Builds My New Project

[scrapdaddy]

That would be one of my crazy ideas. I didn't want to put the headliner back and thought up this jungle jim.

 

[JLawson]

Cool looking rack! Are you going to put a headliner of sorts up there for sound and heat?

 

[scrapdaddy]

I used two coats of Lizard Skin Sound Control, two coats of Lizard Skin Ceramic Insulation and two coats of Monstaliner bedliner spray. It has worked very well for us traveling around.

 

[bobm]

You should build them and sell them

 

[NikP]

Prototyping a way to not have a flat dash. I'm not sure if it's worth the effort or if it will even have a decent result. I need thicker metal and then by the time I weld all the seam I'm afraid it'll become too warped since there isn't much metal along the edges.

Man I really don't want a flat dash for my 4" gauges. Anyone have thoughts or options? 3D printing will cost more than the gauge set.

 

[bobm]

Try cardboard 1st, until you get design you want! Tack weld it and fill it with a 2 part resin! Or go all out and have it Dip brazed, aluminum, steel, stainless copper , brass. Whatever you want

 

[RUSH55]

Sweet idea!

Possibly TIG welded aluminum?

 

[NikP]

Sweet idea!

Possibly TIG welded aluminum?

I wish I could TIG weld aluminum. I tried on my own years ago and all I know how to do is blow holes in it. It frustrated me enough I decided I didn't need a TIG welder.

 

[xtiaan2000]

Do you have a tilt steering column in there?

 

[NikP]

Do you have a tilt steering column in there?

I do. Mid 80-90 model GM column. I found with the Painless wiring kits, all the lighting and signal controls are plug and play. I also plan to try hooking up cruise control since the PCM for the 5.3L has wiring for it. It'll need a relay set up to run wipers and I remember seeing wiring instructions in the 40/55 forum. I really wanted to not have a bunch of buttons and switches in the dash.

I installed a tilt colmn in my 40 and really like it, so I just repeated it here.

 

[xtiaan2000]

Wow!
Tilt
Wipers
Cruise control
Plug and play
Please post on your progress!
It’s going to be n amazing year!!!

 

[NikP]

Spent a few days doing touch up to satisfy my perfectionistic dark side. Started to wet sand and buff. I can't believe the look and I'm not yet to final polish.

I'm looking forward to start putting things back together. Maybe next week I can get the Monstaliner laid down.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Very Nice!

 

[xtiaan2000]

WOW!

 

[RUSH55]

Is that paint single stage?

 

[NikP]

Is that paint single stage?

No it's a two stage paint. Base Coat, clear coat.

 

[Megadoomer]

Looks really nice. I really like your dash idea. Might have to "yoink" it. I wonder if I could make it out of the same ABS I'm using and plastic weld it.

 

[NikP]

I think I’m at the point where I’m going to order a sheet of Kydex and make a forming mold. I’m not sure it’ll be too difficult. I should be able to heat and form it without the need for plastic welding. (Key word “should”)

 

[NikP]

Does anyone have advice for replacing the door handle spring? My driver's side handle spring is broken. I'm worried about removing the pin for fear I'll break the plastic housing. Which direction does the pin go? Up I assume based on its position mounted on the door. Anyone have a spring part # and source?

I also have the fear of the brittle plastic retainer that holds the linkage. Does anyone have a replacement part number or source? I have no idea what to call it?

 

[scrapdaddy]

If I remember right, the pin is ( serrated?) on one end and it presses down from the top. Make sure you brace everything really good before you tap the pin out. I broke one getting in a hurry.

Is this the plastic clip you're talking about (in green)? If so, I have some I can send you.