Jackpot!

[Russell]

I went over to see a 78 GMC 3/4 ton about 5 minutes north of me, and found myself a rusted out truck with a big engine, and a clean, mint condition interior The guy says that I can have anything off the truck dirt cheap just so long as he would be able to start the engine. Basically, I can take everything that I need off this truck for mine other than the engine or what is required to run it

[Russell]

Just spoke with the guy, sounds like he will let me take everything I want for $75

Alright, I need some tips on how to remove the tank switch under the chassis without wrecking the tubes that come out of it like I did on my 76 GMC, how to remove a windshield and back window as well as how to remove the entire inside of the box of a truck. Also if anyone has ever replaced the ignition switch down near the firewall on the inside of the cab, do you still have the wiring diagram so I can install a switch on his truck so he can still start it if he wishes since I am removing the steering column?

Thanks for any info you guys can offer, I don't wanna wreck anything on this truck if I can help it... I'll also take some pictures while I am there next time, I had the digital camera with me, but I forgot to take some pictures...

Oh yeah, he has a nice deck that I can have as well that fits in the truck without hashing it up! I am quite excited about that fact as I don't have the money to pay for my pioneer premier deck yet, so this can keep me going until I have the money I need...

[79BIG10]

Originally posted by ZiDigi
Alright, I need some tips on how to remove the tank switch under the chassis without wrecking the tubes that come out of it like I did on my 76 GMC, how to remove a windshield and back window as well as how to remove the entire inside of the box of a truck.

On the tank valve you need to take a pair of pliers and take all the clamps off the hoses and remove the hoses. If he plans on running it later you need to run the passenger side tank to the hose that runs up to the engine. This is just splicing the hose together. You also need wrench to take the valve istelf off. Not sure what size but was easy on mine. Also make sure to disconnect the valve lead wire (green). This is just a straight pull off the stud.
Never taken out a front windshield but on the rear if it has the chrome trim in the gasket you need to remove this. Just a screwdriver will take it out. Then take a paint scraper or something flat and thin to pry the rear gasket off the cab from the outer edge. Thie gasket will give you enough to pull on and then will come out easier by pulling. Make sure to not pull too much and loose the glass.

[BigRed]

To add to Brandon's instructions, I have removed a windshield. . The windshield I was removing was being trashed, so I didn't care about breaking the glass. I have no idea how you'd be able to remove an original windshield without breaking something. Guess you could, you'd just have to be very careful. I used a utility knife and cut away all the rubber outside the glass. Then, I used the rubber mallet to separate the glass from the seal. It shattered in about 5 places. This old glass is very brittle, so be careful.

[Russell]

Its a two year old windshield, so I think it has a bit of strength left... Ok, what happens if you take that clamp off the tank, and you still can't get the hose off? Thats what happened to my other truck's switch, I pulled on the hose and it just snapped the black hose that goes into the tank switch...

[old Rusty C10]

for the widnshield you can buy a tool at a glass shop and it busts the seal between the metal and glass its like $25 US but its worth it

[ElGracho]

As far as the fuel tank valve, just cut the hoses in the middle. Feel them to make sure you aren't cutting the metal line or the plastic of the switch. Get the valve out from under the truck (and get out of the raining shower of gasoline) and you can carefully remove the old hoses from the valve then. After that, use two pieces of hose about 9" long, one 3/8" the other 1/4" to connect one of the tanks back up so the engine will run. Make sure you tell the guy which one so he doesn't put gas in the wrong side!

[Russell]

Makes sence, I will just hook up the driver side tank, and find some plastic pipe to use as a splicer. I'll syphon the tank first so I don't get gas all over me, and then I'll get extra gas for my truck

[rockman20]

Windshield. I have tried to take a windshield out once. Here is what I was told. Remove the trim around the windshield. (On my Cutlass, I had to purchase a special tool to remove the chrome around it) Then take and drill a hole through the gasket into the vehicle. (Making sure not to drill into the windshield or anything else.) Take a piece of piano wire and shove it through the hole and start working it back and forth and puttting pressure on it to slowly cut the seal.

Now I didn't have much luck with this, but I didn't have piano wire either. I used some stainless steel wire that my neighbor had for his airplane. But the stuff kept breaking on me.

I would think some guitar string would work better since that has some ridges on it. Possibly be a better cutting effect. But once you got the seal cut all the way around, the windshield should just lift out. A friend would be helpful for this.

[Russell]

I have an old guitar upstairs with only like two strings left on it, I'll grab the thickest one and see if it works for me, if not I have been told that an exacto knife works well... I'll probally get it installed professionally though.