Project Pancho Villa - 1978 SWB

[BruthaMan]

A few more...

New brake booster. Took it apart and had it powdercoated silver. Was a bear to get back together! Master cylinder is chromed, from Performance Online.




New Tach Dash, reset to 000000. Bought a new clear cover from LMC. Changed it out for an Overdrive parking indicator, since she has a 700r4 in her. She's ready to go in!




Batter charger we're using while testing the electrical. So far, everything has gone very smooth with the painless kit.



Doors are back. They need to be wet sanded. A little dusty, been sitting for about two months now. Should have the bed back shortly!




New gauge bezel, just waiting to cover up those gauges!




And finally, the "beast!" Had to get a shot of her. She's been lonely the past few months. We have ignition/key in and hooked up. Plan to start her back up this week while installing the wiring kit. Can't wait to hear her scream again!




If everything goes as planned, may have the carpet and buckets in later this week! It's getting closer!

[Mr.Chevy4x4]

Really cool build thread! I look forward to following along!

I noticed you changed out the shift indicator in the new gauge cluster. Does the new steering column have the right shift detent plate for the 700r4? If not, it won't shift right. I learned this one the hard way.

Keep up the good work!

Mike

[menace121978]

wow! you saved the day since Bob just finished his gen III install. i need something to get me up in the mornings!! Your progress is amazing and everything looks great man.

just keep it up and dont forget the manditory evening updates!

[OLDIRON69]

Love the door panels and visors! Looks like a hell of a good job your doing!

[tvblazer78]

Wow! That thing is looking good! Nice work.

[JohnC]

Looks awesome man. Glad to finally see some updates. Keep them coming!!!!

[menace121978]

Brutha, i hope i didnt just forget but what a/c set up are you going with? and do you have any pics of the fire wall with the painless kit installed?

i'm smoothing my wall and wanted to see yours done and where your harness is coming out at. i'm still on the fence and trying to decide weather or not to get a vintage air kit or keep the stock box.

[JohnC]

not to get off topic, but Dennis if you are wanting to shave the firewall go with a hidden a/c unit. If you are just wanting to make it clean and detailed like you have done with the frame, then I could see you doing some cool stuff with it still there.

[BruthaMan]

Thanks Mike, Travis, OldIron and John! Good to be back in action and seeing all my old friends!

Dennis, I plan to use a Sanden 508 r134a unit with the stock system. Their pretty cheap on Ebay. I didn't want to go the shaved route because I knew it would necessitate a custom AC install. AC is an absolute must here in the nipple of Texas.

Their pretty cheap on Ebay. That's one of the things on my short list. Lots of things coming together real quick, so setting priorities for purchases right now till next month. I've yet to decide on the bracket I'm going to use. Most likely one from Billet Specialties if I don't find another.

What's weird is, I found all my other brackets in aluminum on Ebay with no problem. AC brackets seem to be more of a beast than the others and definitely more expensive!

Here's a pic of the Painless coming out of the firewall:



You do have to re-use your heater/ac harness from your original wiring harness with the painless. It doesn't come with the AC/Heater harness. We stripped out the old one. I cleaned it up today and rewrapped it (electrical tap) as it came from the factory.

I remember seeing a pic (probably here) of one, where an aluminum box was constructed to cover the wiring harness box. Had a real clean look to it. I'd definitely like to find something like that. I have some chrome wire look I plan to conceal any wiring I can't otherwise hide.


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Guys, I need your help!

I need a 78-80 aluminum dash insert that's in good condition. See my thread here. If you have an extra one, know of someone that does (in good condition), or (gasp!) know of an NOS one, PLEASE let me know. Don't make me put an old crusty one back in. Having a hell of a time finding a good one!

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Today's Update:

1) Stereo works! We spent days, a few months ago, wiring in the amp, the enclosed subwoofer, rear speakers, etc. I plugged everything up to the RetroSound deck today and connected the power wires, and she came to life instantly! Incredible sound! Still need to get the front speakers installed (JL Audio) once we get the carpet in, and mount them in the kick panels.

2) New brake lines from LMC came in last night. Bought the complete stainless kit. Everything hooked right up! Kind of hard to take picks under the truck, but here's the lines coming off the master cylinder:



Here's the chrome proportioning valve, from performance online:




3) Wheels are back from powder coating. They are currently adding manly ambient to our living room!



Should be able to get the tires mounted tomorrow.

4) Here's a pic of the steering column shaft. I took this apart and had it powder coated as well.



5) Windshield wiper arms are mounted and the delay wiper unit is working beautifully! Really glad I picked one of those up. No pic on this one, as it's really hard to see.

That's it for today. Will have more updates tomorrow. Things are moving fast now that my bud, Kent, is back giving me a hand.

[JohnC]

Looking good man. The aluminum box you are talking about that covers the wire block on the firewall is on Jeff's, bigblock73, yellow 73 truck. He did some nice metal work on his firewall. Can't wait to see more updates man. It's coming along great.

