Project "River Truck" - CCLB 4x4

[arrover]

Just a couple of random shots. I was winterizing a jetski with the crewcab. The second shot I was just seeing how the truck box looked in the bed.

[arrover]

I know some people don't like it but I cut the dash for a JVC headunit. This isn't a show truck and I wanted aux inputs and eventually I'll use the RCA outputs for a sub amp. I used the Metra 87-99-3052 install kit which works really well. I also used these Posi-Product connectors and really like them. I made a little how-to video of the whole installation.

How-To Install a Stereo in a 1973-1987 Chevy...

[arrover]

I went to the U-Pull-It for the first time the other day. They just opened one near me about a month ago. It's a fun time walking around looking for parts! I only got a handful of things but I can see myself going back quite a bit. I got everything in the picture for $20. The parts should clean up nicely. My front turn signal les/housing was melted for some reason so the bulb socket couldn't be mounted even though the light worked. 30 seconds at the salvage yard and I had a replacement.

[arrover]

Tonight I replaced all of the cab lights and gaskets for $29! The cheapest I could find at the normal Chevy parts houses was $80. I posted the purchasing info here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...57#post6388957 . The gaskets were closer to plastic than rubber after being on the truck for so long. Very brittle and cracked so I just cut them off. Several lenses were cracked and they were all cloudy. The metal under the lights was pretty pitted and rusty. To bad these didn't get changed 10 years ago... The sockets are kind of tough to get into the rubber gaskets. The metal clips that are clipped onto the main hole under the light are the grounding points. Three of my lights didn't work after changing gaskets and I had to wiggle the grounds around to get them back on.

[BONUSCAB]

Truck is looking great! I like what you're doing with it. Keep the good info coming!

[arrover]

The truck got new speakers last weekend! The old Jensens weren't cutting it anymore. I wanted something with a real tweeter. Some previous owner cut the doors for 6.5"s so I'm taking advantage of the holes. The new speakers are Rockford Fosgate Punch 165s. My window seals haven't been replaced yet so I used baffles to keep water off of the back of the speakers. They were a hassle to install but they're in.... I don't think the speakers are really meant to be sealed in a small enclosure so I cut a hole in the bottom of the baffles so they can breathe and for the wires. A hole saw turned backwards by hand cut the foam easily. Anyway, they're in and sound good. They look nice and conservative compared to some of the terrible speaker grills out there these days....

[arrover]

Few more.

[Low Elco]

You're a stronger soul than me- I'd have seen that roof paint while changing the gaskets and had to strip the roof paint. Then that wouldn'ta looked right, so I'd have to strip the rest of the truck, and it'd be unusable. See- you have the plan! I really dig this truck. Is that Table Rock or Beaver in the pics? Love me some Table Rock. Speakers look good! Are you happy with your new jams?

[arrover]

Haha! Well I realize that I should have painted up there but it's true I don't want to do the whole truck right now. I'm planning on using some of this color matched, spray "touch-up paint": http://www.automotivetouchup.com/ at some point. The roof paint is not in good condition right now but you are correct. My intension is to be able to use this truck as much possible and not get into any huge down times. I felt like the old lights were letting in water and wanted to fix that ASAP.

I'm loving the truck. It makes me smile when I drive or look at it. The radio/speakers make it even more fun. I'm going to add a sub but probably not until after I do some other projects.

That is actually Beaver Lake. Beaver and Table Rock are pretty similar. Thats cool that you are in my area of the country.

[Low Elco]

I love it down there, go to Big M/Eagle Rock on TR once a year. Used to go canoeing at Noel a lot. Totaled the hell out of a 99 Tahoe in front of the Walmart at Jane, the ER at Bentonville is great. Guess all that Wal-mart dough is good for somethin! If I Hit either lottery this weekend, I'll be your new neighbor. Hope you like Bud Light and ZZtop!

[arrover]

Been working on the truck more lately. I don't mind the look of the stock steering wheel but it just doesn't feel good in my hands compared to fatter, newer style steering wheels. I pulled these two GMC wheels at the U-Pull-It for $15 each. One went in my truck and one is a Christmas present for my brothers GMC 6000 flatbed. The diameters of the old and new wheels are basically the same but the new wheel has a much thicker grip.

[arrover]

I felt like I needed to check out the front axle bearings, seals, brakes, etc since I'm not sure when they were done last. The Dana 60 isn't terribly complex. I've never been inside one but it's going well. I decided to replace the inner bearings/races, seals, and spindle bearings/seals. I thought that the wheel bearings always came with races but that isn't the case I found out. I probably would be done by now but I'm waiting on the races... The spindle bearings are hard to get out of the spindles. A straight punch doesn't really work. I used a small pry bar that got bent a full 90 degrees before the bearings finally came out.

