Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

It sure helps seeing you guys projects and hearing all your advice. I move slow, but it keeps some bursts of momentum going.
I don’t often post, but here’s some pictures. Finished the metal work on the cab. Wow, it took forever, I have a new level of respect when I read about somebody going through this on their own truck now! Most of the floor, bottoms of the A pillars and cowl in and out and rear cab corners but no rust now! Eastwood platinum encapsulator on entire inside (I really like this stuff, it is amazingly tenacious as an encapsulating primer. Just be really careful if you get it on your skin, it will not scrub off). Second skin rubber coating on all the inside of the cab, doors, and four fenders.
Just got the seat back from upholsterer. Late 80s early 90s Chevy bench seat and I cut 4 inches out just to the passenger side of the armrest and welded it all back up before upholstery. It is a really nice thick, soft leather. Same leather, glued to headliner panels and door panels as well. Some scraps left over for miscellaneous in the cabin.
Wanted to get seat foam and upholstery in place to determine finished seat height. Going fab in a 2 x 2 tube floor frame with a slide out drawer to hold all the fuses, engine and transmission, control computers, and electronics and sound system. I sure hope that ends up being a good plan. Just didn’t seem like there was enough room up under that dash for me to get it done and keep the engine bay clean.
I can finally feel like I’m getting some momentum again after all that sheet metal work!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Not sure someone said this already but that's a work of mechanical art that i would display on an engine under spotlights and on a rotating stand in a special room just for it.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I got the shock perches figured out for my front axle on my 53 3100.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Looks Good

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Finally got around to running tubing to the Boyd’s gas tank.
Added a quick disconnect fuel filter clamp. Lol
Go easy on your comments.. already had the clamp and it fit the OD of filter perfectly. Probably an overkill for sure but effective.
JT from SC

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Since the holidays are over its time get to work on the truck.
MY "to do" list includes
Adjust valves - done
take valve covers and intake to powder coaters - done
remove exhaust & heat wrap
extend exhaust out under rear fenders
install power wiper motor
install heat & sound deadener in cab
install bear claw door latches
change ignition switch to one that has accy position.
change hood springs to struts
adjust alignment on front fenders

Ive had most of the parts for a long time.
what with snow coming and a heated garage, it's time for some fun.
Wish me luck.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Since the holidays are over its time get to work on the truck.
MY "to do" list includes
Adjust valves - done
take valve covers and intake to powder coaters - done
remove exhaust & heat wrap
extend exhaust out under rear fenders
install power wiper motor
install heat & sound deadener in cab
install bear claw door latches
change ignition switch to one that has accy position.
change hood springs to struts
adjust alignment on front fenders

Ive had most of the parts for a long time.
what with snow coming and a heated garage, it's time for some fun.
Wish me luck.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

So I made some serious progress on the to do list.
Valve covers and intake are back from the powder coaters. Got up early and got them installed.
Got the electric wiper motor installed. It was a bit of a pain. Had to remove the glove box and the radio to give me room to work. Had to change the direction of the mounting bolts so I could get the nuts on. Hooked it to power and it works. Tomorrow I hope to make the final adjustments & get everything back together.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Well, started to finish up the wiper motor install. I tried to mount the switch into the original hole on the top of the dash. It wont clear the motor. I wanted to keep the switch in the original location, but that doesnt seem to want to work. I guess I could find another location for the switch. Any ideas?

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Seems like many have issues with new electric wipers in AD's , Myself included. Off the wall idea but has anyone tried a standalone vacuum pump and reservoir to run the original wiper motor? Could serve to boost power brakes as well?

