Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[snipescastle2]

Vic,
One day next week, I'd like to bring my rear end housing and all the
new bearings/seals and internals over to have you check it for straightness.
I'd also like to have you help me set it up, that's if you have the time. I'll call you to see what day/evening works best for you. I still have to get all the differential
and pinion bearings/seals.
Thanks!
Ben

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by snipescastle2

... I'd like to bring my rear end housing and all the new bearings/seals and internals over to have you check it for straightness.

No problem, Ben. Just give me a call.

I cut a window into the tunnel for the ECU/TCU/Relay wiring to fit thru. Had to curve the panel I made to fit the contour, but it fits pretty good now. Took the day yesterday to make a parts run to Sedalia and pick up my powder coating from Sure Coat. Parts look fantastic as always. They do really good work, nice even metallics, all threaded holes plugged and parts baked to perfection.

The dash had to be modified slightly to clear my aftermarket idiot lights, but the instrument cluster now fits as it should. Trying to get the a/c mocked up to see where to mount the electronics. I'd like to keep the console from becoming some giant monstrosity while keeping adequate room for all the boxes.

Next comes the part I've been dreading. Have to tape off the cab and undercoat the underside of the floor pan before setting the cab on the frame.

[Low Elco]

I like the idea of all the boxes in the console.

[Vic1947]

Thought you might get a laugh out of this. The Vintage Air instructions say to install the hardlines on the evaporator before mounting it to the firewall. The illustrations show the lines all pretty and in a row to match the holes in their supplied panel for the firewall. As you can see, out of the box the lines are nowhere near where they need to be to fit the actual holes. You'd think they'd use CNC tubing benders and jigs to insure a proper fit, but apparently not. I should be able to fix the 3/8" line, but I don't have a bender for the three 5/8" lines, so it looks to be a real treat to get them in the right locations. WooHoo!

[a.c.ward]

Vic,

long time observer of your talents, first time posting on your build...

love all the attention to detail you are putting in to this truck.

I have installed over 15 VA kits in 67-73 trucks, El Caminos, Camaros, etc, never out of the box did the hardlines work out, the aluminum tubing they use is easily bent by hand, no need for a dedicated bender.

I have talked to Al (sales and marketing director) from Vintage Air many times about this and always the answer was to just gently bend the lines into position by hand, it'll be ok.

I have found from experience to have the tube nuts snug and tight on the fitting before attempting to bend line or cross threading ensues..

hope all works out for you, PM me is you need any questions about VA install or hook ups

Respectfully

AC

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by a.c.ward

... just gently bend the lines into position by hand, it'll be ok. I have found from experience to have the tube nuts snug and tight on the fitting before attempting to bend line or cross threading ensues.. hope all works out for you, PM me is you need any questions about VA install or hook ups. AC

Thanks for the tips, AC! I have a tendency to overthink things when when a perfectly good solution is staring me in the face.

Fortunately, the condenser hard lines were spot on. The aftermarket core support already had the engine side access hole, so all I had to do was punch the grille side hole.

I looked high and low and couldn't find the original heater control that was in the truck when I took it apart. I scrounged one on eBay and assembled it per the instructions and test fit it into the dash. Looks like it will work, although I may need to add a support strap to keep it from flopping up and down.

[Low Elco]

Dadgumint, Vic, I wish you'a called. I'd have given you the one I was about to put in Yeller. New one is a factory AC truck.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Dadgumint, Vic, I wish you'a called. I'd have given you the one I was about to put in Yeller. New one is a factory AC truck.

I didn't even think of that... must be getting old. I do have a few more things now that I know Yeller had an organ donor card. I'll give you a call.

[mcbassin]

Very nice work on everything Vic! looks great!

[knomadd]

Looks like CRLS is coming along nicely. Keep up the good work!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice work on everything Vic! looks great!

Thanks, Mike!

Originally Posted by knomadd

Looks like CRLS is coming along nicely. Keep up the good work!

Hey, Duane. I think you're ahead of me quite a bit.
Hope the water is going down in your area. The hard part is still looming for a lot of folks. Scrounging gas and groceries may be tricky for awhile. Even getting around will be a challenge. Buddy of mine lives on the northern edge of the Addicks reservoir and his daughter lives on the southern edge of the Barker reservoir. Took him over two hours today to go the 11 miles between their houses... but he made it!

Scott came over this weekend and helped me get the evaporator installed and leveled. Needed more hands than I alone possess. Talked with AC on the phone for about a half hour last night and picked his brain for installation tips. He's done a bunch of these and made several really good suggestions. I followed his advice and opened up the two lower holes for the heater hoses to the same size as the upper holes. Ordered grommets to fit from McMaster-Carr. This should make it much easier to get the unit in and out as I continue to fit up the lines. I was able to tweak the suction and high pressure lines with the evaporator in place, but looks like I'll have to fit up the radiator lines on the bench. Either that or find a triple jointed circus performer to reach up in there.

The pedals are in after making some last minute mods. Also temporarily installed the air controls. I'll have to support the back of the unit but maybe I can tie it together with the radio. Still have to mount the under dash antenna. Big punch list to do before the Truck Nats!

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Hey, Duane. I think you're ahead of me quite a bit.
Hope the water is going down in your area. The hard part is still looming for a lot of folks. Scrounging gas and groceries may be tricky for awhile. Even getting around will be a challenge. Buddy of mine lives on the northern edge of the Addicks reservoir and his daughter lives on the southern edge of the Barker reservoir. Took him over two hours today to go the 11 miles between their houses... but he made it!

