Alright so in my last post I made a punch list of things I wanted to get accomplished before year end. I guess we can call this a status update.
#1 Power steering and alternator.
Simple enough. PS, no big drama, just took some time to get it all laid out right. Alternator. Upgraded to CS144a Alt and added AC brackets. The truck had it once but it had been deleted when I got it, well partially. Took a good while to get all the right bolt sizes and spacers together to make it all work right. Still missing the 2 brackets that go behind the alt.
[/url]
1208191500 by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
[/url]
1208191358 by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
In the interest of getting boxes out of my living room, skipped ahead and put the headers on as well.
#2 Braking system.
No change here ATM, need to order Parking brake cables to finish up. Will likely have to have the rearmost two made.
#3 Aux fuel tank
Tank is in place, have most of the pieces, have not addressed yet
#4 Sound/ Heat proofing interior
In order to move forward and really get going bolting things back on, the cab needed to be insulated. Was hoping to start with the firewall and work backwards. Nope, floor needed to be done first. So....just went ahead and did 90% of the interior. asphalt/rubber based strips and dynamat pads strategically placed:
[/url]
1203191347 by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
1/2 inch foil/cloth/rubber w/ PSA backing:
[/url]
1208191500b by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
]
[/url]
1208191501 by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
[/url]
1208191500a by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
The last pics show things a little further on with some components tested fitted in. A note on this step. I chose to purchase some pre-cut "kits" from Acoustishield as a time saver. The products are billed to fit the Gladiator from 62-92. I purchased several of their items, but they do offer a complete kit. We went with the cowl kit, the floor kit and a firewall pad. The cowl kit fit fine. The Floor kit was well appointed, but it was basically a chero/ wag kit that needed cutting down. The Firewall pad is a nice piece, thick mat, with an ABS cover. But it is was definitely made for the early model trucks. It took a good amount of work to get it to fit, and a number of additional holes and cutouts to make it work on my 82 cab. Not complaining, just putting it out there if anyone is looking at this option. Customer service from them was great.
[/url]
1208191501a by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
#5 Wiring harness updates, adaptations, etc..
This picture kinda sums up where I'm at with that:
[/url]
1118192237 by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
I procured a steering column (and a bunch of other parts) from a junkyard 86. This allows to me to move a bunch of functions from the dash to the column. Luckily I grabbed all the harnesses from the same truck so I'm basically going circuit by circuit and transplanting what I need/ want into my 1982 harness. Not trying to reinvent the wheel, but based on the time investment so far, i may well be. I would say I'm about 20% of the way there on this part. Lights/brights, wipers, cruise and ignition are all done. Ammeter bypass/ elimination and HVAC are next, last will be the instrument cluster.
Other stuff. Converted from a 727 to a th400 with a Novak adapter to keep the NP208. This resulted in the drivetrain being roughly 3 inches longer than what was in there originally. Moved the trans cross member back to the second set of holes and reworked the original torque arm to make it work with the adapter (by basically deleting most of it.)That left me with a few remaining issues to deal with to get the swap to work. The driveshafts need to be changed. Rear is too long, front is too short. ...next month, maybe.. Secondly, I need to source the shift linkage and kickdown parts. Thirdly, I need all new parking brake components from a th400 truck, further complicated by the D60 out back, (next item on that list.)and Lastly, the transfer case shift linkage was all wrong. I only took a few pics well into it as I felt like I was on a roll. In summary, I clocked the case down about 5 degrees to improve drive line angle. There are 3 settings on the adapter, so it's not like it was a NASA project. Then ground the mounting bracket some on the stock shift linkage to fit on the adapter. Last part was to shorten the shift rod that attaches the main linkage to the interior "flag" shifter.
Measure, mark, measure again, add alignment marks, cut out 2" section of rod, test fit, remeasure, tack, test fit, full weld and add brace. The weld was probably plenty strong, but why not reinforce it while I'm there? no clearance issues. Shifter operates as stock and looks stock as well:
[/url]
1208191357 by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
[/url]
1208191411 by
highsiera, on Flickr[/img]
So that's where I'm at right now. Next steps are installing the heater parts, finishing up the primary and parking brake systems, fitting the dash and completing the steering. I'll get to that extra gas tank at some point... right now I'm happier working front to back.
Fleet Fox
I do things my way, and I pay a high price.... JCM