Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild

[rgunlock]

Using the raptor liner did turn out great. Heck of a lot easier than the filler work you'd started. Looks really good!

[swamp rat]

Turned out nice!

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Using the raptor liner did turn out great. Heck of a lot easier than the filler work you'd started. Looks really good!

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Turned out nice!

Thanks guys! Well, the filler was necessary to soften the hard inside angles. The raptor liner saved me about 5 coats of poly before painting. I think the texture of the bed liner is similar to carpet actually. Much nicer then paint would have been. It really just needs to disappear back behind the seats anyway for now. Maybe some day I'll make it a little more functional. Cup holders, drop down dinner tray etc. LOL

[cmabolt]

Interior progress...I mean, interior done! finally received the seat belt sleeves. They are not long enough, but they serve the purpose I needed them for. They elevate the belt and make it easily reachable even with the console.

Got the rear box installed and bolted using these long flat brackets.


Today I also received a couple tow hooks I picked up on ebay. Would love to have some original 72 tow hooks, but just can't justify spending $375 for two hooks. Perhaps when the price comes down. In the mean time these are late model gm hooks and bolt right onto the frame in the old hooks location.

Last, but not least, the seats went in. I was very pleased it all still fit together with carpet etc.

[rgunlock]

Looks really nice! Aside from stereo install, what is left? You must be nearly complete now. "Interior done" must have felt really good to add to your update.

[cmabolt]

Hey Rick! Yes, felt really good to write interior is done.
Really, all that is left is install stereo, get exhaust done, install WS/ wiper arms, seal front outer grill and install and get some miles on it to see if I need to work out any gremlins. I may have forgot a few small items, but that's it. Can't wait to drive and go to some truck shows.

Chris

[cmabolt]

Tow hooks installed. Went into original holes. Just had to open holes a little bit. I also made backside washer brackets using angled steel.

Today I should wrap up the front grill, W/S wiper arms, stereo and SS sill plates.

[Blown06]

Looking great, your attention to detail is amazing.

[mcbassin]

Looking good!

[swamp rat]

Great progress!

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by Blown06

Looking great, your attention to detail is amazing.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looking good!

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Great progress!

Thanks guys! Really appreciate it. While waiting for exhaust parts to come in I was thinking I may need a couple items for safety. I got a little fire extinguisher and mounted it in an easy to reach place behind the seat. I am also gonna try and get a military scissor jack which is small but stout so I can change a tire when needed.

I have been working on the grill a lot. All together spent about a week sanding the aluminum grill. First 220 then 320 then red scotchbrite. It came out pretty nice.



I was looking for a product that would seal the aluminum so I could keep the brushed look and not have to worry about re-brushing. Found this stuff online. Supposedly it impregnates the metal and seals it for up to 2 years. We'll see.

[DWilbur]

Give that shine and seal a try I would like to see if it changes the appearance of the brushed aluminum.

[swamp rat]

Test panel first? maybe on the back side?

[cmabolt]

Well, I am happy to report that Shine Seal works and it does not alter the finish of brushed aluminum at all as far as appearance. In fact, I used it on my brushed chrome mirrors and machines aluminum wheels. It not only didn't changes the appearance, but it seems to pick up residue that you can't see left behind even after cleaning. Everything looks great. Hopefully it will stay that way.
Today I finished the grill. Riveted the metal brackets back on and filed the holes for new plastic mounting nuts. The new nuts are rectangular not square. I guess they fit after market grills but not old original grills.


It all want together without issue. I think I have to remove the bumper though to get it back on. I didn't disassemble the front end so don't know.

before the grill goes on I had to do the ram air inlet work that sits behind the grill. I bought an air horn and with some trimming and massaging it worked out great. I also stuck some galvanized mesh in there to keep large objects from entering the inlet.

here is the reverse side of the core support. All ready to run pipe to the intake.

[swamp rat]

I like the air horn!

[DWilbur]

The air horn looks good where did you get it

[cmabolt]

I got the air horn from ebay. One of those 4" import aluminum air inlet's for import cars. I ended up cutting it and using just the smooth front curved area.
Seemed like a better solution than a ton of air hitting a flat surface and trying to find it's way in. I did have to trim the headlight bucket support brackets on the core support to get the inlet to fit behind it, but did not effect structure of headlight mount.

Chris

[DWilbur]

Thanks for the info I will check out Ebay

[swamp rat]

I hope you don't mind me bringing this up but the wire meshing you put across the opening has me a little concerned, i'd keep an eye on it as i don't trust the durability of it holding together for a long period of time, i know ya got an air filter in there but i don't know if a piece did break off if it would possibly damage the filter? maybe a heavyer mesh like expanded steel? just a thought.

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I hope you don't mind me bringing this up but the wire meshing you put across the opening has me a little concerned, i'd keep an eye on it as i don't trust the durability of it holding together for a long period of time, i know ya got an air filter in there but i don't know if a piece did break off if it would possibly damage the filter? maybe a heavyer mesh like expanded steel? just a thought.

Don't mind at all. I wanted to keep air flow resistance to a minimum and yet make some provision for large object filtering. This wire is galvanized. You think a woven stainless would be better. It seems like all the extruded steel is very thick.
Not as pliable?

[cmabolt]

Today was a good day of some more odds and ends. I was able to finally get the grill installed.


It took a little finesse, but eventually she went in. I was shocked at how well it all lined up. I also painted the headlight surrounds with black enamel
pin- striping paint. The headlight bezels needed to be brushed so they would match. So body panels are done now.

Next I installed the stereo. Not very eventful. Just wired some connectors and stuffed it all in the dash.


One additional item i have to find a place for is the microphone for the hands-free feature of the radio.

After working so hard on the ram air system I needed to build a fender bracket to support all the eventual weight of the tubing and air filter. This bracket bolts to the fender and cradles the 4" tubing to eliminate sag or joint working loose.

[swamp rat]

I wish i was that far along with my truck!

[mcbassin]

Very nice work on the grill, intake and radio install.

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I wish i was that far along with my truck!

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice work on the grill, intake and radio install.

Thanks guys! I literally have nothing left to do. I am waiting on stainless collector attachments for my headers which were on back order. So, until I get those, exhaust is delayed as well as the, "Maiden Voyage."


I do need to put the battery back in and make sure the electric and stereo are working properly before venturing out. I must say the electrical is by far giving me the most nerves about driving this thing for the first time. Can't help thinking about an electrical fire burning my work to the ground.

I do plan to do a writeup on vendors that were great to deal with along the way and I thought I would do a small video about posting pictures here in the forums since so many people find this less than intuitive.

Anyway, Reno is not yet on the road so more to come.

Chris

[DWilbur]

That's awesome your that close. I miss placed my collectors I looked for them last week end no luck. be looking the week end for them and my body bushing. Good luck on the maiden voyage.