[menace121978]

thank you for the pics and response buddy!!

and thanks for your thoughts also John! i think i'll fill all the holes except the a/c and heater box ones and go from there.

its looking amazing bruthaman!! good luck finding the insert man... mines seen better days also.

[Jonboy]

Wade, you might be able to source an earlier one, sand the paint off, and polish it up. That would be a lot easier to find.

[silvereagle07]

Nice progress. The truck is looking awesome!

[1985-GMC]

Looks awesome man, those are the style valve covers I want, but I haven't seen that air cleaner before where did you get it? Thanks
Tony

[BruthaMan]

Thanks everyone!

Waiting for the bed to come in right now. Painter finished up and should be here in the next hour or so.

JonBoy, thanks for the tip, had no considered that!

The air cleaner is from a vendor on Ebay (cowboyparts). Here's a direct link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/POLIS...=p4506.c0.m245

He may be the only one selling this particular version. There are others there, but most only have a few fins.

I'll have pics later today. Wow, can't believe this is all coming together!

[EJC78]

Looks great, I like the gauges they look brand new.great attention to detail.

[begining87]

what year is the instrument cluster? Where did you find the new Tach and Fuel gauge. i have seen the other gauges out here but not them. Great looking project. Attention to detail is the best.

[flamingbig10]

looking really good

[Jonboy]

Truck is looking awesome, Wade. Can't wait to see it finished.

[JohnC]

It's coming along nicely man. Keep it up!!!!

[higgiec10]

nice work

[BruthaMan]

Hey Guys,

No pics today, but we got a lot done:

1) Bled the brakes, new fluid in a brand new four disc brake setup!

2) Loomed up the motor wires. Found some chrome loom on Ebay. Nice and clean!

3) Fluid in the power steering pump. All new setup there as well. Took two pints and may need one more to top it off.

4) Had to take a quick trip to the parts yard. I'm disorganized, to say the least! I know, somewhere in that garage, I have my gas pedal assembly stuff, but couldn't find it. I had the brake pedal assembly, gas pedal assembly (minus the spring and cover), and parking brake assembly powder coated in black.

Somewhere, in this disarray of a mess, is a little plastic bag I put all the trinket parts in, but hell if I can find it! So off we go to the parts yard. Needed a fuel filler neck too!

5) New 700r4 detent cable hooked up.

6) Turned her over with the ignition key and set the initial timing. All gauges working correctly, except we were unable to check the water. Wow! Just wow oh wow oh wow! It's getting so close! We're thinking by the end of this month.

Should have the radiator core back from paint this week, along with inner and outer fenders.

On order, should arrive this week:

1) New 3 core aluminum radiator.

2) Dual flex-a-lite low profile fan setup with fan controller relay.

3) Aluminum 1.5 in wheel spacers for all around. I want to get the wheel edge a little closer to the inside fender lip.

4) Various AC components, though I have still not figured out the compressor setup I'm going to use yet.

5) Rear bumper, bumper brackets.

Really all that's left is the compressor, and not discounting all the little trinket stuff from O'Reilly's we seem to need several times a day.

Hopefully have some new pics tomorrow!

[JohnC]

Sweet man I'm so excited for you. I can't wait to see pics.

What radiator are you going with? Also which fans? Thanks.

[EJC78]

You said it best all the trinkets and unexpected items are a killer on restorations. I have spent more time chasing little odds and ends on every project I've built, but in the end its all worth it

[BruthaMan]

Guys! We're getting closer every day!

Update:

Last of the major products are trickling in.

I ordered some aluminum 1.5 inch spacers to spread the wheels out so they are just inside the fender wells. The stock rallies tuck a little too much for my preference. This made a huge difference in the "look" of the stance. Mounted the beauty rings as well, came out really nice!





Painter called this morning and said the radiator core support and inner fender wells were ready. We picked up around noon, had some lunch and by the time we got back, Fedex had arrived with the aluminum 3 core radiator.

So we mounted up the core support with the last of the body kit mounts and hooked up the radiator. Stainless heater hoses and water hose came in today, so was perfect timing!







Laid down the carpeting for a test fit today. Instrument cluster mounted and working really good! Brake, gas and parking brake assemblies with pedals are in. Waiting on two final pieces, the piece under the steering wheel mount that covers up the bottom of the dash (should have that tomorrow from the painter).







Found a guy locally that does cnc work, so I'm having him fab a dash insert piece. I have a cheapo aftermarket plastic one (and that's just not going to cut it!), which he's using as a guide. There are aluminum ones at lmc and the other shops, but they all cover up the ac vents with slots cut out. Hoping that will turn out good. He's fabbing up a firewall box cover too and one other little piece, all for $175. I've never had anything custom built like this, but that seemed like a steal to me!