Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild

[swamp rat]

Looks like a good stain combination..

[rgunlock]

Me Likey!

[DWilbur]

Very cool can't wait to see the wood installed

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Looks like a good stain combination..

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Me Likey!

Originally Posted by DWilbur

Very cool can't wait to see the wood installed

Thanks guys. I can't wait to epoxy this stuff and add some depth/gloss. Next week should be a productive week. I hope to get the exhaust finished and wood trim installed.

[mjensen]

I got a quick question for you. As you had suggested, I ended up with the American Autowire harness. My question is how did you mount your fuse panel? Just using the two studs punching through the firewall? I really like how clean yours turned out! I found the picture, but couldn't quite tell.

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by mjensen

I got a quick question for you. As you had suggested, I ended up with the American Autowire harness. My question is how did you mount your fuse panel? Just using the two studs punching through the firewall? I really like how clean yours turned out! I found the picture, but couldn't quite tell.

I used 2 stainless alen head or button head bolts that were inserted from the firewall side through the fuse panel and used nylon stainless lock nuts with a touch of anti seize. I drilled my firewall using the template provided in the kit. The kit comes with 2 long screws for the fuse panel which I did not use.

Glad you went with AAW. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by cmabolt

I used 2 stainless alen head or button head bolts that were inserted from the firewall side through the fuse panel and used nylon stainless lock nuts with a touch of anti seize. I drilled my firewall using the template provided in the kit. The kit comes with 2 long screws for the fuse panel which I did not use.

Glad you went with AAW. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Awesome! Thank you! I just went through everything, and I don't see a template. I'll have to see if I can get it online. Mine also didn't come with any screws, but I'm going the same route you did anyway. Thanks again!

[cmabolt]

I think the template and screws were in a baggy with the fuse panel block.

[cmabolt]

She's out in the sun!!!!
Well today, I actually pulled her out of the garage under her own power, washed her up and put some temporary tags on her for the voyage to the exhaust shop.



I also picked up my A/C lines and installed them. I was able to find a company nearby named http://www.colliflower.com that crimped them for me. They actually make the parker hoses in the vintage ac system, but mostly do industrial hoses and crimping. Very nice to deal with.


I also received my epoxy for the wood trim components.

I am gonna wait for the hot temps to go down before doing that. Probably later in the week.

And....for the most fun of the day... the half hour drive to the exhaust shop. It drove like a dream, brakes worked well, Steered easily and shifted smooth. I did hear a loud rubbing noise on the drivers front wheel so will have to investigate that when I get her home. I also have some gauge issues that need to be investigated. Probably a bad ground. Who knows. Anyway, what a joy to drive the truck after three years in the garage and 6 years of ownership.

[Blown06]

What an absolute beauty! I know that drive to the exhaust shop was fun, probably grinning the whole way.

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by Blown06

What an absolute beauty! I know that drive to the exhaust shop was fun, probably grinning the whole way.

Thanks Jarrod. It was an ear to ear grin for sure.

[DWilbur]

That's great you got to drive your truck today. I have been dreaming of that day for a while now. So how does it sound with the new exhaust.

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

That's great you got to drive your truck today. I have been dreaming of that day for a while now. So how does it sound with the new exhaust.

I'll let ya know when it's done. Should be in a couple days. Their doing 100% mandrel bent stainless system from the flanges all the way to the tips. They only had one flowmaster 44 stainless muffler so will be an extra day to get it, but should be a very nice system. It will have an H pipe built into the drop down pipes from the headers so I can remove the entire front section as one piece if needed. The rest will be pretty straight forward. Straight out the back. I did get 3" stainless tips, but not sure if we'll use them or not. It depends on how they look coming out the back.

I can't wait to hear it. I am not a magna flow guy and the 44's sounded like they were right in the wheel house for me so we'll see. I'll have to post some audio for you guys to hear it.

Until then.....

[rgunlock]

Looks just fabulous! And congratulations on the successful maiden voyage!

[y5mgisi]

Sure is a nice color!

[CUSTOM/10]

I'm jealous Chris........ Looks awesome !!!

I'm still working on mine but it's slow going !!!!
Gary

[ssuth9]

Looks Good..

[mcbassin]

Your truck looks great! Keep the pictures coming...

[swamp rat]

Awesome to say the least! The truck looks great!

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Awesome to say the least! The truck looks great!

Thanks swamp rat!

