New member, old 57 3100

[Daze57]

we get that 110 115 degree heat - i think they call it sweater weather

[dubie]

I've only experienced 100 degree weather once, while visiting friends in Virginia beach. I thought I was going to die half way through the day.I would have complained, but then I got to spend the day cruising around in a buddies 1935 Chevy sedan hot rod. Then the heat just didn't seem to matter

[broey]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

First shot at fouxtina

looks sweet! you coming out to the One N' Done build on may 25th?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by dubie

I've only experienced 100 degree weather once, while visiting friends in Virginia beach. I thought I was going to die half way through the day....

A few years ago I was in Laughlin, NV (Colorado River for you Canadians) in August - Yeah, I know.. WHY THE HELL were we there then?!! We were Jetski'ing and it was HOT. You expect it to be 110-112 and it CAN get to 120 sometimes in the summer.

I got into my black '02 Dodge truck and the overhead temperature indicator read, (are you ready for this?) 134 degrees!!

Yeah, I'm sure it was wrong. The truck had sat out in the blazing sun all day. I later found out is was 124 that day. So hot you couldn't really breathe normally. Even being on the water it was dangerously hot.

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by dubie

just checking in to see if you got your A/C installed yet bud. I see you guys are having some pretty hot days down there

I just opened the box last night and pulled the instructions out. Pretty detailed. I plan on starting sometime this week.

Originally Posted by broey

looks sweet! you coming out to the One N' Done build on may 25th?

Thanks Broey, Thanks for the heads up on the build. I will for sure try to make it, hopefully in an air conditioned cab!

[indynick]

Liking the way it's turning out. Keep us posted

[sqrlnts]

Wiring for AC trinary switch, future reference.

[1project2many]

Used to live in eastern MT. Temp to -40F in the winter and 106F in the summer. Yeah, I know there's hotter and colder. But that's a helluva range just the same. I learned that 5 days of 104+ is too much for my body. I do better with cold.

[sqrlnts]

Just a small update. I ditched the stock mechanical fan and installed a 16" Maradyne electric fan. AC blows nice and cold now even when stopped at lights, engine temps never go over 205. Yippie!!!

Lost 90% of the brakes the other day on lunch. Front left wheel cylinder leaked which emptied the single master cylinder. (I know, I know, should be a dual) Luckily we were near a truck stop and i was able to fill the MC and make it home. Once home I realized I never replaced the front wheel cylinders, big miss. Both will be replaced tomorrow.

Ordered new longer rear axle shock perches as my current setup bottoms out when i hit sharp bumps. My slightly leaking sending unit on my gas tank is making me not looking forward to cutting the old ones off with a torch. I think I will be ok if I soak some blankets with water and cover the tank, I think......

[Daze57]

hmmmmmm am not crazy about the torch idea my friend !

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by Daze57

hmmmmmm am not crazy about the torch idea my friend !

Its only 25 gallons of gas 2ft away, what could possibly go wrong!

[Daze57]

^ uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...............no

[Muleman100]

I would not try that................

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by Daze57

^ uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...............no

Originally Posted by Muleman100

I would not try that................

Points taken, i will remove the tank before I BBQ the whole works.

1 more uncool point for Vintage Air. The glove box door does not fit with the evap unit in place. The bottom seam of the door hits the evap box and also prevents me from even starting the hinge screws. It can be cut (i think) and know one will know but its just one more negative tick in their already full chit list.

[Baldeagle SR]

What is your seat out of? It looks comfy. Thanks
Rich.

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

Points taken, i will remove the tank before I BBQ the whole works.

1 more uncool point for Vintage Air. The glove box door does not fit with the evap unit in place. The bottom seam of the door hits the evap box and also prevents me from even starting the hinge screws. It can be cut (i think) and know one will know but its just one more negative tick in their already full chit list.

My VA unit is extremely tight there also. I'm not planning to ever remove mine but if I ever have to for repairs I will make some mods to that area. The tightest area for me was in the center of the dash. I had to modify the center outlet housing to get it in, but I think that was because the po had enlarged the firewall cutout to clear an HEI distributor with a very large hammer..
There are some things about my VA unit that I wish they had done differently. I think the fan area could have been designed differently so that the air intake to the fan was not on top. It seems to me that the air intake is somewhat restricted by all of the other wires and hoses in the upper right corner of the dash where the fan is. Installing it isn't a quick and easy job but the result is good when you get it finished.

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

What is your seat out of? It looks comfy. Thanks
Rich.

Seat is out of a 99 Chevy Suburban second row

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

My VA unit is extremely tight there also. I'm not planning to ever remove mine but if I ever have to for repairs I will make some mods to that area. The tightest area for me was in the center of the dash. I had to modify the center outlet housing to get it in, but I think that was because the po had enlarged the firewall cutout to clear an HEI distributor with a very large hammer..
There are some things about my VA unit that I wish they had done differently. I think the fan area could have been designed differently so that the air intake to the fan was not on top. It seems to me that the air intake is somewhat restricted by all of the other wires and hoses in the upper right corner of the dash where the fan is. Installing it isn't a quick and easy job but the result is good when you get it finished.

I don't know, I am a little let down by a company that states they provide "proven engineering and performance you can trust". I know all these trucks are old and no two are the same but would it have killed anyone to give us 1/2"-3/4" of clearance for fitment? In my opinion there is no need for the evap to fit that tight, none.

If I ever have to take the unit out I will do like the old lady in the old Discount Tire commercial.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

I think I will be ok if I soak some blankets with water and cover the tank, I think......

Quote will look good in the insurance adjusters report...

I haven't tried to install my glove box door yet, better take a look at it this PM.

[Baldeagle SR]

Do you know of a better fitting ac than the VA ? Thanks
Rich

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Do you know of a better fitting ac than the VA ? Thanks
Rich

I don't sorry Rich.


Brakes are now stopping like 4 drums can. Fixed fuel gauge, found I forgot to run 12 volts to the fuel gauge.... new lower shock mounts arrived. Hopefully put them in next weekend.

[sqrlnts]

new lower shock mounts installed, also went ahead and purchased new rear shocks. I can't get it to bottom out around the neighborhood, finally rides right. Also took the time to level up the bed body lines with the cab, this always bugged me.

Bought 8 old steel shelves from a guy down the street for $10, decided to make a roll pan out of two of them. Online wanted like $130 + oversized shipping.

[sqrlnts]

New meats out back. 255/70/15's. The old rear tires measured 26", the new tires measure 29.2". Was good for around a 3-400 RPM drop on the freeway.

[99 to Life]

luv the truck

[Kim57]

Looks pretty slick.
Kim

[sqrlnts]

Thanks guys!

The second to last picture I posted made me realize how much the bottom of the bed in front of the wheel was sticking out. I made some fender braces to align the extremely floppy bed sides. Now everything is aligned and solid.