Build Let's build a 79 Series from parts...
- Thread starter c2dfj45
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- Thread starter
- #122
I have embraced my inner love for plastics and bulbous shapes. I'm really liking it. It's SO much easier to deal with vs. the metal one from a building standpoint....it's in and out in minutes. The metal dash was like defusing a bomb....had to be so careful with it when coming in and out and they come in and out a BUNCH during this phase.
It will also be super easy to get the harness in and all that fun stuff. Trying to stash a larger harness than OEM, a 1FZFE engine ECU and some other crap was a huge challenge on #1 and the metal dash. There is hardly any room back there. We had to come up with some creative ways to mount things.
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2004
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- 184
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- 13,140
- Location
- Boise - Idaho
- Website
- www.snlandcruisers.com
- Thread starter
- #124
One of the biggest changes from the airbag to non-airbag dash was in the steering column.....very very different setups. I knew we were going to have to do something custom as far as the sheetmetal went where the column comes thru the firewall but I didn't realize how different they were.
The standard 70s column....this one is bolted to the firewall at the base and all it's important bits are outside of the truck(steering u-joint). This becomes a very rigid assembly when bolted at the top and then to the firewall. Pretty sure solidly mounted columns are a good thing.
And here's the airbag dash column. it's almost......dare I say......modern. Ha. Really cool piece AND it not only tilts, it also telescopes....pure luxury.
The standard 70s column....this one is bolted to the firewall at the base and all it's important bits are outside of the truck(steering u-joint). This becomes a very rigid assembly when bolted at the top and then to the firewall. Pretty sure solidly mounted columns are a good thing.
And here's the airbag dash column. it's almost......dare I say......modern. Ha. Really cool piece AND it not only tilts, it also telescopes....pure luxury.
Looks like it would mount like an 80 series.
- Thread starter
- #126
So once the column went up into the dash, a little more of the puzzle was solved....mainly with regards to this bracket.
This seems to keep the column from being able to be leveraged up and down if your'e really on it....more support for the dash bar.
We came up with a pretty quick bracket that bolts to the brake pedal assembly. It's ugly as hell but it's functional and when it's painted white, it will blend right in.
This seems to keep the column from being able to be leveraged up and down if your'e really on it....more support for the dash bar.
We came up with a pretty quick bracket that bolts to the brake pedal assembly. It's ugly as hell but it's functional and when it's painted white, it will blend right in.
- Thread starter
- #127
Sure does look like an 80s column....forgot all about that. Probably a very similar setup.
I wonder if the modern 76 Series dash and the 79 Series version are one in the same.
- Thread starter
- #131
Meaning say a 2012 76 series and a 2012 79 series? I'm finding that the dash stuff is all interchangeable.
Some door parts, rear plastics, flooring, seats.....are not.
Interesting .... Thanks
- Thread starter
- #134
Already planning out the next build....
- Thread starter
- #136
Oh dear you have it real bad best lay down and take a carton of Fosters.
I hope the better half understands your cruiser addiction.
Dam
Now you got me thinking of your next build.
Oh it's bad. It's been bad for many many years. But now I'm laser focused on these 70 series. I see them in my dreams. Scary. Probably a good thing there is no better half.......nobody would allow this to happen. Lol.
- Thread starter
- #137
We had a few bracket to make for the lower dash mounting...nothing major. We used existing holes/studs to mount our brackets...very functional.
Have bracket, have no where to mount.....
New guy made up some quick brackets.....not bad for a 20 year old kid who's never built anything. I try to break the new guys in on my builds before unleashing them on customer cars.
Bracket in place and ready to do some holding of a plastic dash.
Have bracket, have no where to mount.....
New guy made up some quick brackets.....not bad for a 20 year old kid who's never built anything. I try to break the new guys in on my builds before unleashing them on customer cars.
Bracket in place and ready to do some holding of a plastic dash.
- Thread starter
- #138
There was a passenger side bracket that we needed to make work......no holes on the floor for it.
Drivers side was fine....worked on existing holes.
Drilled a couple of holes
Made up a backing plate for the inner part of the tunnel....copied the one on the drivers side.
Bonded it on to the tunnel....the black is the adhesive.....looks like it is sitting off the floor.
Check it off the list....support is on and well, supporting.
Drivers side was fine....worked on existing holes.
Drilled a couple of holes
Made up a backing plate for the inner part of the tunnel....copied the one on the drivers side.
Bonded it on to the tunnel....the black is the adhesive.....looks like it is sitting off the floor.
Check it off the list....support is on and well, supporting.
I need to dig around my tubs for that piece alsl. Keep up the good work on photos.
- Thread starter
- #140
Pedals needed some work and since this will be an auto...only one needed work. I was smart enough to grab the pedal assembly out of the junker 80 we took the axles out of. I seem to recall not having any of this on #1 and having to adapt the 80 series pedal box to work on the 79. WAY easier when you have all the 79 series parts.
OEM pedal from the 80 with the pad cut off.
OEM 79 pedal with the pad cut off.
80 pedal pad on the 79 pedal assembly. Welded on a gusset since the pad was really far over to one side.
Check it off the list....pedals are done.
OEM pedal from the 80 with the pad cut off.
OEM 79 pedal with the pad cut off.
80 pedal pad on the 79 pedal assembly. Welded on a gusset since the pad was really far over to one side.
Check it off the list....pedals are done.