[arrover]

Few more...

[arrover]

The hubs were a little rusty and didn't look that good sticking out of the wheels. I primed and painted them semi-gloss black.

[83GMCK2500]

Holy crap, that was one badly stuck caliper... New hardware looks great.

[Low Elco]

That ain't a stuck caliper. Replace the brake hoses ASAP. BTDT. They collapse on the inside, acting as a one-way check valve. 80's chevies are FAMOUS for it. Work looks good!

[arrover]

Thanks for the replies guys. Low Elco, how confident are you that it's a brake hose issue? Obviously I want to do this the right way but I was hoping not to get further into the brake system yet. I was hoping to replace the brake soft lines, hard lines, maybe calipers, etc all at once. What does "BTDT" stand for? Thanks for the help.

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

That ain't a stuck caliper. Replace the brake hoses ASAP. BTDT. They collapse on the inside, acting as a one-way check valve. 80's chevies are FAMOUS for it. Work looks good!

Originally Posted by arrover

Thanks for the replies guys. Low Elco, how confident are you that it's a brake hose issue? Obviously I want to do this the right way but I was hoping not to get further into the brake system yet. I was hoping to replace the brake soft lines, hard lines, maybe calipers, etc all at once. What does "BTDT" stand for? Thanks for the help.

I can't view your videos to diagnose, but my 78 1 ton did the same, new brake hoses fixed it.

[83GMCK2500]

Whenever I have seen that excessive wear one one side of a rotor surface and far less on the other surface the caliper was stuck or sticking in the bracket/slide. Also, incorrectly installed or incorrect pads in a caliper can bind and cause that. Not disagreeing with your statement about brake lines, Low Elco, just clarifying my observations. Hoses/lines are a too often overlooked part of the brake system.

[garmar]

My '84 GMC did the same thing and it was the brake hose. The metal bracket/brace rusts around its interior surface and slowly builds up to the point where it closes up the hose. Brake pressure can go through but not return - one way valve. I also had a 92 Bonneville do this and a 94 Lesabre, so when I do calipers I always just do the lines since they are cheap insurance.

And cool truck! I used to work for a guy that had a 2 WD 85 CC and we put a 403 Olds engine in it. It freakin' screamed.

[Low Elco]

83- I totally agree, but calipers are easily checked and in 25 yrs of playing with cars/hotrods I've seen exactly one stuck caliper. A BUNCH of stuck slides/brackets, though. Once again, easily checked/cleaned/greased. I've seen several bad lines, and they're so cheap/easy to do.

BTDT= Been There, Done That. Took a full show '85 stepper backwards off of I435 at about 85 mph due to a collapsed hose. No leaks, looked fine, but the new pads were half gone, and the rotor was blue. Please check/swap your hoses.

[arrover]

Thanks guys! I'll move hoses to the top of the To-Do list. I appreciate the help!

[arrover]

Thanks again for the compliments! I think I'm just going to replace the hoses soon because I'm sure they need it either way. The calipers came off easily and I didn't see anything that indicated that they weren't sliding. I cleaned the caliper mounts and I will lube them when I put them back on (should I use grease or anti-seize?). With that and new hoses, I think everything will be operating correctly.

[bnoon]

I've had several brake issues over the years but I've never ever heard of the "famous" hose issue until this site. I've only ever replaced hoses if they had leaks or if I was upgrading to braided lines for track use. I found several videos showing it online, but have never experienced it once myself. I've had at least half a dozen bad calipers (usually the seals go bad and get filled with sand/dirt) and many many bad pins. I grew up with a wrench in my hand as the son of a mechanic and I'm 41 now... asked dad and he had heard of it but never experienced it either. Luck of the draw I guess.

EDIT: One way I would suggest to test the lines vs. caliper theory is to reverse bleed the lines. Pop the bleeder lose, fill a finger pump style oil can, attach a small piece of hose from the oil can output to the bleeder and pump a few squirts of brake fluid in through the bleeder. I've bled my brakes this way my whole life. Don't need anyone pumping the brake for you and don't need no expensive store bought pressure bleeder.

EDIT 2: Nice build by the way!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the H2 wheels on that truck!

[Low Elco]

You got it- go forth and stop smoothly and evenly, Grasshopper. I gotta try the bleeder setup. That's always a PITA.

You're a better man than me- All them 4X4 parts skeer me! I'm a 2x guy!