"Sweet Pea" 1975 Cheyenne 20

[ShortHaul]

I got the gauges all wired in and tucked away, they look fantastic! So stoked on the outcome. I'll take some pics at night too, they look great with the back lighting.

However, on a test drive I found my fans aren't kicking on. Grr... They've worked before. Now they aren't kicking on. Tuner says they're programmed to come on at 196 and 204 (respectively) I did the 5 minute check up (fuses, ground, wiring) and its all kosher. Not sure how to check a relay, but everything looks tidy and right. Im baffled. Any suggestions? I have a show coming up over labor day weekend... if I cant get it figured out by then I'm just going to wire them to a switch.

[ShortHaul]

I'm no photographer, but here they are...
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[ShortHaul]

I drove her to work today, 40 miles, mostly freeway. This was the first commute since the swap. She drove like a dream! 70-75 at 2300 rpm. Cruised right along. Stayed nice and cool, no weird shakes, noises, problems. From pulling the motor on Jan 1 to commuting to work worry free on 8/24. Quite the process! I'm sure there will be some things I iron out as I go, but its safe to say she's a runner! Thanks for all the help from everyone who has pitched in along the way.

[Rich84]

Did you get the fans sorted out?

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by Rich84

Did you get the fans sorted out?

Not entirely. I’ve got them running on a switch right now, which works fine… but I’d like to have them running as they’re meant to.

[ShortHaul]

Been away for a bit, but Sweet Pea is running strong as ever. Lots of use as a daily driver, firewood hauler and all around pickem up truck. Ive got some pics from the C10 Intervention show back in Sept, So i'll upload em now.

The lineup!

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[ShortHaul]

And now a few pics of her less fancy daily life

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[Getter-Done]

Nice.

[Joe Pass]

Well done.....

[Corts60]

Beautiful work my friend!

[Factory Guy]

Looking good as always! Nice to have a 3/4ton, when you want to carry a load!

[ShortHaul]

I've been dealing with the sticky steering wheel for years, and finally decided I'd had enough. I found this NOS Truckline Sport Grip wheel cover on ebay a while back. Finally got around to installing it. I love it. Such a period correct, old school feel. I swear my dad had one of these on every truck we owned when I was a kid. No more sticky fingers, and it looks pretty dang cool in my opinion. Love the original box and hand drawn instructions.

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[CG]

Love the steering wheel cover, Ive put a lot of those on over the years. Didn't think there were any out there anymore. Id like a black one, Ill have to have my brother check E bay for me.

[Factory Guy]

As far as the sticky steering wheel goes...I have been doing some research and apparently the way to solve it, is you apply some Oxi Clean to the plastic parts and it neutralizes the degradation of the plastics in the steering wheel.

I have NOT done this to mine yet.

Test in a small area to start!

Mine needs it too!

[Rich84]

Hmmm.
Funny how some do it and others don't. My '86 is sticky in damp weather but my '84 which has an '85 wheel is never sticky.

[rodstored-72]

i like the steering wheel cover... reminds me of my 'ol '79 big10 which had one when i took over driving duties from my dad. gauge question: did you have any issues with the fuel gauge? if not would you be willing to share how you hooked it up? I am having issues with it reading in mine.
thanks!!

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

i like the steering wheel cover... reminds me of my 'ol '79 big10 which had one when i took over driving duties from my dad. gauge question: did you have any issues with the fuel gauge? if not would you be willing to share how you hooked it up? I am having issues with it reading in mine.
thanks!!

Hey sorry for the delayed reply. I’ll have to look back through some pictures, but I’m fairly certain I hooked it up just how the Dakota instructions said to. Set to the proper ohms for the 87+ sending unit.

