"Elwood" the 77_remix

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I think I saw this on one of those car shows on the tube... Instead of continuing to tighten until a leak stops you should loosen a half turn and tighten it again. Repeat this until it is good. I haven't done any brake lines in a while, but this method seems to make sense.

Especially w/stainless fittings.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I think I saw this on one of those car shows on the tube... Instead of continuing to tighten until a leak stops you should loosen a half turn and tighten it again. Repeat this until it is good. I haven't done any brake lines in a while, but this method seems to make sense.

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Especially w/stainless fittings.

Scoti you may be right. The flare that split was against a stainless fitting. Lesson learned. The other one was inside the frame so I had a bad angle trying to tighten it. I was able to stop the leak by tightening with a line wrench, but I rounded the head. I decided to cut and replace the fitting while I could get to it.

[rustytruck50]

Looks great to me!

[N2TRUX]

Late night at work so I found a small job to do. I'm ready to reassemble the accessories on the drivers side. I spent time polishing the alternator before it goes back on.

[N2TRUX]

After I cleaned the alternator assembly I had planned to do the same to the power steering pump bracket. I searched my shop looking everywhere and can t find it. I am perplexed but I need to move on.

[N2TRUX]

With the mystery unsolved I prepared the fender for undercoat. When I cut the inside of the fender for the Slosh Tubz, it allows access to the inside.

I carefully clean and scuff as far as I can , then wipe with brake cleaner. After masking the area thourghly I spray undercoat inside the fender.
It now has protection from the weather, and its much quieter as well.

[N2TRUX]

I had a nice surprise waiting on my porch this week. Derek at Precision Replacement Parts sent me a box filled with goodies. I can't wait to get in the cab and get started with the install.

[N2TRUX]

Its been crazy the past few days. My desktop crashed and I had to have the mother board replaced. Since I run my company from my computer, I had to focus on getting it back in operation. That put me behind on my office work, so I haven't had any time to post.

[N2TRUX]

To recap where I left off, I had been searching for my power steering pump assembly. I had pulled it to gain access to the proportioning valve and set it aside to drip. I keep a box under my bench with a plastic liner for recycle items. I set it in the box with to drain, and apparently I never took it out. I cleaned my shop the next day and threw away some scrap parts. When I emptied the box a few days later, I totally forgaot the pump assembly was in there.

I have done some stupid things in my life. Most I can contribute to my youth or under the influence. Unfortunately I no longer have either of these as an excuse. This was just a stupid and costly mistake.

Another life lesson added to the list.

[N2TRUX]

Now that I have played True Confession, lets get back to talking trucks. To finish out the drivers side inner fender area I needed to move the wiring. When I add the Slosh Panelz the wiring was going to be in my way. I cut, spliced, and rerouted accordingly. It will eventually be rerouted to the front of the core support, but for now its cleaner and out of the way.

[gringoloco]

Oh, no! All my good parts went missing because I sold them off before I knew I’d need them again...

[rustytruck50]

Awwwww dang! Is it safe to assume there was a whiskey tango foxtrot reference made?
Well, if it's any consolation, I literally threw away about $200. I put the money in a empty med bottle so it was out of my sight. About a week or so later, I decided to clean out some stuff in the closet and the bottle turned out to be part of the toss....took a few days until I figured it out....took me a bit of time to get past that one!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Oh, no! All my good parts went missing because I sold them off before I knew I’d need them again...

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Awwwww dang! Is it safe to assume there was a whiskey tango foxtrot reference made?
Well, if it's any consolation, I literally threw away about $200. I put the money in a empty med bottle so it was out of my sight. About a week or so later, I decided to clean out some stuff in the closet and the bottle turned out to be part of the toss....took a few days until I figured it out....took me a bit of time to get past that one!

Yeah, there were a few curse words spread about. It took me a while to accept that there was no way out but to buy all new. That really sucks considering I had planned to replace my current set up with a front runner style system.

[N2TRUX]

Moving on with my progress, I coated one more section of the floor pan with undercoating. I love the clean fresh look and added protection from heat and noise.

[N2TRUX]

After a thorough cleaning on the drivers side of the motor, I moved over to the passenger side. I had previously undercoated inside the fender and front floor pan. With that dry i was able to focus on the motor. The A/C compressor was pulled and inspected. The brackets were polished and reassembled. I had a high pitched squeal coming from the compressor, so it will be replaced.

