72 K30 Build

[El Dorado Jim]

you are doing an awesome job on your truck....

[7dee2]

Thank’s you guys!

Last Thursday it was time to punch the hole for the throttle lock. Gotta tell ya, I really didn’t want to screw this up and with my skills at punching holes lately, oh crap! Aftermarket bezel molds appear to give the correct location but it is not, for comparison factory bezels are much closer.

[7dee2]

All is good, took a few minutes and reset the odometer as well.

[First c10]

Looks cool! I should have reset the odometer on Jr.!

[7dee2]

I wasn't going to reset this one either but since I got back into it, it will be really nice to start off at zero.


Locating colored wire in the color and gauge needed has been kind of a pain to find locally. When we did find some it’s way over priced so threw in the towel and ordered a nice selection of closeout wire from RockAuto!

Shop stock!

[7dee2]

Decided to mount the Gear Vendors Digi-Drive (GV’s brains) under the passenger’s seat. Going to pass the shift solenoid and the speedo signal cables through the floor. Only problem with this location is that the dash switch harness is not long enough, called GV and they don’t offer an extension or longer harness. Their recommendation was to extend the harness on the dash switch side and that may end up being how we do it. But first thought I’d try to be a little more modular and extend it from the RJ12 end first, got coupler’s and 2, 6p6c straight wired 4’ telephone cables on order.

[Dieselwrencher]

That's looking very nice. Who's bezel or wood grain applique did you go with? I need to get a new one for my 72.

[7dee2]

You have a good eye my friend! We’ve been saving this wood grain set that we acquired from Gary Terry CSM for our C10 project. The K30 has been turning out pretty nice so we decided to use them on this truck rather than let the stuff sit in a box. I don’t know that we could have replaced the bezel from the same source if I’d muffed it up.

Lots of interesting stuff here on this topic.
https://www.google.com/search?domain...D%3A1%3B&hl=en

Here’s a short thread I posted in back in 2012 talking about acquiring this stuff…
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537546

I believe ours is a Counterpart bezel using the marine teak wood, checkout this post from forum member mikentosh on the color differences of this product.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=270

[7dee2]

It looks like the GV dash switch extension is going to work, toned each line with and without the extension and no difference on the plug end. In the same Amazon order, we picked up these shrink wrapped connectors that are a good deal at just .11 cents a connector. Some auto parts places are charging $1 a piece for this style and so far the few we've used worked great.

[deejaaa1]

I have a GV on my 93 with 4:10 rear and 4L80. 1900 rpm at 70 mph. i found support with GV to be outstanding although i bought my unit from craigs.

[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...

[swamp rat]

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

[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....

[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?