"Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion

[OlySezHey]

Damn - I hate it my 3D printing is out of commission - it would be PERFECT for creating custom lenses! Maybe you know somebody closer to you who does that kind of thing. The imagination is about the only limit! Actually now that I think about it, I'd make little lithophanes to mount in there! Turning those into lights is a pretty bright idea (you can smack me for the bad pun if I ever get a chance to meet you)

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by OlySezHey

Damn - I hate it my 3D printing is out of commission - it would be PERFECT for creating custom lenses! Maybe you know somebody closer to you who does that kind of thing. The imagination is about the only limit! Actually now that I think about it, I'd make little lithophanes to mount in there! Turning those into lights is a pretty bright idea (you can smack me for the bad pun if I ever get a chance to meet you)

I hadn't thought about a 3D printer for making the lenses. That's a good idea, but might not be cost effective. Unless I can find what I need, I'm going to try a clear lenses that's fluted and add satin clear as needed.

[N2TRUX]

I got in late last night, so I spent time on my desktop researching a source for a lens. I didnt come up with anything that fit my needs at a fair price, so I'm still on the hunt.

I did receive part another piece of the puzzle for my dual tank system. My buddy Chris Lucas had a dual tank truck that he pulled "like new" parts from a while back. He no longer needed the hard line assembly. It had factory curved hoses and had a fresh switching valve. Now I can mock up my duel tank system once Jake gets back home.

[aggie91]

Ken, I know you do a ton of research when you do your builds, so again I am going to try to save you some time by helping out and hoping you have not already done this research.

Previously I mentioned the fuel pump pressure depending on what EFI swap you plan for in the future. The same principle applies to the Fuel Tank Selector Valve. The stock C10 valve is a low pressure rated valve and would work for a TBI system, but not a system requiring more than 20-25 psi of fuel pressure.

Pollak makes a high pressure tank selector valve that works with the high efi pressure requirements. Here is a good refence thread for the dual tanks for use with EFI...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=379708

I am planning a LS swap into Owen's '84 this summer and the intent is to use the dual tanks and have it function as is should stock. At this point, I am leaning to use Jabin Wood's (gmachinz) harness kit he makes for just this type of swap (posts #17 & #18 of the above thread)

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Ken, I know you do a ton of research when you do your builds, so again I am going to try to save you some time by helping out and hoping you have not already done this research.

Previously I mentioned the fuel pump pressure depending on what EFI swap you plan for in the future. The same principle applies to the Fuel Tank Selector Valve. The stock C10 valve is a low pressure rated valve and would work for a TBI system, but not a system requiring more than 20-25 psi of fuel pressure.

Pollak makes a high pressure tank selector valve that works with the high efi pressure requirements. Here is a good refence thread for the dual tanks for use with EFI...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=379708

I am planning a LS swap into Owen's '84 this summer and the intent is to use the dual tanks and have it function as is should stock. At this point, I am leaning to use Jabin Wood's (gmachinz) harness kit he makes for just this type of swap (posts #17 & #18 of the above thread)

Right now I'm just gathering pieces. I know at some point I will have to update or change the components to meet the needs of powertrain I end up with. Until then, I just want to put the components in place.

I "wish" I could build the system once and be done with it. Unfortunately time, resources, and supply wont accommodate that desire.

[68Timber]

The courtesy light is a fresh idea. Maybe a dome light out of an older car? Seems like I've seen one somewhere that size that also had a flush lense. Someone following your build might know of one that would fit that spot and look right. Just a thought. As always, great work.

[rustytruck50]

How thick or thin can your lens material be?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

The courtesy light is a fresh idea. Maybe a dome light out of an older car? Seems like I've seen one somewhere that size that also had a flush lense. Someone following your build might know of one that would fit that spot and look right. Just a thought. As always, great work.

My thoughts are that I want new material so its not dull or faded. I think I have found one that the lens will work from Northern Tool.

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

How thick or thin can your lens material be?

The actual depth is about 1/8" but I could go 3/16" and bevel the edges.

[N2TRUX]

Another late night at work, so no progress on my end. Fortunately Aaron had some progress on his end. He started the slow, tedious process of aligning the doors. He started with the drivers rear door lining it up with the cab line. It is going to need some trimming to make the gap right.

