Project "Sweet 16"

[skymangs]

Fun isn't really the word I would have chosen! I went through 3 cardboard templates before I was satisfied enough to draw it out on sheet metal...

Going to stop by Shorty's today and pick up an ignition switch, headlight switch, wiper switch, and a Blazer wiper motor. Gotta get that stuff mocked up before finishing the dash.

[mknittle]

Be careful don't want to get an overdose of fun. that can get ugly!

[skymangs]

Ok, so I got a UPS box today with my new 2" drop spindles. Also picked up new ball joints and tie rod ends from the local parts house.

We wound up going with a 65 Chevy truck ignition switch. Still on the dash and fits great. Nice to be able to have key start vs. pushbutton.

I also installed the "footfeed" today. Wound up building a pedestal of sorts for it to sit on, to reduce the angle of the pivot slightly (giving the pedal it's full range of motion). Throttle pedal came from a 91 Chevy pickup.

Here's pics

[skymangs]

Also worked on the hinged dash today. Got the mechanics of it figured out, now I just need some sort of catch or magnet to make sure it stays up going down the road. The center guide is a glovebox door guide from 64 Chevy truck.

I am also bidding on this Hua girl on ebay for the dash...

[skymangs]

Here's the finished steering column and retro wheel.

[skymangs]

This is a side project I've been tinkering with. I don't care for the aftermarket 4 gauge clusters... they just don't look right. Thought I'd see what I could come up with.

I started with a cheapie Voltmeter. Tore it apart to make sure my idea would work. This morning I bought 4 autometer electric gauges and tore 1 apart in the store... (the cashier thought I was CRAZY!)

Heres some pics of what I've come up with so far. I made a center brace, and additional tabs to keep the gauges at the right level inside the cluster. The center piece is 22ga. steel, just thick enough that I could screw the old faces to it too keep the circular shape.

P.S. I know the fab on the bacside looks like hot garbage... But it will work, and will be hidden in the end. I plan to make an new "guage cup" behind to enclose the whole thing.

[chevyboy73]

wow really like the wheel! are you keeping the patina? looks good cant wait for more!

[99 to Life]

wheel and column turned out nice. like where you are goin with the gauges, but are you doing away with the original look? I guess I'd have to see more to see where you are going with it. I personally love everything about the interior of these trucks. I kept my gauges all original and they light up, the only one that works really is the gas gauge. I just use aftermarket gauges kinda hidden to see temp and oil pressure for now. Anyway keep pluggin along looking great.

[skymangs]

Originally Posted by chevyboy73

wow really like the wheel! are you keeping the patina? looks good cant wait for more!

Yes, that is authentic patina. Would be a travisty to paint it!


99, Idea with the gauges is that they look stock, but perform like modern ones. Only the new needles will show. I don't care for aftermarket gauges hanging off the dash.

[skymangs]

So here's where we got this weekend. Drove to KC Thursday to pick up what I thought might be the perfect seat. 98 Astrovan, bench, with fold down center console and cup holders. Lady measured it at 55" total width. Correct color and look my boy was hoping for. $80.

This is second/third row in a 98 astrovan. It required me cutting 4" off the bottom of the pedistal, and re-working the front bracket slightly to lower the front of the seat. Fits like a glove, 1.5" on each side of the seat of clearance.

I did have to shorten my drop bracket for the steering column. Once the seat was in it, it looked WAY to low! Here's some pics.

[skymangs]

This weekend was all about the suspension. Stripped the truck back down to bare frame, dissasembled the entire front end. New Ball joints, bushings, tie rod ends, shocks, drop spindles, and cleaned and painted everything. was going pretty good till this evening. My trusted spring compressor decided to strip all it's threads, and bind up inside a compressed spring (FRUSTRATING). At least the parts house had a loner one I could rent.

Then I went to put my rotors and bearings back on, and discovered that the bearings won't fit over the new spindles. I sent a message to the vendor, hoping to hear back from them tomorrow. Kinda distraught about that... All that work just to have to tear it apart again is gonna piss me off!

Here's some pics

Oh, and I won my hula girl on ebay. gonna give her a new home on the dashboard!

[99 to Life]

glad the seat worked out for you. Hey there will be hickups along the way, but it all works out in the end.

[crossfire84]

very nice..

[xpickup]

skymangs looking good. Love how much you have in it. That is great. Great to see your kids working with you. Keep up the great work.

Shannon

[skymangs]

Thanks Crossfire84 and xpickup, I think this can still be done for around the $3000 mark. I haven't added the last 2 days recipts in, but we should be just over $1700 right now.

Engine is sitting back in the frame, while I work on the trans. Gonna clean it up, install a shift improver kit, and new filter before it goes in the frame for the final time. need to order some stuff, probably wait till I get paid to order. but should be completely installed in the frame in about a week or so.

[JRANGER]

looking good

[Atommik]

Have you installed the PS pump yet. I'm going to install my 327 this weekend and thought I remember something about ps pump clearance issues somewhere on somebodies s10 swap build.

[skymangs]

Have not installed PS pump yet. I have an 83 and up metric pump so that the fittings will work with the S10 steering box. I have been looking at various bracket configurations, and accessries. I think I'm gonna rob a bracket setup from a full sized 87 Chevy pickup. I want to use the pancake Sander AC pump, but need it in a V belt pully. Looking to mount it lower right, under the Alt.

[skymangs]

Project update. Sorry, no pics. Been busy working out kinks.

Trans is done, decided to throw a new set of clutches and steels in it while it was out. Shift kit in, all buttoned up. Eng/trans are in the frame.

I started to build an exhaust crossover, but I found out that the Dvr side pipe wouldn't clear the lower A frame mount. Scrapping stock exhaust mans. Picked up a set of S10 V8 headers for $50. Bolted them on tonight only to find out that the steering shaft didn't clear the headers at the angle I had the column. I'm gonna pick up a Borgeson joint, and some Square D tomorrow. I think if I get rid of the fat stock S10 universal, and lower the joint by about 1.5" on the shaft, it will clear the headers just fine. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.

[99 to Life]

I don't think you will have any PS pump clearance issues. I'm also running the s-10 headers, they worked out well. I used two ujoints off a chevy van, kinda bulky looking but way better than paying over 100 bucks for two joints.

[Chevette]

The Cardinal Rule: Never let your children near a "made in China" engine stand. Those things have collapsed more times than the Toronto Maple Leafs. They've been known to break even with no engine on them.

Your project is looking good.

[skymangs]

Wow, I didn't realize that stand was so dangerous. I borrowed it, but won't again. I have a really nice 4 leg stand (but it's back in Colorado).

Here's some pics of the truck as it sits now. Eng/trans back in for the last time. Headers installed. Still working out the steering joints.

My boys grades are not so hot right now, truck will go on the shelf for a couple weeks, till they improve. Hopefully it will motivate him!

[skymangs]

damn... forgot pics!

[dmack91]

[QUOTE=skymangs;5691266]Wow, I didn't realize that stand was so dangerous. I borrowed it, but won't again. I have a really nice 4 leg stand (but it's back in Colorado).

I have to admit that I cringed when I saw your son under that tripod stand. I had one too, but after looking at it more, I sold it and bought a 4 leg style.

Sorry to hear about the down time, but sometimes it is necessary to remind them what the priorities are.

Great work and progress so far. You are an inspiration for moving forward.

[skymangs]

thanks 99 and Dmack... It appears that it is working. He talks every day about working on it, now that he cant. he seems to be taking his schoolwork a little more seriously (really nice setup the school has, we can view his grades daily online, and see what homework wasn't turned in). Hopefully we'll be back at it by Thanksgiving time!