1947 Panel Truck Frame swap with ’88 k2500

[Second Series]

I moved the truck in 4 wheel drive on gravel and heard the front wheels working, yet the indicator lights were not illuminated. I studied the schematic more and searched on-line for discussions about this system. The one light is supposed to be on all the time with the key power on to indicate the system is getting power, that is the backlight for the 4x4 console. The second light comes on when the 4x4 engages. I replaced the bulbs and now they are working. Awhile ago I had purchased a timing light. When I replaced the distributor I set in in near where the old one was and the engine ran fine. I had never used a timing light, I think I adjusted timing by ear on a points system I had once. The timing light was easy to use. I saw the timing was advanced quite a bit. I turned the distributor until the mark was at the first notch. The idle came way down, so the timing was the reason the idle was high.
Moving on to the floor. I had moved the battery to the engine bay, and now there is frame and exhaust below the hatch. There is still some room there and I thought about adding storage. I kept a lookout for a metal box and recently purchased a Makita tool case from an estate sale. I have yet to modify and attach the box. The transmission floor cover was hacked up pretty well at the restoration shop. I added some sheet metal to reduce the size of the cut-outs. I used Oxy-Acetylene. I got it dialed in by the time I was almost done. The panel warped some, but I think the tension will add to it’s strength. Ospho and paint for the floor panels. I fit the rubber floor mat first and then took it out. Thermal and sound barrier applied to the sheet metal, on top of that I placed a fiber mat. Finally the rubber mat on top, I didn’t get a picture of that and I still need to trim the fiber mat around the edges.

[Second Series]

I Drove to a BBQ place about 20 miles each way, the truck was fine, but the steering was stiff.
I drove to work 20 miles away and the steering was o.k. I was having issues with the speedometer.
The next time I drove to work I had the speedometer disabled, and the steering was stiff again.
I got this aftermarket Steering Column from someone who was giving up on a Jeep project. It was new, he said it was like an ‘80’s GM column. At $100 the price was right. I’ll try to describe what happens. As you drive down the road you are constantly adjusting the steering wheel so the vehicle goes straight. Small movements of the wheel, constantly, you don’t even realize it after awhile. This wheel is stiff and makes a creaking noise, each small adjustment takes real effort.
This is a tilt, floor shift, dash key steering column. Pretty basic. I decided to tear into it. Read a bunch on-line and decided it would be good to have a look inside. From what I saw on-line, this looks more like the ’67 to ’72 style.
It has the GM style ball u-joint in the tilt mechanism, that has the fail-safe yoke. The bottom has a bushing where the shaft exits, not a bearing. After removing the shaft it was plain to see the grease was applied in the wrong spot. I moved the grease down the shaft and also onto the bushing. Reassembled and it is smooth now.
The speedometer is working with the addition of a capacitor on the input signal. The drive to work was missing something, tunes. I have made a bracket for the radio, heater controls and A/C unit. A trip to the hardware store and I noticed how the Brake lever rests while disengaged, right where the A/C will reside. Working out all the little bugs while enjoying the ride.