Lurker OrrieG Progress Pics

[OrrieG]

Photos of bed parts primed and redo on the dash, firewall and back of cab.

[OrrieG]

Slow going, got side tracked putting the property to bed for winter. Did get the ps pump aligned and plumbed to the steering box. Also have been doing the major body work on the bed sides, so far going better than anticipated. Should have them done this week, then starting on the tailgate. I want to recess some back-loading lights and third brake light flush into the upper tailgate, has anyone done this???

[BluTooth]

Great build, gives me a lot of ideas.

[OrrieG]

Got some honey dos out of the way and got back on the truck. Took a page out of sgtusmc's book and brushed the cab interior parts that will be carpeted or covered with heat shield with flat oil based Rustoleum. Also did the part under the headliner. I used white to get more contrast and reflection under the dash to help with the reinstall on the wiper motor, wiring and ac install.

Also a shot of the bed side in plastic showing the extent of work. When I got it both panels behind the rear wheel well had been bent and beat up from backing into stuff without a rear bumper. It also had lots of hooks and other attachment stuff bolted through the bed sides. When I stripped the paint I found a couple of old accident repairs to. I am going to keep going on the bed sides then switch to cleaning and detailing all the small stuff to put it back together.

[bensimmons_05]

Hey OrrieG, Did you pick a year of chevy car or truck for the power steering pressure line? If not what did you use to get it right. Can't wait to see more.

Ben

[OrrieG]

Supposedly the steering box is off of a 74 3/4 ton and came with the hoses. The pump is off a 74 1/2 ton. I used the hoses that came with the steering box. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that I don't get a geyser of fluid or that the steering box leaks like crazy.

[OrrieG]

Just haven't been motivated to work on the truck, but decided to get back on it. Today I rounded up all the parts I have stashed in the attic, on shelves, in boxes, etc. and got them in one place. I inventoried to see if there was anything missing, identified what will need replaced, what needs cleaned and what I will need to buy. Was a little paniced because I could not find my glove box door, ash tray, interior door and window handles and other interior stuff. Finally located it, someone else that lives here had moved and buried it during the summer. Anyway here is a picture of it on the bench ready for TLC over the winter. Goal is to have it all ready for install, so once I start, no cleaning, polishing etc. just grab and go.

[sgtusmc]

Wow, trucks really looking good.

[OrrieG]

Well I tried but is just too cold, 23 today. I went out and started cleaning but it involved bare hands and solvent or laquer thinner and it was just too cold. I did find my headlight switch assembly, attached to the old wiring harness I am keeping for reference and connectors. Also messed around with some dash ideas and found that the glove box door interferes with what I wanted to do, so back to the drawing board.

[nuke1]

Truck is sure coming along, i am really glad to see some primer on some stuff, sure feels good to have it that far. Great job so far. At least you have something to do inside the house over winter, cleaning up a bunch of parrts, i am sure the wife will not mind, maybe she might even help? Later

[OrrieG]

Wife helps only when I need a third hand. Shes really allergic to all chemicals so garage is generally off limits for her.

I took the opportunity today while watching football to rebuild and clean the heater controls and dash cluster. Heater controls need new arms and general cleaning. The instrument needed really good cleaning, replacement of the speedo unit and the plastic polished. I know the chrome and metal isn't perfect but looks ok for a driver and I like the idea that I'm using the original stuff, I know it fits like it should. I included a shot of the cluster before too.

[Tri5Nerd]

That cluster cleaned up nice, I always try to reuse the original but sometime they are just plum worned out.

Tri5

[renegade6]

Looks nice. Are you going to put A/C in your truck?

[Fat Mike]

Can you post a picture of the mounting bracket for the power steering pump? I need a template for that same pump.

[OrrieG]

I will see if I can find the template, I did that work about 6 years ago, I know I kept it just don't know how deep it it buried! Here are some photos that show the basics, I had it mounted before I started taking fabrication photos. The bracket is 1/2" plate that allows 3/4" around the 4 bolts. The bolts need shims because the pump bulges towards the frame, on stock truck the frame has an indent. One of the bolts uses a stock factory hole the other 2 need drilled. Since I took the photos I added some 3/16" thick "washers" on the inside, I got nervous about the box pulling the bolts (grade 8) through the frame. It can happen the frame metal will deform and crack before a grade 8 bolt fails. When mounting it the critical thing is to make sure the pitman arm in horizontal to the ground and frame. Once installed your will find the tire will hit the arm, loosing about 1/2 turn at full right. Once you select a tire the right side steering stop will need to be built up. Its not a problem in normal driving, only a pain when turning around on logging roads! I used longer bolts and added lock nuts because my box threads were starting to strip out.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by renegade6

Looks nice. Are you going to put A/C in your truck?

I traded my stock heater for the inside part of a Vintage Air set up plus hoses. I need to get the condenser, compressor and dryer to complete it. Its a "Sure-Fit" system.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Tri5Nerd

That cluster cleaned up nice, I always try to reuse the original but sometime they are just plum worned out.

Tri5

Everything was working when taken out so I hope after sitting for 10 years it is ok. Still need to mount a tach and trans temp guage somewhere.

[OrrieG]

More cleaning. Dome light housing, taillight buckets, headlight buckets, headlight trim, door handles, window handles. Glad I am doing it now, each piece is taking about 20-30 minutes to clean in water to get the dirt and crud off, then WD40 or Laquer Thinner to get the grease/undercoating/paint overspray off, the rough polisha and fine polish on chrome and stainless. It will all be ready to unbag and install when time is right. Have a good New Year everyone!

[OrrieG]

Well January has been interesting. Downsized and moved by business office. Computer networking wiring is just about as bad a under a truck dash. Didn't have time to do anything on the truck but now its starting to get warmer and I am itching to start again. May try and get my winch working in the interium.

[1985-GMC]

Yeah, lately we've been having 70 degree weather for the most part, now i just need to get back working on my truck.

[nuke1]

Hey, anything that gets done is something that gets done, no matter how little or big, it is progress.

[Jebb1978]

Very clean build. Nice eye for detail!

[Kabwe]

Looking good OrrieG.

[OrrieG]

Wife asked me to wash the dishes. I slipped these in. Cleaned up a bunch of other stuff too.

[nuke1]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Wife asked me to wash the dishes. I slipped these in. Cleaned up a bunch of other stuff too.

That is just too funny, you must have a very understanding wife.