"Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion

[N2TRUX]

I removed the plug for the dual light set up and plugged the remaining one to the original incandescent bulb.
The lights work, but provide inadequate lighting. I'm eager to see the LED light system in place

[N2TRUX]

Heres a video feature on @n2trux showing the progress Link

[rodstored-72]

ken,
as always really appreciate the supurb detail you describe in & the quality of pictures!!! I (along with the others) have a question on the side mirrors too..... I would like to do the same a you with the mirrors when i purchase & build my squarebody daily driver. My question is related to the wiring of the mirrors, do the mirrors have "instructions" related to the wire connections needed? I would like to ask if you would be willing to share how you wired them into the truck's wiring system? also if you might share any "hints or secrets" of your install? I hope it is not too presumed of me to ask you of this. I really like the idea of them & think it is really cool!!!

thanks for your time & continued effort on "schooling" us in the truck building arena!!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

ken,
as always really appreciate the supurb detail you describe in & the quality of pictures!!! I (along with the others) have a question on the side mirrors too..... I would like to do the same a you with the mirrors when i purchase & build my squarebody daily driver. My question is related to the wiring of the mirrors, do the mirrors have "instructions" related to the wire connections needed? I would like to ask if you would be willing to share how you wired them into the truck's wiring system? also if you might share any "hints or secrets" of your install? I hope it is not too presumed of me to ask you of this. I really like the idea of them & think it is really cool!!!

thanks for your time & continued effort on "schooling" us in the truck building arena!!!

I would love to show you a detailed version of how we hooked the blinkers to the stock wiring if we had done it that way. Christian connected the stock signal wires to the Dakota Digital RTX cluster. We simply plugged the United Pacific wiring leads to the Dakota Digital module and were done.

I dont recall the stock blinker wire colors, but thats just a Google search away. The mirrors tie in easily and work perfectly.

One thing I noticed about the U/P mirrors is that you can not see the LEDs when not in use. On my late model GMs the LEDs are visable. Not a big deal, but these look much cleaner when not lit up.

[rodstored-72]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I would love to show you a detailed version of how we hooked the blinkers to the stock wiring if we had done it that way. Christian connected the stock signal wires to the Dakota Digital RTX cluster. We simply plugged the United Pacific wiring leads to the Dakota Digital module and were done.

I dont recall the stock blinker wire colors, but thats just a Google search away. The mirrors tie in easily and work perfectly.

One thing I noticed about the U/P mirrors is that you can not see the LEDs when not in use. On my late model GMs the LEDs are visable. Not a big deal, but these look much cleaner when not lit up.

ken,
Thank you for the reply. that is the info I was trying to figure out. It sounds like it was not too hard to intergrate into the elec. system. I would like to try & incorporate them into my upcoming build & just looking for a general "degree of difficulty" related to the install. Thank you again for your time & the quality info you continue to provide.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

ken,
Thank you for the reply. that is the info I was trying to figure out. It sounds like it was not too hard to intergrate into the elec. system. I would like to try & incorporate them into my upcoming build & just looking for a general "degree of difficulty" related to the install. Thank you again for your time & the quality info you continue to provide.

If you have every pulled a cluster, you know its more of a hassle getting to the cluster than it is to take it out. Hooking the Dakota Digital cluster up can be done in a day. Its more time consuming routing wires than it is difficult to install.

[rodstored-72]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If you have every pulled a cluster, you know its more of a hassle getting to the cluster than it is to take it out. Hooking the Dakota Digital cluster up can be done in a day. Its more time consuming routing wires than it is difficult to install.

Ken,
Thanks for the info. Yea.. I "autometered" my '72 dash as I installed a Custom bezel too. So i know what you mean!!! i would venture to say that the squarebody dash is a little more involved - you know with all the new tech. that the manufacture had bettered in a year or so...
thanks again...

[N2TRUX]

As mentioned earlier I have decided to keep the existing 454 in Jake for now. Eventually I will find a deal on an LS or LT bundle and do a conversion. Until that comes along I'm going with a Krylon overhaul on this smog dog.

My plan is to make it look nice and perform better on a budget. If I keep the cost down I feel I can sell the motor and recover my cost and maybe make a buck or two. I can apply that to the cost of the conversion so I want to spend wisely and get quality parts as cheaply as possible.

In my looking for options on the 454 build, my research showed that the Edelbrock Performer 2.0 is a great dual plane intake that works well with the peanut port heads.


Ironically I came across a smoking deal on a Performer 2.0 and an Accell HIE distributor. Unfortunately it was a two hour drive away. The owner offered to split the cost of shipping, but that would cut in to my build budget

I had a better idea. Lets see if I couldnt find a reason to go pick it up and justify the gas costs.

[N2TRUX]

I Searched the region where the parts were at and ran across a really nice car hauler. It's a 2018 Stagecoach 18' wood floor that is in mint condition. Ironically it was very near the guy selling the intake.

