Craig's 1989 RRC

[d110pickup]

Craig,
Have you considered replacing the leak prone and inefficient stock HVAC with an aftermarket unit and integrating the controls in the factory location?
I've looked at the pieces behind the dash (got a complete heater unit on the bench now) and they are huge. I think that when mine goes (87 RRC) I want to try something along the lines of a Vintage Air unit. If it's too pricey I'll look at others but they have a great rep and the units are fairly small.
Just ask'n.
BTW . . . Great looking truck, there's a reason they're called "Classics".
Mike

 

[craig]

Mike,

I've been kicking around all sorts of ideas for the heater blower motor/core. I can't get a replacement blower motor for the one that's in there (89 is an oddball year) so I've been considering switching the whole thing to the newer design. Considered having the existing blower motor rebuilt, but having trouble finding someone local to do it.

Replacing the entire thing with something from another vehicle is an interesting idea. I'll have to give it some more thought, but want to be careful to not butcher it.

Craig

 

[Applejack]

I read through this entire thread this morning and I really enjoyed it. Nice work Craig. I have been secretly looking at finding a RRC (cheap) to do a slow build of. I've always loved 'em. My fav next to the Defender trucks.

 

[craig]

Thanks Kirk! They are a lot of fun to work on. Much better than the newer rigs (IMO).

Hope to see you out on the trail this summer sometime. It was fun hanging with you in Eastern Oregon.

Craig

 

[Applejack]

Hope to see you out on the trail this summer sometime. It was fun hanging with you in Eastern Oregon.

Craig

Though I miss my Taco not having that payment frees more money for trail trips. Actually thinking of doing a few legs of the OBCDR when the trails clear enough.

 

[craig]

Absolutely. Nothing worse than paying interest on a depreciable asset.

 

[tpatching]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. I just received a 91 country on trade for a four wheeler. My heater blower motor was also fried. I have it out now and just ordered a direct plug in replacement from Rovers North. Not sure if yours is the same motor? It's a fun project. Thanks for all the inspiration.

 

[craig]

I'd love to see/hear more about your build. Snap a few photos when you get a chance and start a thread. It's always good to see/hear what others are doing.

Unfortunately, mine is an oddball year and the blower motor is no longer available. I took my dash out this afternoon and am now standing around with a beer scratching my head wondering what I'm going to do.

- Rebuild the existing motor
- Replace the entire housing with one from a slightly newer model so I can use the blower motors that are available at Atlantic British / Rovers North.

Other than tearing my dash apart, I took apart two gauge clusters and put them back together as one good unit. This and a dozen similar projects are going to be necessary to get the entire dash area on this truck looking/working the way I want it.

 

[tpatching]

Thanks for the encouragement on starting a new thread. I might do that. I am learning so much here at the EPortal.

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Absolutely. Nothing worse than paying interest on a depreciable asset.

Especially one without significant tax benefit

 

[Shocker]

Love the thread! Any updates? I am on the hunt for a decent early Classic.

 

[craig]

Unfortunately, a family situation came up that has put the project on hold for a bit. I have a bunch of parts collected and ready to install. I'm really looking forward to getting the work done.

Edit: I did manage to source the NOS blower motor I needed though. Very happy about that!

Craig

 

[craig]

Well... let's catch this thread up a bit. I've been super busy in my personal/professional life this year but I managed to get the following done:

- Heater blower motor, heater core, entire heating system, and dash have been redone.
- Headliner was recovered and reinstalled
- Installed HAM radio - very happy with the install
- Converted front axle setup from 10 spline to 24 spline
- Converted front brakes from solid rotors/calipers to vented rotors/calipers.
- Installed an Engel fridge slide and my old style ARB/Engel fridge in the cargo area.
- Replaced rear tailgate glass handle, got the automatic lock working on it.
- Lubed the tailgate latch/handle and it now opens/closes like butter.

I'll try and get a photo of the HAM radio install and headliner this week sometime.

Craig

 

[craig]

I continue to be extremely buried with my personal and professional life, but along with some help from Gord'n Perrot and Steve Biggs at Lamorna garage in Seattle I've been able to get quite a bit more done. Slowly but surely it's getting "refreshed".

- Converted rear axle, hubs (repacked wheel bearings), and diff to Disco 24 spline. Completes stage 1 upgrades to the driveline (LT230, and 24 spline genuine front/rear).
- Got a GREAT deal on a set of NATO tubeless rims. The 235/85-R16s now clear the radius arms w/o adjusting the bump stops.
- Fixed big exhaust leak
- Replaced oil cooler lines
- Fixed door hinges
- Larger expansion tank from a newer RRC.
- Hood light works now
- Replaced lower steering shaft (bad u-joint) with one out of a D1
- Painless wiring harness fixed problem with Hella high output bulbs drawing more than the factory harness can handle.
- Fixed door arrestors. Both sides were loose and needed to be welded back in and re-pinned.

Other than the TDI swap down the road, I'm *ALMOST* past the mechanical items that come with refurbishing a truck from 1989. Looking forward to getting a few offroad accessories installed before the snow buries the trails, then I'll spend time this winter addressing the interior (though it has heat now, so it should be much more comfortable than last year!).

Next up:
- Replace steering pump hose
- Make fuel pump access hatch
- Figure out a good battery tie-down and install a better battery
- Finish up rear bumper
- Install winch
-

 

[ntan]

Beautiful RRC! Is that Eastnor Green? I got a '91 Hunter a couple of months ago and have just been doing minor mechanical work on it and reading this thread is making me want to go out and work on it again