Project "Keeper"

[2manyprojects]

Nice truck. I'm glad the popo let you off. I never get that lucky last time I got pulled it was for doing 47 in 45 in the panel truck on the way to DMV and got a ticket for having unregistered vintage tags.

[jeh]

Sounds like a very interesting experience the other night. Your going to have a nice old truck when you get the "little" things worked out.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by 2manyprojects

Nice truck. I'm glad the popo let you off. I never get that lucky last time I got pulled it was for doing 47 in 45 in the panel truck on the way to DMV and got a ticket for having unregistered vintage tags.

Thanks, and that stinks they didn't let you get to DMV. Glad the officer who stopped me was more lenient

Originally Posted by jeh

Sounds like a very interesting experience the other night. Your going to have a nice old truck when you get the "little" things worked out.

Thanks!

Here are a few other pictures from last night. First is the spare tire setup. I believe it to be completely factory but I'm sure someone can confirm or correct that....

[VA72C10]

Picture of the eaton rear. First I've had. I believe it has the common 342 gears based on the reasonable rpm's it turns going 70.

[VA72C10]

Amazingly has the original jack and tools also.

[VA72C10]

Determined the battery is fine. Confirmed it was purchased December of 2013 so it's fairly new. But the alternator tested bad on my tester which would make sense on why it will jump and run fine but lose charge as it runs-especially with headlights on...

[aggie91]

Given you have a bad altenator, are you going to make an upgrade when you replace it?

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Given you have a bad altenator, are you going to make an upgrade when you replace it?

I'm considering that. Any recommendations? BMERDOC is working on me to convert back to externally regulated instead of the single wire setup current (that needs cleaned up anyways)

It's a busy week for me so I probably won't have time to do anything with it this week. I got the steering wheel in and it looks good but is lighter wood than I expected based on the pictures I saw so I'm not sure if I will run it, look for an alternative, or try to stain it darker (to match the wood color in the truck)

Also ordered a radio last night. Decided to bite the bullet and get the reproduction that looks like the original. After reading How bad the originals are for reception and how low on power they are and how much people charge to rebuild them I figured a modern radio with more power, better reception, and more options for less than the cost of a used one with pitting chrome would cost after an upgrade made sense. Also the 20% off and free shipping from classic industries took the cost down from 597 plus shipping to 475 delivered. Not cheap but again, less than an original would cost after upgrading it.

http://www.classicindustries.com/truck/parts/t3111.html

I figure for a truck with a/c where I'll actually be able to enjoy a radio from time to time it will be worth it. You can find ones that look similar to factory on eBay for 275-325 shipped but this one is a dead ringer for original.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I'm considering that. Any recommendations? BMERDOC is working on me to convert back to externally regulated instead of the single wire setup current (that needs cleaned up anyways)

It's a busy week for me so I probably won't have time to do anything with it this week. I got the steering wheel in and it looks good but is lighter wood than I expected based on the pictures I saw so I'm not sure if I will run it, look for an alternative, or try to stain it darker (to match the wood color in the truck)

Also ordered a radio last night. Decided to bite the bullet and get the reproduction that looks like the original. After reading How bad the originals are for reception and how low on power they are and how much people charge to rebuild them I figured a modern radio with more power, better reception, and more options for less than the cost of a used one with pitting chrome would cost after an upgrade made sense. Also the 20% off and free shipping from classic industries took the cost down from 597 plus shipping to 477 delivered. Not cheap but again, less than an original would cost after upgrading it.

http://www.classicindustries.com/truck/parts/t3111.html

I figure for a truck with a/c where I'll actually be able to enjoy a radio from time to time it will be worth it. You can find ones that look similar to factory on eBay for 275-325 shipped but this one is a dead ringer for original.

I ordered the same steering you did, thanks for the information Jonathan. It has not showed up yet but should be soon.

You are doing nice work to the truck. I am interested in this radio you are talking about also. The problem with the original AM/FM's is that when the 40 + year old radio needs repair, there are no parts out there to fix them. It would be hard for my to spend 400 + dollars on a original and have it stop working in 6 months and not be able to have it repaired. You made a good choice there. Not taking anything away from the originals but it is something to consider. No parts, no repair.

Good job there Jonathan, keep it going,
Tom

[VA72C10]

Purists will notice a few things on the am/fm (the missing script on the glass the biggest thing) but overall it's a dead ringer for stock and will give me the "look" i'm after with hopefully a decent sounding radio also.....

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

I ordered the same steering you did, thanks for the information Jonathan. It has not showed up yet but should be soon.

You are doing nice work to the truck. I am interested in this radio you are talking about also. The problem with the original AM/FM's is that when the 40 + year old radio needs repair, there are no parts out there to fix them. It would be hard for my to spend 400 + dollars on a original and have it stop working in 6 months and not be able to have it repaired. You made a good choice there. Not taking anything away from the originals but it is something to consider. No parts, no repair.

Good job there Jonathan, keep it going,
Tom

I'll post up a review when I get it and some pictures installed. Also let you know how it sound with just the two dash speakers and smaller ones I have at the back of the cab....I may (likely will) add others under the seat since it's already wired for them...

