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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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My journey to create a comfortable driver.
I've had my truck for a couple months now, and I think I'm in love. I managed to find a truck with most of the options I wanted, and I'll make it my own in time. Here is my starting point:
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
My first step was to provide a little security, so I installed a quick release steering wheel. The guy I bought the truck from just put on a brand new stock steering wheel, but black plastic is not my taste. While I was in there, I fixed the horn.
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Louisville ky
Posts: 1,241
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Welcome very nice truck
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
And now, it's time for the first big change. I'm adding Old Air Products A/C kit. But first, I needed to undo a few badly done mods from yore. I removed the long water pump, and went back to a short pump. I moved the alternator back to the driver's side with an OAP mount kit, mostly because I wanted the compressor on the passenger side. I also managed to get the condenser installed and mounted in place this weekend as well. I'm about half-way done so hopefully I can knock out the rest of the job next weekend.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Another day under the hood yesterday. It's coming along, but slower than I would like. The new radiator is in. The belts are on, and the evap. box is hung under the dash. Today, I hope to get all the vents and hoses installed. That way, I can pull a vacuum on the system this afternoon, and let it sit overnight.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 566
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
I like your style. I have had 2 of these trucks and in both cases I spent most of my money on safety, reliability and comfort. The only downside is both trucks look just about like when I bought them even though I have spent $6-8 k on each.
But the upside is, I can hop in, sit in a comfortable seat, flip on the A/C, fasten my seatbelt and drive virtually anywhere without having to work on it, worry about tires, brakes, etc,etc. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Well, the a/c is "done". I ran into a few issues, but have worked through most of them. I had one leak in the high side hose. I just forgot to tighten up one of the fittings. I then got that tightened up and refilled. Everything was working fine. Pressures looked decent. I went to disconnect my gauges and found the low side schrader valve was leaking. And, of course I couldn't find my core tool. I went back to the store for the 200th time, and bought everything needed to suck it back down, replace the valve, and refill. I ended up getting away with just tightening up the core and topping it off. I was a little cautious filling it up, and will call OAP to find out what they recommend pressures be at. At 80 degrees, I'm at 175 high side, and 25 low side. I'm not sure why the low side is so low.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ruskin Florida
Posts: 4,563
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Good job! Is the Sanden compressor a real SD5?
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70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350 |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
I'm not sure what that even means. I doubt it though. I will say, it's a pretty nice kit. It's not perfect, but I'm kind of okay with that. If it was strictly a bolt-on affair, I wouldn't get the satisfaction of actually working through problems. The biggest thing was the alternator bracket. Nothing lined up perfectly. I had to cut, and grind, and shimmy, and weld, and... until I got it to fit pretty well. I know that I can get the OE replacement bracket for ~$25 just about everywhere, but I like that it mimics the compressor bracket in style. Here are the mods that I made (or will make)to the kit.
1) I changed how the condenser is mounted slightly, really just to make it look nicer. 2) I sealed up the firewall covers with RTV as well as the foam already installed on the plates. 3) I modified the bracket holding the hard lines to the bottom of the battery tray. Their design would have had the battery sitting on screw heads. 4) I will probably replace the cheap side vents with something nicer later on. They are real garbage. 5) Since there are only 3 vents, and 4 outlets on the evap box, I'm going to add a vent below the steering column. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
I spent the morning preparing the floor for new carpet. In the last 50 years or so, many people have done many things to this poor floor. It's had different seats, transmissions, and who knows what else mounted down. I patched up the floor with dimes and "panel bond". I had to make a patch for the tunnel where it had been cut out for some floor shifter at some point. And what better place to find perfect metal patch than from the heater box I just removed?
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Hampton Roads VA
Posts: 644
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
I can relate to the desire for modern comforts in one of these trucks. I got my vintage air kit in last week but still have several items from Holley on back order unfortunately. Progress is somewhat held up. I started my gm 14 bolt conversion but have been sick for 3 weeks so havent made it back out there.
6.0 and 4l80 fully rebuilt with the gm14 bolt with discs all the way around. It will be sweet when I finally finish....
__________________
70 C20 Build link : Project Montezuma http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=794479 How to repair that rusted out 67-72 c10-c30! Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/c/MaycoCustomRestorations |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
I wanted to add a 1" fan spacer to push the fan out and under the shroud. While I was in there, I wanted to torque the crank pulley bolt, since I didn't get to when I put everything back together. This is when things went sideways. Most of you will know what the second picture says. This is how 20 minutes turns into 3 hours. I was able to clean up what was left of the threads, get a longer bolt, and get everything tightened up. I don't think I got to 80ft/lbs, but I wasn't going to push it too far. It's guud-n-tite. This little excursion almost cost me a motor. I currently have a good 327 sitting in the car next to this one, but I really was not in the mood to swap it.
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#13 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,956
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Nice work on the truck. She is a good looking one.
__________________
Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: San Ramon, CA
Posts: 229
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Looking good, I need to do an AC install on my C10. I completed a Vintage Air install on my 66 chevelle recently the problem I ran into was the ran 10-15 degrees hotter without the AC on. I was fighting cooling issues, but was able to fix it by replacing the standard fan clutch with a HD fan clutch.
With your AC on you might see 20-25 degree temp increases, especially during the summertime. Just something to watch out for. It was my first AC install on an old car so it caught me off guard. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
I added an "inexpensive" aluminum radiator during the ac job, and it almost works too good. Now, my heat is barely warm. I barely move the needle off cold on the dash. It can start to warm up a little at stop lights when 90 degrees+ out, but I just turn off the compressor for a minute to let it cool down. I went with the OAP kit specifically because I wanted the compressor button.
I got the carpet installed, and I made a huge difference in NVH. Now, I can hear all the little places air is leaking around the doors and windows! |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 566
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
"Now, my heat is barely warm."
The radiator size/cooling should not affect the heat (unless there is no thermostat). If it really is cool, check the heater valve that is in the heater hose, it may be in backwards. |
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Quote:
I'm not sure I'm in love with the aluminum radiator, but I needed some cheap and fast. I had to replace it during the AC install (where I was inching too far bast my budget) and needed a radiator that had a trans cooler integrated. |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Well, it got cold out. I needed to deal with my heat. After a little testing, I have figured out that my radiator is working a little too good. The engine just doesn't get very hot. I put a piece of cardboard in front of about 60% of the radiator, and now my gauge climbs slightly above cold, and the heat is decent.
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Berne IN
Posts: 3,235
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Nice upgrades
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71 C10 72 K20 72 K10 Super Kirk |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
I finally found a seat that meets all my needs. The hardest part was finding one with the middle 3 point belt, and relatively flat mounting. The answer is 07-14 Suburban 2nd row seats. If the weather cooperates, I hope to get them mocked up this weekend.
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Hampton Roads VA
Posts: 644
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Thats funny I just got seats I had been looking for a while. Almost have them finished and brackets made up! Good looking seat you got, I was tempted to try that color out in my truck but figured id go with the tried and true.
__________________
70 C20 Build link : Project Montezuma http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=794479 How to repair that rusted out 67-72 c10-c30! Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/c/MaycoCustomRestorations |
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#22 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Kathleen, GA
Posts: 643
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Quote:
Overcooling can be a bad thing too. |
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#23 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver-ish
Posts: 107
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Re: My journey to create a comfortable driver.
Quote:
As I see it, with a piece of cardboard in front of ~2/3 of the radiator, I have decent heat. In the summer, I remove it, and the engine doesn't get hot. (And I have cold a/c.) Sometimes, it's not worth the hassle to troubleshoot the problem, when a solution to the symptom is so easy. |
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