1974 C20 Soon to become a project...

[Super_Dave]

Well, we made a quick trip south to deliver the wing windows and check out the gas tank install.

The gas tank is in its home. The neck looks like it will be just about right where it's at. The bumper is loosely installed before the bed is bolted down. I think we have maybe another inch of vertical travel if we need it.

My only concern is that the hole in the license plate holder for the pop-up gas cap might be too close to the top of the license plate holder and the pump nozzle might hit the license plate light or top of holder. Before drilling the hole and mounting the pop-up gas cap, we need to have a better idea exactly where the neck is height wise after the bumper is mounter permanently. We can lower the tank an inch if we need to.

[Super_Dave]

We spent a lot of time fighting the wing windows, trying to test fitting them so we could mock up the power mirrors to trace bolt hole locations. Never did get a nice fit on the wing windows after an hour+ of two people working on them.

Too dang hot. Will wait for another trip to spend more time on them. It's really tough having the truck 90 miles away with a 3-4 round trip just to spend a couple hours on the truck. Really makes it hard to troubleshoot problems.

Not sure we are doing it "correctly" and don't have anything to compare to up close. I think we might be pinching the new rubber in one or more places and not getting a good fit on the lower, rounded corner.

I opened the wing and got some more"flex" in the frame that made the fit better, but then I couldn't get the wing to close to save my life . . the pointed top corner would drop down when opened and I would have to push that corner of the glass up and pull the wing in.

Eventually had to pull the assembly out, get the wing to close, latch it, and without opening it, mock up the mirrors - - which ride against the wing frame. . . so getting the fit correct before drilling three new holes in my smooth doors, is really critical. Wish I had a better Idea what I am doing wrong.

I remember a video I watch a year or so ago, where they said that some of the rubber might need to be trimmed. . . don't know if that's part of what I am up against or not. The images show some of the trouble spots and some of the rubber I "think" I might need to trim. . . I just don't really know right now and need to have more time to thrash on them.

If anyone has any insights, please chime in. These wings are really nice and I desperately need to get them in correctly.

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

It does look like that rubber is a little long. Is it tucking into the door? I know I've had trouble on the 67-72 windows when the rubber folds out like that.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by blue 72 gmc 4x4

It does look like that rubber is a little long. Is it tucking into the door? I know I've had trouble on the 67-72 windows when the rubber folds out like that.

No, I was having issues getting it to go inside the door in several places. . . made me think it was supposed to go on the outside.

In fact, the more we tried to push the wing into the lower corner, the mode the rubber along the bottom would pucker and pull away from the glass/wing frame.

I know I am supposed to expect some issues with new rubber being stiff, but I don't know if this is a "stiff rubber" issue or something I am doing wrong.

I think we will try to seat it again and get the screws installed through the door frame and into the wing frame. . . and see how the rubber looks. Only problem is the 180 mile trip and working it into everyones schedules.

If I need to trim some of the rubber, I need to see a good example of what the rubber is "supposed" to look like all the way around on both sides. I would hate to trim it too short in places.

[Super_Dave]

Well, we have the gas tank installed and lines being run to the engine. Just need to fit the bumper and install the flip-down license plate and attach the pop-up gas cap and run a hose to the filler neck.

[Super_Dave]

The truck is finally getting some color.

The cab, fenders, doors and bed are all painted and assembly has started. With bad weather and hunting season approaching, it will most likely slow down considerably and be Spring before it's finally done and headed back home for upholstery and finishing touches.

[Super_Dave]

UPDATE:

The electrical is all reconnected and the truck runs and drives.

The tilt steering is in.

The wing windows are in but the passenger one doesn't fit well. That door is a reproduction door and is slightly different (code for import crap?). I may have to get a used OEM and repaint it and reinstall all the guts. Hopefully everything is weather tight for the time being and I can cross the replacement door issue in a few months.

The bed has some touch up paint issues that can't be done until warmer weather in the Spring and then will be installed and we can work on fuel tank neck/folding license plate/ hidden pop-up gas cap mod.

