My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble

[rgunlock]

Thanks TKCR! I haven't totally made my mind up whether or not I am ready to start a "build" on the '71, let alone a build thread. My goal is to go through it mechanically which wouldn't be too exciting. I'll keep track and take pictures so that if it turns into a build, which knowing myself it likely will, I can start a thread.

Right now, it runs well and the transmission was recently rebuilt so it is shifting well. The brakes were redone recently, but something isn't right. Takes too much pedal pressure to get it stopped. Its the same setup as my '78 so I know how it should feel. Lots of strange noises, clunking sounds, etc. during certain maneuvers. Cab has the filler neck for an in-cab tank, but it isn't there. Bed is set up for dual saddle tanks, but they aren't there. Tank is in the rear with an in-bed filler you can barely reach and the fuel gauge doesn't work. That will have to be one of my first areas to address. Steering is pretty loose and the bottom of the engine is covered with half-formed drops of oil. Plenty to keep me busy for several months of weekends! Got a dresser/changing table to complete for my first grandchild (expected in Sept.) first though before I start tackling all this.

[rgunlock]

Decided to bite the bullet and make some shop upgrades before I start another truck project. Starting with insulation since my shop has been bare stud the 11 years I've worked in it. Last pic is upstairs in the storage area looking at the 2x6 rafters.

It already feels a little cooler inside relative to the outside temp even without AC. Biggest difference though is that you don't climb through a 20 degree increase in temp as you walk up to the attic. Sure have a lot of work to do before the shop is usable again though!

[MTCK]

That’s time well spent right there. Looks great.

[mjensen]

Awesome shop upgrade!

[rgunlock]

Thanks ya'll! I'm planning to cover the walls with a very light colored wall paneling that is fairly inexpensive and much easier for me to handle than trying to do sheetrock. My wife picked up enough of it yesterday that I can start putting it up in locations where I need to move heavy and/or bulky stuff back up against the wall. Not sure yet what I will do for the ceiling.

Not that I am looking forward to moving all my stuff and reorganizing it the heat we've had, but I am so motivated to get it done so I can use my shop again and actually be able to find stuff!

[Greenlee]

My goodness Rick! You picked the hottest days of the year to work on the shop!

Nice looking ‘71!!! I’m glad the ‘78 is treating you well.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by TKCR

That will be sooo nice, when it’s completed!

Originally Posted by MTCK

That’s time well spent right there. Looks great.

Originally Posted by mjensen

Awesome shop upgrade!

Originally Posted by Greenlee

My goodness Rick! You picked the hottest days of the year to work on the shop!

Nice looking ‘71!!! I’m glad the ‘78 is treating you well.

Thanks everyone! I did pay someone else to spray in the insulation, but have been spending my weekends since then putting up paneling on the walls. And yes, its been dang hot every one of those weekends. Need to do the research on the AC and get a move on that.

Thursday, I picked up yet another project. My daughter presented us with our first grandchild This is Micah, a grandson that was 8 pounds, 4 ounces and 21 inches long. Both he and my daughter are doing fine.

[swamp rat]

I missed a couple posts, congratulations on the grandson!

[Greenlee]

Congrats on the new grand baby! *****in Camaro!!

[rgunlock]

Thanks guys! Now I have to plan more trips to Dallas to see him.

[cmabolt]

Hey Rick! Congratson your grandson. Have a good holiday season and happy new year.

Chris

[rgunlock]

Hi Chris, long time hearing from you. Hope you're doing well. Thanks, and I hope you and your family also have a great holiday season!

[boynton]

I barely recognize that place! Looking really good.

[swamp rat]

Yea makin my head spin bud! nice shop!

[rgunlock]

Thanks for the compliments. This should be a much nicer, brighter space to work in. If I ever get it done, I am really ready to start working on the 71 GMC.

[rgunlock]

Yay! Finally finished the garage side ceiling. First is a random "before" shot of the space, and then the finished space.

