are all expensive. A while back I bought a third camera for use as a spare in case one of the other two fails. When relocating to above the windshield, I used the suction mount from the newest camera as it was smaller and fit better. The suction cup on that one is about 2” in diameter.

The one I had in the back window is about 2 5/8” in diameter. It is now surplus, so if you want it send me a PM with your mailing address and I’ll send it to you. The stud that screws into the camera (1/4x20) is a tad loose as the plastic rim holding it in place has a crack. I’ve added arrows to point it out. Krazy Glue or JB Weld would return it to like new performance. Here are photos of the back window mount:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/3JRIpF.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/K2Wo2H.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/7hvBuk.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/743/k5kgCl.jpg

There is a lot of adjustability in the mount, and although I never tested it, I would imagine it is strong enough to support several pounds of equipment.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Markeb01, That shot of your interior is cool. I really like your "roll and tuck" seats and kick panels. I like the whole theme of your truck. Great job.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for your input Dubnova!

I was bored today so I went out and did a walk around video of the most recent updates to the truck. I think my cell phone camera lens must be dirty because it doesn’t look very clear to me. I suppose it could also be because of the grey overcast sky as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0_g...ature=youtu.be

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

looking good mark and sounds great

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Great video Mark, I must have missed the door pulls being added, unless you didn't post that up, everything is spot on bud!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Very nice vid Mark. Yer truck is looking good. :metal:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Awesome Video!!! Thanks for sharing!!! :metal:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the responses guys!

In my revised quest to improve a few things that don’t cost money, taking a look at new dash cam video revealed the mirror mount was showing up bottom center. It was being picked up because the lens on the camera was hanging straight off the bottom of the mount (as designed) which placed the lens behind the face of the mirror as shown in these two shots:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/913/tyKNl7.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/5J0YQo.jpg

So a bit of simple engineering solved the problem. I had a preformed 90 degree bracket from the garage door installation. I sliced off the front half and drilled a hole at the top of the 90 degree bend. The plastic attachment bracket with the 1/4x20 stud was rotated directly to the rear and the bracket was permanently bolted to the camera.

Now to install or remove the camera the round black tripod knob at the rear is manipulated along with the power wire. No more rotating the camera around the immovable stud:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/xlakcN.jpg

This places the camera far enough forward the mirror mount no longer shows up on the video.


On to the next project, it’s bothered me the new hood ornament is only attached with a single screw. Although it has held nice a tight, there is a risk it could be bumped/rotated scuffing the paint, or the screw broken resulting in the loss of the ornament.

The simple fix was drilling an additional hole in the hood for a secondary stabilizing bolt:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/tnDuQq.jpg

A 1/4x20 bolt was attached to the bottom of the chrome base with JB Kwik in the correct location:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/745/CD2rPY.jpg

The base was reattached to the hood, and fastened with a nut on the new stud:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/SdbCAt.jpg

Here’s the finished product. Doesn’t look a bit different than before, but is much more secure:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/eBclYr.jpg

And yes my hood (the whole truck) is really dirty. It’s been a while since it’s had a bath.