"Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion

[N2TRUX]

After getting the surface stripped. I removed the shift and tilt lever, then masked off the ignition switch and blinker stalk.

[N2TRUX]

After cleaning the surface I laid down lite coats of paint. Despite my effort to go slow, I still had some paint reaction. I'll let it cure overnight and try again

[N2TRUX]

Its Friday night and I finished my day at a decent time. My wife fixed a great dinner and I headed out to the shop.
The Muscle Bar from Ridetech arrived so that was my first task for the evening. I unpacked the box and laid all the contents out.

[N2TRUX]

The bar installed rather quickly. Just like all the rest of the suspension, it takes longer to remove the stock parts than install the new ones.
I have found the easiest way to hang the bar is to get all of the mounting bolts started but left loose. Once everything is in place I secure the mounting brackets and work my way out.

With all the bolts tightened to specs I finish with the end links.

[N2TRUX]

With that task completed I moved on to the next. I sanded the column this morning to eliminate the fish eyes and repainted.

I ordered a blinker stalk replacement from Auto Zone and replaced the old one. I decided to give the shifter and tilt lever a brushed finished. This will complement the dash bezel and steering wheel.

[N2TRUX]

Another job done and time to pick up tools. Before I call it a night I unpacked another item I recently picked up.

I teamed with Vibro Solutions to supply the sound and thermal barrier for Jake. They offer a variety of options to reduce resonance and prevent heat transfer.

[N2TRUX]

I'm still undecided on what brakes I will eventually run on Jake. For now I'm going to keep the original D52 calipers and 1.25" rotors that were on Elwood before I upgraded to Wilwoods. The calipers were in excellent condition, and the pads were new. A few years ago I noted that the soft lines on the calipers were cracking so I updated them to braided stainless lines. The stainless lines use A/N fittings so the stock banjo bolts were removed.

When I reinstalled those calipers on Jake I replaced the soft lines. Unfortunately I could not find the original banjo bolts. The bolts in the C20 calipers were smaller, so that wasnt an option.

I didnt think it would be a big deal to find new bolts, but it has been an endeavor. No matter how I searched I came up with the same results. It shows the bolts to be Dorman #13940 which is a M10-1.5 X 22.8mm bolt. This is NOT the correct bolt for 73-79 HD brakes.


I finally found out the correct banjo bolt is a Dorman 13935 which is 7/16-20 X 7/8 In.
For point of reference I wanted to document the part numbers in the event someone may need this data in the future.

[N2TRUX]

After tracking down the banjo bolts I was able to finish putting the front brake system back together. I flared the line that I had cut and added a new fitting. I checked all my connections and filled the system with fluid.
It was time to put the wheels on and set Crewcab Jake on the ground

[N2TRUX]

I jacked him up off the stands and slowly let Jake down. This process was invigorating as it slowly headed down. It didn't stop till it sat firmly on the jack.

I had to put blocks under the tire to get the jack free. It looks great but it's going to need some adjustments.

[N2TRUX]

So my first project for the day was to start dialing in the front suspension. Ridetech recommends starting with the bottom coil adjuster just touching the spring. With the weight of the crewcab and a 454 this wasnt even close.

I felt a more realistic starting position was to raise the spring up a 1/2" to see what that does.

[N2TRUX]

The clock is ticking and I need to get Jake running again so he can go to Homegrown Hotrods. Aaron is going to dial in the door jambs and start hanging panels this week.

To get the truck on the trailer I need the steering to work. We reinstalled the power steering lines then moved inside the cab. The restored tilt column was ready to go in but I wanted to prep the firewall first.

Chris removed the old column and all the factory insulation on the floor.

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I prepped the surface and cut pieces of 4 mil sound deadner and fit them in place. Eventually the entire firewall will be covered in 4 mil Vibro Solutions deadner then topped with a thermal barrier.

[N2TRUX]

With the sound deadner installed we hung the column loosely in place. Chris routed wires and plugged in all the connections. I focused on the shift linkage and steering shaft.

We tightened everything down and topped it off with a vintage steering wheel. Inevitably the Eddie Motorsports billet version will reside here.

[N2TRUX]

We are working on a last minute push to get Jake to Homegrown Hotrods. The core support is not stable enough for my liking so we want to put a fender on the passenger side.

This will keep the core support stable and the radiator away from the fan. It will also allow us to mount the battery tray properly.

[N2TRUX]

I decided we should prep and paint the back of the core support. Chris got started while I worked late. He sanded and prepped the surface and started painting.
Unfortunately the weather changed dramatically and the humidity went ballistic. I told Chris to walk away and let it blush.

I got home a couple of hours later and the front had blown through. I was able to get paint on the battery tray but the core support blew up on me.

[N2TRUX]

The harder I tried to save what Chris had done the worse things got. In the end I had to strip the bottom area and start over. There was some rough texture at the bottom that needed a few coats of filler primer so I laid them on and walked away

[N2TRUX]

The other side was a bit more cooperative. I was able to build the color without it blushing but I had to go really slow.

Between coats I worked on adjusting the coilover shocks.

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This morning I prepped and painted the passenger side of the core support. CZhris is on his way over to help me hang a fender so it needs to be ready to go.

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We got a fender hung this morning. This is just temporary so we could mount the battery tray.

[aggie91]

Ride height looks pretty good from that angle with the front fender mounted.

[Joseog83]

Originally Posted by n2trux

we got a fender hung this morning. This is just temporary so we could mount the battery tray.

nice!!

[rustytruck50]

I like the stance & the orange fender, even though I know red is the plan

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Ride height looks pretty good from that angle with the front fender mounted.

I consulted Johnny M from Ridetech and he suggested a preload setting to get started. He feels we will eventually e d up changing springs due to the additional weight of the cab and 454/th400 combo. We wont know anything until all of the weight is added.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Joseog83

nice!!

Thanks so much.

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

I like the stance & the orange fender, even though I know red is the plan

The fender is just a loaner to get the truck moved. My fenders are at Homegrown Hotrods in primer.

[N2TRUX]

So tonight did not go according to plan. My intentions were to get home early enough to get the brakes bled and load Jake on the trailer. My job decided it had other ideas and I had to work late.

Once I finally got home and Jake decided he wasnt going anywhere. I tried to start the truck and it wouldn't turn over. The battery had been charging all day so I "assumed" it was a ground issue.

After verifying my grounds were good I determined the battery wasnt holding a charge.
Chris is bringing a battery in the morning so we can load it up then.