Zippys 50'

[Iplumb]

More Pics
Mounted the fuse box to finalize where the wires will be routed for final assembly.
Made a couple of aluminum panels to facilitate install as well.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by Iplumb

Jacob and I finished fitting all of the in cab items and controls.
Some final welds and off the painter it goes.

A little rant...
Why is it that nothing ever just fits? We buy (and pay for it) it to fit - but there is always "some assembly required". IE it does NOT just fit - or the instructions are written by someone with a crayon and no practical sense of order or direction. The exception I would say in my experience has been Lokar - they should be the goal other manufacturers shoot for.

End Rant.

Mike

Really nice work and good ideas with the mounting plates! I feel your pain on parts fitting Mike. Most in the industry have greatly improved over the years and there is still room for improvement.

[Iplumb]

Thank you Doug!
It seems as if with todays technology it would be so simple - a video link, a color PDF with real photos - to help with instructions anyway. The fitment issues I really don't have any suggestions for that - I just know it certainly could be better.
Mike

[Iplumb]

Hi Guys
Wondering if I could get some guidance...
We put a 700r4 trans in Jakes truck.
I need to put an external lock up kit in it. I bought the american auto wire kit.
Thought all was good - it needs to thread into the high pressure port on the passenger side of the trans. Guess what... no port. AAW says we need to use a different kit and they can't help.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike

[Advanced Design]

Mike,

While it might be possible to modify the kit you have so it will work, I am not familiar enough with them to help....other than a bit of research I did.

Monster transmission lock up kit ordering selection drop down asks if there is an external pressure port or not. Guessing they send different components based on that. http://www.monstertransmission.com/7...l#.VxwztPpHarU

Bowler Transmission has a lock up module that engages TCC 8 seconds after 4th gear applies and allows for brake disengagement of TCC. While I don't know if that might help in your situation, those would be nice features to have.http://bowlertransmissions.com/p/103...control-module

Bowler is about 20 miles from me and last I checked in with them they really know transmission.

[Iplumb]

Doug,
Thank you so much!
I did a bit of research too - and some people have said to use my kit and tap the servo cover in the middle which would require removing it. I have the taps and drills to do so - just don't know if that is the way to go.
I will read the links you sent today.
Thanks Again
Mike

[jed971959]

truck is looking good


do you have oil in it
why not just use the lock up wiring that is on the valve body
Jim

[Iplumb]

Thanks Jim
There is enough oil in it but not full - the lock up wiring in the valve body need stop be controlled and I was looking for the simplest way for my son. I may have found a kit from bowtie overdrives. Still looking for ideas,
Thanks
Mike

[jed971959]

Hi
are you looking for some way to control l/u when you stop
I was asking about the oil only because if you didn't have oil in it yet
you could show me the lock up wire and pressure switch set up in your tranny
700 tranny's has many configurations for l/u
Gm uses a 2 part brake switch 1-when pressed turns brake lights on 2nd half
turns power off to lock up in tranny
I think I have the book for the 700 with the different set ups for l/u
if you want them I will look for it and scan and send them to you
Jim

[Iplumb]

Hello!
It's been a while, but Jacob and I have not stopped working on his truck.
I will post pictures soon. We were stuck in paint shop hold for a long while, I built a little fun truck in the middle, and senior year of high school and now off to college sure limits his time to work on it.
The good news is it close - real close. The bed is at the painter and the last thing we need, it is set to go for the interior the beginning of March.
Mike

[GreasyLikeaBurger]

Is that a glide engineering seat frame? Saw there booth at the GNRS last weekend, they look look nice in person. Just seeing if you have any input on them.

[Iplumb]

It is a Glide Seat. They are very nice. We got the foam kit at the same time.

Here are some pics
I have no idea how to get them rotated? They are correct on my computer.

[joedoh]

looking good!


for why you r pictures are rotated, most photo editing programs automatically rotate photos to display correctly on a computer screen, but the image info still recognizes the camera settings when the picture was taken. if you have ever uploaded pictures top craigslist or ebay you have seen what I am talking about, a sideways picture will automatically correct to be right side up.

anyway, to fix it, either fix it in your camera when taking the picture (there is a camera icon on most phones that shows you the orientation of the picture, if the icon is sideways the picture will be sideways) or fix it on your computer by using the FILE-->EXPORT command to export the picture from the image program to a raw jpg on your desktop. when you open the picture from your desktop you will see it is sideways and most image editors have a rotate command

the easiest way though is to just pay attention to the icon on your camera, if its sideways, your picture will be sideways. shake the phone a bit and it will eventually rotate, and your picture will be right

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by Iplumb

The original bed and rear fenders needed a lot of love to get them in shape.
We also want to run wider tires in the rear so we ordered mini tubs.
Purchased a new bed and rear fenders. We had to set it on the frame to see what it looked like.

Those rear tubs are awesome. where did you find them?

Edit: Should have read the full thread first sorry. Great metal work throughout! I like the pictures showing how the clamps work.

Dan Carpenters: http://dancarpenters.com/tubb.html
$310 for two tubs. Not bad at all. Good instructions in there like you said.

[Iplumb]

Thanks for the comments and help.
Here are some pictures from fitting up the front sheet metal and cab, prior to paint.

We just about gave up trying to get the gaps right. Days of time but they came out pretty good for our first time ever.

[joedoh]

woop woop! looks right side up and awesome

[oldman3]

Looks like nice gaps to me...Jim

[Iplumb]

Thank you.
Its been a real learning experience so far.
Here some more pictures - we fit up the grill, bumper and splash shield. Thats Jake in the truck just for a smile and it getting sent back the body shop.

[Iplumb]

More pictures - bodywork with the front sheet metal on before we took it apart... again.

[Advanced Design]

Looking really good, awesome work on fitting the sheet metal right! Appreciate the updates.

[Iplumb]

Thanks Doug
Right after these pictures, we took the entire front clip apart again for final painting. I don't remember where I heard it or read it, but we drilled 1/8" locator pin holes on every item prior to unbolting. What a fantastic tip.
Mike

[Iplumb]

After we broke it down, final bodywork and primer on the cab and doors.
Ordered circle racing smoothies and got the tires mounted up as well.

[Iplumb]

And finally - Color! In the side view the door needs a little adjustment yet

[84blaze]

I'm loving the look of those wheels!

[Iplumb]

Thanks 84 Blaze - they will be painted body color on the brushed portion.

Here are the pics after we got the cab and front sheet metal back on.
Go figure... it only took three hours to get everything back on - first time because we drill the locating pin holes.

Not happy with the grill above the drivers turn signal - it seems to be going uphill a bit.