Restomod 72 K10 "Good Memories"

[Richard]

Tried my best to get it all done today. Was tired and saved rest for another day. While my idea seemed simple, install was a bit more time consuming than I anticipated. Drivers side is done. Passenger powered arm is installed and all pieces cut/trimmed. Drill 4 holes for idler arm, install and install step. Regarding the hardware I needed 1/4" longer bolts for the pinch weld mount point because of 4 degree shims and I was shorted the motor mount screws for one of the motors. While not 100% concealed. I think the steps tuck up nicely when parked and I can live with it. Steps offer almost 8" lower entry point. Last pic contains model # of steps I used. Feel free to ask any questions about install.

[D.B]

Fantastic build, you are doing a great job. I wonder if you could powder coat the bolt heads the same color of blue so they blend in with the pinch weld.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by D.B

Fantastic build, you are doing a great job. I wonder if you could powder coat the bolt heads the same color of blue so they blend in with the pinch weld.

Thank you for the comments. The bolt heads do stand out quite a bit. My plan was to brush touch them with same activated paint that is on the truck.

[Richard]

Passenger step is done, had today off. Completed taxes this morning for us and Mother in Law as well. Sorry, no pics. Looks like other side just opposite. Forgot to take pics of the rivet nuts I installed for upper mounting point on last arm. Van is almost finished at body shop and I have tomorrow off as well. May start on seat install tomorrow.

[Richard]

Ironed out what I am doing to mount the 60/40 bench today. Was going to build a new frame that attached to the existing holes in truck and modify seat brackets. It sat so well on the floor, the new frame just seemed like a lot of work for no gain. I modified the 60 section inner bracket to sit on the floor. Will drill 8 new holes in floor. On the underside I will run 4 each 3/16" x 1 1/2" flat bar front to back with nuts welded onto flat bar. Will be a strong mounting IMO.
While I had the welder out I made a small change to the gas pedal bracket purchased from HartRod. Cut in half and rewelded with pedal mount side at a slight angle. This raised the pedal about 3/4"
Going to drop off seats at upholsterer maybe this week. Been dragging my feet as he wants a lot to do it. Several have recommended and my boss has known him for years. But.....his price is A LOT and I have all the fabric. We have a sewing machine at the shop and I probably can do it. Just would be more time working on something else for me though. Attached a few pics for your entertainment.

[nsiti]

Originally Posted by Richard

Tried my best to get it all done today. Was tired and saved rest for another day. While my idea seemed simple, install was a bit more time consuming than I anticipated. Drivers side is done. Passenger powered arm is installed and all pieces cut/trimmed. Drill 4 holes for idler arm, install and install step. Regarding the hardware I needed 1/4" longer bolts for the pinch weld mount point because of 4 degree shims and I was shorted the motor mount screws for one of the motors. While not 100% concealed. I think the steps tuck up nicely when parked and I can live with it. Steps offer almost 8" lower entry point. Last pic contains model # of steps I used. Feel free to ask any questions about install.

Hi and thanks for bringing your step install to my attention, it looks great!

How many 4 degree shims do you think I would need for a similar install on my '72 Suburban?

Cheers,
Nick

[Richard]

Originally Posted by nsiti

Hi and thanks for bringing your step install to my attention, it looks great!

How many 4 degree shims do you think I would need for a similar install on my '72 Suburban?

Cheers,
Nick

Same as my install, 8. Two per linkage arm. Maybe someone has a better solution than the axle shims? Used them because they were readily available, no fabrication and fairly cheap.

[nsiti]

Originally Posted by Richard

Same as my install, 8. Two per linkage arm. Maybe someone has a better solution than the axle shims? Used them because they were readily available, no fabrication and fairly cheap.

Thanks, any material preference for the shims? I see some in aluminum, steel, and zinc coated steel. They may be for different applications like leveling springs or pinion vs axle. Is strength preferable over corrosion resistance? Aluminum is going to weather better but is typically less durable.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by nsiti

Thanks, any material preference for the shims? I see some in aluminum, steel, and zinc coated steel. They may be for different applications like leveling springs or pinion vs axle. Is strength preferable over corrosion resistance? Aluminum is going to weather better but is typically less durable.

I used aluminum, easier to drill, cut, etc. They are used on axles, stress of the steps will be no problem. The Amp steps and linkage arms are made of aluminum as well.

[Richard]

One last look at the 94 grey 60/40 before the redo. Dropped them off today. The blue tape gives a hint of what I am thinking about. Materials to be used are blue vinyl and blue highlander cloth. I also purchased some seat heaters which will be installed in the seats.
Picked up my A/C box from the shop on the way back. Brad was going to shoot some clear on Friday so I sanded the box down and had him shoot it. Not sure if I like the gloss, may re-shoot with matte. I do like that the original plastic material is visible.

