The little things make a difference - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jayoldschool** · 10-28-2020, 01:49 PM

Haven't done much to my 65 for awhile. I worked it like a dog in August as I moved out of my big house/garage. Moving into the new place at the end of November, so I brought it into the shop today to fix up a few little things.

Did grounds on the rear tail light that hasn't worked correctly forever. It's fine now, perfect tail light, signal and brake. Then, added grounds. Two cab to frame. Cab to bed. Bed to cab. Bed to frame.

Swapped out the 12 year old battery to a much newer Delco 24 that was here at the shop. Hopefully, I won't have to break out the booster pack like I used to when it has sat for a few weeks.

Took apart the headlights, replaced the driver's side adjusters. One had broken, light was pointing at the ground. Couldn't find adjusters that fit at the parts place, so I cut the tabs off a couple to make them work in the little square holes.

Finally, added shifter linkage bushings at the trans. What a difference!

Need the truck tomorrow to make a delivery, around 70 miles after work. Should be fun.

**The Rocknrod** · 10-28-2020, 02:56 PM

Well that's cool. BTW the Truck Shop in Orange, CA carries the adjusters.
http://www.truckandcarshop.com/6072.html

**cwcarpenter98** · 10-28-2020, 03:13 PM

They really do make a huge difference.

Next time I go home and have all my wiring components at hand, I'm also going to add a bunch of grounds to the truck. I don't want to catch on fire cruising down the interstate because I didn't have good grounds!

roll_the_dice · 10-28-2020, 03:19 PM

I agree the little things make our trucks much better. As soon as I get my truck back, I will be adding a few grounds as well. I have the engine well grounded, but need to ground the cab and bed better.

**jayoldschool** · 10-28-2020, 05:19 PM

One of the other things that I got to enjoy today was working defrost on both sides! I replaced the missing driver's side duct during the summer, and it was sure nice to have warm air blowing on my side of the windshield as it was cold (about 30F) and misty this morning on my way to work. Routing that driver's side duct was a pain, but well worth it. BTW, my CDN parts source was OOS, so I bought the correct size tubing off Amazon. Worked perfectly.

AcampoDave · 10-28-2020, 07:33 PM

Yep, a bunch of little problems can soon become a big one. I see it my career with swimming pools all the time too. A broken "this" and a malfunctioning "that" combined with a neglected "something else" and pretty soon it's..."Hey, check it out, I got my own personal swamp right here in the backyard!"

Railroadman · 10-28-2020, 08:05 PM

And the satisfaction of getting all that stuff done is a real boost to morale. I find that if i keep a running list of stuff each vehicle needs, it's a help, especially when I have limited time to work on something. Let's see, what can I tackle in an hour?

It sure beats thinking of an item, then forgetting what it was before you get to it. When the flashing lights come on in the rear view, it's too late to remember to change the burned out tail light!

Unfortunately for each thing I cross off the list, there's usually 4 more to add on!

10-28-2020, 01:49 PM	#1
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	The little things make a difference Haven't done much to my 65 for awhile. I worked it like a dog in August as I moved out of my big house/garage. Moving into the new place at the end of November, so I brought it into the shop today to fix up a few little things. Did grounds on the rear tail light that hasn't worked correctly forever. It's fine now, perfect tail light, signal and brake. Then, added grounds. Two cab to frame. Cab to bed. Bed to cab. Bed to frame. Swapped out the 12 year old battery to a much newer Delco 24 that was here at the shop. Hopefully, I won't have to break out the booster pack like I used to when it has sat for a few weeks. Took apart the headlights, replaced the driver's side adjusters. One had broken, light was pointing at the ground. Couldn't find adjusters that fit at the parts place, so I cut the tabs off a couple to make them work in the little square holes. Finally, added shifter linkage bushings at the trans. What a difference! Need the truck tomorrow to make a delivery, around 70 miles after work. Should be fun.

10-28-2020, 02:56 PM	#2
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: The little things make a difference Well that's cool. BTW the Truck Shop in Orange, CA carries the adjusters. http://www.truckandcarshop.com/6072.html __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

10-28-2020, 03:13 PM	#3
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,491	Re: The little things make a difference They really do make a huge difference. Next time I go home and have all my wiring components at hand, I'm also going to add a bunch of grounds to the truck. I don't want to catch on fire cruising down the interstate because I didn't have good grounds! __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

10-28-2020, 03:19 PM	#4
roll_the_dice Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Manlius, NY Posts: 1,698	Re: The little things make a difference I agree the little things make our trucks much better. As soon as I get my truck back, I will be adding a few grounds as well. I have the engine well grounded, but need to ground the cab and bed better. __________________ 1965 C10 LWB Stepside 1964 GMC 1 Ton Dually Instagram #notaratrodnotashowtruck

10-28-2020, 05:19 PM	#5
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: The little things make a difference One of the other things that I got to enjoy today was working defrost on both sides! I replaced the missing driver's side duct during the summer, and it was sure nice to have warm air blowing on my side of the windshield as it was cold (about 30F) and misty this morning on my way to work. Routing that driver's side duct was a pain, but well worth it. BTW, my CDN parts source was OOS, so I bought the correct size tubing off Amazon. Worked perfectly.

10-28-2020, 07:33 PM	#6
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,778	Re: The little things make a difference Yep, a bunch of little problems can soon become a big one. I see it my career with swimming pools all the time too. A broken "this" and a malfunctioning "that" combined with a neglected "something else" and pretty soon it's..."Hey, check it out, I got my own personal swamp right here in the backyard!"

10-28-2020, 08:05 PM	#7
Railroadman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 117	Re: The little things make a difference And the satisfaction of getting all that stuff done is a real boost to morale. I find that if i keep a running list of stuff each vehicle needs, it's a help, especially when I have limited time to work on something. Let's see, what can I tackle in an hour? It sure beats thinking of an item, then forgetting what it was before you get to it. When the flashing lights come on in the rear view, it's too late to remember to change the burned out tail light! Unfortunately for each thing I cross off the list, there's usually 4 more to add on!

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