Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Buddy, this is No Bueno.... This truck is not to be pushed outside & covered again. It has waited patiently. Take that proverbial step back if necessary & it will be there waiting for you next time you're in the shop. I'm glad you gave it another try!

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Happy for ya bud, nice work! :metal:

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Congrats, and hope you enjoy the drive.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

You're so right. I did not go back out to the shop until yesterday.

We headed to Houston (Spring, TX actually) on Friday for my daughter's Level 7 State Gymnastics Championship meet. So proud of her, she competed with a sore back and placed 4th in the All Around which qualified her for the Regionals in Albuquerque, NM next month. :metal:

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Thanks guys! No drive yet, but getting closer....

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Got out to the shop on Sunday. Made two trips to the parts store for a stupid belt...

Final I got a belt that fits to drive the alternator only set up. Ran the engine for a good bit yesterday and get the cooling system purged of air (I hope...). Dropped it in reverse (I thought) to see if the trans would turn the wheels. Wheels did turn for a bit, but in the forward direction then stopped. I figured the trans did not have enough fluid. Checked out the linkage too, the column is in park, but the trans is in neutral, I will fix that later. Got the trans filled to the proper level and it works in the forward gears. Really pleased with that since this trans was pulled out of the truck we used to build Korbin's Sunburn, that was not running and had been sitting for lord knows how many years before I got it. I pulled it out 7 years ago. I put a shift kit and new filter in it in 2010, but never did the front and rear seals and it sat untouched till just a few months ago. I put in new front/rear seals, pan and gasket and filled it with fluid. So, next test it to see if it will move the truck once I get the linkage fixed.

I need to work on the idle speed, seems really high, but I don't have a tach so I am not sure what it is at.

I am happy with the progress, but no pictures since it still looks the same...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

I still get out to the shop when I can. Baseball and Gymnastics keeps us hopping this time of the year.

I got the shift linkage adjusted, but needs some fine tuning as it is off on the column indicator. It does go into each gear now. I will let this go for now.

My ignition switch was bad, internal short in the run and start positions. Replaced switch and now the start function works correctly. Still not getting go voltage at the fuse panel on a couple of circuits, two of which are the ignition non-fused taps. I need one of those to provide my keep on power to the PCM.

Used my voltmeter and I have power going to the right places, but there is a huge voltage drop at the ignition on circuits on the fuse panel. So I pulled off the panel from the firewall. I think I see at least one of the problems:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps57daznd0.jpg

That red wire is the battery feed to the fuse block, it is about 12" long back to the factory splice where the battery power enters under the dash and splits off to go to the fuse block, the ignition switch and the headlight switch. I will replace the 14ga section that goes feeds the fuse box.

The large pink wire in that picture goes to the flasher. It is a key on power wire. Its hidden behind the green and purple wires, but it is tapped into a female spade terminal that is attached to a buss bar that feeds 3 fuses. I believe the buss bar connection is corroded to a point that the fuses and male spade terminals on the front side only get about 4-5 volts. The flasher gets its full 12 volts. This picture is a bit clearer since I removed the red power wire...

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psixtjvucz.jpg

Besides pulling the entire under dash harness and replacing the fuse box, does anyone have a method of cleaning these connections to get power restored?

I could go with this Dash Harness, but I am currently limited on the amount of money I have to spend on this project. I know this would be right thing to do and keep it looking factory under the dash.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Well last night was baseball with Owen, double header that was schedule to start at 5pm. We got home after 10pm. Owen had a great set of games and came in as the relief pitcher in the second game when the starter got in trouble in the bottom of the last inning. Faced 6 batters, gave up a hit and a run, but finished with 3 swinging strikeouts to finish the game. They won both games.

Anyway, while trying to decide what to do and not spend a chunk of money, I remembered that when Sunburn got totaled, I pulled the entire wiring harness out of it. It was a universal 21 circuit mini wiring harness by EZ Wiring that I got off ebay. It worked good in Sunburn, but is really overkill for what I have in mind for this truck.

