hoser
SILVER Star
There’s a cool app called Spectrum Analyzer...
Builds Let's build a 79 Series from parts... (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter c2dfj45
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #223
At some point I'm going to have to steer this thing around so we spent a few weeks on and off working on steering stuff.
As discussed earlier, the new dash with it's fancy new steering wheel wasn't going to fit like the old one....so we needed a solution to mount the gasket/bellow/dust boot thru the firewall without cutting up a bunch of stuff. I'm kind of weird about not drilling new holes into things unless absolutely necessary....our solution is accomplished that.
This is the offending hole.
First we created a template off the old steering column's mount.
Popped a 4" hole in the plate for the dust boot to pass thru
Trimmed it up
On the right is the new style dust boot that the shaft passes thru.
As discussed earlier, the new dash with it's fancy new steering wheel wasn't going to fit like the old one....so we needed a solution to mount the gasket/bellow/dust boot thru the firewall without cutting up a bunch of stuff. I'm kind of weird about not drilling new holes into things unless absolutely necessary....our solution is accomplished that.
This is the offending hole.
First we created a template off the old steering column's mount.
Popped a 4" hole in the plate for the dust boot to pass thru
Trimmed it up
On the right is the new style dust boot that the shaft passes thru.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #224
Template of the boot on the plate
I figured we could use countersunk 8x1.25 screws to hold the plate to the firewall so we drilled it out for that. This allows the boot to sit flush obviously. And since the truck has threaded holes in these locations, no need for nuts on the backside...
Mounted it up to the firewall and what do you know....it fit.
Welded on a few studs for the dust boot. One of the holes was reused to mount the plate.
And just like that....adapter plate complete, dust boot mounted, no drilling on the truck necessary. I think we'll probably paint the plate white or something. Might even bond it on to the body then just spray right over it with the sound dampener. Not like it needs to come off or be serviceable.
I figured we could use countersunk 8x1.25 screws to hold the plate to the firewall so we drilled it out for that. This allows the boot to sit flush obviously. And since the truck has threaded holes in these locations, no need for nuts on the backside...
Mounted it up to the firewall and what do you know....it fit.
Welded on a few studs for the dust boot. One of the holes was reused to mount the plate.
And just like that....adapter plate complete, dust boot mounted, no drilling on the truck necessary. I think we'll probably paint the plate white or something. Might even bond it on to the body then just spray right over it with the sound dampener. Not like it needs to come off or be serviceable.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #225
No idea what was going on with this half ass'd plate/adapter that came with the truck. Maybe a different steering column was going in at one point. That 3 bolt pattern looks almost like how a column support bearing fits.
Off to the scrap pile for you weird plate.
Off to the scrap pile for you weird plate.
Just heard back from Eric. He laid out a pretty good suite of products. Pretty similar to what you're doing. Looks like I know what I'm doing as far as sound/thermal goes.
Chris, are you undercoating with Spectrum? Or what are your plans for the underside?
Chris, are you undercoating with Spectrum? Or what are your plans for the underside?
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #227
Eric emailed a reply to my question about the firewall......looks like he is recommending Spectrum, bedliner(I want to do bedliner...not sure it's necessary) and then Mega Block. He said the foam is chemical resistant and water won't hurt it. The foil used on it is more substantial. Recommends sealing the edges.
So I think that's where I'm headed.....Spectrum at about 2mm.....Raptor at about 2mm.....Mega Block. Maybe I'll bond some T shaped threaded rod to the firewall so I can fasten the Mega Block with nuts and fender washers. Kind of like OEMs do.
I think under the exhaust, I will use some of the heat shield products from these guys. Used them on #1 and was really happy.
Lava™ Shield
Heatshield Products Lava™ Shield is high temp, multi purpose thermal barrier material with a simulated carbon fiber look
www.heatshieldproducts.com
Glad you spoke to Eric. Good guy.....great customer service.
Half the fun of owning a diesel is the sound. Otherwise might as well own a Prius. 
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #230
I spent my day playing with this stuff.....it's tedious work. I was able to take out the cab vents and cram my arm in that B-pillar void to get some Damplifier in it. Really made a big change. I have both the 2mm and 1mm Damplifier.....I kind of liked the 1mm stuff(regular Damplifier) more I think. Easier to cut and install. Just will require more Spectrum. So I'll have to figure that out....since weight isn't a huge issue for me, I'm thinking using 2mm would be smarter and then 1mm of Spectrum.
I cut out holes for various mounting clips and bolt holes. That took a lot of time. I've not done that in the past and then struggled with trying to get panels in when everything bulks up.
No need for full coverage with this stuff....I put it on until the metal stops ringing. Probably NOT the right way to test it.
I cut out holes for various mounting clips and bolt holes. That took a lot of time. I've not done that in the past and then struggled with trying to get panels in when everything bulks up.
No need for full coverage with this stuff....I put it on until the metal stops ringing. Probably NOT the right way to test it.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #232
Been working on my sound deadening which has been taking way too long. Pretty much wrapped up the back of the truck and the rear floors....firewall and front floors next. Not looking forward to any of that at all. Tedious work but it will be worth it. Hoping to be able to coat the interior with the spray on stuff in about 2 weeks....then stuff the motor and trans in the truck, see what we've got going on there and evaluate what to do next. Without a massive amount of time that we will devote to the wiring, it might be worth it just to stay on it and get this thing done.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #233
Kind of proud of this one.....I spent hours on researching these things, called in a few favors from those in the know(thanks to those that helped) and got the exact ones I wanted....felt like a total crapshoot. There were a LOT of choices for these. Even snagged a VIN from a truck in the UAE that was for sale but it was a 2018 and nobody had the parts numbers for that I guess.