The wiring for mirrors is routed into doors, but there are issues with the control switch. It bench tested just fine before delivering to the shop, but now it's not wanting to cooperate. Rather than pay them to wrestle with it, I am ordering some OEM Style black primer mirrors from LMC for the time being, which will cover up all the holes (we left the OEM holes alone, as the '90 Blazer power mirrors would cover them up and we wanted a fall-back option in case they failed or needed more work down the road. . . which they apparently do.)

Rear window and front bumper will be done anytime.

Door glass needs to go in after mirrors are put on because of access to bolts.

Hush Mat and carpet will be installed.

Firewall pad is in and everything back in place.

Need to decide on a custom steering wheel . . . not sure where I will head on that. Any suggestions?

Then it's upholstery and either my OEM or a swapped front seat. Would like a bench with a fold down console that doesn't require a lot of fabrication, but haven't looked around a lot to see what might work. Any input on that front will be appreciated.

More than ready for this build to be done. . . time-wise and financially. Want to have it ready for the June Cruisin' Sherwood. Will be close.

[Dads79GMC]

Looks most excellent!!! Mike

[Super_Dave]

Thanks Mike!

Just need to keep my head down and not look at the time and ignore what's been spent so far. That will be less of an issue once it's back on the road and I am behind the wheel again!

[Super_Dave]

For the seat, I have two choices. At at 6'3", comfort and getting the friggin steering wheel out of my lap and face is a priority:

1. Reupholster the existing seat with new foam that has lumbar support built into the contour and thigh area and a lower section under the arse, similar to the images below.

2. Find a 60/40 split bench and have it reupholstered. What I save in foam and additional labor at the upholstery shop with the 60/40 is off set with the time delay looking for a good 60/40 that just needs new threads and the cost/time modifying the mounts.

Shooting for Black Leather and Gray Tweed look.

For the steering wheel, I am finding either 14", 16" or 18". My '98 Silverado has a factory 15" wheel. The 14" aftermarket wheels are too small and the 16" and 18" are going in the wrong direction. Push comes to shove, (not a good phrase to use in a build... bad JuJu!) I can go with a 16" and let the contoured foam compensate for the additional inch.

Still have time before I need to pull the trigger. . .

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave

Thanks Mike!

Just need to keep my head down and not look at the time and ignore what's been spent so far. That will be less of an issue once it's back on the road and I am behind the wheel again!

Very very very TRUE!!

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

Very very very TRUE!!

Yeah, I will really be tested if the passenger door needs to be replaced with a used OEM door, smoothed and painted. . . But I can't abide an ill-fitting and/or leaking wing window.

Ironically, the old wing window was fine. . . just needed a complete rebuild. Thought for sure these rebuilt OEM's would be killer. I am hoping when I get the truck back home, I can solve the issue the old guys down south are wrestling with. I might even take it to a local bodyshop to get their opinion. Might be less costly than a full scale door swap.

Like Gone With The Wind. . .“I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.”

[Super_Dave]

Well, it's been a hectic few weeks. Since my last post, we buried three family members and now I am dealing with a possible torn retina in my right eye.

As for the truck, things have been somewhat quite during the cold months. I was informed that we had some wrong weather stripping for the doors. . . go figure. Need to order replacements. At least Summit is good about taking back product from a year ago.

Need to order up a grille as my OEM is cracked in a number of places now. . . could have been preexisting. In any event, that needs to get ordered soon.

The gas tank and neck should be fitted by the time I get down for my next visit.

Rear glass and new gasket installed. Hush Mat installed, along with firewall pad and new carpet and felt. Tilt column installed.

Will be picking up a new windshield locally in a couple of days, in preparation for a 180 mile trip to pick up the wrong weather stripping.

On the way, I will be stopping to pick up a used OEM passenger door in an effort to use the nice rebuilt OEM wing window that doesn't want to work in the crappy import door that was already on the truck. Hopefully Greyhound doesn't beat the crap out of the replacement door.

If you look back through the thread, you will see where there is a dent in the cowl behind the where the rear fender meets up with the door. . . clearly an accident at one point and hence the crappy import door.

So. . . more body-prime-paint expense. When it rains it pours. Hopefully more current photos when I return from the upcoming road-trip.

Wish I had some Ruby Work Boots so I could click my heels and be somewhere else. . .

[midnight rambler]

jealous look great