jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly

[jimbosprint]

I got the heater core out, but you have to dismantle the dash and passenger side of the truck to get to it. Full of debris and slimy radiator fluid, it definitely needed to be replaced.

[jimbosprint]

Here's some more pictures from today's work. Passenger side AC duct was missing, and the LH center duct was not connected. All the ducts broke apart in the process of removal, so I'll have to order some new ones. Same with the glove box.

[jimbosprint]

I put some LED lights in the dash last night since I have everything apart. Brighter is better.

[jimbosprint]

Waiting on parts...

AC center vent
AC/defrost hose kit
Heater/AC seal kit
Fan switch
Glove box
Vent window seal kit
Vent window repair kit
LH window regulator
Retro Sound radio
Dual voice coil dash speaker
Repro antenna

[flashed]

Where did you get the LED's ?

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by flashed

Where did you get the LED's ?

20pk super white T10 wedge LED bulbs - $7.69 free shipping
Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/251370483066

[jimbosprint]

Took the cowl off to clean out all the debris. Found the AC air valve busted sitting in there. I'll have to fix that later, out of money to throw at this for now.

[Xeen]

It really is amazing how clean this pickup is, way less neglect then most.
All it needed was a little TLC and it's getting it thanks to you.
This old girl has a lot of miles left in her.

[jimbosprint]

Thanks Brian. The fact that the truck was original and clean was why I chose it.

LMC order arrived and I got the heater core and some of the duct work put back in. The heater/AC seal kit from LMC is crap. Decided to keep the original gasket on the heater box to firewall because it was better than the new one. I'm not even sure if I used the right gasket around the heater core because the instructions were worthless.

Stereo stuff should be here tomorrow from Classic Industries.

[jimbosprint]

Radio and speaker are installed and working!

The dual voice coil speaker from Custom Autosound was pretty easy to install. Only note is that I had to put some foam between it and the center AC vent so that it wouldn't rattle against the plastic.

The RC900C radio from Retro Sound was a chore and took me most of the day. Wiring was easy, but I think the mounting is just too universal. The instructions are vague as to how to mount and adjust it to fit the dash, so you just kinda have to figure something out that works with the parts they give you. I'll probably make a thread for this to help save someone else the trouble I had. The chrome plastic bezel did not fit onto the front of the radio, so I filed the opening bigger just to get the radio installed. I called Retro Sound customer service, and they were very nice. They are going to mail me another two bezels in hopes that one of them will fit. I put the auxiliary input cable through the ash tray so I can listen to MP3s from my phone.

The large chrome nut that holds my new antenna to the fender was defective from the manufacturer. Classic Industries did not impress me with their concern for this issue. Still haven't heard back from them on when I will see a replacement part. Kinda sucks because I can't put the cowl back on until I get that.

I still need to get the inner fender put back on, but the dash is put back together. The new glove box is installed and the glove box door is put back on.

[jimbosprint]

I got the inner fender put back on just now, just the cowl and antenna to complete the dash project.

The bedside I was going to get isn't happening. He decided it was too much work to take it apart and wanted to sell me the whole bed again. Maybe for the best, I'll find another one...

[jimbosprint]

Photo gallery updated - 448 photos.

[jimbosprint]

The high speed on my fan blower motor for the heater/AC was not working (other speeds worked fine). Only took a quick search of this site to find out that it is the blower motor relay. Fixed!

[jimbosprint]

Fixed the exhaust leak on the driver side this morning. It was just a bad gasket, but I had a new manifold so I put it on. Sounds much better!

[Number98]

Nice progress! I was looking at that radio for my Suburban.

[NewType72]

Lovin the progress and boy I wish there was a magic button to make all the heater/AC stuff fall out wouldn't that be nice :mmk:

[jimbosprint]

Started shopping for AC system parts. Not gonna be cheap, but the AC was one reason I liked the truck (it gets over 100 degrees here every summer).

[Xeen]

Well you could ignore the naysayers who say R134a sucks and convert yours and it will be a lot cheaper.
Besides you aren't cooling a huge amount of cubic feet so R134a will freeze you out like a meat locker.

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Well you could ignore the naysayers who say R134a sucks and convert yours and it will be a lot cheaper.
Besides you aren't cooling a huge amount of cubic feet so R134a will freeze you out like a meat locker.

I would like to convert it to R134a so it will be easier to service in the long run. I think I can use the stock controls and evaporator, and change out the rest of the system under the hood - new compressor, condenser, fittings, hoses, drier, and upgrade from the POA style system to a orifice/accumulator type (whatever that is).

Learning as I go when it comes to this AC stuff, so I have a lot more research to do.

[jimbosprint]

So today my truck got named Colonel Mustard.

[Molberg]

Colonel Mustard. lol... I like it. Great work. Love the truck. I'm in.

[NewType72]

We named our 71 honey mustard how funny! Those dark yellows trucks like the mustard haha

[jimbosprint]

I made this simple cup holder today from a painted piece of plywood and a $9 cup holder I found at the parts store. It seems like it will work just sitting there, but I might add some rubber feet if it moves.

[jimbosprint]

Oil change today. 1000 miles on the new engine.

[no1udknow]

Jimbo, did you already install your glovebox? if not could you give me some measurements off of it? mine fell out and got crushed by a passenger, now I want to make one out of sheet metal, just need the dimensions.