Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Very Nice! :metal:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

New Shoes!!! :metal:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

So I was out checking my porthole lights the other night (and they all work perfectly), but I also realized I lost another tail light bulb. It’s the near bulb in this photo, which was the last one I replaced about a year ago:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/M7wAE0.jpg

These aren’t exactly easy to replace, and I hate doing it. So this time I figured I’d step up to some led bulbs and see it they hold up any better. I bought 10 of these from Amazon along with an electronic flasher:

Amazon.com: Everbright 10-Pack White 1157 BAY15D...
Amazon.com: Keep It Clean FF552NLF No Load Fixed...

They will all arrive this Tuesday and get installed the same night. Hopefully that will be a long lasting solution.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Morning Mark,
Hopefully you will be able to feed back on that too, which is the better option for longevity, regular or LED.

I like the brightness of LED, but often see cars, moderns that is, with them out, and in the kitchen they do not seem to have all the benefit that gets mentioned.

Cool photo too.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

nice choice mark hope you like them ...want to see these for sure

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

The first reports I received indicated I’d receive the flashers and led bulbs last Tuesday, so I went ahead and removed the dead bulb from the right hand tail light. It turned out the filaments appear okay, however the glass dome has turned black for whatever reason:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/9OdAV9.jpg

So the flashers turned up Monday, but Tuesday provided no bulbs. By Thursday (today) they still had not shown up, so I started researching why. It turned out the original display page stated the bulbs were coming from the USA, however they actually shipped from China, so they won’t be here for a couple of weeks. So I popped in another stock incandescent 1157 bulb and slapped the assembly back together for now.

I also ordered up a white 2” shift knob tonight as I this is my preferred size, but the only 2” knob I currently own is black with white engraving. The new version should be in hand within a couple of weeks.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Well the white shift knob showed up and works perfectly. The LED bulbs showed up and were installed, and they didn’t work. Stepping on the brakes or using the turn signal showed no increase in light output. So they were pulled and replaced with standard 1157 bulbs. Then I realized how much trouble I was having reassembling the lamps. I also began to wonder why the far right bulb kept failing.

So I decided to completely disassemble the lamps and see if anything was up. They look really simple on the outside, but are somewhat complicated inside. Here’s what I’ve been working with for the last 18 years:

My son machined these up for me based on my drawings, but he improved the insides to eliminate all but two mounting screws between the lenses:

Here’s the back:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/KXKAep.jpg

And here’s the front:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/vpXBO7.jpg

And here’s the lens assembly:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/F4CPdS.jpg

All the wires are supposed to feed through the inner channel to connection under the bed. Sadly – the wires tend to fall out of the channel when changing bulbs, and the wires get trapped behind the 1/4” thick mounting strap and the ¼” deep cavity in the mounting bracket bolted to the bed.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/ZC3lPs.jpg

Close inspection showed the black wire for the farthest bulb on the right got squashed:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/Q6PeaK.jpg

So I pulled everything apart for the first time since new, and obviously everything was really cruddy:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/cCInom.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/7H1RL1.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/PMXjDm.jpg

To eliminate the crushed wire problem, I replaced both ¼” thick aluminum lamp brackets with new 1/8” thick steel brackets. These will provide clearance between the mounting base and the body mounting bracket, so no more smashed wires.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/SB9odw.jpg

This shot shows the Maglite reflectors which I added years ago (attached with JB Weld) and the 1/4x20 nuts glued to the base for more rigid attachment:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/4lRqcT.jpg

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Here the red lenses have been fully polished with Semi-Chrome, and the chrome brackets cleaned up by my wife. In the forefront new gaskets have been cut which wedge between the edge of the base and the bottom of the lens. It makes for a nice water tight seal in the bulb area, and eliminates any vibration or movement in the lens.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/zAb5ps.jpg

Here the components are stuck together without any bulbs or wiring:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/tMz5fx.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/rjAH4h.jpg

Now it’s a matter of waiting until Monday for the new wire leads to show up, at which point everything will be reassembled.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Very Nice! I always enjoy the attention to detail and your in-depth write-ups...:mm:

Those taillights have always been favorites of mine, and your mods are over the top...:uhmk:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

What he said.......


Love the lights Mark.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the comments guys!

While waiting until Monday for the new tail light wires to arrive, I did a few updates on the interior. I’ve decided to stay with the red metalflake steering wheel, so I went back and stripped the GMC emblem on the dash and repainted it red. It turned out perfectly again. I also added a 2 gauge Eelco under dash panel with the external top center light source. The right gauge is currently the vacuum gauge for the brake boost chamber, and eventually the left gauge with be for transmission temperature.

The new 2” white 4 speed knob also appears in this photo, along with the original style disc brake pedal pad.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/tXBjyP.jpg

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Consistently Amazed! :gmc2:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Coolest of the cool Mark.

Diggin' those tail lights and always enjoy pics of the cockpit.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

By far the coolest interior I have ever seen!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

The new tail light wires showed up this morning, and after a mere 4 hours I finally got everything hooked up. Here’s the tail lights – (they actually look much better in real life):

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/g43tWg.jpg

And the brake lights:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/BhAYYg.jpg

I also went back to the red metalflake shift knob just to keep everything similar. I think it looks pretty cool with all the red:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/jdZsMi.jpg

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Details, details, details, nice improvements, looks great Mark!

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

:metal:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

It's always fun to drop in and catch up.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Best hotrod interior on the forum… always loved the caddy taillights.
Way to go Mark.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

It turned out I wasn’t all that happy with the Eelco 2 gauge panel under the dash. It turned out to have a big dent in the face, just to the left of the left hand gauge and it really showed up in the driver’s seat. So I picked up an NOS Offenhauser panel, drilled it for the exterior light and mounting bolts, and slapped it in instead. It’s much cleaner looking:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/JKVGes.jpg

Never really coming up with an exact answer as to the purpose of the two vertical plugs in the dash to the left of the glovebox door, I finally came up with a solution for putting them to good use. They now hold two USMC emblems. The upper is for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Vietnam (the unit in which I served). And the lower is a laser engraved EGA with a beautiful clear coat over it (which doesn’t show up in the photo). It is really a beautiful piece.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/jj0xau.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/7H4aWA.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/i3HTdz.jpg

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Very Cool!!! I always enjoy checking in...:mm:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

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Awesome thread - job well done w/ this beautiful truck!

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Really like your interior - great mix of modern and period correct. Oh, and hat is tipped for constantly making changes too!

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Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the comments. If all goes well today, my new floor console will arrive in the mail and get installed between the seats later today. New photos to follow soon. And thanks for stopping by.

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Looking forward to seeing the direction you go... grabbing a bag of popcorn as I will surely enjoy the show!:mm:

Re: Markeb01 Build Thread
 

Well here it is! I intend to paint it black, but I'm thinking of leaving it alone until I get tired of the reddish color:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/wH0t9k.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/qjoQjx.jpg

It absolutely fits perfectly, with space all around and room to open the lid easily. Seat belts fit/work perfectly, and there's room for two drinks in front. And now I have a place for the paperwork that shows vehicle ownership.