Lurker OrrieG Progress Pics

[lynx5653]

Maybe guy I got it from read your build thread, who knows.

What are you using for wheels ? My wife wants a wheel that will look good with whitewall tires, any suggestions. My truck has 72 4x4 running gear.

[wyomech]

Just read through your build ,its funny how much different people have in common.I bought my 56 back in 1976 and used it for my daily driver,finally pulled the 327 out 2 years ago and put in a 6.0 and overdrive.I wanted to make it 4x4 but ended up converting a 63 swb instead. I also have a 64 malibu that I drive a lot. I like your attitude about building your vehicles to drive them.I am also running a SP2P manifold and the old style valve covers on the chevelle.

[wyomech]

Check out the february Hemmings Motor News they have a article on a 59 4x4 beautiful original .

[OrrieG]

lynx, I am going to run the stock 74 16" steel wheels painted to match the body color with trim rings and these hub caps (68-74 truck). Still debating how big or tires to run.

Wyomech the similarities are great, I know some local people that have both a TF or AD truck and 64-68 Chevelles too. Seems to be a good combination. I will check out the article, I assume its a NAPCO. I think 59 was the first year you could get them off the factory line, not as a dealer conversion.

[lynx5653]

thanks for info on wheels,they will look great.
My wife likes these rims just not sure if I can make center caps work.

[dubie]

I'm using these same wheels on my 56 step side build

Here's a cool video with a 56 wearing a nice set of ralleys

1956 Chevy Pickup - YouTube

[dubie]

I'm using these same wheels on my 56 step side build

Here's a cool video with a 56 wearing a nice set of ralleys

1956 Chevy Pickup - YouTube

[OrrieG]

To do list is down to three pages! But still to cold for body work, wiring, etc. Garage is 45 with stove going, wifes greenhouse is 70+ with just the sun working. Did get some general cleaning and organizing done so I can hit it hard when it warms up.

[oldman3]

That's a long list, but I know you will knock out a lot of them in a hurry....Jim

[_Ogre]

move your truck into the greenhouse
your wife will understand

[OrrieG]

I built the greenhouse and garden shed to get all her outdoor stuff out of the shop. Now if I could just recapture some of the space in the shop attic that is used for crafts, grandkids toys, etc.

To many trees to add one to the shop, but when I re-roof I am looking at adding some skylights.

[6BT 56]

Hi Orrie

im just abt to mount my stering box same as yours. some where in your thread you have full measuremeants and a pdf attached. you have 31 pages now ! i cant find it .


Can you pls re post some info . or post it on my build .

Thanks .

keep up the good work .

[OrrieG]

Decided its warm enough to start wiring. Here are the two diagrams I made. One is the FAM wiring blown up to 24" x 36" size. Other is same size with the EZ wire diagrams placed in relationship to the truck layout, other information, and lots of notes. I have at least 8-12 hours in on just the research and thinking part.

I laid out the fuse panel and wires as they came from EZ on two 8' tables we use for camping, right next to the truck. Then starting with the back section, dash, column then front checked every wire, rearranged some, discarded some then retied them into logical (in my mind) groups according to how I am going to run them. That part took 6 hours today.

EZ was pretty close, but it is still not just uncoil it and go. I still have about 10 wires for stuff I am not going to use, but may need for other things in the future that need to figure out. I also need to get some relays, power distribution block, extra wire that did not come in the kit and fusible link wiring, and loom material. Before I used the split ribbed stuff but found it gets dirty and hard to clean real fast. Ok for places you can't see. I am leaning toward black spiral so I can easily pull wires out as I go but still protect the wires.

Good to be making progress again.

[Kim57]

I can't wait until I'm at that point.
Good luck with it.
Kim

[Daze57]

wiring is always fun - good luck OrrieG - took me about 3-4 days but i was checkin things 5-6 times - i dont need no chevy flame up

i used the black spiral wrap also - works out v v well

[dug224]

OrrieG: Great progress. Wiring is screaming up on my quickly. We CAN'T have too many photos of your wiring progress. Now that I have my cab off, I will study reusing as much OEM frame harness as possible since it is already there. Thanks Dug

[_Ogre]

looks good orrieg
i hear guys say that it took 3 or 4 days to wire their truck,
it took me over a month to add all the relays, alarm, remotes, pw, ps, ac, fan, latches, etc...
add your new motor requirements i see a lot of wiring in your future
be patient

[OrrieG]

Thanks guys. Orge, I plan on having another 16-20 hours in on it. My grandson who is now living with us told me last night that he is bored with video games and wants to get back helping on the truck so I will have a helping hand.

Dug, I would look carefully at your harness. It may look OK but the original wire outer plastic gets very brittle, especially if its been over loaded or hot. I found places where the shielding had started to just drop off and exposed the wires to shorting. A couple of time I had wires ground to the body or frame. I figured I was not going to spend years and thousands of dollars on this truck to save a few hundred and some hours and see it burn to the ground.

[hsdropout]

Hope it stays warm for you OrrieG............
and good luck with the wire. Thanks for updates.
Is that any specific EZ wire kit or other? maybe I missed that earlier.......

[OrrieG]

It is the EZ 21 circuit that comes with the GM column connector,late model alternator fuel pump in tank, A/C, radio, etc. wiring that you do not get with a stock replacement one. I got it on sale so the price for the larger size wasn't that bad. Some of the circuits I am not using and will keep coiled up in the dash for future, others will be used for the trailer connector 12v, aux and electric brakes, extra light circuits, etc.

[Denee007]

I'd hate to do the wiring all over again! It's not so much the wiring of it, it's the time when connecting the battery! Like, I hope I don't see smoke coming out of the fuse box kind of worry!
I'm happy to see you making progress!!!; )

[daverod]

21 circuit was over kill for me. But I guess it's always good to have just in case. I could have used a 3 circuit .haha

[OrrieG]

5.5 hours today wiring, with the help of my OCD granddaughter who loved it, she kept things organized and neat during this part of the process. Here is how I did this part. Slide the table over. Drill the big grommet hole. Mine is in the fender well so I can run the back and light harness under the inner fender and then inside the frame rails. Push the back section thru, then the front. Have the under dash stuff coiled, then as you push the fuse panel up into place have your helper continue to pull the harness thru the firewall. Bolt up the harness and start organizing the under dash stuff. I ran the starter wires across under the dash and thru the wheel well on the passenger side. Then dome light and ground (had the old wires to use as pull wire!), a/c wiper cigar, dash bezel, light switch and column connectors. Only backtracking was pulling the glove box. Now its on to connecting everything up.

[OrrieG]

Passenger starter side and dash area after circuits pulled.

[Wheelie]

You'll be staring at that wiring so long you will be dreaming about it. On some custom wiring jobs in the past I literally had nightmares... Having OCD definitely helps when it comes to wiring!