[rodstored-72]

ken.
your attention to detail is exceptional as well as your focus. I wait with baited breath to see what is up your sleeve each day.... LOL. I do have a few "general" questions for you though. you probably have covered this at some point (but just recently decided to try my hand at a "squarebody" Would you recommend a air suspension on a daily driver (around 20mi/day) or for maintanence a static drop suspension? i would be looking at around a 3-5 drop. i know opinions vary but i trust your knowledge & experience. thank you for the time & now.....

..... back to your regular scheduled entertainment....

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

ken.
your attention to detail is exceptional as well as your focus. I wait with baited breath to see what is up your sleeve each day.... LOL. I do have a few "general" questions for you though. you probably have covered this at some point (but just recently decided to try my hand at a "squarebody" Would you recommend a air suspension on a daily driver (around 20mi/day) or for maintanence a static drop suspension? i would be looking at around a 3-5 drop. i know opinions vary but i trust your knowledge & experience. thank you for the time & now.....

..... back to your regular scheduled entertainment....

I truly appreciate your kind words of support.
If an air suspension is done properly there is no reason why it cant be used on a daily driver. Keep in mind almost every big rig, and motor home on the road use air springs.

Air suspension becomes unreliable when its installed improperly, or low quality components are used in the system. The bags and air lines must be DOT approved, and the valves must be bubble tight. Go with RideTech and you will never go wrong.

With that said, if your only looking at a 3/5 drop I would start with static drop. Use 3" front spindles unless your sticking with 15" wheels. Add a flip kit in the rear and your set. If you decide to add air later you still keep everything you have bought already.

[N2TRUX]

Chris and I made a discovery this week. As long as i have owned this truck, i never knew it had once had a heater core seeping. Apparently the core had been replaced years ago, but no one fixed the mess it left behind.

While stripping out the cab in preperation for the ACC carpet kit from Brothers Truck Parts we ran across a crusty carpet pad hiding some rust. Chris removed the old carpet and pad, then stripped the pan to raw metal. Once clean, we coated it with Rust-Mort and let it do its job.

For those that are not familiar with Rust Mort, it is an acidic compound that converts rust to an insoluble black coating prior to applying body filler, primer or top coat. Once dried, it shpuld be treated with a sealer primer, followed by a top coat for protection.

[rodstored-72]

ken,
thank you for the response. my previous '72 had a static drop (2.5 -3") & it seemed to ride ok (a little "choppy"). i would for sure follow your advice & go with a name brand setup. i didn't think about the keeping components with static drop - good thought! I appreciate your valued input again thank you for taking time to share your escapades with us fellow truck nuts & may the "truck gods" smile upon you this coming weekend!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

ken,
thank you for the response. my previous '72 had a static drop (2.5 -3") & it seemed to ride ok (a little "choppy"). i would for sure follow your advice & go with a name brand setup. i didn't think about the keeping components with static drop - good thought! I appreciate your valued input again thank you for taking time to share your escapades with us fellow truck nuts & may the "truck gods" smile upon you this coming weekend!!

I have always used a 3" spindle and cut a coil off the stock one up front. I prefer this over aftermarket lowering springs as they tend to be too soft.
Recently I had a guy tell me he uses a C20 replacement spring cut down instead of a C10. He has done several trucks and loves the results.

[N2TRUX]

I received the Slosh Tubz fender filler panels this week. last night I had a chance to see if my template making was successful. Fortunately mike was able to decipher my intentions and straighten out my wobbly lines. I did have some minor adjustments to make, but the end result was a good fit.

Before installing the filler panels, I adjusted the firewall panel. I added temporary screws till we can get the final piece designed. It will be reverse bead rolled to give clearance for the factory blower fan protrusion. There will be a recessed area for the Restomod Air bulkhead as well.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I got one step closer to finishing the passenger side Slosh Tubz filler panel install. I had failed to mark the cut out for the battery tray mounts on the template I sent Mike. That meant I had to cut slowly and carefully.
After making 99 adjustments, the battery tray is mounted. I'll make new templates with all the mods before these go in to full production

[N2TRUX]

This week I received a nice surprise in my email. I had worked with Carter Hickman to design the wheels for Elwood. He put togther a digital image to give a visual of what they would look like on the truck. I think he nailed it on the design.

[67cheby]

hmmm... that rust mort is pretty cool , going to have to check that out

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

hmmm... that rust mort is pretty cool , going to have to check that out

It does what its supposed to do. This is the third time I have used it for the same application. I use a wire wheel to get it clean as possible, then treat it with Rust Mort. It neutralizes the rust that remains, and I seal it with primer. Problem solved.