Hope you like the steering wheel. It's a good value at the price I found it for. If I'd paid 200 for it I'd probably have been disappointed.... this way I know I could resell it on ebay or locally to get back what I paid for it if I decided to go another route...that always goes into my decision making process when I order something

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I'm considering that. Any recommendations? BMERDOC is working on me to convert back to externally regulated instead of the single wire setup current (that needs cleaned up anyways)...

I was hoping you would have one... Here is some good info on electrical systems in general, and after reading thru it, seems a 94amp Delco Remy 12SI internally regulated alternator would be the best set up...

They really do not like the one wire set up on that site...

I will be watching to see what you come up with.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by aggie91

I was hoping you would have one... Here is some good info on electrical systems in general, and after reading thru it, seems a 94amp Delco Remy 12SI internally regulated alternator would be the best set up...

They really do not like the one wire set up on that site...

I will be watching to see what you come up with.

got the link?

[VA72C10]

Got in a bunch of little parts for the truck and a lot more on the way...will get some pics over the weekend of the parts

[litew8]

"....next intersection a police offer is there.... " That was a great story

[widewhite70]

Nice driver! I keep saying one of these days I want to find a driver like that! excellent find!

[Dieselwrencher]

Wow, you scored a very, very nice truck! I really like how the PO actually did decent work and upgraded things and did most of it right aside that rocker. I'd just keep doing what you're doing to it. Fix it up a little and drive it. What's it like to have working AC in a 67-72? None of mine have ever had that. Haha

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Wow, you scored a very, very nice truck! I really like how the PO actually did decent work and upgraded things and did most of it right aside that rocker. I'd just keep doing what you're doing to it. Fix it up a little and drive it. What's it like to have working AC in a 67-72? None of mine have ever had that. Haha

Yeah, the outer and inner rockers are the real letdowns...also the seam sealer on the cab was either done incorrectly or not replaced before the repaint. But overall it is a really solid truck and by FAR one of the cleanest in this area...

It's my first time with working A/C also...I've had about 45 minutes experience with it but so far I like it

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by litew8

"....next intersection a police offer is there.... " That was a great story

thanks

Originally Posted by widewhite70

Nice driver! I keep saying one of these days I want to find a driver like that! excellent find!

Thanks, it's a "keeper"

[VA72C10]

"New" hubcaps arrived today. Blue bowtie stickers supposed to get here Tuesday. Will clean up the caps the best I can, get those stickers on, and get them on the truck by Saturday for a local car show. I hope to have some time to clean up the rims a bit too.....a couple need some touch up paint. Will probably use some spray bomb white at this point...may get them powder coated when I get new tires...we will see...

Need to find time tomorrow after Church hopefully to get a new alternator or see if one of the three or four I have are any good....I have a new chrome one but that doesn't fit the look under the hood

Hoping the radio gets in before Saturday so I can at least throw that in and have a complete interior.....the wiring looks to all be there so should be a fairly fast install....

I got in the second LED taillight but it was broken in half when I opened the package. Sent the ebay seller a message and a picture, and they refunded me since they didn't have any more.... Since it didn't cost me anything I figured I'd try to fix it. It was a fairly clean break so I used some clear liquid nails I have. Then cut the excess glue off with a razor and used the plastic cleaner/polish I have for my gauge cluster restorations and it came out looking pretty good. So basically I will have nothing into the two LED lights. Will swap those out soon also...

I have a plan for the glovebox door....will show that soon...

[tune_1]

Looking good. Glad to hear that you have a chance to take to a car show. Sounds like fun

Dwight

[Boyd]

VA - I just realized we could have swapped steering wheels! I replaced my wood wheel and have ready to install the very same billet wheel that you replaced with a wood wheel.

Love the truck, btw. You and Jim have me casually looking for a C20!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by tune_1

Looking good. Glad to hear that you have a chance to take to a car show. Sounds like fun

Dwight

Thanks, first time I've taken a vehicle to a cruise in/show since I showed my 1980z28 (sold) about 15 years ago...I've been to a lot of shows but haven't had a vehicle....

Originally Posted by Boyd

VA - I just realized we could have swapped steering wheels! I replaced my wood wheel and have ready to install the very same billet wheel that you replaced with a wood wheel.

Love the truck, btw. You and Jim have me casually looking for a C20!

That would have been convenient C20's can be a good deal...I see them sell out west dirt cheap and could be converted to 5 lug fairly easily if someone chose...and shortened if someone wanted to also...but I plan to use this truck so 3/4 ton with heavy duty springs is a good idea

[VA72C10]

Planning to go to a cruise-in tomorrrow night. Hope to have a couple hours before it to throw on some new parts that arrived according to my wife she texted me asking if I was supposed to be getting four large boxes Some is for the truck but most is actually to restore dashes and a set of buckets...have to spend money to make money....so I can spend more money on the truck

[litew8]

"new parts, four large boxes, restore, buckets, spend money" stay focused Johnathan!