Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[Wiredawg]

Ron,

Just now catching up on LRE, but right not I'd say your better half deserves a nice big bouquet of flowers for the major assist to the accident.

Ms. Ron nicely done.

View attachment 116625

Yep, she's wonderful. I'm really proud of her.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I completed all the connections in the dash and have dressed up most of the wires. The wires between the truck wiring and the fuse panel could look a little nicer, but it is easy to access and everything is labeled.

Well, I decided to grind the plastic face of the 2003 Ram AM/FM/CD/Cassette head unit. Took about three hours to figure out what to do andto do it. I didn't alter or modify the dash at all. It fits nice and looks factory.

Gotta fabricate a left mounting bracket tomorrow and install/connect it to the dash.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with it.

Cheers. Ron

 

[gsbrockman]

Have you tried the Auxiliary input adapter yet?

 

[Wiredawg]

Have you tried the Auxiliary input adapter yet?

Greg,

No sir, I'll get a chance Saturday or next week when I have the truck outside for the satellite antenna to pick up a signal. Really looking forward to it.

Thanks again, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Great looking dash looks real nice that disc player really sets it apart looks just beautful installed.

 

[Wayne M.]

Excellent install, Ron! Gonna mess with some heads when it’s all done!

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

The dash is buttoned up.

I completed the glove box too. Got to drill another hole in the firewall for the amp power, clean all the connections from/to the battery, and intermediate connections.

Should be able to hot test the electrical system Wednesday, and start the amp/sub install tomorrow as well. Going to a friends birthday party Saturday, be nice to drive the LRE.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DavidC]

Looks great Ron. Don't do a hot test, rather a systems test

 

[Wiredawg]

Looks great Ron. Don't do a hot test, rather a systems test

Dave,
Well, you know what? Us old military phone jockeys actually called it a "smoke test," but it does sound more optimistic to call it a systems test. Plug it in, check for smoke, check fuses, then proceed with operational check.

EDIT: If smoke or flames are observed, un plug equipment, and run like heck.

Here's the glove box, tested operation with multimeter.

Regular door vehicle door switch repurposed.

Cheers, Ron

 

[brucejohnson]

Dave,
Well, you know what? Us old military phone jockeys actually called it a "smoke test," but it does sound more optimistic to call it a systems test. Plug it in, check for smoke, check fuses, then proceed with operational check.

EDIT: If smoke or flames are observed, un plug equipment, and run like heck.

View attachment 116665

Here's the glove box, tested operation with multimeter.

View attachment 116664

Regular door vehicle door switch repurposed.

Cheers, Ron

The term "smoke tested, or checked sat" wasn't looked upon favorably by some when entered in the aircraft's 781A's, even when qualified with an inflight writeup; something like this: "IFE (In Flight Emergency)- Smelled odd smoke in cockpit approx. 3:20 into flight...FL 35." Come to find out a very embarrassed navigator had lit up a raunchy cigar which permeated the entire pressurized compartment. IFE cancelled, but as a precautionary action the acft still returned for evaluation. Smoking was allowed back then. Everybody and their dog still gets to go out to the aircraft and test anything that may "leak smoke". Corrective action: "CND (Could Not Duplicate) - Systems smoke ck'd sat per TO xx-xxx-xx-xx. no evidence of smoke leakage. Smoke remained in wires and components." Maintenance Super requested the presence of the specialist (relatively new import from mickey's air command) and his supervisor (somebody we may know) ASAP. Maintenance Super, using words only big, important people can use without having to wash their mouth out with soap, reminded specialist as to the proper SAC way to make 781 entries. 781A entries corrected. Result: 781 data entry training developed, implemented and entered into AMS personnel training records. Personnel educated; DCM happy; another week of SAC fun completed. I really, really loved SAC. By the way, on a different day, this same specialist also responded to a Red Ball (aircraft priority maintenance) on the hammerhead wearing a Radio Shack fireman's hat that had a flashing red light and microphone and siren feature. The AC commander requested that the specialist remove himself from the aircraft immediately and a competent, high ranking specialist be dispatched posthaste. (words "up on charges" and "court marshal" stated by the pilot could be heard in the background over the radio dispatch with job control) Almost felt like I was in an episode of MASH. These little "challenges" always kept life interesting.
I really like that glovebox light. You're gonna have a lot more light than the factory initially authorized. Great improvement. That radio really makes the dash look much better than with the OEM setup. Lots of class in looks and function. You, sir, have done well.

 

[HPSimpson]

So have you completed the smoke test yet, how many fire extingushers do you have in the area of the garage, your garden hose hooked up and ready for this event?

