Project Pancho Villa - 1978 SWB

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by BruthaMan

JohnC - Thanks bud, really appreciate your encouragement through the build. I just know we'd be good friends if you lived closer!

That hurts man. We can't be good friends because of our locations? Just messing with ya!

The feeling is mutual. Seeing your progress on your truck motivates me on mine. That last shot of yours is sweet man. I can't wait to see some of it all together.

Keep it going man!!!!

[OARNGESI]

Really nice

[BruthaMan]

Another few days, a little more progress.

Finally, finally got the interior finished! Here's some pics, from the driver seat area, looking at various views of the interior:

























Bleeding the brakes today. Brand new brake system, new stainless lines, master cylinder, proportioning value. This little gem from harbor freight is making it a lot easier. Way, way too much air in a new system for doing by hand.

[joe231]

very nice!
where did you get that dash trim? is it chrome or polished aluminum?

[JohnC]

Glad to see the finished interior man. It looks amazing. I can't wait to see video of this thing. I may have to make a road trip out to the panhandle some weekend and check it out. Keep the momentum going man!!!!

[BruthaMan]

Originally Posted by joe231

very nice!
where did you get that dash trim? is it chrome or polished aluminum?

It's polished aluminum. I had an aftermarket one and didn't like it, couldn't find an NOS one, so asked a local fabricator if he could do something and that's what he came up with. Not quite perfect, but miles better looking than what I had and I have access to the vents, so I can hog them all over to the driver side during the summer!

Originally Posted by JohnC

Glad to see the finished interior man. It looks amazing. I can't wait to see video of this thing. I may have to make a road trip out to the panhandle some weekend and check it out. Keep the momentum going man!!!!

It really came out better than I expected! I've been using some Zaino "Leather in a Bottle" on the seats and door panel. It's the closest thing I've ever found to that "new car smell". It smells good up in there!

Yeah, bring it on down to Amarillo. I'll buy ya dinner and a few beers!

Wade

[JohnC]

Sounds like a plan man. May try and talk Joe, and a couple of the other local board guys to make a road trip out of it.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by BruthaMan

It's polished aluminum. I had an aftermarket one and didn't like it, couldn't find an NOS one, so asked a local fabricator if he could do something and that's what he came up with. Not quite perfect, but miles better looking than what I had and I have access to the vents, so I can hog them all over to the driver side during the summer!




It really came out better than I expected! I've been using some Zaino "Leather in a Bottle" on the seats and door panel. It's the closest thing I've ever found to that "new car smell". It smells good up in there!

Yeah, bring it on down to Amarillo. I'll buy ya dinner and a few beers!

Wade

It looks nice!! I like it!

EDIT:
I just went back and re-read... sorry for asking a redundant question about the insert...

Originally Posted by JohnC

Sounds like a plan man. May try and talk Joe, and a couple of the other local board guys to make a road trip out of it.

somebody say "ROAD-TRIP"!!!!

I spent some time growing up in Canyon, Tx. and I have some family in Amarillo.....
My grandparents had a big farm outside of Canyon...I loved that place.
My dad helped build the interstate going around canyon when I was a kid....sorry, just some random info about me

[menace121978]

HOLY CRAP that turned out awesome!! really great job man!heck of an eye. it all goes together PERFECT!!

[OLDIRON69]

LOVE the detail. You have done a great job.

[JFP Motorsports Div]

Truck is looking awesome man!! Where you get those door panels?? Custom made??

[Capcity82]

truck came out great.

[flamingbig10]

Originally Posted by JFP Motorsports Div

Truck is looking awesome man!! Where you get those door panels?? Custom made??

there made by roddoors and are available at http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/me...ategory_Code=D

[BruthaMan]

Should have some more pics tomorrow.

Got the hood on. Interior is finished. I had a 4/2.5 drop on it and decided it needed to be just a little lower. Took the helper and next leaf spring off the rear and it came out good. Taking one coil off from the bottom, today to snug it down just a little more.

Still have to bleed the brakes (again). New lines, been a royal pain with air in the lines. We've bench bled the master cylinder and it holds perfect. Lines are new, prop valve is new, so just have to keep working it. Nothing but fluid coming out, yet it still goes to the floor. After a few pumps, it gets right. Rinse, repeat, over and over again! I guess it just takes a really really really long time with new lines!

Went to the tax office today to get a new window sticker. Snagged "Oldies" as a custom license plate.

After brake bleeding, next step is to the exhaust shop. Corsa mufflers came in (I love Corsa exhaust!) and some really beveled dual wall chromed "dual" tips for each side.

After that, to the alignment shop and it's done.

May have to wait till next month on those, though. Time running out for the holidays.

[Scootin 81 C20]

Hey, where did them big bowties on the doors come from? I'd like to get one or two of them for my truck.

[BruthaMan]

Originally Posted by Scootin 81 C20

Hey, where did them big bowties on the doors come from? I'd like to get one or two of them for my truck.

Picked em up on Ebay Motors.

[Scootin 81 C20]

Are they these ones?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-97...#ht_2449wt_909

Or these ones?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...#ht_2705wt_909

Or these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/07-09...#ht_2646wt_632

[BruthaMan]

Like the third set, with the border.

[JohnC]

Sweet man can't wait to see more pics.

[BruthaMan]

Hey Guys,

More updates. The good news is, we started her up today and drove her for the first time in a year. The bad news is, looks like we're going to have to replace the front seal. Have an oil leak there. No idea how or why but it is what it is.

Here are some updates:

Getting ready to put in the headlight bezels. Original NOS bezels. Took some pics for a "historical" record.








Original NOS GM Park lenses:





Original GM NOS grill:





Original NOS GM Grill Emblem:





Couple of pics of the front grill:

[flamingbig10]

looks great, but sorry to hear about the main seal

[BruthaMan]

We got a wild hair (actually, that would be me!) that we needed a little more from the 4/2.5 drop kit.

We took out the helper (shortie) plus one leaf in the rear and it was perfect. No pics on that, sorry.

THEN....we tried putting in the 2.5 drop springs I had. I originally bought a 7/5 kit and so had the 2.5 drop springs.

That wasn't good. I had put on 1.5" wheel spacers to kick the wheels out so they were even with the fenders, which looks/works great. With a 2.5" drop spindle though, the 2.5" springs brought it down so one side rested on the fender the other side about half an inch.


So we opted to cut a coil on the originals. Put those in. Not much better and now without a solution. So we picked up some new coils (surprised anyone even had them in this small town) and package said they would compress lower than stock. We thought "great!" Sure enough, they were just right.

Here's a pic of all three lined up:



The red one is the stock, with one coil cut. The black one is new after market.

Couple pics of the stance:










Got the hood back from the painter:





And one with it on, showing the powder coated hinges:





I took some pics today on my iphone of the exhaust install and I go to download them from the phone and they aren't there. I'll try to get some pics tomorrow of the exhaust tips from the rear and may a movie clip with how the Corsa Mufflers sound.

We have to get the e-brake hooked up. Bought a brake line, but for whatever reason (not original), it's a bit too short. That, and replace that front seal, and I believe it will be done.

Next month will put in for an alignment and take to the transmission shop (the guy that build the 700R4) and have him check everything out.

What a trip!

[northern 85]

Man that is looking so Nice!!! Excelent work!!!

[menace121978]

Wade,
you get the brake prob fixed? just wondering what it ended up being... and besides the leak how does she feel driving?! like a new one??

sure looks bad a$$ buddy! congrats big time!!

[78BO]

WOW! Man I haven't been on here in a while. The truck looks great. Man you've put some work in to this thing. Can't wait to see it rolling down the road. Good job man.