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

OK now you’re scaring me nvrdone!
I do not have any helpful comments on that switch because you’re ahead of me.
What is scaring me, is I bought the Raingear wiper motor upgrade, planning on adding AC and defrost vents up in there, and on top of that, was planning on putting a double DIN modern screen and stereo in a custom hole where the radio speaker used to be PLUS the stock located switch.
All that and you’re just struggling finding room for a switch up there - you’re giving me the heebie-jeebies!
Can’t wait to see what kind of experience floods in from other members on this.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

i have the bed off and decided to undercoat it. i have a full metal floor. its freezing cold and my garage heaters struggling but we do what we need to do.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

In the stock switch hole, the switch hits the wiper motor. I decided to remove the cigarette
lighter and mount the switch there. Not where I wanted it, but it works.
The next step is to put the radio back in. It was mounted behind the center speaker grill with the grill tilting down. We will see if that works.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Not sure if your truck is an S10 swap, but I used the stock S10 steering column and plugged the 1 speed wiper to the 'fast' wiper on the steering column harness. I figured the switch is already there, might as well use it.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I have the Raingear setup and this style of switch ( included with the Raingear kit). It fits fine. I also replaced the ugly plastic knob with the stock style.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I have wondered if a motor head could be taken apart, like the motor removed, then the gear head mounted in place and a remote mounted motor could be used with a small driveshaft up to the gear head. I know, there are some of these already built but they have a cable driven unit and, for me, I sometimes will drive when there is snow. eventually, when I get the project done....
my dash is far from stock since I am using a GMC envoy for a donor floor and firewall. I would like to use (will use somehow) the envoy wiper motor since it will have multiple speeds and pause etc. where I live the weather changes quickly so you just never know when it will downpour (or snow) so reliable wipers are a must.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I have wondered if a motor head could be taken apart, like the motor removed, then the gear head mounted in place and a remote mounted motor could be used with a small driveshaft up to the gear head. I know, there are some of these already built but they have a cable driven unit and, for me, I sometimes will drive when there is snow. eventually, when I get the project done....
my dash is far from stock since I am using a GMC envoy for a donor floor and firewall. I would like to use (will use somehow) the envoy wiper motor since it will have multiple speeds and pause etc. where I live the weather changes quickly so you just never know when it will downpour (or snow) so reliable wipers are a must.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Jweb: I have the raingear setup with that switch. Unfortunatly with that switch in the stock location the electrical plugs rub on the motor.
I dont plan on driving the truck if there is any chance of rain or snow, but if I get caught in a summer down pour, wipers would be nice. The other thing is our county sheriff department will stop older vehicles and if they dont have working equipment they will issue a ticket. I got stopped for only having one tail light. Fortunatly I had a wiring diagram that proved the truck only cane with one light so I got off with a warning.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

That's interesting. I don't remember any wires rubbing. I'll take another look.

I put this setup in for the same reason, getting caught in a down pour. I drove back from Bend,OR in a rain/ lighting storm back in 2022. I wasn't impressed by this setup but I got home.

Hoping to be up in your area in May, https://www.eastwenatcheewa.gov/185/...arade-Car-Show
Depends on weather.

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I have a very similar home brew wiper setup, but I used the original vacuum motor mount points and designed it to work with the original links and pivots.

I studied the raingear install, it puts the motor in a different location under the dash than I used, but there is a note about 'correct orientation points down'. That implies it might be possible to install it wrong?
Raingears sells a small switch and an intermittent version that is much larger - with no notes about fit problems with either.

Tempest67 - do you have the 2 speed raingear system with only one speed hooked up? raingear notes that you cannot use a GM column with their system
my experience is similar, I used a 2 speed 5 wire motor from a 2000s dodge RAM as it was small - it appears very similar to the raingear motor. a Toyota motor I had worked identical: you put power to L, H or park and that is how the aftermarket rotary switches work. my 80s GM column switch would not park this style of wiper without adding some relays -or wiring it as a single speed system. That column provides power to Park when the switch is in Low

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Got the automatic transmission column shift indicator pointer, that I modeled in 3D, back from my friend who has a 3D printer. (Sometimes I get so excited about the smallest things...)

My friend had yellow filament in his printer that day but no problem - I will paint the neck and head red. Gotta paint the other parts too, and reassemble everything. Its still a bit cold for painting, so that will have to wait for now.

