Project "Blue", My 1987 J20 Build
- Thread starter Randyzzz
- Start date
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Portland is just a nice Sunday afternoon ride for you with beautiful views
True... but I really need to concentrate on the 2 unfinished projects I have on hand now.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Well, scored a set of worn out General red letter tires for free at work yesterday. Mounted them up on the existing wheels just to see how I liked the size ( a little smaller than what was on there). I think it looks good. The tires are really unique- I might try a set of new ones...
I also cobbled together a steering wheel set-up from some leftover parts. It's amazing how going to a bit shallower and smaller wheel gives you so much additional legroom and makes entry/exit so much easier. (I'm 6'2" and 280 lbs.) It's a 14" wheel vs stock of 15". I'm going to keep this setup- paint the step down adapter to match and find a nicer wheel or recover this one. The Liberty seats aren't bad, but I still think I want a bench.
I also cobbled together a steering wheel set-up from some leftover parts. It's amazing how going to a bit shallower and smaller wheel gives you so much additional legroom and makes entry/exit so much easier. (I'm 6'2" and 280 lbs.) It's a 14" wheel vs stock of 15". I'm going to keep this setup- paint the step down adapter to match and find a nicer wheel or recover this one. The Liberty seats aren't bad, but I still think I want a bench.
- City
- Gonzales
- State
- La
I think your wife and my wife are cut from the same cloth... my wife said yes to me, and she's said yes to every crazy thing I've wanted to do ever since!
Airplanes, Jeeps, boats, motorcycles, guns... as long as there's still room for gardening and grandkids, and I make sure her ATM card doesn't run out, she's on board!
Thank god she's not in to horses....
Southern women don't play fair. Most of them keep their little bikini figures a long time and know what they got. SO, they want all the pay check and anything else you got in your pockets. Me, I've been single for 16 years, I get it all to myself. BUT, sometimes I still envy you guys.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Well, The big brown truck made another delivery today. I figured while I'm waiting for a transmission to manifest itself, I might as well get the interior going. Today's delivery was a Vintage Air Compact GenII unit. Servo control, small enough so the glove box can remain, but it should be fine for a truck cab. I put one of these in that 61 LeSabre and it worked perfectly. This means it's time to start filling holes in the firewall.
I still have a hard time keeping the phone the right way when taking pics...
Here's the unit, complete with control panel. If all goes well I'll get it situated tomorrow.
I had originally planned on the Magnum unit, but it would have taken up most of the glove box. And I really don't think I need that big a unit in a standard cab truck. By the time I get done with Dynamat and Noico closed cell foam, it will be pretty well insulated too.
I still have a hard time keeping the phone the right way when taking pics...
Here's the unit, complete with control panel. If all goes well I'll get it situated tomorrow.
I had originally planned on the Magnum unit, but it would have taken up most of the glove box. And I really don't think I need that big a unit in a standard cab truck. By the time I get done with Dynamat and Noico closed cell foam, it will be pretty well insulated too.
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- City
- Gonzales
- State
- La
That's the same unit I put in my Stump Jumper Scrambler it worked out great for me in Hot Louisiana.
I still have room for my glove box too. I used Hydoturf for insulation. I also used my existing control location for the new controls.
That's a Painless wiring harness and SpeedHut gauges. I'm just realizing that there is almost $4k in this picture. Cha-Ching
I still have room for my glove box too. I used Hydoturf for insulation. I also used my existing control location for the new controls.
That's a Painless wiring harness and SpeedHut gauges. I'm just realizing that there is almost $4k in this picture. Cha-Ching
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- City
- Gonzales
- State
- La
Whats a budget?
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Yesterday's/Today's progress. I got the A/C unit mocked up in place. Really pleased with how it fits. It doesn't hang down too low, and it leaves plenty of room for the glove box and stereo.
Next I have to decide if I'm OK with the vents coming out under the dash (not really feeling this), or if I want to try and cut them in to the black strip along the bottom of the dash. More work but a better looking final result.
Next I got a thin sheet of Kydex and cut out a new overlay for the headlamp switch area. There was an EGT gauge installed into the opening before...rather crudely. I might end up using the area for the dual tank switches, if I decide I need dual tanks.
It's about time to start welding up firewall holes and applying the noise reduction material.
Next I have to decide if I'm OK with the vents coming out under the dash (not really feeling this), or if I want to try and cut them in to the black strip along the bottom of the dash. More work but a better looking final result.
Next I got a thin sheet of Kydex and cut out a new overlay for the headlamp switch area. There was an EGT gauge installed into the opening before...rather crudely. I might end up using the area for the dual tank switches, if I decide I need dual tanks.
It's about time to start welding up firewall holes and applying the noise reduction material.
red mistress
Red Jeep Collector
- City
- Piney woods
- State
- tx
Nice parts.
Definitely cut in the vents, the Vintage Air under mount vents are cheesy.
Can you wire the Vintage Air to the OEM heat & A/C control panel ?
I've got Vintage Air in my 83 Scrambler (behind the glove box) and it does good job of cooling. It's the old style push / pull lever control.
Definitely cut in the vents, the Vintage Air under mount vents are cheesy.
Can you wire the Vintage Air to the OEM heat & A/C control panel ?
I've got Vintage Air in my 83 Scrambler (behind the glove box) and it does good job of cooling. It's the old style push / pull lever control.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
I don't know. I was planning on mounting the Vintage Air panel where the original panel was, and then placing a remote mount Hopkins Insight trailer brake controller readout in the blank area. The digital readout portion comes out of the gimbal mount and can be flush mounted. The manual control can be placed anywhere that's comfortable for the driver. The new Vintage Air panel has 4 controls, the factory only has 3, so I don't know about the integration. I think it can be done on the Magnum units but not the servo Gen II
Brake controller in case you're curious.
red mistress
Red Jeep Collector
- City
- Piney woods
- State
- tx
Nice brake controller, just ordered one
Did your truck come with factory A/C ? 86-91 control panel operated the heat and the underdash A/C evaporator.
Sounds like you have plan already for that space.
Did your truck come with factory A/C ? 86-91 control panel operated the heat and the underdash A/C evaporator.
Sounds like you have plan already for that space.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Nice brake controller, just ordered one
Did your truck come with factory A/C ? 86-91 control panel operated the heat and the underdash A/C evaporator.
Sounds like you have plan already for that space.
Yes, It had A/C. I never really cared for the OEM A/C, it makes everything under the dash so hard to access.
I have one of those brake controllers in my Silverado. it works great.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Not much progress for the last few weeks. Been out of town, and just plain old busy helping the wife with her Photography show and getting the garden/irrigation/etc ready for spring/summer.
I did pick up a bench seat and some nice inner fenderwells. i figure as long as I'm getting parts I'm still making progress.
I did pick up a bench seat and some nice inner fenderwells. i figure as long as I'm getting parts I'm still making progress.