Here is what I found in the box when I pulled it out:
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psnd8sa5tb.jpg

It's free, so that solves the big chunk of money problem. I will go thru it and pair it down to what I need and can use and just terminate the un-used wires at a terminal strip so it I need to use them later I can. At this point the plan is to replace the under dash harness only with this one. I will need to buy a few connectors and terminals to do what I am thinking, but that is far more affordable than a complete new factory fit harness or even another smaller universal harness.

I guess my next step is to pull the complete factory under dash harness out of Old Blue and see what its going to take to make this work.

Stay tuned...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Got a little shop time this weekend. Its been nice weather the last couple of weekends, so we have been doing yard maintenance. I have hauled one FULL trailer (7'x18' x 4') load of brush and vines to the local compost site and have another load on the trailer again, and that's not all of what we cut down...

Anyway, I sat the rear end down on jack stands to simulate it at ride height. Installed the PHB and marked it to cut the tube to length. I will get that cut and weld the tube adapter in this week before heading to Katie's Gym Meet.

I pulled out the main harness from under the dash and mounted it to a board to work out the routing of the new harness. I used some long construction screw to mark the spots where the wires branch off in different places. I used some rubber coated line clamps to hold the harness in place on the board and labeled the connectors so I don't get to confused.;)
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psapngoeed.jpg

From there, since this is a universal harness and not a single block for all the fuses, flashers and horn relay, I made a mounting plate that will use the two stock fuse panel mounting holes and one other where the cover plate for the column mounts to the firewall.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psv6w6gnty.jpg

I used this plate to mount the main fuse block. I got it mounted and started separating wires into groups. I have about 10 wires that I will not use right away (or maybe not at all), so I will mark each and install a ring terminal on the wires and land them on a terminal strip along the bottom or right edge of the plate I made. I did pull one wire completely out of the fuse block that will not every be used. I then started routing wires to each of their respectful connections. I still have quite a few to do, but this was a good stopping point. I was able to get some of the connectors new for the harness, but I will have to pull a few off the OE harness and reuse. I will put new terminals on the wires and only use the plastic connectors from the OE harness. There are a few wires I will need to lengthen to the ignition switch since this "new" harness was used in a previous build and those wires where cut to length for that application.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...pswjatz7ok.jpg

Not sure if I will get shop time this week, but if I do, it will be to continue on this harness till its done and ready to install in the cab.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Doing some searches on LS installs and look what it led me to - another Aggie. Glad to be subscribed here now and catch some updates.

Drop in some time with some other like-minded Aggie brethren... https://texags.com/forums/46

Gig 'Em,
Cody '90

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Cool, thanks for checking in here. I will have to take a look at that forum.

Looks like we were both down in Aggieland at the same time. I was supposed to be class of '90, but ended up changing majors and knew more people in class of '91.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Got my PHB measured, cut and welded together.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psogm7oo72.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psctuapbv7.jpg


Headed out of town today for Katie's regional gym meet. See you guys next week...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Got to spend a hour out in the shop last night. Got the wires for the ignition switch extended, colors don't match on all the wires, but they will be hidden in loom at some point. Started to figure out where I wanted to land the 3 terminal strips that I will be using to land the unused wires at this point. You can see one option for them in the picture, Not sure yet, but I think they will be lined up along the bottom of the attachment panel I made for the fuse panel or two vertically on the left side and one on the right side.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psjfyqkxpf.jpg

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Looking good Karl. Keep the updates coming.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

I have been sneaking in some shop time when I can, I am still plugging away on the under dash harness.