[rustytruck50]

That was kinda what I had in mind for the lens....I'm not sure what the material is, but I was thinking something like what some people use for side markers or taillamps...like a pixelated appearance. Not sure if that look would go with your interior design ideas.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

That was kinda what I had in mind for the lens....I'm not sure what the material is, but I was thinking something like what some people use for side markers or taillamps...like a pixelated appearance. Not sure if that look would go with your interior design ideas.

I am looking for a lens that has built in diffusing to disperse the light evenly. My hope is that the finished product will integrate so that it goes unnoticed by most.

[LT7A]

Ken, I'm intrigued by your idea to use the ash trays for courtesy lights. Up here I go to TAP Plastics for that kind of thing. They are pretty reasonable and can work off of a template. They are only in WA, OR, and CA, but can possibly suggest someone near you. Or take care of you via mail. If you want to go that route and have someone "hands-on" to go to the store, let me know.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Ken, I'm intrigued by your idea to use the ash trays for courtesy lights. Up here I go to TAP Plastics for that kind of thing. They are pretty reasonable and can work off of a template. They are only in WA, OR, and CA, but can possibly suggest someone near you. Or take care of you via mail. If you want to go that route and have someone "hands-on" to go to the store, let me know.

There are a couple of plastic supply companies nearby that I considered for a source. I feel that they will only have sheet style light diffuser panels. I believe that a lens from a dome light, or reverse light is a better source.

[Hammered 77]

Ken, I thought of the 67 c 10 back up light might be close to the right size. May be too big.

[FunKing85]

This is a fantastic thread, very detailed and informative. I work on my truck solo, on a budget, when I can, to see the professional version and tactics helps me learn so much. Keep up the detail and the work! i'll be checking in regularly.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by FunKing85

This is a fantastic thread, very detailed and informative. I work on my truck solo, on a budget, when I can, to see the professional version and tactics helps me learn so much. Keep up the detail and the work! i'll be checking in regularly.

Thanks for joining us. I try to keep my builds clean and simple with a high level of detail that can be duplicated by the average Joe.

[N2TRUX]

This week was extremely busy so my shop time was non existent. This morning I finally found time to fabricate the mounting bracket that needed to be replaced. With a new bracket in place I headed to Homegrown Hotrods to test fit. After confirming my work, I had Aaron weld the brackets in place. He filled the bolt holes as well.

[N2TRUX]

I headed back to my shop and spent some time cleaning up the welds and fine tune the shape of the brackets. I used a flapper disc to finesse the welds followed by sanding pads in my angle grinder.

[N2TRUX]

With all the welds smooth I followed with a Scotch Brite pad and several coats of high build primer.

[OlySezHey]

That truck has a dome light, right? How 'bout matching that lens, and using something like this in all places?
https://www.autozone.com/exterior-li...light/751597_0
Any color o light you like - and a few other minor fx

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by OlySezHey

That truck has a dome light, right? How 'bout matching that lens, and using something like this in all places?
https://www.autozone.com/exterior-li...light/751597_0
Any color o light you like - and a few other minor fx

It has a single frosted lens in the middle of the roof. I plan to add a Suburban or Astro van overhead console and update it with LED lights

[N2TRUX]

Today I had to load an SUV and haul it to the mechanic shop for repairs. Chris tried to repair the blown spark plug threads on a Lincoln Navigator but the fix didn't hold.

After that fun trip in the rain, I got back in my shop. I started with the seat brackets. The primer got scuffed and another coat added before applying the satin black. After letting the bottom side cure I flipped them and put a few layers on the top side.

[N2TRUX]

While the seat brackets were curing I moved on to my next project. I had been putting off working on the door panels till the appropriate time. That time had arrived.
I always start the conversion process by deep cleaning the plastic. I use Dawn and a a scrub brush followed by another round of Dawn and Scotch Brite.

[N2TRUX]

After scrubbing both sides, I rinse and repeat . I pull out my 40 volt leaf blower to get the drying process started.

[N2TRUX]

It's been raining here all day so I decided not to test my luck with the humidity. I put off spraying the door panels with primer and move on to the next project. I plan to run the brushed aluminum inserts in the door panels. The front pieces are reproduced, but the rear are not. I have attempted to locate quality replacements with no luck.
I decided my next best option was to restore what I have.