[rodstored-72]

shorthaul. thanks for the reply, I thought i had it wired according to DD instructions as well, but to no avail... I checked cont. between each ends of the fuel gauge wire from the dash end to the selector switch (dual tanks) it is good there. I guess I am confused on the grounding issue? i have '87 tanks & '87 sending units. the gauge shoots to full at start up

anyways... nice job n the dash

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

shorthaul. thanks for the reply, I thought i had it wired according to DD instructions as well, but to no avail... I checked cont. between each ends of the fuel gauge wire from the dash end to the selector switch (dual tanks) it is good there. I guess I am confused on the grounding issue? i have '87 tanks & '87 sending units. the gauge shoots to full at start up

anyways... nice job n the dash

Yeah I did away with the selector, and wired it all as layinrocker describes in his post above, with a dedicated ground from the sender direct to the DD control box. And just confirming you set the ohms to the proper level? (0-90 if I recall) perhaps try running a single wire from the sender, bypassing the tank switch to see if that’s the culprit.

[rodstored-72]

shorthaul, thanks again for the reply. I think I will start a seperate thread (don't want to hi-jack you) the truck looks cool & looking foward to more updates....

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

shorthaul, thanks again for the reply. I think I will start a seperate thread (don't want to hi-jack you) the truck looks cool & looking foward to more updates....

No worries, thanks and good luck sorting it out. I’m sure you’ll get it dialed in. Don’t be afraid to call Dakota Digital directly.

[ShortHaul]

I’m 1500 miles post engine swap and things are running along pretty smooth! But now it’s time to go back and fix a handful of little nagging issues that got put on the back burner.

Headlights: my stock ones were always pretty dim. So I added a set from Vintage Car LED’s. Classic glass lenses that look pretty OG but have wayyy brighter output. I’m a fan!

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Under hood liner: my old fiberglass one was awful. Falling apart and sprinkling fiberglass dust all over the engine comp. Got a new one from USA-1 industries and I’m more than happy with the result! Came with the push in retainers too.

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr


D/S door jamb switch for interior lights: Switch was pretty old and crusty, and would only actuate the dome light on occasion. So I bought a pair of replacements from LMC. The swap is very simple, but unfortunately I ran into a problem that many have reported having with the replacements. Once you thread the new switch all the way into the door jamb it becomes loose and wobbly in its hole. Almost as if the threads on the switch are a hair smaller at the base. No real good way to get behind that switch, the kick panel is sealed off behind there. Going to try a little dab of jb weld behind the switch to keep it in place…

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr


Reverse lights coming on upon acceleration: my wife was driving behind me the other day and she noticed that when I’d pull away from a stoplight my reverse lights would come on! I thought she was nuts so we switched spots and I followed her for a bit. Sure enough, on acceleration the reverse lights pop on. They’ll stay lit until you let off the gas a little, but then come on and off occasionally throughout the drive. I’m guessing it’s due to the position of the gear selector being out of place. (4 speed 4l80 vs 3 spd th400) but I really can’t pinpoint it. Gonna have to dive into this one…

Transfer tank port leaking: The port where the transfer pump dumps fuel into the main tank is leaking. It’s an AN-6 fitting so I probably just need to get a wrench on it to snug it up, but it’s a PITA to get to… probably have to drop the tank…

[Factory Guy]

I was just debating what to due about my dim headlights as well.

I will have to look at Vintage headlights and see what they offer. I had thought I would get Holley's LED's. I only want something that looks factory but is WAY brighter!

https://www.holley.com/products/elec.../parts/LFRB135

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by ShortHaul

Reverse lights coming on upon acceleration: my wife was driving behind me the other day and she noticed that when I’d pull away from a stoplight my reverse lights would come on! I thought she was nuts so we switched spots and I followed her for a bit. Sure enough, on acceleration the reverse lights pop on. They’ll stay lit until you let off the gas a little, but then come on and off occasionally throughout the drive. I’m guessing it’s due to the position of the gear selector being out of place. (4 speed 4l80 vs 3 spd th400) but I really can’t pinpoint it. Gonna have to dive into this one…

Is the reverse neutral switch on the column, think the switch just rotates... probably all it needs is an little tweak

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by 87chevy.com

Is the reverse neutral switch on the column, think the switch just rotates... probably all it needs is an little tweak

That’s most likely the culprit. I replaced it along with the ignition switch shortly before doing the engine swap, it probably just needs a little adjustment.