The Brown Truck

[Dino Driver]

Is there a reason you went with Vintage Air over the other companies that are out there?

[SFTorange]

Originally Posted by Dino Driver

Is there a reason you went with Vintage Air over the other companies that are out there?

I spent a lot of time thinking about what to do with the a/c system. Ultimately I went with the Vinatge Air Gen IV Magnum system for two reasons. First, I was able to retain my factory deluxe controls which was very important. Second, the Gen IV system is the newest, most advanced system as far as I can tell. It seems like the a/c systems built for our trucks are all using some pretty old technology, and I liked the idea of having electronic controls.

I talk in detail in post #161 about my a/c system.

So far, I feel like I made the right choice. I just need to have my windows tinted to reduce heat from the sun.

[SFTorange]

Thought I'd repost this here...

[pope]

Wow! Very nice!

[SFTorange]

Hard to believe its been this long since I've posted an update. Since the truck's been on the road, I've kept fine tuning things (and of course finding ways to scratch my new paint!). Here are some pics of what I've done..

I installed arm rests (I like the '55-'65 design a lot better). They match great and make it a lot easier to get the doors closed.



Here's a picture with the jump seat installed. I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out with the seats. I'm 6'4, so it's a bit tight, but manageable, and the storage/cupholders are great.



I installed a receiver hitch a couple of weeks ago. It was a snap, and worked great with the underbed tank. I used the Reese Towpower 33065 33 Series Class III / IV Professional Hitch Receiver from Amazon. It worked great for $144.99. My next project is trailer wiring.



I debated a lot about what steering wheel to use, and I finally landed on this Camaro replica wheel. Someday I'll have to figure out how to cut down an original. They're just too big in diameter for a truck with power steering. I also went through my gauges and installed a new lens and stickers over the gauge faces. I was having trouble with my temp gauge (reproduction original) reading too hot. I installed this sending unit from Lectric Limited, and now it reads where it should.

[jonzcustomshop]

almost like gm brochure shots

[Modges'66]

Those seats look awesome!
I'm sure that you probably already posted, but what did they come out of?

[SFTorange]

Thanks guys. The seats came out of a 2003 GMC Sierra. They bolted right in. My uncle is an upholsterer, so I called in some favors and got him to recover them for me.

[SFTorange]

Here's one more pic of the gas filler cover....

[theastronaut]

Man I like this truck!! Great pictures as well, thanks for posting updates!! You mentioned cutting down a stock wheel; I sectioned an original '66 deluxe wheel down to 15" for Goldilocks and also shortened the column three inches for more room in the cab. Might be something to think about. I'm 5' 8" and I could use the extra room, so I'm sure it would make and even bigger difference as tall as you are!


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[SFTorange]

Thanks Astronaut!

The sectioned steering wheel is definitely on my list of things to do someday. My original wheel is pretty rough, so I wouldn't mind cutting it down. The next big thing on my list is learning how to weld. It's pretty daunting, but I'd really like to learn more. I just don't know where to start....

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by SFTorange

Thanks Astronaut!

The sectioned steering wheel is definitely on my list of things to do someday. My original wheel is pretty rough, so I wouldn't mind cutting it down. The next big thing on my list is learning how to weld. It's pretty daunting, but I'd really like to learn more. I just don't know where to start....

I totally felt the same way, but needed to get the work done and outsourcing that stuff is expensive. But I bought a nice welder, and an auto darkening hood was a x10 good investment, and dove in.
I started with learning how to fill holes in my body work, which was tricky in itself. The guys at the local welding suppy shop where I get my welding gas exchanged were super helpful, as well as reading up on it online and taking a few YouTube classes !!!

So a few pointers from a newbie like me,
Autodarkening Hood
Wire dykes
small flashlight
and a piece of copper

And buy at least 2 spare reels of wire... it is always a suprise when that runs out, and not at the most convinient of times either....

Then relax and have fun with it, now I weld anything and everything I can.

[SFTorange]

Thanks guys! I'll have to give it a go one of these days. It always seems like I have new little project on the truck... My dad's suburban will need a lot of welding, so that'll be our first project.

[jonzcustomshop]

I wonder if there is a night program/votech class for welding in billings. when I was in highschool here I took a night welding class because I was 1 credit short to graduate (I had already taken welding 1 and 2) there were abunch of older guys in the class taking it to get certified.
for mig welding light sheetmetal you could probably just teach yourself with a few pointers from someone w/ experience.
-also in high school, I taught most of the kids in our senior art class enough mig that they could weld up a metal sculpture . it only took a few minutes each.

[jonzcustomshop]

there is a graet article in one of the truck magazines this month about cutting down a steering wheel... how to start to finish... maybe classic trucks? I will try to get the title and month for you

[chad64chevy]

custom classice trucks is the one that has the article

[McMurphy]

I am actually going to look for a spare at the boneyard to try my hand at it too. Figured it would be good to try a practice run on a spare than commit on my only wheel....

[Apathybot]

Just read this build cover to cover. Inspirational to say the least! Very nice to see someone doing this quality of work AND using their truck as a truck.

[Desert.Chevy]

Good looking build, also good to see it is still used as a truck.
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[88Lt1wagon]

Very cool, I just read through your whole build, you guys are really hindering my advancement at work...

[SFTorange]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the nice words. I had a new piece of tinted back glass installed around Christmas. I'll post some pics soon. Upcoming projects will include some panel alignment and installing an antenna to get the factory am radio working.

[par4tom]

That was really a great thread to read. Read it from page 1 all the way to the end. Congrats on a job well done.

[SFTorange]

Been ages since my last update, and since I've had to do any work on the truck, until this week. Had my first real mechanical issue in 6 years. The rear end was a junkyard find, and I just swapped it into the truck during the build. One of the bearings failed, and the truck's in the shop for a diff overhaul. And a Posi. So, I'm really not that upset about the whole thing.

[pope]

I work in Billings, and have been keeping an eye out for your truck in hopes of seeing it on the road!

[88Lt1wagon]

Nice, my Suburban's rear end came apart so now I'm up in the air on whether I should upgrade to posi or just get it fixed the cheapest I can
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