Tim240z Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 So far everything works except the drivers side fuel gauge is jumpy (need to check the wiring and grounds), and the signal to the Speedo (electric) is bad, so I think I need to splice into the wire before the PCM instead of using the PCM output to speedo wire. The seats and belts are from a 99 Suburban second row leather...nice and comfy and provide some storage space when bottom is lifted up. New Grant steering wheel, and chevy van (78 ) tilt column. Just some final finishing touches and the old girl will be back in action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 So Tim, are the seats a good fit? Were they difficult to install? What did they cost you? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 Nice job Tim. I've always prefered those older 70s trucks to the newer ones, they had more style. I owned a 70 Ford F-100 for about 2 years. I had a hotrod 302 in it I was building for a drag car but the car was rear-ended and totaled so I dropped the 302 into the truck. Was a little bit of a dog off the line but once it got moving it did OK. The twin I-beam suspension needed help so it was quite a handful on the road. The kids called it the beast, it had a very rough and loud idle and no power steering or brakes and no AC, hell it barely had a heater. I wish I hadn't sold it now. Anyway good job on your truck, I like it. Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted May 2, 2005 Author Share Posted May 2, 2005 The seats cost $100 with all the belts etc. FWIW, the second row seats out of a NBS burb are $700!!! The only real problem was mounting the drivers side seat belt retractor bracket. The tank was in the way.....so I yanked the tank and am using the dealer option twin saddle tanks (hence the 2 fuel gauges) as primary fuel sources. I had to drill a couple of new holes in the seat rails, and a couple of new holes in the floor (which I then used some big washers to add strength). The 3 point belts bolt to the OEM truck tapped holes. The center seat (which has the fold down armrest with cup holders) has a lap belt which is part of the seat frame. The height of the seats are a bit higher (little bit), but you sink into them more than the stock bench. They are very comfy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 Looks good Tim! Glad to see you still wrenching on your truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 I bet those seats are a 100x softer than the ones that were in there! Very nice! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 That looks pretty cool! I like the gauge display... but it's not wet sanded? Cutting corners are we? :mrgreen: Are you going to outfit the whole interior with the same material as the bench seat is made of? !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted May 3, 2005 Author Share Posted May 3, 2005 Mat, Yes, I did not wet sand the panel, but it looks more orange peeled in the pictures than in real life because of the camera flash lamp. It actually looks pretty smooth. Plus, this is *supposed* to be a budget conversion, not a show truck....this is a working truck, not a powder puff, so I am not too worried about the finer details too much. That is why I decided to go with the AutoMeter 'Autogage' series and not something more bling-bling. Plus I got a smoking deal on the electric speedo on Ebay....brand new in the wrapper still. As for the rest of the interior, yes. I have another dash pad that is uncracked, but is black. I will recover it with the same color as the seats, and the same with the door panels. I think I may also put in electric windows after I get the A/C system up and running. I also want to get some new carpet. I think this truck will be a lifer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 Hey Tim, I was just playin'. Actually, you got the gears turning in my head. I need to get rid of my truck and love the idea of what you're doing. I just don't know if I could actually get myself to drive a nice, clean truck through the winter here. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted May 3, 2005 Author Share Posted May 3, 2005 Mat, Z-Dreamer picked up a bitchin deal on a BB truck on the 68-72 truck forum boards. They are great trucks....coil springs all around, big ol disks up front, power steering and tons of room for working on the engine. There are some nice ones on ebay right now too. There is a great panel truck (suburban without the windows) on ebay too. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php3? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted May 8, 2005 Author Share Posted May 8, 2005 Took the truck for a run today....just 5 miles or so to get it up to speed and get a feel for the new drivetrain. Boy having the overdrive with the lockup converter is sweet!!! So smooth, and with the new exhaust system, nice quiet. The new leather seats are wayyy comfortable......just gotta get some isolators for the low pressure pump....it vibrates pretty loudly.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted May 8, 2005 Share Posted May 8, 2005 I do wish I had overdrive... I want/need a Gear Vender Overdrive unit! http://www.gearvendors.com/ But I'm cheap so I'll have to find a used unit or find someone who needs to sell really bad! So what's your address Tim? I'll come by some evenning and relieve you of that Suburban bench seat! But wait, your lusting after my dash gauge cluster pod! http://album.hybridz.org/data/500/7842optional_guage.jpg Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Looks awesome Tim. You may want to consider one of those tilt steering colum guards to keep someone from easily stealing your ride. Unless you have something eles taking care of that. I know when my truck got robbed it was because of the weak point in the colum that is easily opened up like a soft shell crab, exposing the soft underbelly... and ignition rod..... I looked but could not find a link to what I am talking about. Rufus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted May 9, 2005 Author Share Posted May 9, 2005 Rufus, The ignition switch is on the dash, not the column, so no prevention there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Did you remove the rod that runs to the actual ignition switch though? The switch that is on the backside of the column? EDIT: Ahh.. I see now. I thought the only switch you had was the one covered by the red plastic hood. I see now that the key ignition switch is on the dash...Very cool!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsil Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Hey Tim, nice guage panel! I did one myself when I had my old '66. I replaced all but the bezel, and put guages and lights in it. Still have some pics of it: http://zcar.netdojo.com/truck/pics/truck_0016.jpg http://zcar.netdojo.com/truck/pics/truck_0017.jpg http://zcar.netdojo.com/truck/pics/truck_0004.jpg Man, it's been like 4 years since I had that truck. I love old Chevy pickups, up to '72. I used to have a '71 GMC also, brown and ugly, but got me everywhere. Got an '85 Van now for haulin....not really messin' with that!!! (for now) Kick *** truck, man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted May 9, 2005 Author Share Posted May 9, 2005 Sweet Dash!! Never though of using wood! Got my brain spinning now! My neighbor across the road has a 66. Sweet body style! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 Tim, I'm having a wonderful time with the stock column shifter linkage the previous owner hacked! It seems I need to replace the stock linkage or eliminate it all together by going to a floor mount shifter. As cool as floor mount shifters look, I'd rather stick with a column shifter. Doing a net search of companies, I've found what should work. Lokar makes a hemi-joint linkage kit for column shifters. http://www.lokar.com/interior_pages/colshiftlink.htm My question is have you or anyone for that matter, used or had experience with Lokar products? p.s. I still want your suburban bench seat! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted June 2, 2005 Author Share Posted June 2, 2005 I have an extra van tilt column.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted June 3, 2005 Share Posted June 3, 2005 Hm... and you're telling me this because... A. You're a great guy and your willing to give or sell cheap this tilt column from a van. B. You're telling me because you have no intention of offering said column and are thus gloating while sticking pins into a likeness of myself. Will Tim chose A or B? Cast your vote now and stay tuned for the next exciting episode! p.s. I will be in the San Bernadino/Redlands area June 10-13! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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