1958 Apache Big Window Loooooong Bed "Lucky"

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

In the beginning I thought a 5.3 would be enough. Then I thought a rebuilt 6.0 with flat tops and a cam would be enough. Now I'm putting the 5.3 back in with a turbo and a 4L80. Probably, to my wife's dismay, I'll end up with a twin turbo 6.0 running a Nissan GTR all-wheel drive system in the future. lol

Wow! Maybe just install really crappy brakes, then the power will scare you!

[daveshilling]

I reworked the LS harness and taped it all up back to how it was factory... bad choice with the PCM in the cab and not behind the drivers headlight. I ended up with a bunch of unruly wires and things connected strangely. So I undid all of that, grouped things together differently, and started zipping things together on the engine instead so it make a bit more sense.

[daveshilling]

Planning out my Nissan quest remote reservoir location, I figured this spot in the cab might be a cool spot... maybe I can pump the pedal and fill at the same time??

Figured I would experiment with keeping this off of the firewall and keep the hoses far away from the head under the hood.

[6DoF]

good lord, i never thought about filling while you pump for something like the factory location under the floor. those old guys were thinkin!

[dsraven]

sometimes, when doing wiring rework like that, I use those velcro tie wraps. then they are easily undone if you rethink someting or when it comes time for loom. also, think about the tape you use when doing junctions or whatever. some is really pliable and some isn't. the pliable stuff works well at the "T" type intersections but I usuallyy like to pull it tight so it sticks well but cut it off instead of yanking on it hard so it breaks, that way there is an end to find if needed later and the wiring doesn't get deformed as you pull tight. split loom is ok for stuff with wiring connectors already on the ends but I like to use the chinese finger trap style stuff if possible, that means taking the connectors apart or installing them after the loom is on. I have used the flexible air brake line for loom before on heavy duty equipment where water concerns are a factor. there are waterproof junction boxes available. that is extra weight for the everyday vehicle though. those home wiring style connections where they use a rubber gasket and a nut to tighten down on the wires work well for bulkhead connectors, especially for battery cable into a box or whatever. they are plastic and have a pipe thread on the other end of the fitting.
nice work on the wiring and great idea for the brake master cyl reservoir. will the seat allow access once installed?

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

good lord, i never thought about filling while you pump for something like the factory location under the floor. those old guys were thinkin!

I definitely tried to work this guy into a spot so the hole in the cab floor would give me access! Then I realized I would probably have carpet, maybe insulation, and that wouldn't be an easy option (=

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by dsraven

sometimes, when doing wiring rework like that, I use those velcro tie wraps....
nice work on the wiring and great idea for the brake master cyl reservoir. will the seat allow access once installed?

I like those things! I have a jug of little zip ties I got for free and there are just hundreds, maybe a thousand in there.. free and nearby always wins (= I use harness tape and a split that wraps around itself and looks like the finger trap..its the compromise between the two.


The reservoir should be accessible, but I'm not certain yet. It might end up just a novelty and I have to fold the seat forward. It's still fun! No matter what, it will be better than filling a MC under the truck on my back, spilling everywhere.

[G&R's57GMC]

Hay Dave ,
On Tex I had enough room to stand on end a 80’s GM radio next to the stock seat . So if that’s what you’re using the reservoir should be accessible just barely with the seat all the way back . Look at the Suburban P.U. in the next bay .
If you use a late eighties through nineties seat on its stock base legs you’ll have even more room . Pic. Of my ‘57 . Dang sideways pic , Just turn your computer on it's side
Thanks for rotating the pic .

[G&R's57GMC]

Another method of filling from under the truck would be a squeeze bottle with a curved spout like this .

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Another method of filling from under the truck would be a squeeze bottle with a curved spout like this .

....and you still don't know how much is in there! I like the remote reservoir option, I'm looking forward to it. I should be able to get a bottle in there with the seat back.

[daveshilling]

I got the hoses I needed and the other bits for the remote reservoir. Used the Nissan quest mod for the Ford Master cylinder and ran this into the cab corner, on the inside tucked behind the bench seat a bit.

I like the location, its easy access, keeps the firewall empty, and was just fun to figure out. It also prevents me from worrying about where the hoses go, whether they get close to exhaust, etc. (yes I added hose clamps and grommets, calm down)

We'll see how practical it really is!