I have some of the runs completed and the connectors installed. The ignition connector is fubar, so I just used the spade connectors on the switches terminals till I find another connector. I will put some heat shrink on them for now. The Engine Harness Connector, the Wiper Motor Connector, the Rear Light Harness Connector, the Light Switch Connector, the Dome Light Connector, and the Dimmer Switch Connector are all complete and covered with flex-braid covering.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps67okhfhn.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psjfyqkxpf.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...pszv8ej97i.jpg

I have the Column Connector and the Dash Harness Connector to do next.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psnaynf21w.jpg

After that I will do the Front Harness Connectors and then finish with the terminal strips for the unused circuits.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psyj4gx1a7.jpg

The Pate Swap Meet is this weekend at TMS, so I am headed up there tomorrow after work. I plan to be there with my boys the whole weekend. If you are there look for me, I'll be the one with a gray beard chilling under a white canopy along the fence in Zone 0, Block 200, Spaces 2066-2072.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

A week or so ago, I messaged another Forum member after reading his thread that we was replacing the complete wiring harness in his '65 to find out what he planned to do with the old stuff he pulled out. He responded that we was going to use some of the connectors and then the rest was going in the trash. I offered to pay the shipping if he would send it to me once he was done with his.

Monday I received a package from Member dsterley, it was the harness he was tossing out. Opened up the package and right on top was two of the connectors I had been looking for online with no luck. They both where in better shape than mine, so that alone was worth the effort and shipping. Thanks again to Dominick for working with me on this and sending it to me!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...pse696tmbr.jpg

Got some shop time last night so I worked on the harness trying to get that part completed. I need to be able to move the truck in and out of the shop now for some other projects that need attention before summer gets here...

I removed the ignition switch connector I needed from the harness that was sent to me and got that one finished up.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psjwzqjjq9.jpg

Here is what my connector looked like. Notice the melted spot at the red wire...There is damage on the other side too...
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...pswakqhcvy.jpg

Next I finished up the main forward harness connector that is on the driver side of the firewall. I used a new plug and grommet from American Autowire.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...pshqukxuds.jpg

Continuing on, I did the column connector that is for the turn signals, the horn and the brake light switch. There are 3 terminals of this harness that are done differently than the OE wiring since that have 3 wires in each terminal. My crimps are OK, but not the best on those, so I am going to solder them tonight (hopefully) before pushing them into the connector.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...pskvc86dth.jpg

Lastly, I wanted to do the dash harness connector but ended up breaking the one on the harness sent to me, I now know why Dominick did not pull off the one plug and just cut the wires on that one...so I need to remove the OE one and re-use it. I got all the wires cut to length and decided to call it a night. Hopefully I can get it done tonight.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psrwmmkmbq.jpg

I am getting closer to getting this pig running and driving on its own power...:metal:

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

It pains me just to look at the wiring.....LOL, We had 65 hours in wiring mine!

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Glad you were able to use some of the harness.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

This past weekend I was able to get some good time in and got the under dash harness finished to my liking. I still need to get some split flexible braided loom for some of it, but I'm OK with it for now.

Here is the completed harness on the floor before I installed it into the truck. The lone tan wire is the power for the cigarette lighter which I don't have yet.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...pskuc0r45l.jpg

Close up of the fuse panel mounted with the terminal blocks for things not used yet in this truck. I do plan for some of them at some point...I still need to make the labels for each of those 11 circuits.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psag573yyx.jpg

Here it is under the dash mounted to the firewall...
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psecwjdqxy.jpg

I connected most of it, at least enough to see if my power to the PCM and starter where correct. Those checked out, so I used the key to fire up the truck for the first time since putting in the LS.

I tried a the lights, but those did not work, but they are not all hooked up either. Looks like I have a bit of trouble shooting to do...

At least I can drop the truck on the ground and move it in and out of the shop on it's own now. I still have a bit to do on the rear pan hard mounts and the rear shocks need to be mounted before that part of the suspension is road worthy. Items left to get done include the couple above, mount the front clip and hood, wire up the headlights with relays, wire up the front turn signals and get the rest of the electrical issues sorted out. Not sure when that will all happen, but MY plan is to take this heap to C01's in the Park this September.