Getting around my area isn't bad right now. Supplies are definitely going to be tough to get for a while. I'm seeing that trash services and mail/package delivery is still not happening (holding my parts hostage on the north side of town), but things are starting to look better with the sun finally out and the rain has stopped. Flooding from rivers and reservoirs are going to be a concern for a week or two at least. Hopefully the whole Houston area can recover pretty quickly.

Originally Posted by Vic1947

I was able to tweak the suction and high pressure lines with the evaporator in place, but looks like I'll have to fit up the radiator lines on the bench. Either that or find a triple jointed circus performer to reach up in there.

I remember this part all too well. I couldn't get the hard lines to fit, and I didn't like the look that much, so I went with the EZ Clip stuff for the heater side too. That was still a huge PITA to get in there and tighten the fittings to the bulkhead. There sure isn't much room in there for extra line to be able to do it when the unit is out. I had to install it TWICE! Once a couple years ago and again during this swap after modding the firewall.

It's looking pretty clean though, keep it up!

[jlsanborn]

Just the photos knock me out Vic. I soo appreciate your attention to the DETAILS and not just those that are on your ride. I try very hard to balance "don't sweat the small stuff" and "it could be better" but you have it dialed. You do sweat the small stuff but always, somehow, make it look obvious and then execute like a champion.

I still have a laser engraver at my disposal...

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Just the photos knock me out Vic. I soo appreciate your attention to the DETAILS and not just those that are on your ride. I try very hard to balance "don't sweat the small stuff" and "it could be better" but you have it dialed. You do sweat the small stuff but always, somehow, make it look obvious and then execute like a champion.

I still have a laser engraver at my disposal...

Thanks, John! I may take you up on that. My buddy Jay suggested that it might be smart to squirrel away an ID tag in an unobtrusive spot... just in case. I've come up missing two hotrods in my lifetime (an uninsured race car and a brand new '83 Z28).

The cab is finally on. Took four tries to make it work. Not sure what happened, because when I had it together before, I bagged and labeled each of the mounts on all four corners. I could tell when I dropped it in place this time that it was slightly high centered. The other issue I ran into was that all the cables wouldn't fit in the handy dandy little plate I'd constructed. The fix for both problems was to relocate the window for the cables and enlarge the original opening to clear the transmission. I'll build a raised platform to cover the large hole and use it to mount the computers, etc.

[Low Elco]

So niiiice....... BTW, the trailer has been reserved.

[Xeen]

Vic it sounds like you got it all figured out. That's smart thinking going vertical with the electronic components to take advantage of all available space.
I have a extra thought for you for the fuse box, if you raised the shifter up a bit and moved it closer to the back of the cab it would position it closer to your reach but it would also allow you to stand the fuse box on it's edge on the passenger side built into the console with a magnetic press release compartment door for easy access to the fuses in case you blow one so you don't have to stand on your head to get to them, it would also have the added benefit of freeing up some space over the ECU to hide other electronic components there instead of the fuse box, it would also open up more space in front of the shifter for even more electronic components to be mounted which would still be hidden by the console assuming you plan on extending the sides of the console under the dash all the way to the firewall.

*Edited like 20 times.

[snipescastle2]

Vic,
Check this website out:
http://gpsandtrack.com/
they have a GPS tracker with two years of service for $119! and you can disable the starting system from your laptop! shows real time location etc....
you tube has many videos on this.
Have a good one!
Ben

[sduckworth13]

Keep up the great work Vic! You'll be flying in no time. I'll see you guys Saturday after work.

[Low Elco]

I have something related to show you at the Nats.

[69CST-V]

Vic it was nice meeting you this weekend. Thanks for taking the time to show me your truck. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[Vic1947]

Thanks, guys! I too had a great time meeting old friends and new at the All Trucks show. Weather was great and the ground wasn't soggy, so it worked out perfectly. Thanks again to Chip for hauling CRLS out there.

Back at the ranch... I believe I'm on the downhill run now.

I've finished the platform for the fuse/relay center and started mocking up the box for the wire looms coming from the engine and trans. Wasn't able to move the shifter as Brian suggested due to space constraints, plus I'll need the area forward of the shifter for the e-level controls. Also did some work on the steering wheel to shorten the spacer and install an actual working horn button. Removed the headrests from the seats and will have the upholstery guy sew in new material in their place. Five months until the World of Wheels show. No slacking allowed.

[Vic1947]

Making progress mounting stuff. Got the feed thru box done and installed with clecos. Started work on the panels that hide the back of the cab. The one on the passenger side will double as the mounting surface for the stereo amp, etc. Failed to label everything years ago when I took the components out of the truck that became the Silver Streaker so now I have two options... take it to someone that knows what they're doing and have them wire it up or do the Google. Early search results lead me to believe the Zapco / MB Quart pieces were nice (back in the day) but are now pretty much obsolete. Most semi-relevant threads are around 10 years old.

[Low Elco]

I've done a bunch of it, happy to take a look or refer you to the people that did the head unit install in Big Black. I can tell you to stay FAR away from Independence Audio. Not another nickel from me.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

I've done a bunch of it, happy to take a look or refer you to the people that did the head unit install in Big Black. I can tell you to stay FAR away from Independence Audio. Not another nickel from me.

Thanks, Chip. Brian also offered assistance but I need to get my ducks in a row first. Need to lay out all the components and their connection labels on the schematic for the Zapco (which is about all I have). Then maybe you or Brian can fill in the blanks. As a kid, there was an AM radio with a front speaker in my cars. Then I got a really high end setup with TWO... count 'em, 2 speakers and an 8 track. I haven't progressed very much beyond the player / dual speaker setup over the years. Amps and crossovers along with tweets, mid-range and woofers are alien tech to me.

[swamp rat]

MB Quart was BIG some years back, I checked out a few myself but couldn't see spending the money.