"Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

ken,
Thank you for the reply. that is the info I was trying to figure out. It sounds like it was not too hard to intergrate into the elec. system. I would like to try & incorporate them into my upcoming build & just looking for a general "degree of difficulty" related to the install. Thank you again for your time & the quality info you continue to provide.

If you have every pulled a cluster, you know its more of a hassle getting to the cluster than it is to take it out. Hooking the Dakota Digital cluster up can be done in a day. Its more time consuming routing wires than it is difficult to install.

[N2TRUX]

Ok, lets talk trucks again for the moment. I took loaded Jake up on my recently purchased trailer. Its a tight squueze on an 18' but it works. I jetted off the New Star Muffler to get a temporay exhaust installed from the manifold back.

My plan was to have them tun new 2.5" pipe from the stock manifolds down to the middle of the truck. They would install my Magna-Flow mufflers and use the existing hangers.

I was shocked that the quoted me 400.00 considering I provided the mufflers but I wanted it quieter. I would like to work on the motor and not rattle the walls with an open exhaust.

Unfortunately the bolts on the passenger side were seized up. They tried heating them, but they sheared off. Even after welding a nut to the remaining stud that sheared off too.

So I picked it up as is and decided to hold off till contemplate my options.

[N2TRUX]

The next leg of the Saturday morning adventure led me to Cypress Auto Interiors. I dropped off the inserts that Jaime had previously stitched up. The padding on the top was too thick so they had to be modified and re-glued.

[N2TRUX]

The final stop for that trip was at Homegrown Hotrods. We wanted to pull the bed so Aaron and his crew could get another round of blocking and Tamco sealer in place. We pulled the bed and left it on a cart .

[rodstored-72]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If you have every pulled a cluster, you know its more of a hassle getting to the cluster than it is to take it out. Hooking the Dakota Digital cluster up can be done in a day. Its more time consuming routing wires than it is difficult to install.

Ken,
Thanks for the info. Yea.. I "autometered" my '72 dash as I installed a Custom bezel too. So i know what you mean!!! i would venture to say that the squarebody dash is a little more involved - you know with all the new tech. that the manufacture had bettered in a year or so...
thanks again...

[SBTork]

With the exhaust issue, is it now LS swap time for Jake?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SBTork

With the exhaust issue, is it now LS swap time for Jake?

Problem: Broken manifold collector flange bolts for a non-LS based engine.

Possible fixes:
1) A set of headers or manifolds.
Or.....
2) A complete LS swap.

I can see where serious thought is required to come to a decision .

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by SBTork

With the exhaust issue, is it now LS swap time for Jake?

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Problem: Broken manifold collector flange bolts for a non-LS based engine.

Possible fixes:
1) A set of headers or manifolds.
Or.....
2) A complete LS swap.

I can see where serious thought is required to come to a decision .

I plan to see what difficulties I run in to on the exhaust manifold removal. If I can save it, I will. If not I'll replace it with a new stock manifold. The motor swap will come at some point when I find a donor at a fair price.

Regarding that, in the past I have sought after an LS 6.2 based on my experience with them. Unfortunately they are expensive and finding a low mileage donor is now near impossible.

The LT is certainly as good as the LS platform and I think it will prove to be even better. Couple that with the ability to find low mileage take outs, and it looks very inviting. I just bought a 2019 GMC Sierra (ugliest truck I have ever owned) and love what the 8L90 does for the LT 5.3. I'm getting 22mpg and it has less than 1000 miles on it.

I feel that a cammed and tuned 5.3LT with a 8L90 would be a great package for Jake.

[focusedontheprize]

Truck looks great Ken.

[Damien]

I once had "luck" blowing a broken stud out with the torch. I saw the owner of a local engine shop do it and it looked pretty slick. I was able to do this on a customer's truck to the dismay of my boss when I told him how I fixed the problem. I have tried it a couple times since and basically cut the ear off the manifold. If you had the correct size torch tip and some luck this could be an option to get the stud out.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Damien

I once had "luck" blowing a broken stud out with the torch. I saw the owner of a local engine shop do it and it looked pretty slick. I was able to do this on a customer's truck to the dismay of my boss when I told him how I fixed the problem. I have tried it a couple times since and basically cut the ear off the manifold. If you had the correct size torch tip and some luck this could be an option to get the stud out.

