SGTUSMC '59 build

[sgtusmc]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I'd be a screwed up mess without you guy's!

[99 to Life]

Got a head light question myself. Not sure if it is a ground or my headlight switch or lack of alt power (alt was atleast 80 amp or something) now I just got a 100 or 120 amp, but anyway, all my lights will randomly go out, only when I'm running my headlights. It is only every once in a blue moon, talked to my harness supplier and they didn't have an answer. Would running relays maybe help solve that problem? Why would it randomly just make all the headlights and interior lights go out? Could be a bad switch, I gotta change it out, but just seeing if anyone ever had that problem. Only came across one other person posting about it and he uses the same wire harness. Sorry for asking on this thread, but it does pertain to relays I guess.

[OrrieG]

Without the relay all the light power goes thru the light switch. If its old it may not allow the full current or may be heating up (good place for a fire to start) especially if you are running upgraded lamps. The relay runs the light power directly from the battery (with a fusible link) to the relay then to the lights. Shorter path and the relay will carry more amperage. The wire from the switch then becomes the signal wire for the acuator in the relay, takes very low power, better on the switch. Think of the horn which comes from the factory with a relay, same principal.

I would check your grounds too, the lights ground to the front sheet metal, which needs to be grounded back to the battery ground source at the firewall or engine. Bed needs to be grounded to the frame and frame to the ground source too so the back electrical does not act up. Good grounds require nice shiney bare metal, you cannot relie on the bolt or screw threads to get enough contact surface.

[99 to Life]

yeah the relays make sense, but I'm just running stock 12v bulbs with an Ez wire harness and aftermarket switch. I think I'll try grounding the lights better. I just burnt up a bulb, so maybe the bulb was faulty or maybe it was getting too hot. It was only a year old and not on very much, but I did have a bulb out of the box not even work before. I know with these 6024 bulbs they started making a brighter version, but again I'm not running those. thanks

[Russell Ashley]

Original headlight switches, and probalby most after-market switches also, have a bi-metal strip with a set of contacts that opens when there is too much current being drawn. Current through the bi-metal strip heats it up and opens the contacts. When it cools down the contacts close and the lights work again. I've never had a problem using the original switch with halogen headlights but there's probably some variations between switches so some might not handle it. If your lights are going out you might try a different switch or just go with the relays. This is a pic of an original switch. The fuse only powers the dash lights and everything else goes through the contacts.

[Ford Assassin]

Pretty cool project.

My Father has a '59 that he has owned for almost 20 years. We put a '70's Camaro front suspension clip along with the column and rear end from the same car back in the '90's. It had a mild 350 to start with, then a warmed over 396 in 2001, now I am swapping in a late model 5.3 with the EFI for him since I am no stranger to LSx swaps.

I noticed you are in Bako, we should meet up sometime. I am usually at Hooters on Thursday nights for their cruise nights and Sonic (Olive) on Friday nights.

[sgtusmc]

Originally Posted by Ford Assassin

Pretty cool project.

My Father has a '59 that he has owned for almost 20 years. We put a '70's Camaro front suspension clip along with the column and rear end from the same car back in the '90's. It had a mild 350 to start with, then a warmed over 396 in 2001, now I am swapping in a late model 5.3 with the EFI for him since I am no stranger to LSx swaps.

I noticed you are in Bako, we should meet up sometime. I am usually at Hooters on Thursday nights for their cruise nights and Sonic (Olive) on Friday nights.

Yeah man, We'll have to meet up one of these days. It's been a while since I've been to Sonic.

I built a column with a lower dash valance out of 10G. It's just tacked together. I bought some ford f150 A/C ducts to mount in the valance.

[Chevette]

Your interior is lookin' good. I like what you're doing there.

[Kim57]

Very sharp.
Kim

[99 to Life]

def digging the interior as well, can't wait to see this on the road. Lucky wife.

[OrrieG]

Cool vents, do they accept standard 2" vent hose?

[sgtusmc]

No OrrieG, The Ford vents are larger. My HotRod air output tubes are 2.5" and defrost vents are 2". I'm able to stretch my a/c ducting enough to fit over the vents. My wife had to rent a car for a business trip. It's a 2011-2012 Nissan Versa. I took a couple pics of the vents. They do have a 2" rear. Down side is the car only has 2 round vents. I'm sure theres tons of other vehicles out there with similar vents. Just my 2 cents on the Versa.

Heres a shot of the rear of my Ford F150 vents.



and heres the Nissan Versa

[OrrieG]

Thanks for the info, I only need two. I have time to find some.
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[sgtusmc]

My son and I built a roof rack and added a visor this weekend. We took it out and thought I'd snap a few pics.

[Red Foreman]

Looking good!

[99 to Life]

yeah luv it man, like the interior too, normally don't like aftermarket gauges, but they go good with this.

[Kim57]

Looks real cool.
Kim

[waybad]

anymore wind noise with the viser? looks killer..
Tink

[sgtusmc]

Thanks guy's. We didn't hear any added noise with the visor and rack. I'm sure it's due to running open headers and doing screaming burnouts. We found an open dirt field and spent half a tank doing doughnuts. There was a homeless guy there where we parked. We gave him 20 bucks and a burger to wipe it down for some pics. Third pic down you can see his sleeping bag and gear. Heck, I think we even jumped the truck at one point. It's almost safe enough for my wife to drive now.

[OrrieG]

Gotta love the donuts! I used to take mine up mudding at the lake when they drew down the water. Also WRC on logging and fire roads is fun too! Guess you answered by comment on FB about how it drives!

[xpickup]

sgtusmc, truck looks great. I love the pictures. I love to do donuts too. Till I did them in my work parking lot in my dually in the snow. I had the steering locked to the one side too long and sheared the power steering pump shaft. So it cost about $70 so I watch when I do them now!. Then it is also hydro boost so no brakes either. But they are fun!

Shannon

[dubie]

Awesome build man. I love the fauxtina finish on this thing. The subtle touches you're putting into this truck is what'll set it apart from all the others when you pull into a show with it. Excellent job

[fencepost]

Just rolled through looking at all the pics and this is awsome!!!! I love it when somebody can reuse old stuff or make a build out of parts that can still be found behind a house or junk yard. Really nice truck.

Will have to go back now and read all the posts.

[sgtusmc]

Here's some update pic's on the 59.
New side & vent glass installed.

Int. getting close to being done.

[dubie]

that interior turned KILLER man!!