For now, this truck gets put on the back burner for a month or so. Momma wants her boat ready for the lake by memorial day weekend, so you know what they say about Momma, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". After the boat, I got to get Owen's truck in the shop to get it finished up to be ready for his 16th B-day in July. It is getting lowered, new wheels and tires, and a seat cover and headliner along with a general clean up of the interior before July. We plan to take it and Korbin's truck to the event in September too.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

quick update...

No real work has been done on the truck. I had to get it out to clean the mess I call a shop and to move the boat in, so I finished up a few items underneath and put it on the ground. The throttle cable/linkage is not right, so I only get a little above idle with the pedal. I did manage it get it out and moved in the yard under its own power. I set the fenders on and took this pic.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psfhlniwe0.jpg

I had to move it again later to another spot in the yard so Owen could finish mowing. Later that evening we put the hood on so the engine bay can stay dry if it rains again...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

No real work on the truck as taken place since my last post except that we got the fenders lined up with the doors so that the doors do not hit them when opened. Mounted the cowl extension panels and got the hood on. The grille made its way into the shop and was disassembled. I plan on taking the head light mounts to the powder coater this week along with a set of wheel for Owen's truck this week.

I had to move it again in the yard, so this time I noticed that I have brake lights and that the turn indicators are on (not sure they go out when you apply the brakes, I was not paying attention to that). I think that they stay on since I do not have the front turn signal harness ran and hooked up...

I am not happy with the way I did the PHB mount on the frame. It needs some stiffening up to work for me. That will be one of the first things to address when it gets back in the shop along with the rear shock mounts.

On a side note, I picked up another LS engine while I was at the scrap yard last week. I have no idea if it is any good yet, but it was a long block with coils and was only $145, but after the credit for the scrap I brought to sell, it was mine for $99.35. Its on a stand in the shop and whenever I decide to open it up, I will find out if I have gold or fool's gold for my efforts...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

In between working on the boat and other jobs I need to do around the house, I got a bit of time to pull apart the grill and headlight mounts. All of the hardware on the buckets was junk and the two retaining rings did not match. The headlight brackets where rusty and in need of refurbishment.

Part of what we are doing with Henry (Owen's '84 C10) is swapping to factory style rallies when we lower it. I took a full set to get powder coated for his birthday. While doing that, I dropped off the two headlight mounts for my truck too. They did a good job, but one of them had some serious rust pitting and it really shows on that one. Its on the back side so it will work for me. I personally would like it smooth, but I am resisting the OCD in me to redo it. I want to drive this thing and in the end, you won't even see this part when it is all together.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psg52n8ce1.jpg

So now I am waiting on my parts from Classic Parts that I ordered to restore the headlight mounts with new hardware. I ordered all the screws, springs, adjusters and new stainless retaining rings. I just need to clean up the headlight buckets and repaint them once the parts arrive.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Sorry to see you got hit by the Photosuckit bomb too.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Crap...I have been having such good luck with them too...

Looks like I will be moving my photos to somewhere else...

Just got on photosuckit...they want $40 a month to be able to use 3rd party hosting of my pictures. you can get a discount if you pay it annually...$400 per year.

No thanks! that's just not worth it anymore...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Just testing out a way to add photos...

I am thinking of buying this from my cousin and building a tow pig out of it...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Huh? What's to think about?

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Well, let's see...The wife's boat (I get to keep it running), the daughter's gymnastics, the son's truck, the son's football, all three kid's college funds. Should I go on...


I really doubt he will sell it before I could actually think about building it anyway...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

OK, well I am going to try to get this thing to C10's in the Park. This weekend is the goal to get it ready for that event. It might not be pretty, but that's not the main goal.

Got the new fuel pump in the mail this week, so that is first on the list to replace. If it fixes my pressure problem then we will move on to the headlights, grille and front bumper. Don't hold your breath, but I hope to make it there....