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

EDIT: Homer I was typing as I saw your post.

I buttoned everything up today. I smoke tested the truck and that part went well. I couldn't start the truck though and the left front turn signal comes on without flash when I turn on parking and headlights and dome light doesn't come on. but my new floor lights do. I didn't rewire the turn signals and the dome light needs work.

Gonna add gas and test for voltage at the coil tomorrow. Truck has sat a long time without being started. Get her running now first, then the other items.

Still it's pretty cool.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Several years ago I was above 70K feet when the cockpit filled with smoke, next eng one fire light came on I was mid-pacific ocean, I still had eng two running!

 

[brucejohnson]

Friends,

EDIT: Homer I was typing as I saw your post.

I buttoned everything up today. I smoke tested the truck and that part went well. I couldn't start the truck though and the left front turn signal comes on without flash when I turn on parking and headlights and dome light doesn't come on. but my new floor lights do. I didn't rewire the turn signals and the dome light needs work.

Gonna add gas and test for voltage at the coil tomorrow. Truck has sat a long time without being started. Get her running now first, then the other items.

Still it's pretty cool.

Cheers, Ron

Ron,
Check your left parking/turn signal lamp to see if the power wires are switched/crossed between the low and bright elements, or better yet, since you say you didn't rewire the turn signals, check to see if the bulb was inserted properly. I have seen a bulb inserted improperly even though the key tabs "shouldn't' allow it.

 

[HPSimpson]

The turn signal does the right side work ok the bulbs; have that notch in them pretty fool proof but guess can be beat, great your floor lights work how about the glove box.

 

[brucejohnson]

Several years ago I was above 70K feet when the cockpit filled with smoke, next eng one fire light came on I was mid-pacific ocean, I still had eng two running!

Wowsers! Kinda hard to open a window or tweak the canopy a bit to clear the smoke at that altitude. If you could, I don't know if the heater would keep you warm enough up that high either. BRRRR!!! just thinking about that. Of course the engine issue would certainly keep your mind off of any small environmental issue... Checklist please...if you can read thru the smoke.

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron,
Check your left parking/turn signal lamp to see if the power wires are switched/crossed between the low and bright elements, or better yet, since you say you didn't rewire the turn signals, check to see if the bulb was inserted properly. I have seen a bulb inserted improperly even though the key tabs "shouldn't' allow it.

Hi Bruce. I checked the lamp... and it is good and properly installed. Cool LEDs have amber colored for turn and white for parking. And are they ever bright!

I'm guessing some improper wiring by the restorers. Should be fairly easy to find after I get it running. Gonna put around 5 gallons gas in. I was tapping the tank while under the truck putting loom to protect replaced back up light circuit and didn't hear much.

Several years ago I was above 70K feet when the cockpit filled with smoke, next eng one fire light came on I was mid-pacific ocean, I still had eng two running!

What were you flying in through the stratosphere?

First, all I did was check the battery and check fuses. Then, I verified headlights, wipers, then tried starting. In fact, I have a couple multimeters so gonna set them up in front of the windshield and see a couple test points at the same time.

Cheers. Ron

 

[brucejohnson]

Hi Bruce. I checked the lamp... and it is good and properly installed. Cool LEDs have amber colored for turn and white for parking. And are they ever bright!

I'm guessing some improper wiring by the restorers. Should be fairly easy to find after I get it running. Gonna put around 5 gallons gas in. I was tapping the tank while under the truck putting loom to protect replaced back up light circuit and didn't hear much.



What were you flying in through the stratosphere?

First, all I did was cancer the battery and check fuses. Then, I verified headlights, wipers, then tried starting. In fact, I have a couple multimeters so gonna set them up in front of the windshield and see a couple test points at the same time.

Cheers. Ron

So you have changed the bulbs to LED. I was going to say check the ground on the side with the faulty indication, but with an LED I don't think you would get the reverse circuit through both elements via the second element to the opposing bulbs ground. Did you swap sides with the LED bulbs? Hmmm...inquiring mind awaiting report on the cure results.

 

[TFucili]

Yes, I'd swap those LEDs side to side, and/or put the 1157s back in just to isolate it.

 

[Wiredawg]

I put a meter on the coil and seeing 8.5VDC while cranking. Need to add gas more gas.

Window came in today for my Jeep Wrangler, so gonna stop on the LRE and replace the window today. Its 68°F today, but going to be cold next few days. I'm right at the lowest recommended temp for the adhesive.

Cheers, Ron