85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Very nice work. I have been using that braided wire wrap too, I love the look it gives to the harness.

Karl it really cleans things up compared to the old plastic split loom. I used that for years till I discovered the split braided mesh. We lay out the harness and wrap it with quality electrical tape every few inches to contain the wire in the tightest and most efficient bundle. This make the loom much smoother and eliminates the possibility of a wire sneaking out.

[LDO]

Where do you pick that up at and what size is used for the majority of the wiring?

[N2TRUX]

While Chris focused on the main harness, I worked on the prepping the core support filler panels for install, along with several other small parts. Once he finished the main harness we had to route and fine tune it. We ran the bulk of the wires under the brake booster then relocated and rotated the power distribution block. That will allow us to run the wire out of view as much as possible.

To ensure that the routing would work we installed the water pump, followed by the alternator, then routed the fuel lines. The alternator wires had previously been repaired and were now too short to allow proper routing. We had to extend the wires and were able to find a clean path.

From there I worked my way down to the starter wires. I cleaned and reshaped the battery power cable then added a clamp to the oil pan studs. I tucked everything away from the headers for heat safety.

[GAc10boy]

Amazing progress, Ken. Can't wait to see at LST.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LDO

Where do you pick that up at and what size is used for the majority of the wiring?

I have ordered it from a couple of sources. Last time I bought it from Dennis Carpenter truck parts at a swap meet. There is some cheap crap on ebay so avoid it. 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 are the most used. I picked up some 3/4 but it's rarely used.
The stock split loom is deceptive. They used much larger than required in many places.

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Amazing progress, Ken. Can't wait to see at LST.

Thanks for the kind words.

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by LDO

Where do you pick that up at and what size is used for the majority of the wiring?

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I have ordered it from a couple of sources. Last time I bought it from Dennis Carpenter truck parts at a swap meet. There is some cheap crap on ebay so avoid it. 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 are the most used. I picked up some 3/4 but it's rarely used.
The stock split loom is deceptive. They used much larger than required in many places. ...

I order it off of Amazon. We use TechFlex brand at work in the mining equipment industry. It is good stuff. Here are some links to the split loom:
1/4" split sleeve, 20' length
1/2" split sleeve, 10' length

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

I order it off of Amazon. We use TechFlex brand at work in the mining equipment industry. It is good stuff. Here are some links to the split loom:
1/4" split sleeve, 20' length
1/2" split sleeve, 10' length

Thanks for sharing

[N2TRUX]

Last night was mixed between success and failure. I decided to work on the crossbrace in front of the motor. We had put off painting it as it was a great place to stand while working on top and behind the motor. Chris had already unbolted the brake proportioning valve and scuffed it down. I gave it a quick clean up and shot it with satin black.

While the crossbrace was drying I prepped the bolts for the crank pulley. As they were drying I masked the crossbrace and spray the proportioning valve. Meanwhile my dye job was failing so I installed the crank pulley.

[N2TRUX]

While the crossbrace was drying I worked on the last shipment of parts I had received from Brothers Truck parts. The map pockets and arm rest pads had been on back order, but they arrived last week. They were only available in carmine red, so I had to dye them Napa red to match.

I masked off the back side, and sprayed them with bulldog. I let that cure and started laying down the dye. I noticed it was blushing and realized that a front was blowing through our area and the humidity level went way up. I tried using a small heater to dry the air around them and coated them with dye again. It went from bad to worse.

I finally gave up and called it a night.

[N2TRUX]

I worked late so only had time for one small task to be accomplished. I tuned and transmission cooler lines. They fit a little tighter to the oil pan and I add some line clamps. I will adjust as needed once they are hooked to the radiator.

[N2TRUX]

I got up early today and spent some time in the shop. I can see that early and late sessions are going to be normal from here on out. I used my time to mock up the A/C system on the firewall. I had previously modified, prepped and painted all of the separate components, now it was time to see how they fit.

I used stainless button heads where possible and bolted everything together. Now that I know it all fits correctly I will pull it apart and ad new sealer. It will go together one last time after I install the header on this side.

[lolife99]

Ken,... Where are you buying all your stainless button head bolts?
I've used Totally Stainless before.
Just wondered if you had a better source.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Looks killer man!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Ken,... Where are you buying all your stainless button head bolts? I've used Totally Stainless before.
Just wondered if you had a better source.

Keith I have ordered from Totally Stainless in the past. They do sell a big variety but they are a bit pricey. Now I use Alloy Boltz. Great to work with and more reasonable prices.

Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech

Looks killer man!

Thanks for the kind words John

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Keith I have ordered from Totally Stainless in the past. They do sell a big variety but they are a bit pricey. Now I use Alloy Boltz. Great to work with and more reasonable prices.

Thank you. I will check them out.

[N2TRUX]

Chris came over last night and we got a few more things accomplished. We worked on the wiring harness for the A/C and cleaned it up quite a bit. I still have to adjust the length on some wires but is almost ready for loom.

[N2TRUX]

We worked on the harness together, then Chris started on the power steering pump. He cleaned all the bolts and mocked it up while I cut and soldered ground wires.

Once his bolts were dry we unraveled the puzzle of brackets and got the new pump in place. We have to hang the compressor before we can tighten everything down.

[N2TRUX]

My buddy Jared dropped by with a big box full of goodness from Mike Losh at @slosh_tubz. He has been diligently working on a new version of his Tubz called Mild Tubz.

These were designed with input from myself and Eric Miller from Squarebody Specialists. They were specifically made to clear the stock a/c components of a 73_87 GM truck. He used an actual front clip toensure they are a bolt in design it has very minor trimming to the inner fender.
This area will be covered once the tub is installed and should not affect the structural integrity.
Thank you Mike Losh for bringing these to market .

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

He used an actual front clip toensure they are a bolt in design it has very minor trimming to the inner fender.

Will this require fender removal or can it still be done with them installed?

[N2TRUX]

Earlier in the day the weather had improved and the humidity had dropped. I took advantage of this and got another coat of dye on the Brothers truck parts arm rest pads and map pockets. My original attempts had failed due to weather change and blushing.
This time I had success and they come out great. The map pockets look so much better now. I will install the pads later

[LDO]

My door panels have been mounted for over a month and I still can't make myself pull the plastic protection from the brushed aluminum panel...

[83GMCK2500]

This is some of the highest quality, most practical, truck porn I've seen in a while.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LDO

My door panels have been mounted for over a month and I still can't make myself pull the plastic protection from the brushed aluminum panel...

I will pull it when we get to LST. Im trying to keep that new car smell as long as possible.

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

This is some of the highest quality, most practical, truck porn I've seen in a while.

If your excited now, wait till you see the sneak peak I was sent last night. Lets just say I was touching myself in an entirely inappropriate manner while viewing them

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I will pull it when we get to LST. Im trying to keep that new car smell as long as possible. If your excited now, wait till you see the sneak peak I was sent last night. Lets just say I was touching myself in an entirely inappropriate manner while viewing them

Uhh . . .... Who? What? Where?

[daddyjeep]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If your excited now, wait till you see the sneak peak I was sent last night. Lets just say I was touching myself in an entirely inappropriate manner while viewing them