72 K30 Build

[7dee2]

That’s really good to hear, we’ve only called twice so far and they have been very helpful. Double OD, you are the man deejaaa1!



Pulled both battery trays and mounted the relay sockets and circuit breakers for our electric fans, headlights, trailer brake, etc. also a large fuse holder for the high amp alternator. The idea is to try and hide this stuff behind the battery’s.

Ha, you are probably wondering, what’s that cable he’s using (Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers?)? We acquired some custom battery cables from CE Auto Electric a while back. I’ve already got some high-quality ofc, tinned, high heat cable in several gauges that’s very similar left over from an earlier project that we’ll be using also. https://ceautoelectricsupply.com/custom-cables/

[7dee2]

This cheapo eBay crimper does a real nice job!

[rgunlock]

That crimp definitely looks like it should hold! Looks much better than using a crimping die in the bench vise. In fact, all of the wiring tasks you've shown are looking really clean.

[7dee2]

That's nice of you too say Rick!


In progress, slow but sure...

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

This cheapo eBay crimper does a real nice job!

nice crimp, when I make my own battery cables I like to solder the end as well as the crimp, the wire can corrode inside over time and not make a good connection....just my opinion... I just ordered one of those crimpers.thanks for showing it!....better than the one i have that you have to hit with a hammer....

[swamp rat]

Looks like some headlight relays going in, did that to my truck, made a good difference pulling direct battery current. Nice crimper!

[Dieselwrencher]

Yes, thanks for sharing those crimpers! I just ordered one too. Nice work on your wiring. It looks great!

[fakerwade]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Yes, thanks for sharing those crimpers! I just ordered one too. Nice work on your wiring. It looks great!

[7dee2]

Thanks you guys!

Yep, thinking I’m really going to like the headlight upgrade most definitely safer & brighter, Blue will most likely get the same treatment before too long. So what's happening with the Rat Mike?

Ha, that’s saying a lot coming from the ruler of the wiring wasteland! Thanks Wade!

Jim & Ryan, I don’t know how long the crimper will last but it worked great on that fancy 4 gauge of ours! Here’s a 10-minute battery cable crimping video using this same tool by a guy named Rick Perry. Check out how tight the crimp is @ 4:40 he shows a crimped end cut open. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyXMJIgpeyE


Haven’t been on the forum much the last couple weeks, unfortunately we had a family emergency. My mother in law was hospitalized rather suddenly which then lead to hospice in our home until she passed away. Her funeral is in a couple days and things should get back to normal for my wife and I.


I did get to start the K30 off of the key and tested a few things. Other than the neutral safety switch needing a little adjustment everything that’s hooked up has tested out perfecto!

Gave the fenders some bling, used some strip caulk on all the emblem studs.

[swamp rat]

Family's gotta come first. Sorry for your loss!

[First c10]

Sorry for your loss Brett!
Bling is always nice!

[Dieselwrencher]

Sorry for your loss Brett!

I'm betting it works great for the lighter stuff like that 4ga. I'm hoping I can use it on some of the 00 I use on my trucks. If not, I'll use it for alt cables and such. Haha

[rgunlock]

I'm also sorry for your loss Brett. That's great news though that the circuits you've tested have been working!

[7dee2]

Thanks guys, appreciate it.

[7dee2]

Here’s how things looked last Saturday. Dash wiring/duct work is getting there and should be done soon, I hope. Going to add a rocker switch in the speaker enclosure for a cargo and possible tool box lights in the bed. Sending both switched and constant power back for whatever may come up?

[7dee2]

Front clip wiring will also be wrapped up shortly!

[Dieselwrencher]

Looking very nice!

[7dee2]

Thanks Ryan!


Back to the evaporator box, decided to take a short cut (?) and not remove the factory rivets. Flapper door works great and all the metal is in really good shape, the only area with surface rust showing can be accessed with a wire wheel. After a little disassembly, wire wheel, some stripper to get old overspray off the fiberglass, a bath too clean out the inside and neutralize the stripper. 2nd quick round of the wire wheel and some paint for this side.

[webfoot]

SEM landau black vinyl dye works great on that old plastic for the blower box and radiator shroud. (though maybe that is the color it is supposed to be.)

[7dee2]

Pretty sure it’s supposed to be the natural fiberglass/plastic gray color, at least for a factory look.


More paint and satin cleared everything, noticed this half is a bit lighter than the other half though.

[7dee2]

Blue gets jealous sometimes when the new truck gets all the luv! Tried to strand me twice the other day with a fuel starvation problem.

The sock and possibly 45 years of crap (?) in the bottom of the tank has to be my problem. Already did a new fuel pump when we bought it, carb rebuild and inline filters a year or so later. Yep, sock was the problem if not for the tear it probably couldn’t have moved fuel at all. New OER sending unit arrived and all was good an hour or so later.

[7dee2]

Wow, it definitely does have some 2-tone going on, but over all I’m happy with how it’s turning out. Not quite as noticeable installed and pretty sure once we start putting miles on it even less so. Last pic is with my cell and no flash.

[Dieselwrencher]

I bet not many notice it after it's together and you use it a bit. It looks nice. I wish I would have used better clear on mine when I did it. You can't tell I did it now. Haha

[7dee2]

Thanks Ryan!


Oops, was there a line there? The new power steering reservoir hose was so tight to the pump (how tight was it?), had to use the heat gun a little and my soft man hand blistered instantly! Double oops!

[rgunlock]

If there weren't a few oops along the way, it wouldn't be a real build! At least I know its not just me making them