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Here is a picture of the last time I worked on it...I had just got the headlight brackets back from powder coating. Did them in a satin black.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

OK, I was all pumped to get this thing ready for C10's in the Park, but my daily truck is giving me fits and I would need it to haul this one to the event...So instead of working on this one last week, I did trouble shooting on my '06 Duramax for "Reduced Engine Power" on the DIC. Not codes thrown in the pcm so that was no help. Decided to take it in on Monday, they can't get to it that day. Head back there this morning, they can work it in, SO now I am waiting on them to tell me what's wrong and how many arms and legs I am going to need to pay to get it fixed. Oh Well such is life.

So, I have been doing a few things to get the '65 finished up enough to take it to the Park if my tow pig is fixed. I needed to get the headlights put back together...

SO, took my adjuster buckets and spent some time in the blast cabinet, got them all cleaned up and painted. Use a stainless steel color, They look ok for a part that you can't see once it is all together. Pictures 1-3.

Next, once they where dry, I used all new hardware to reassembly the brackets and buckets. Picture 4 & 5

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

One more, notice anything wrong with this picture...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Next up was new bulbs, new stainless retaining rings and new screws. This completes the headlight assemblies. Next up is to refinish the grille and attach these assemblies to the grille with stainless #10 hardware.

The last pic shows what's wrong from the previous post. Spring is now in the correct location.

These simple job turned out really nice. Probably the nicest part that will be on the whole truck for quite a while...:lol:

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Tonight I hope to have sometime to prep and paint the grille and maybe work on the new wiring for the headlights using relays. Just a couple of nights left before C10's in the Park, but two of them are filled with football...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Well, I made it to C10's in the Park!

I got to drive it into the show, that was the first time I had driven the truck since the spring of 2000. What a great feeling!

Its not running right, but I does run and move under its own power. Fuel pump was only making 35 psi (minimum for a LS engine to just idle), so that was replaced. Still does not idle correctly, it might be the IAC motor sticking, I will swap out that and see what happens. If that is not it, then we will hook up HP Tuners and really get into it...

For now here is a picture that someone else took at the show, that alone made me feel good that someone else :metal: liked it enough to take a picture and share on FB. I would have never thought it was picture worthy compared to many of the other 751 trucks at that show!

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

nice work Karl and congratulation on getting to drive it again. Makes all the hard work worth it.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

The '62 next to me belongs to an old friend, Don Debenport. He and I used to be part of a car club called Rose City Street Machines back in the late '80's thru the early/mid '90's. We attended many shows together with the other of that club. This is the first time these two trucks have been at the same show since propably 1988 or 1989. The green on his truck was sprayed in about 1991/1992... Here is a picture of that truck from the show.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

One more pic to share, this is from 1988 at the Waco Street Machine Mini Nat's that was held over Memorial Day weekend back in the day.

In this picture, my truck is behind all of us, and Don's is to the right in the photo, I think you can see the top of his bed and rear fender, it was white and blue back then and mine was code 23 blue...

You guys will have to guess which one of us is who in the pic...:lol:

I just noticed this one little thing, Back then his truck was lower than mine, now mine is lower than his...

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Awesome Karl, glad you were able to make it to the show and enjoy driving the truck.

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Got home last night and had a little time to mess with the truck. I pulled my spare IAC out of the intake in the shop, cleaned it up and swapped it out. BINGO! Truck now starts and settles into a nice idle! Now, I just need to fix the fuel bleed down issue and get the OBDII port wired back in along with the check engine light.

Took my wife for a spin around the block, other than how load it was, she enjoyed it. If was the first time she and I had gone for a ride together in this truck since we lived in San Antonio about 17 years ago. Now clean up the last few items and get this thing registered and insured so that I can drive it!

Re: 1965 Stepside, The LST Challenge
 

Thanks Keith! Now I just need your new suburban to make it my tow pig!