The Wanderers build

[superbuickguy]

time to make lights

but first, colorful spaghetti

of course it means taking things apart (again)

need to install the controller for the heated mirrors

we have light

hottest day of the year and I get the heated mirrors and heated seats working....

of course, the dash bezel doesn't fit with the leather-covered dashboard

so more to do.... but I really am getting close on the electronics
yo speedhut, where's my tach?

 

[superbuickguy]

Maestro in action
[VIDEO]for those who wonder what the alternator sees when using an alternator based tach signal
picture for those afraid of youtube

back to important installs

that was rough

this, on the other hand, was a bit harder

but it's in and for the first time since I owned this truck, the driver's side is done(ish)

next fix

with just a bit of disassembly and reassembly

it's time to start tucking wires but then, rear window acted up again

to be continued

 

[superbuickguy]

more vibratee lines
[VIDEO]this time from the blue wire
rewired like they want - now all I needs is my gauge back

back to leak fixing.... remove turbo pipe

yeah, that hose is easy now

 

[superbuickguy]

I find it interesting that out of 6 or so motors that I've built/upgraded/owned that this is the very first that needed the hose clamps for the bypass hoses.

though, in my own defense, the hose I used initially, failed.... though why it had to fail in the hardest spot to fix? yeah..

for those counting, 4 hours to replace 3 hoses.

 

[superbuickguy]

onward, back together but I think I'm going to add a second layer of heat shielding - of course, all of that and the next project is still in Kennewick
back together. one of those smart things I did was create this head pipe with v-bands on either end... makes work so much easier (not easy, mind you)

so the next deal - the rear window issue
see the witness line on the glass, the arms are hitting the lip and trying to pull it off the glass.

the fix is take it apart and reattach the glass to the track with it bent more to the front of the vehicle.... or you can try to whack the mount while it's attached to the glass....
I'm not that brave so I put it back together and I'll just remember to pull the glass so it clears the arm while it's going down

 

[superbuickguy]

time to get back to the a/c

this, again.... how to replace the evaporator

it does hold vacuum, question is the small leak - is it the gauge connection or something else?

more, tomorrow

 

[superbuickguy]

time to charge

it's not holding a vacuum long, so some help

but first, time to wire the compressor

and done

and now wired properly

however, these things....

if you look close, a bit of fluid is under it.... bright side is no other leaks...

and it did blow cold - so we're on the right path
to be continued

 

[superbuickguy]

and continued still
the way life works for me, I put this on backwards and it was the other side that leaked

I think what i did was put the seal in backwards on the correctly built side
if you squint closely, there's a thinner end and thicker end of that seal... of course, I can't check that because the one that failed has gone into quantum space

so I wait for my order of a new one to arrive....
not wanting to completely fail, I continued my prior fail and finished it without fail
I bought the wrong inserts - got the right ones so finished this up. This gives me a camper connection and also I can hook high-draw stuff to it (like inverters)

 

[superbuickguy]

while waiting for parts, time to finish this up

trying again with the same thing hoping for different results....

so it doesn't seem to be leaking and held vacuum

not perfect but as I'm still not ready to declare victory, I'll add 2 ounces if it's still up tomorrow

time to fix this rat nest

much better... just need to find the plastic bits to clean this up

console

doesn't fit

finally fixed the seat belts (were installed wrong way)

thought briefly about this but it makes heat and mounting two big problems.

oh chinesium, you can't even crimp a wire

soldered

 

[superbuickguy]

Install the glovebox, hopefully for the last time

still looking for a leak, I think I'm going to go to a pro

time to shorten wires

thankfully, I have a DT connector kit

first cut down

then put new pins in place

on the other end, need to connect to power - these really are a fancy design, you can rig them to come on with the brights, but that's not how I want to run them

first solder the power feeds together

lights are now on - nice thing is you have 5 levels of brightness, you can run them as lower power fogs up to 'burn them into their seats' brights

low power

 

[superbuickguy]

slowly making all the wires disappear and accessory start working
so the chinesium heated seats plug pulled apart - thankfully I have the other side to copy where the wires go

bonus, it works

ARP light controls.... out here, people seem to think they're funny if you flash to remind them to dim - that they turn on more lights.... I have more lights x5 from driving light to leaving just a shadow in their seat full power

 

[superbuickguy]

Look what went outside of its garage today

 

[superbuickguy]

I so need to color sand this.... but not now, maybe not ever because it's going to be my daily.
I know, I know, what's behind me doesn't matter - but info is nice so here we are

glue

next install visors

then the mirror

next up 2 way radios....

 

[superbuickguy]

just one more hole to fill (ashtray)

did other stuff but picless light aim headlights (and put one right side up), mount the coolant reservoir...
and this has to be a record for me. I get reasonable offers for my collector cars with remarkable frequency, but never before it's done... smh...
and no, this is my next daily, not for sale.

still struggling with the a/c, need to cut and buff it, wire the backup lights, wire the radios and put in their respective antennas.... tempting, for sure, but no. It is an ego boost, though, because it would actually pay me something for all the hours as well as the parts....

 

[superbuickguy]

time to find the leak

and interestingly enough, the leak is that stupid compression fitting... i have a solution... you'll see tomorrow
the parts

and another super secret thing.... tomorrow