Yesterday I did a test with the epoxy as I have read some horror stories about this stuff not curing. I mixed up a small batch and poured it onto my test piece. I was nervous for about a half hour as it didn't seem to be setting up, then all of a sudden it started to cure and fast. This morning it was rock hard and crystal clear. Good stuff.

So, this morning I made another batch and poured it on the back side of both pieces. I think the smoothness of it will be a better base for the 3M trim tape to grab onto.

On the exhaust front, the truck is done. However, I asked for pure duals. Straight back from headers to the bumper on both sides. I guess the tech didn't like that once mocking stuff up and decided to route the passengers side over to the drivers side and do the H pipe after the trans. I haven't seen it yet, but not thrilled about that. If I don't like it, I may have them redo it. It's an expensive system and to not have it the way I want it seems ridiculous at this point. I think the main issue was the sum of bends needed to get over the crossmember.

Gonna pick it up shortly so we'll see. I'm sure this guy did a great job, but it will bother me forever if It's funky. I've seen a ton of dual systems on these trucks straight back so don't get it. Maybe it was just easier to do it this way? Or. maybe I just need to relax.

Chris

[mjensen]

It looks absolutely stunning! I'm with you on the exhaust. You want it the way you want it. It's not the tech's blood sweat and tears that went into building this truck the way you want it. It's not his call to deviate from your wishes...Kinda pisses me off, and it's not my truck

[7dee2]

What a purrty truck!

I agree with Mike 100%! You would think they would have called you for the okey dokey prior to modifying the job?

[swamp rat]

My duals have always went between the transfer case and frame on the passanger side, never given me any troubles with the fuel line i have passing thru the same area, its a small area but its been done many times..

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by mjensen

It looks absolutely stunning! I'm with you on the exhaust. You want it the way you want it. It's not the tech's blood sweat and tears that went into building this truck the way you want it. It's not his call to deviate from your wishes...Kinda pisses me off, and it's not my truck

Originally Posted by 7dee2

What a purrty truck!

I agree with Mike 100%! You would think they would have called you for the okey dokey prior to modifying the job?

Originally Posted by swamp rat

My duals have always went between the transfer case and frame on the passanger side, never given me any troubles with the fuel line i have passing thru the same area, its a small area but its been done many times..

Well picked the truck up yesterday and drove it a little more. I must say, I went to get it and had a full head of steam, ready to make him redo it. When I got there he still had it on the lift where I left it. I think he may have anticipated a bad reaction. Much to my surprise, it looks great! The guy just did an awesome job. It is also very serviceable which is huge for me. Take a look. Yeah it's different then most setups, but I am happy with it.
Passengers side.

Drivers side

H pipe


tailpipes

I took the opportunity to drive her some more and wow, she has some balls. the 373's and sm465 are a good combo. In third gear she really pulls hard. The exhaust sounds great. Not too loud unless you really lay into it. The 44 mufflers have a little slap which I don't like, but it's in a very small rpm range. before and after they sound really throaty. I will upload a good audio file. Talking in the cab was also very pleasant.

So once I got her home, it was back to fixing the issues. The list is as follows:
Gauges don't work and keep popping fuses.
Horn stay on all the time.
windshield wipers don't work.

After doing some research, I found that the horn issue is a common one with the after market nostalgic grant steering wheels. I cut out a piece of thin plastic that matched the shape of these two pieces.

the brass retaining tabs on the contact ring (right) ground out on the hub (left) and that is the issue. The plastic acts as an insulator between the two pieces. Problem solved! I used thin clear plastic from packaging of a saw blade I purchased at lowes.

Next, the gauges.... I disassembled the dash panel and put in a new fuse. Everything works except the temp gauge. I assume a post on something was grounding out. So I sleeved all the gauge posts with rubber and felted the dash panel. I think this will do the trick. The temp gauge is fine so classic instruments is sending a new sender to me.

Much to my horror, the wiper motor had to be removed for bench testing. All the wiring seemed fine, but not sure it was getting a good ground. I decided to get it out just in case it needed to be replaced. Well, glad I did. I benched tested and it was fine. I then decided to do a little digging and open up the washer pump.
This is the inside of the washer motor filled with sand from when it got sand blasted several years ago.

Turns out i had ordered a replacement and had one in the garage ready to install. So I made a new ground strap on the body of the motor, swapped the old washer pump for a new one, and back in she will go.


Hopefully next week I will be able to get her inspected. Today I hope to wrap up the electrical gremlins and put the last coat of epoxy on my wood pieces.

[mjensen]

The exhaust looks great! I'm glad it worked out for you!