[Richard]

Back in black. A few days ago I sprayed the interior with a couple of cans of the Lizard skin top coat. The ceramic coating was not easy to clean and was not real durable. The $30 was worth it to me to make the situation better.
The firewall insulation piece from Quiet Ride should be here this week so I can finish heat and air box installation.
I started the wiring install. Bit done with the AAW fuse box and dash harness can be seen in the pics. Will wrap the whole harness with the cloth style tape when done. Changes may be needed so way to early for that.

[Steeveedee]

Cool! I just discovered this post. I'll look into making a visit. I guess I could hold something while you work on it.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Cool! I just discovered this post. I'll look into making a visit. I guess I could hold something while you work on it.

Good to hear from you again Steven. With my back feeling like it is going out again, Maybe I can hold the parts and you can work on the truck It is nice to be working on the truck again. I plan to use all the opportunity's I have available this year to "get er done" Stuff arrived today. Need to get it on the truck.

[Richard]

Put the cowl insulation on and got the drivers firewall insulator in place. The molded plastic pieces are much nicer than the cardboard tar paper ones. The center section is left loose as I need to see if the engine harness will work going through the clutch rod hole, I think it will.
Both of the stock heater cores I had in hand were leakers. Went to the local radiator shop today and it is gone, the owner passed away. Found another in the valley and they had no interest in repairing.
The replacement core I purchased from Classic parts matched the thinner version of the cores (almost) so I was able to use those shorter mounting brackets.
Had no idea there were different cores? All set to put in now, new teflon lined heat-A/C control cables are on the way. Control and radio just put in to see.
Core on the right is the new one in the picture. I will probably try to repair the old cores myself at some time with some sil-floss brazing material. Used to braze copper all the time.

[Richard]

That last bit of pushing it threw the back out and I took it easy for a bit. Got the A/C-Heat boxes installed along with the A/C vents. New cables are installed on controller and gas pedal is back in. Worked through a bit more in cab wiring.

[72 tigger]

Making progress!

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Making progress!

Yes I am! Thanks for the comment. More wiring today. Pic is all the wiring that still needs to go onto the truck. Though the engine harness was crammed through the clutch hole today. Everything went through it except the transmission connector. Ended up cutting it off and will crimp it back on later. Extra wires were pinned into the ECU for the A/C pressure sensor and wires added to harness for pwm fan, pwm fuel pump controller and coolant pump for supercharger heat exchanger.

[Richard]

Not a lot but something kind of cool I was trying to work out. Been working on wiring which does not have interesting pics. Purchased an 8k tach decal from pjmoreland (Patrick) to use on my factory air pressure lens going in the truck gauge cluster a while back. I contacted him about doing a custom decal for the lens on the shift indicator for my factory tilt column that would work with the 6L90e transmission I am using. He came through with awesome results! The M is for the manual shift mode actuated by paddles on my column (stock ZL1 Camaro). He also made decals replicating the font of my original lens. The aftermarket replacements are incorrect, maybe contact him if you are interested in either of these decals. Pictures are attached, I used Lokar linkage to get all the detents to match stock on the column with the 6L90. Patrick lined everything up very well with the factory placement.

[Richard]

One last pic. I have another repop lens to try out the factory replacment decal. Just need to remove incorrect letters so I can install the new decal.

[Richard]

Have been working a lot. F250 will be out the door next week and no more completes coming in hopefully. Got the ECM fuse panel mounted above the gas pedal. ECU is mounted behind the cluster on a custom removable bracket. The Dakota Digital speedometer drive unit is mounted next to the fuse panel using the parking brake mounting holes. Parking brake pedal will not be used. An electric Estopp unit in hand will be installed for that purpose.
Need to place the DD cruise module and tach/speedometer module as well as the Memphis Audio hidden stereo. A bit still to do.

[57taskforce]

Nice work Richard, this thing is gonna be so nasty when it’s done!

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Nice work Richard, this thing is gonna be so nasty when it’s done!

Thanks for the confidence boost. Seeing the blue a/c dash coming together washes me with past memories about my Dad. Even my brother said he thought about him when seeing the pictures.
I am motivated again, just need time to get it done.
My seat is progressing, I have made a couple of visits for consult. Steve has done a lot of work on the foam and some work on the frame. Does not look like it uses to but, will somewhat resemble the original seat when it is seen next when done. I think the end result will be what I expected.

[Richard]

Mentioned my seat in the last post. Foam work is not done, I knew this seat was going to take more time than expected. We all like pictures. I got some pictures and computer renderings of the final piece as well. The ribs in seat are gone and bolsters are built up a bit. You will have to wait to see the outcome, same as me.

[Richard]

Plugging away at more wiring. A batch of exhaust components also arrived.
Sneak peek at finished seat. One of the headrests. Really like how the color goes with the truck. Hope to see the whole thing in the near future.

[ProjectDD]

Nice build, I enjoyed going through it. I like the seat idea. I have thoughts of something similar but with a full bench. I'd like to have "buckets" with spots for a submarine harness point for the passenger and driver and a normal spot in the center. For putting my son's car seat.