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#26 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
And wiring one of these old trucks should be as easy as it gets. To top it off, this is one of those generic wiring harnesses that has each wire labeled, but there is no schematic for it. On top of that, I've had to buy the ignition switch, light switch, dimmer switch all separately and they have generic wiring as well and there is no matching up wire colors. Even had to splice in the right light harness to the left side.
![]() Anyway, I'll get'er done - the worst that could happen is I burn it to the ground, right? ![]() I should have this part done sometime this week I hope - I'm about ready to hook up power to it to make sure everything works before I tie everything away. I'm using all new parking light and headlights too, and replacing all the connectors - getting rid of all the old crap. Same with fuel sending unit annd dash instruments. ![]()
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#27 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Doodah Kansas
Posts: 7,773
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
stay away from dorman headlight sockets, I just bought some and they are crapola, the terminals push out of the plastic.
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the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393 |
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#28 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 155
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
I went with H4 headlights so I used ceramic plugs. I didn't want to risk plastic ones melting
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#29 | ||
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Quote:
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![]() I got some of the spaghetti cleaned up today. Hooked up the battery, no sparks or plastic melting which is always positive. Turn signals and parking lights are working. Put on the hood to cowl seal today. The old screws did not want to depart! ![]()
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#30 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Loving this project so far
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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#31 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Just because a truck has a ton of rust, I dont think it's a good dea to let it go without doing something to slow or stop it. Eastwood sells a spray on product that's a rust "converter" instead of an "encapsulator". Just go after the area with a wire brush then hit it with a couple thin coats.
Before ![]() After ![]() Got the headlights, parking lights and tailghts installed. The headlights are HID with the turn signals built into them. The turn signals I changed to be parking lights. One piece of amusement is that the new dimmer switch I bought worked for low beams only, so I cleaned up the American made 62 year old old one a bit and shot some lithium grease into it, and it works like a champ. ![]() Spaghetti is getting under control ![]() I should get the gauges installed this week
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#32 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Decided to work on the dash and gauges so I could get them wired up. Here's how they looked before - all original and I don't know if they worked or not. If anyone wants them, drop a PM.
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#33 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Doodah Kansas
Posts: 7,773
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
nice work! the fourth dimension has always been time.
are your headlights upside down?
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the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393 |
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#34 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
All the ones I've seen have the turn signal at the bottom. Now you've got me wonerdering...
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#35 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Love you builds. This one looks like a 180 direction change from your last few...
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#36 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Doodah Kansas
Posts: 7,773
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
no I think you are right, the turn/park chamber on mine is on top!
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the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393 |
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#37 | ||
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Quote:
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#38 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Got the gauges installed in the bezels and made up the wiring harnesses
![]() Yes, that's a dent in the hood. ![]()
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#39 |
Still Learning
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 10,108
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Cool Project Steve! I would have never known if you hadn't changed your picture....
Looking forward to following along. |
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#40 | |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Quote:
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#41 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cactus Patch So. Az
Posts: 4,750
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Great project and it is another solid windshield GMC!!
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53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42 |
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#42 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Some progress to report. The gauges are in and the wiring is mostly complete. I cleaned up the firewall a bit in the process. I bought a leaf spring kit from Total Cost Involved (haven't received it yet) so I started the process of removing the current rear suspension, which looks like it's going to be a ton of fun in the form of rivet removal. Can hardly wait for that.
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#43 |
Still Learning
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 10,108
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Nice work Steve! Sounds like you'll have fun on the rivet removal.
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#44 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: West Side of the valley, CA
Posts: 878
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Man I do like how a 54's dash looks. Popping out the rivets aren't that bad as long as the cut the "X" in the head and pop it off.
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#45 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Cut the X then drill out or chisel it?
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#46 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: West Side of the valley, CA
Posts: 878
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
yup. Cut an "x" into the head w/cutoff wheel down to the frame then use an air chisel to remove the head. then you can punch the remaining piece out with the air chisel. Definitely wear hearing protection. It can be LOUD!
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#47 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
What a PITA! Each front spring mount has no less than 5 rivets holding it in place - 3 on the side and 2 underneath. I went to HF and pissed away some money on an air chisel. It did make a hell of a racket but not much of a dent in the rivet head. I found the best way was to grind the head down flush to the frame and then drill it out.
The two front mounts are out and now on to the rear mounts with only 3 rivets each, but the are all on the bottom of the frame. ![]() After this everything else will seem like a blast...
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#48 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Doodah Kansas
Posts: 7,773
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
man I hate grinding rivets.
for next time, instead of a grinding disc use a thin cut off wheel in the grinder and be VERY CAREFUL (goggles, face shield, heavy long sleeve shirt, leather gloves, no shorts or flip flops!) to hold the grinder firmly, dont bind the disc or it will explode and the shrapnel is lethal. (maybe not lethal, but it will make you remember the date on the calendar as a BC/AD kind of thing) slice the heads off the rivets, easy peasy, then drill a hole about half the size of the rivet in the center. the hole in the center takes the compressive force out of the rivet and you should be able to just bang them through. if you have a plasma cutter, just blow right through the centers of the rivets and blow the heads off sideways, easy peasy.
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the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393 |
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#49 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Joe, I took your advice and ground the heads off. Wasn't easy peasy because there was always something in the way and being on the bottom of the frame I was treated to spark showers. I also learned why you recommended a long sleeve shirt too.
I had better luck drilling a small hole in the center of the rivet then going after it with a step bit after that. Then I just knocked the bracket off with a BFH. Anyway, all those rat bastard rivets are off there now. Next up is to grind the crust off the axle and get it painted and hang the brackets.
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Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro |
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#50 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Doodah Kansas
Posts: 7,773
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Re: 54 GMC 100: The Iron Ox
Quote:
good workaround! I dont have a drill that will drill past the 4th step on a step bit haha.
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the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393 |
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