1987 swb

[Gordonr1973]

I want to see lots of new pics of that truck when you are back!

[Low Elco]

Congrats on coming back! Enjoy the truck, it's sweet!

[squaredaway]

Happy to report she's back on the road and doing well! I'm in North Carolina visiting family and fixing a few things that need to be done on the truck. I've changed the fluids and fixed a wiring issue on the passenger side window switch. Today, I'm installing an AC compressor, drier and variable orifice tube for the AC. I also have to replace the driver's side mirror. The plate glass on the actual mirror fell out of it the other day. That's the first one I've ever seen do that.

I hope everyone had a great Independence Day. I sure did, it felt so good to be with family once again.

[squaredaway]

Well, today was eventful. I installed 2 compressors and troubleshot all sorts of AC issues. I also replaced the driver's side mirror.

I enjoyed a cold ride to Asheville for a date night with my wife. The truck did well, but it stalled a couple of times while the AC compressor was under load. Any ideas?

[f.monroe]

Welcome back buddy.
There should be a solenoid that kicks the throttle up a little when the A/C is on . I think the fi engines had it still. It bumps the idle a little to offset the extra drag. Might look into that.

I bet it feels good to be back and driving it again.
Frank

Now get that location changed under your avatar.
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[squaredaway]

Originally Posted by f.monroe

Welcome back buddy.
There should be a solenoid that kicks the throttle up a little when the A/C is on . I think the fi engines had it still. It bumps the idle a little to offset the extra drag. Might look into that.

I bet it feels good to be back and driving it again.
Frank

Now get that location changed under your avatar.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hey, Frank! I hope everything is going well. I'm really grateful to be back. Thanks for the information about the solenoid, I'll look into it. Any idea where this solenoid is on the older trucks?

[Damon23]

Should be on the drivers side in front of the throttle on the carb. It is a cylinder looking think that pushes out to bump up the idle.
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[squaredaway]

Free car wash from Mother Nature... Have a great Saturday, folks!

[Jonboy]

TBI should open the IAC on it's own with an A/C request. I am pretty sure the TBI does not have a kicker solenoid like a carb does.

Glad to see you made it back. Thanks for your service!

[squaredaway]

Thanks, Jonboy. I disconnected the battery cable to reset the computer. Wallah!!! No issues anymore and the AC temp gauge is reading between 40 and 50 degrees. The compressor is already groaning, but from what I've read, that's life with an R4...

[squaredaway]

Well, I have put over 500 miles on the truck since I have been home. I have to drive her to Alabama this weekend and then Louisiana the week after.Posted via Mobile Device
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[squaredaway]

Made it to Bama. Over 1,000 miles now and no big issues! Sunday will be the last leg. Bama to Louisiana.

The AC is still blowing cold. The engine isn't stalling out anymore. I'm calling that one fixed even though the compressor groans like crazy. I guess I just have to get used to it.

I've ordered speakers for the blown speakers in the truck. I should be able to install them tomorrow. I'll eventually tap into the stock radio and run an auxiliary line for my phone/mp3 player. When I do that I will install a small amp for the speakers.

[squaredaway]

Well, crap.... I'm overseas again! How does this happen? I'll be back in in the spring... The truck did an amazing job of getting me through the summer. My wife also loves driving it and probably put as many miles on it as I did while we were waiting on her vehicle to get back from Korea. My wife is going to be driving it on Fridays. She's a high school teacher and all of her students think she's the coolest teacher ever when she pulls up in the truck.

[PAWS 72]

Originally Posted by squaredaway

Well, crap.... I'm overseas again! How does this happen? I'll be back in in the spring... The truck did an amazing job of getting me through the summer. My wife also loves driving it and probably put as many miles on it as I did while we were waiting on her vehicle to get back from Korea. My wife is going to be driving it on Fridays. She's a high school teacher and all of her students think she's the coolest teacher ever when she pulls up in the truck.

Thanks for your service. How DID that happen?

Good lookin truck bud. Stay safe.