The owner bought the trailer to haul building supplies after his home flooded. When done, he stored it under a car port. Besides some latex paint spills on the deck this thing looked like new.

Even though it's an 18' trailer, it has a more deck space due to a 2' dove tail. It's loaded with all the options, including ramps that slid out from the rear. The ramps have literally never been used.

My work took me to an area of town was an hour closer to the parts and the trailer. I could get my job done and go meet these guys while saving money and gas.The stars aligned, and I set up the deal.

I went to the car wash yesterday and used the water pressure to get the paint off of the deck. I now have a "like new" 18' trailer AND a great deal on parts for my "Smog Dog" build.

[N2TRUX]

If you guys get tired of my car hauler adventures let me know. Until someone tells me to shut up I'll keep sharing.

I did some detailing this evening. The metal strip that covers the edge of the dovetail was covered in rust. I stripped it clean with a wire cup, followed by a clean up with Scotch Brite and brake cleaner.
I it with a couple of coats of primer followed by several coats of gloss black.

[Greenlee]

Nice looking trailer.

[Palf70Step]

Very Nice!

[N2TRUX]

Ok, lets talk trucks again for the moment. I took loaded Jake up on my recently purchased trailer. Its a tight squueze on an 18' but it works. I jetted off the New Star Muffler to get a temporay exhaust installed from the manifold back.

My plan was to have them tun new 2.5" pipe from the stock manifolds down to the middle of the truck. They would install my Magna-Flow mufflers and use the existing hangers.

I was shocked that the quoted me 400.00 considering I provided the mufflers but I wanted it quieter. I would like to work on the motor and not rattle the walls with an open exhaust.

Unfortunately the bolts on the passenger side were seized up. They tried heating them, but they sheared off. Even after welding a nut to the remaining stud that sheared off too.

So I picked it up as is and decided to hold off till contemplate my options.

[N2TRUX]

The next leg of the Saturday morning adventure led me to Cypress Auto Interiors. I dropped off the inserts that Jaime had previously stitched up. The padding on the top was too thick so they had to be modified and re-glued.

[N2TRUX]

The final stop for that trip was at Homegrown Hotrods. We wanted to pull the bed so Aaron and his crew could get another round of blocking and Tamco sealer in place. We pulled the bed and left it on a cart .

[Damien]

I once had "luck" blowing a broken stud out with the torch. I saw the owner of a local engine shop do it and it looked pretty slick. I was able to do this on a customer's truck to the dismay of my boss when I told him how I fixed the problem. I have tried it a couple times since and basically cut the ear off the manifold. If you had the correct size torch tip and some luck this could be an option to get the stud out.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Damien

I once had "luck" blowing a broken stud out with the torch. I saw the owner of a local engine shop do it and it looked pretty slick. I was able to do this on a customer's truck to the dismay of my boss when I told him how I fixed the problem. I have tried it a couple times since and basically cut the ear off the manifold. If you had the correct size torch tip and some luck this could be an option to get the stud out.

My luck doesnt run like that. I'll pull the manifold and see if I can get it out. If not, I'll buy a new one.

[beasst]

I'm suffering withdrawals...Just sayin.

[aggie91]

Are you finished playing with trailers yet? Its been a whole month without any Jake progress...C10' in the Park is only 74 days away.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by beasst

I'm suffering withdrawals...Just sayin.

Originally Posted by aggie91

Are you finished playing with trailers yet? Its been a whole month without any Jake progress...C10' in the Park is only 74 days away.

Yeah, I know. I had to take a break and focus on my "Honey Do" list before my family came to visit. We spent a long weekend at Crystal Beach and another week together after. My Niece and her family continued on to Mexico and my sister is leaving here tomorrow.

I actually sold a 2018 C&M 18' dovetail yesterday. My HOA is threatening legal action so I'm taking a break from trailer sales.


Since time is short between now and C10s in the Park, its time to get busy again. I'll have updates coming soon.

[N2TRUX]

Ok, I do have a small update. I dropped by Homegrown and checked in my bed progress. The factory spot welds on the tailgate had been worked smooth a a coat of Tamco high build had been added. That was blocked and Tamco 2k sealer was laid over the top. Its baking in Texas sun before another round of blocking.

[Palf70Step]

Very nice Ken. I may have missed it somewhere but is this one going to be a semi-gloss/flat paint or is there eventually going to be shiny paint like the old one?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very nice Ken. I may have missed it somewhere but is this one going to be a semi-gloss/flat paint or is there eventually going to be shiny paint like the old one?

It will have a gloss finish when complete. What your looking at is a slow process of the bodywork getting done between complete paints at the bodyshop. It should be in final stages of K2 epoxy before C10s in the Park.

[Low Elco]

That's the nice part about Texas, Free paint baking! Dang, no more Krazy Ken's Trailer Emporium! I had Discovery Channel on the phone!

[rustytruck50]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

That's the nice part about Texas, Free paint baking! Dang, no more Krazy Ken's Trailer Emporium! I had Discovery Channel on the phone!

Oh, what could have been