"Elwood" the 77_remix

[gringoloco]

Where do you source the nylon clamps?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Where do you source the nylon clamps?

Those appear to be made 4 you clamps.
They are very nice.
www.made4youproducts.com
I think Summit Racing has them too.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...lamps-brackets

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Where do you source the nylon clamps?

Originally Posted by lolife99

Those appear to be made 4 you clamps.
They are very nice.
www.made4youproducts.com
I think Summit Racing has them too.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...lamps-brackets

Keith is correct. Those are Made 4 You Products clamps. I use the extensively on my builds. They are well made and come with stainless screws.

[N2TRUX]

Yesterday I was on call and had some running to do. I worked on more small projects trying to accomplish what I could in the time available. The license plate bucket needed attention, so I focused on that.

I blew it apart and noted how badly the lens on the light had faded. Summit was sourced for a Goodmark brand replacement housing. In the interim, I spent some time cleaning the edges of the housing up and prepping for paint.

Another issue was addressed that I had been meaning to get to for a while.The bottom bolts of the license plate rattled badly when the truck was at idle. I had placed some rubber bumpers at the contact point but it didn't resolve the rattle. I bought a pair of the plastic bolt holders and installed them in the bottom. To do it right I had to drill a hole then make it square with a small file. Its tedious work, but it matches the top now.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Another issue was addressed that I had been meaning to get to for a while.The bottom bolts of the license plate rattled badly when the truck was at idle.

I bet that is my mysterious rattle too!!!

[N2TRUX]

I know that the correct color is argent silver, but I decided to see what the ACE chrome paint looked like. This will match the bumper on the back side, and most of its is covered on the front side. Hopefully the purist wont hate me.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

I bet that is my mysterious rattle too!!!

If you have a frame around your plate it's entirely possible. I just did the same update on Scarlett. After I had the duals ran to the back she rattled badly. Added the extra plastic sockets and the problem was solved.

[mcbassin]

Looking forward to following along here too Ken. Keep up the good work

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Wondering Ken, what did you use on the backside of the quarter-panel that is visible in front, and behind the wheel-wells. The original undercoating (or paint, but it peels off like undercoating) on mine is coming off. I think I could easily spray anything back there, but cleaning and scuffing it seems impossible in the small area unless I completely take the bed apart.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looking forward to following along here too Ken. Keep up the good work

Glad to have you along for the ride buddy

Originally Posted by THE "10" SILVERADO

Wondering Ken, what did you use on the backside of the quarter-panel that is visible in front, and behind the wheel-wells. The original undercoating (or paint, but it peels off like undercoating) on mine is coming off. I think I could easily spray anything back there, but cleaning and scuffing it seems impossible in the small area unless I completely take the bed apart.

I'm fortunate that so far all of my builds have been rust free so I rely on the factory E coat to protect the areas that I cant reach. For the accessible areas I use the same formula as the frame, etc. Start with scuffing the surface with coarse grit paper, then follow with Scotch Brite. From there I clean with brake cleaner, then coat with undercoating.

[N2TRUX]

As promised, I have a comparison between the stock incandescent tail light bulbs and the LED replacements that I purchased. I was cautioned by Chris Lucas to watch out for physical size of the LEDs as some are inherently larger than the bulb they replace. I looked for this in the advertised specifications. For some reason the seller thought I would be concerned with the package dimensions rather than the size of the item in the package. In case your interested the package was 3.2 x 1.7 x 0.5 inches. I looked in the reviews to offer some insight and found great information on the 1156 and 1157 bulbs. None was to be had for the 194 bulbs so I "assumed" they would be fine.

Upon arrival, I opened the packages and compared them to the bulb they would replace. It was clear that the info sourced on the larger bulbs was correct. Unfortunately the 194 replacement was obviously too long. It certainly looked cool as the body was made of machined aluminum, but clearly not going to fit inside the housing.

[Mtblack412]

Following along on this build! I can’t wait to see where this build takes you. Awesome as always.

[N2TRUX]

Ok, so the 194s will stay as incandescent for the moment. Lets look at the other bulbs. Since I didnt have the ability to mount the lenses in place I did a bench test. I used an 18v battery for a power source so they are running a tad bit on the high side.

Thats not suposed to be an issue for the LEDs as the specs state they contain a brightness chip to allow a working voltage of 9v to 30v. Just in case your running a 24 volt system these have you covered.

So what are the results? Its much harder than you might think to get a good quality picture looking straight in to a light. In case you cant tel from the pics, the LEDs are about 50% brighter with a much whiter light. They also cast a larger illumination pattern. Note that they fill the lens with light rather than a bright spot in the center.