[Reziel_1983]

How have I not seen this one before? Awesome looking truck!

[squaredaway]

Thanks, guys.

[squaredaway]

So, while I've been in beautiful Afghanistan, I've been dreaming up things to do when I return. I'm having some trouble deciding what to do with the '87...

The truck runs and drives perfectly fine and has been super reliable since owning it, but I have a 6.0 in my garage just waiting on a truck. Should I rip in to this mostly original beauty or get another project truck? Tell me what you think. Oh, 1 caveat, the 6.0 will be turbo'd...

[Rich84]

Leave her alone..There is plenty of trucks out there with dead power plants waiting for a new life..Be well.

[squaredaway]

Originally Posted by Rich84

Leave her alone..There is plenty of trucks out there with dead power plants waiting for a new life..Be well.

That's what I'll tell myself one day... and then the next I'm thinking : 6.0 Turbo? Yes, please....

We'll figure it out one day soon I reckon... I've got nothing but time!

[badchevy]

I say find yourself another square and put that 6.0 into it. Leave the current one as is. This way you have 2 squares to enjoy. 2 squares are always better than one. I myself have 2 and it's a good feeling to get to choose which to drive that day. Just my .02.

If we would of known, we could of gotten together on your way into Afghan. I'm currently at Manas.

[Claytona08]

Hey Reuben, Love the truck man! I had a red 87 back in highschool and have missed that thing since I sold it after graduation. I always wanted to lower it and put new rims on it but making 5$ an hour made money tight, lol

I say leave the stock engine in it if it runs good. Also thanks for your service!

[squaredaway]

Originally Posted by Claytona08

Hey Reuben, Love the truck man! I had a red 87 back in highschool and have missed that thing since I sold it after graduation. I always wanted to lower it and put new rims on it but making 5$ an hour made money tight, lol

I say leave the stock engine in it if it runs good. Also thanks for your service!

Thanks, Clayton! I know how the money thing goes! Thankfully a couple of years ago I got after investing and Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace/Total Money Makeover system. If I don't have the cash, I won't buy it. It sounds like you are the same way. I'm loving your truck by the way, great vision and way to stick to your plan!

Originally Posted by badchevy

I say find yourself another square and put that 6.0 into it. Leave the current one as is. This way you have 2 squares to enjoy. 2 squares are always better than one. I myself have 2 and it's a good feeling to get to choose which to drive that day. Just my .02.

If we would of known, we could of gotten together on your way into Afghan. I'm currently at Manas.

Bad Chevy, I hear ya. Who knows what will happen?! I hate that I missed you at Manas. I can imagine how cold it is there right now. Manas is the coldest temperature I've ever been witness to: -29 degrees in 2008...

[badchevy]

It hasn't been extremely cold but has been in the single digits to into the teens. I've heard it get pretty cold in January so we'll about to see. I've passed through here before but not during these winter months.

Although we didn't meet up here, maybe one day we'll meet up with the rides back in the states. Stay safe.

[Claytona08]

Yeah Dave Ramsey is great about teaching you how to manage your money. If you stick by his guidance you should be doing good financially by retirement.

[squaredaway]

Originally Posted by badchevy

It hasn't been extremely cold but has been in the single digits to into the teens. I've heard it get pretty cold in January so we'll about to see. I've passed through here before but not during these winter months.

Although we didn't meet up here, maybe one day we'll meet up with the rides back in the states. Stay safe.

Hopefully it won't be so bad this year. Stay warm, brother! I don't think I'll be coming through there when I leave, but if I do, I'll look you up.

Originally Posted by Claytona08

Yeah Dave Ramsey is great about teaching you how to manage your money. If you stick by his guidance you should be doing good financially by retirement.

Yeah, I love his system for getting out of debt, it is very effective and motivating. I've not invested like he says to invest, but I have invested and it's working pretty well for me. If you are in to that kind of stuff, I would give Joel Greenblatt's, The Little Book That Beats the Market, a read.