My luck doesnt run like that. I'll pull the manifold and see if I can get it out. If not, I'll buy a new one.

[beasst]

I'm suffering withdrawals...Just sayin.

[aggie91]

Are you finished playing with trailers yet? Its been a whole month without any Jake progress...C10' in the Park is only 74 days away.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by beasst

I'm suffering withdrawals...Just sayin.

Originally Posted by aggie91

Are you finished playing with trailers yet? Its been a whole month without any Jake progress...C10' in the Park is only 74 days away.

Yeah, I know. I had to take a break and focus on my "Honey Do" list before my family came to visit. We spent a long weekend at Crystal Beach and another week together after. My Niece and her family continued on to Mexico and my sister is leaving here tomorrow.

I actually sold a 2018 C&M 18' dovetail yesterday. My HOA is threatening legal action so I'm taking a break from trailer sales.


Since time is short between now and C10s in the Park, its time to get busy again. I'll have updates coming soon.

[N2TRUX]

Ok, I do have a small update. I dropped by Homegrown and checked in my bed progress. The factory spot welds on the tailgate had been worked smooth a a coat of Tamco high build had been added. That was blocked and Tamco 2k sealer was laid over the top. Its baking in Texas sun before another round of blocking.

[Palf70Step]

Very nice Ken. I may have missed it somewhere but is this one going to be a semi-gloss/flat paint or is there eventually going to be shiny paint like the old one?

[Low Elco]

That's the nice part about Texas, Free paint baking! Dang, no more Krazy Ken's Trailer Emporium! I had Discovery Channel on the phone!

[rustytruck50]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

That's the nice part about Texas, Free paint baking! Dang, no more Krazy Ken's Trailer Emporium! I had Discovery Channel on the phone!

Oh, what could have been

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very nice Ken. I may have missed it somewhere but is this one going to be a semi-gloss/flat paint or is there eventually going to be shiny paint like the old one?

It will have a gloss finish when complete. What your looking at is a slow process of the bodywork getting done between complete paints at the bodyshop. It should be in final stages of K2 epoxy before C10s in the Park.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very nice Ken. I may have missed it somewhere but is this one going to be a semi-gloss/flat paint or is there eventually going to be shiny paint like the old one?

Originally Posted by Low Elco

That's the nice part about Texas, Free paint baking! Dang, no more Krazy Ken's Trailer Emporium! I had Discovery Channel on the phone!

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Oh, what could have been

Yeah, I know, I am having withdrawals over here. I'll lay low till the HOA cools off and I can find a location to stash them till I get a new driveway poured.

[JHILDE]

Originally Posted by aggie91

C10' in the Park is only 74 days away.

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Since time is short between now and C10s in the Park, its time to get busy again.

How did I just find out about this, and it's only 2 hours from my house. I guess I better get busy too. We built/rebuilt/converted the Falcon Gasser in 21 days and completely built the Model A in 90 days. Yeah, plenty of time.

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by JHILDE

How did I just find out about this, and it's only 2 hours from my house. I guess I better get busy too. We built/rebuilt/converted the Falcon Gasser in 21 days and completely built the Model A in 90 days. Yeah, plenty of time.

Man, just finding out now is a bummer. Too bad that the event sold out within a few hours of the entries being open for sale.

I still plan to attend as a spectator and visit with friends.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Man, just finding out now is a bummer. Too bad that the event sold out within a few hours of the entries being open for sale.

I still plan to attend as a spectator and visit with friends.

I woke up that AM, went to register, & found out it sold-out within hours after the midnight launch. You're not the only one that will be attending as a spectator

[N2TRUX]

Are ya'll ready for some updates? Man its been a busy Summer here. Between geting ready for family to come stay, family vacation, and friends in town for my daughters baby shower its been crazy. I bought a new truck and I'm trying to get my 2016 ready for market. I also picked up a 1998 Lincoln Navigator from a friend that needed to move it out.

Chris and I spent a couple of days last weekend building a gazebo for my house and installing a roof on a deck he built. Beyond that we aint been doing nothing.

[N2TRUX]

Sunday we finally started back on Crewcab Jake. I committed to have a motor worth looking at for C10s in the Park. Theres a whole bunch of ugly under that hood, but we plan to make it presentable.

Our objective is to make it as nice as possible without breaking the bank. Eventually it will be replaced with a late model conversion. Until then lets see if this old smog dog will hunt.