[MTCK]

That looks great congrats. Got the dart board rolling and everything. Don’t miss!

[mongocanfly]

New shop walls look great Rick..!

[rgunlock]

Thanks Marcus and Greg! I'll probably have to hire some day help to do the ceiling on the other side so I don't have to deal with that much overhead work. Just can't get motivated to do any more interior and woodwork given the Christmas present on the floor.

There are a few holes in the wall already, but I'll soon put up a foam surround

[rgunlock]

Kind of embarrassing, but Hazel just got her first bath in about 8 months after living outside because there is another truck in the garage. She still cleans up nice. Bonn likes to attack spray out the nozzle, so he kind of got a bath too

Last weekend, my wife and I drove her about 3.5 hours down to Rockport TX for a fishing weekend and back. This is actually the 2nd time we've taken her on that trip. She does really well on the freeway with the NV4500. Only doing about 2700 RPM at 75-80. Seriously considering taking her on a long roadtrip to Indiana and N. Carolina. I think she could do it fine, but dang she's noisy at highway speed. Mostly the NV4500 in 5th gear. I've had it in at a reputable transmission shop, one of few around here that work on manual transmissions, and they can't find anything wrong to explain the noise. But... It would be a fun trip.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Kind of embarrassing, but Hazel just got her first bath in about 8 months after living outside because there is another truck in the garage. She still cleans up nice. Bonn likes to attack spray out the nozzle, so he kind of got a bath too

Last weekend, my wife and I drove her about 3.5 hours down to Rockport TX for a fishing weekend and back. This is actually the 2nd time we've taken her on that trip. She does really well on the freeway with the NV4500. Only doing about 2700 RPM at 75-80. Seriously considering taking her on a long roadtrip to Indiana and N. Carolina. I think she could do it fine, but dang she's noisy at highway speed. Mostly the NV4500 in 5th gear. I've had it in at a reputable transmission shop, one of few around here that work on manual transmissions, and they can't find anything wrong to explain the noise. But... It would be a fun trip.

It's looking good! I haven't noticed that noise in my NV4500. I really like how smooth it shifts compared to the old SM465. My only minor complaint is that I wish it had a more even spread across the gears. It seems too low in 1-3. I usually drive around town in 3-4, and it's a big jump from 4-5.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by MTCK

That’s awesome and how you know you built a solid project! Noise is honestly the biggest knock on my 91 also. Going to try to make it a little better this winter. Those 4500’s have a reputation...

Originally Posted by Old57

It's looking good! I haven't noticed that noise in my NV4500. I really like how smooth it shifts compared to the old SM465. My only minor complaint is that I wish it had a more even spread across the gears. It seems too low in 1-3. I usually drive around town in 3-4, and it's a big jump from 4-5.

Well, my wife and I did take her on that 3200 mile roadtrip. Wish that the 5th gear noise was the only problem. For now, I'll just say the trip was quite the "adventure". Need to upload a few pics and I'll post a report.

[MTCK]

That’s awesome and how you know you built a solid project! Noise is honestly the biggest knock on my 91 also. Going to try to make it a little better this winter. Those 4500’s have a reputation...

[MTCK]

Nice work!!! That's the kind of vacation that makes lasting memories. Stuff breaks. It happens. I've found with driving the crap out of my old trucks Those sorts of problems get shaken out, I fix them, and new ones pop up, but less frequently. Hope you don't have to sleep in the garage...

[rgunlock]

Yeah, I thought with daily driving and a couple reasonably long road trips I would have worked out the kinks. I guess good news is that with these old trucks you actually can do roadside repairs for many things. In my case, I think I bent my driveshaft so likely need a new one built. I am a little concerned whether my driveline angles had anything to do with the u-joint's early demise. I've got a (presumably good) Spicer u-joint in there now. I also wonder about the wisdom of bolting the AC compressor bracket through the waterpump, but have locktite on the bolt now.