In conclusion, are the iBrightstar LEDs worth 7.00 per bulb? I do believe that I am satisfied with the results. Would I buy them again? I do believe that I would, so this is a 5 star recommendation for the 1157 and 1156. The 194s not so much, but they do look darn cool.

Pic #1- Reverse lights
Pic #2- Tail lights
Pic #3- Brake lights

[85supersierra]

You mentioned that you where on call. Just curious as to what it is that you do when your not setting the bar for truck builds?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 85supersierra

You mentioned that you where on call. Just curious as to what it is that you do when your not setting the bar for truck builds?

My company operates arcade games. ABC Music Company I have technicians that do my service work during the week, but I rotate with them on the weekends.

[aggie91]

I like the results of these LEDs. The lens still looks like a regular light pattern when they are on as compared to some LED retrofits that you can tell are LEDs.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

I like the results of these LEDs. The lens still looks like a regular light pattern when they are on as compared to some LED retrofits that you can tell are LEDs.

That was my thoughts too. There are some very nice LED panel lights out there. I just dont feel that they would look right in this build. These amplify the volume of light with out creating a hot spot. More of a flood light than a spot light.

[GAc10boy]

All in for this one. One of my all-time favorite trucks and I'm a 67-72 guy . Keep up the killer work!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

All in for this one. One of my all-time favorite trucks and I'm a 67-72 guy . Keep up the killer work!

Thanks for the follow.

[N2TRUX]

Another late night on the job, so limited shop time. I try to find small jobs that I can complete on nights like this. I ordered a new Goodmark license plate light from Summit and it came in today. What better way to spend a rainy evening than doing final assembly on my license plate project.

I considered paint the new light, but that gold irradiate coating was such a nice contrast to the chrome silver I left it for now. I added stainless button head fasteners, and polished the bolt heads that hold the bucket in place. The entire package can go in to storage now till its time to install.

[N2TRUX]

As the small parts for the rear come together, I'm working on supplies for the rest of the truck. I have been searching for a contemporary version of the 78 vinyl that I plan to use. Its a bit more red than the 77 with out being too red. I priced it from SMS and its 80 a yard. I could almost do leather for that price, and I'm not keen on using 40 year old materials.

I had Chris Snowden of Snowden Upholstery supply searching for a while. He finally found what I was looking for in a contemporary vinyl with a vintage look.

The stitch work will be done by Brent Davison of Sculpt Garage on an original bench seat modified for comfort and great looks.

The woodgrain by @lowsierracompany will match the exterior. Cab temps will be controlled by a Restomodair #haymaker blowing through Brothers Trucks vents. Sound damping comes from Restomodair Membrane and the elements kept out with Precision Replacement Parts seals.

[Claytona08]

Just read up on The Remix, great work on your thread with very good detail on parts selection and vendors you plan to use.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Claytona08

Just read up on The Remix, great work on your thread with very good detail on parts selection and vendors you plan to use.

Thanks for following. Its moving slow while waiting on parts. Should pick up speed soon.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I had enough shop time to remove the gas tank. I siphoned the remaining gas and removed the filler neck and vent hose. The original line clamps were still on the fuel lines so I waited to drop the tank before disconnecting them.

With the tank down I could access the factory squeeze clamps and remove the lines. The clamps went in the trash, and lines are saved till I decide how I'm going to route them when I go back in.

I inspected the gas tank to determine if there was any need to replace it. The new tanks are cheap, but I dont think one will be required. Inside was super clean, and the outside has no rust to be concerned with.

I am considering updating to a 87 tank with internal pump. The external pump works just fine so I'm perplexed if it's worth the expense. It will clean the frame up a bit so I'll think on that for a while.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

As mentioned earlier we have teamed with RestoMod air on this project. They will be providing several of their innovative products including a Haymaker II Custom Air Conditioning System.

I recently received a kit of the RestoMod Air Membrane For those that aren't familiar, Membrane is the only true thermal insulation with sound dampening material combined. Several companies offer sound deadner, or thermal barrier but no one has combined the two until now.
I will be doing some thermal testing to show the difference this barrier makes as the install progresses.

I kicked around their site a bit, saw the kit for 67-72s, nothing for squares. Do you know if they will be offering a kit for squares? Specifically for ones with a factory system looking for a more modern upgrade. Also, what do the controls look like or does the kit utilize the OEM controls?

That deadener/insulation is neat, looking forward to your reviews on it as you install and experience on the road.

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I am considering updating to a 87 tank with internal pump. The external pump works just fine so I'm perplexed if it's worth the expense. It will clean the frame up a bit so I'll think on that for a while.

I reread the thread and I didn't see...what's under the hood of the '77? Are you fuel injected?