[daveshilling]

I also needed to redo my brake valves... I was using a combination valve before, but for Ford brakes, and I have GM Vette, so I decided to just switch to an adjustable proportioning valve for the rear, and add the 2lb wilwood residual valves to keep pressure in the lines since I'm frame mounted.

They're not the cleanest looking lines out there, but aside from showing yall this photo right now, nobody else will look here but me I bet.

You can also see the wiring update peeking through there... its just ran sorta temporary now to check lengths. It will need to come out to get loomed once I decide its how I like it.

[daveshilling]

Continuing to fuss with the engine harness. I decided to try running it beneath the intake... there's so much room under there! I stuffed a ton of wiring in the space beneath and now its all off the intake.

I will have an engine cover so its kinda pointless, but now I can remove the intake muuuuch more easily if need be. Paying my future self, if you will.

[daveshilling]

Wires, wires, and more wires. I still have plenty of cleaning up to do, but I got the truck wired up juuuust barely enough to run the engine.

My mystery 4.8 fired right up once I replaced a leaking injector seal and then remembered that something was still unplugged and and the fuse holder needs actual fuses in it. I only ran it for 20 seconds or so, but success!! It has sat here for 4 years now.. pretty impressive.

This was important for me in my process, it means I can start tucking some wires away in tape and loom soon.

I still need to wire the chassis...but there's no lights, so everything is just bundled. I'm waiting on Dakota Digital Gauges so I can wire those up as well.

[daveshilling]

Went ahead and cut down the DD shaft for the steering... I don't think I'll be shifting the engine or column TOO much in the future. Well I hope not.

Plenty of clearance without needing a support bearing. I really put some effort into this, so it's nice to see the direct shot down to the rack with no obstruction!

[G&R's57GMC]

Wow you have been busy ! Looking good .
Is the ecu under the dash ?
What exhaust manifolds are you running ? I like the steering set up .
BTW the brake reservoir set up worked out great . Also the brake lines look good .

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Wow you have been busy ! Looking good .
Is the ecu under the dash ?
What exhaust manifolds are you running ? I like the steering set up .
BTW the brake reservoir set up worked out great . Also the brake lines look good .

I'm hiding the PCM in the glovebox for now... and maybe forever. If I get Vintage air some day, well then of course things will need to change. I can also hide the DBW module there, the fuses, and who knows what else!

I'm running TrailBlazer SS manifolts. I do soft of wish I had the Hooker swaps in here, with their smaller 2 flange, but this steering clearing is super generous! Had I known you can weld these manifolds, I may have just use truck manifolds and reworked the drivers side.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to feeling the brakes... hoping for short pedal travel so I can chop the pedal.

[NorCalGal]

For your wiring I’ve found these to be very handy.10 to a pack.

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by NorCalGal

For your wiring I’ve found these to be very handy.10 to a pack.

Oh, I love this! Just use a magnet to pull the wires up high... check. I will be doing this. Thanks for the wisdom!

[dsraven]

if using the split loom for the harness control there is a tool made for helping install the wires into the loom.

https://www.cabletiesandmore.ca/wire-loom-tools

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by dsraven

if using the split loom for the harness control there is a tool made for helping install the wires into the loom.

https://www.cabletiesandmore.ca/wire-loom-tools

Pretty cool!

[G&R's57GMC]

That MagDaddy would be great for hold wiring for lights, but it could cause havoc with computer circuits that are unshielded .

Would be great for layout work then use something else for the computer circuits .

[daveshilling]

Been tinkering and will have some updates, but here is a shot showing that my little boy has made more progress in the years than I have! Not so little these days.

[G&R's57GMC]

Hay Dave what’s happening ? Been awhile since the last update . Inquiring minds want to know .

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Hay Dave what’s happening ? Been awhile since the last update . Inquiring minds want to know .

Perfectly reasonable question! It's running, but there is no life in the transmission yet, so that was a gut punch...I've goofed around with straightening out the fender eyebrow enough to hold some headlights, worked on getting gauges and wiring done, and I still need to find someone to tack my aluminum rad mounts on in the new location to make space for the electric fan... a few things happening, but nothing actually completed.