First time in a long time I didn't tear into a box immediately.....I was pretty nervous.
Fortunately they were the right ones! I've probably checked them 15 times to make sure I'm not missing something. Ha. Full vinyl, 2 door, power windows.....grey.
First time in a long time I didn't tear into a box immediately.....I was pretty nervous.
Fortunately they were the right ones! I've probably checked them 15 times to make sure I'm not missing something. Ha. Full vinyl, 2 door, power windows.....grey.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #234
Not much happening on the #2 this week....been very busy with customer work and our new property next door. Back on it today in between installing a sprinkler system for the fancy city required landscape.
We're also getting ready to start on the steering shaft. Really cool piece from Woodward Steering. This will be a collapsible shaft from the steering box to the column's rag joint at the firewall. This was the smallest I could go...about 15". We'll have to trim the rag joint's splined shaft and a little bit at the box. The splined section will get welded into shaft and then we'll fill the slip joint with grease(they send the grease in a tube so you can weld without making a mess). Woodward has U-joints that have the 36-38 spline(I think that's the count) on one end for the Toyota splines on the shafts and then a 20 spline that their shafts go into.
We'll also put a heim style support at the base of the column....will help to keep things supported with all the joints going in.
We have used Woodward parts now for about 5 different builds...mostly our 40s that get power steering with a 62 steering box. They are great to deal with. Can't recommend them enough. Pricey stuff but it's kinda important!
We're also getting ready to start on the steering shaft. Really cool piece from Woodward Steering. This will be a collapsible shaft from the steering box to the column's rag joint at the firewall. This was the smallest I could go...about 15". We'll have to trim the rag joint's splined shaft and a little bit at the box. The splined section will get welded into shaft and then we'll fill the slip joint with grease(they send the grease in a tube so you can weld without making a mess). Woodward has U-joints that have the 36-38 spline(I think that's the count) on one end for the Toyota splines on the shafts and then a 20 spline that their shafts go into.
We'll also put a heim style support at the base of the column....will help to keep things supported with all the joints going in.
We have used Woodward parts now for about 5 different builds...mostly our 40s that get power steering with a 62 steering box. They are great to deal with. Can't recommend them enough. Pricey stuff but it's kinda important!
Last edited:
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #235
Still toiling away with the sound deadener...down to about maybe 3 more sheets to do. Then we do the doors and under the hood.
I LOVE when these boxes show up....this one from the UAE.
Since the truck we got the interior from had power mirrors and I need mirrors on the 79.....I bought power mirrors. They're chrome however and that won't do. So we'll take them apart and have them painted....then probably protected with clear bra or something. No matter how well prepped chromed plastic is, it always seems to chip and these things are going to get hit with everything.
Might have to consider doing them in Raptor liner....a really light texture. That would be the smartest....and they would look similar to what the OEM black ones come with.
Couldn't find black power mirrors....guessing there is no such thing. Power mirrors + Chrome = Fancy
I LOVE when these boxes show up....this one from the UAE.
Since the truck we got the interior from had power mirrors and I need mirrors on the 79.....I bought power mirrors. They're chrome however and that won't do. So we'll take them apart and have them painted....then probably protected with clear bra or something. No matter how well prepped chromed plastic is, it always seems to chip and these things are going to get hit with everything.
Might have to consider doing them in Raptor liner....a really light texture. That would be the smartest....and they would look similar to what the OEM black ones come with.
Couldn't find black power mirrors....guessing there is no such thing. Power mirrors + Chrome = Fancy
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #236
I had forgotten that we had mocked up our steering shaft in advance of ordering our Woodward Steering parts. We wanted to get an idea of where we were going to be with things....and clearance on the shock tower. This steering column and rag joint are a lot different than 79 #1.
I had purchased a couple of the joints we needed....once they were in, we figured out our slider section....
In order to fit the 15" slider section, we had to take about 2" off of the end of the shaft at the firewall. We did that today and got the splined insert for the shaft machined down and ready for welding. My guys were moving fast today.....couldn't keep up with pics.
I had purchased a couple of the joints we needed....once they were in, we figured out our slider section....
In order to fit the 15" slider section, we had to take about 2" off of the end of the shaft at the firewall. We did that today and got the splined insert for the shaft machined down and ready for welding. My guys were moving fast today.....couldn't keep up with pics.
I’ve got a pair of power mirrors waiting to go on mine. I’m planning on fitting snowmobile hand warning elements behind the glass for “heated mirrors”. I’m still trying to source the power controls and harness from a 70 series and the heated mirror button from a 100 series before I start install.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #238
That's pretty cool. Cold weather factors very little when you live in FL. Often forget about cold weather.
My tech says the wiring for these is very very simple.....we'll be glad to get you any info you need once we dig into ours. Although I'm not sure how much digging...it's more like....plugging things in!
Have to drill holes in the doors to run the wires for the mirrors....my truck doesn't have a hole...just mounting holes.
I used thinned Monsta Liner on my 62series mirrors and it has held up very well for years.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #240
I think that's the route I will go. We're going to spray a 40 series tub with some black Raptor...I'll give something a test to see how low of a texture I can get. We have a 40 in the shop that has nearly smooth Raptor on it....kind of like an eggshell. It's beautiful.