BTW, I’d be happy to share the 3D file with anyone who needs that little pointer. These days, it is likely that everyone knows someone with a 3D printer, and this is a good alternative to buying one, if you can even find one for a reasonable price. (The last OEM one I saw on ebay, the guy wanted $85!) Just message me or email me with your email address.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wZgwPui6drxohaoNA

short video of it running a couple years ago when it was partially built. it is on the road and working now. With the near vertical windsield, all I usually need in summer rain is the lowest speed on the intermittent wipe control. Low speed for hard rain. high speed on the motor.....honestly if it was raining that hard I'd probably pull over

it looks a lot simpler than it is. This is after several iterations on the original design. When i started I thought it would be relatively easy, little measuring, little math-ing, cut weld and done. Wrong, I'm not as smart as I thought! The timing and lengths of each component are critical. I'm also not convinced that the OEM vacuum setup gave a full wipe on both sides.

I only have about $50 invested but probably a month of spare time. if I did it again I'd maybe use a single speed rear wiper or just spend the bucks and buy the after market stuff.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

my system works great after a little adjustment. Had the truck sitting outside in the snow (don't shoot me for that) and the wipers cleared the windshield just fine in both speeds. I didnt drive it because I live on a hill and was afraid of getting back home.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

jweb: I'd like to meet up with you, but at that time we will be into about a month long road trip - not in the truck.
Going from Yakima to New Orleans with many stops in between. Should be fun.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Thanks, jweb that is a relief!
Does the stock knob just fit right on the post coming out of that switch? Did you have to modify it?
That might be useful to me, but also to nvrdone if could help him to swap for this switch?

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I'm using the knob that came with the kit. I'm going to try to drill & tap a factory knob. But that's for later

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I don't recall having to modify the knob. It's been about 5 years but it seems like it went right on.

I'll take a look when I can get to my truck, my garage is a mess right now.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

So I continued working on the wiper install. I found that the bottom of the knob hit the top of the wiper motor which caused me to think about a possible short or fire. So I made a 1/4" spacer out of some scrap ABS. It fits between the mounting bracket on the cab and the motor giving enough room that the motor doesn't touch the switch. after testing the operation I find the arms to the wipers rub on the windshield defrost vents. So tomorrow I can tweek them and hopefully this project will be done.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Hey guys, back on my 5 minute a day plan in 2024! Tack welded these pieces on the hood last night.

:metal:


Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

does going out to the pole barn count?��

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

it does if you thought about your truck, if there are truck parts out there, if there used to be truck parts out there, or if you went out there by mistake cuz you were thinking about your truck. haha.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

sitting on my balcony in Puerto Vallarta and thinking about how i will build something on my truck, that counts right?
nice work Brian. glad to see you posting again. missed your pics and comments

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

yes to all the above!:lol:

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I know this isn't exciting for you all, but it is for me. I have built a few cars with my "Five minute a day plan" it's wild how much you get done just touching the darn thing! Go out and put one bolt in, something. I have touched it almost every day since Jan 1st after not touching it but a few times in the last 4 years! And now something is happening! WOW!!!
I went out after working all day long to just get these second pieces clamped in and ready to weld. After I got moving a bit, went ahead and got them tacked in place.
Man does this feel good!

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Nice work, but I've always admired your work. I understand that 5 min a day thing. my problem is it always turns into 3 - 4 hrs!! Then maybe another hour or 2 for a "test run" which usually turns into dinner out.
But that's what happens when you retire. And I'm loving it.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Today I finished tweekng the new wiper motor. Its in and works good, but doesnt have the sweep I wanted. Oh well, at least I have wipers.
Also have had a miss on acceleration for the last few days. Found the plug wire on # 6 cylinder had come loose. Plugged it back in & problem solved.
Now its time to watch the 49ers walk all over KC. LOL

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Today I finished tweekng the new wiper motor. Its in and works good, but doesnt have the sweep I wanted. Oh well, at least I have wipers.
Also have had a miss on acceleration for the last few days. Found the plug wire on # 6 cylinder had come loose. Plugged it back in & problem solved.
Now its time to watch the 49ers walk all over KC. LOL

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Well, the 49's didn't make it happen, but what a heck of a game that was! It does suck that one extra point missed by them made the difference!

And the "5 minutes" I got in yesterday before leaving for my son's house to watch the SuperBowl. Got the rear upper strip tack welded in. :metal:



Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

It was a great game. I was rooting for the Niners because I grew up in the Bay Area. But there is always next year.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

What no kneeling?