Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[DavidC]

You mean R12 right ? R22 was/is for residential AC's, so unless your planning on mounting a 2 ton or up on your cab roof that won't work unless there is something I don't know (which is plenty).

 

[gsbrockman]

Now, having a slight sentimental moment and bench clean and test the stock OEM AM/FM stereo (Top). I have a Serius XM FM modulator that will work if I can the radio to work. If not, I'll use the AM FM CD Cassette (bottom) and Serius XM FM modulator.
Decided to stop for today.

Cheers, Ron

What is the build date of that RAZ?

I might be able to help you with a tip that won’t require that horrible FM modulation.

I added Sirius satellite radio to my 2003 RAM 2500 with an OEM stereo very similar to your RAZ....

 

[Wiredawg]

You mean R12 right ? R22 was/is for residential AC's, so unless your planning on mounting a 2 ton or up on your cab roof that won't work unless there is something I don't know (which is plenty).

Dave,
Yep... R12. I'm certainly not the AC guy, even though a friend in the business gave me a set of gauges.

What is the build date of that RAZ?

I might be able to help you with a tip that won’t require that horrible FM modulation.

I added Sirius satellite radio to my 2003 RAM 2500 with an OEM stereo very similar to your RAZ....

Greg,

Feb 2003.

Ron,

That first ride for ice cream will be darn nice.

My project for today was carefully sliding up on the roof of my Airstream and taking out the Fantastic Fan just to clean the bug guts off of the blades and such. Nice to have a section of scaffolding, it helped.

Not near as exciting as your dash.

Gary

Gary,

Yes sir, go have a blinding Blizzard at Dairy Queen... Always get brain freeze.

I have 8ft and 16ft scaffolding... a must for doing all your own maintenance on your RV.

All, Thanks for all the help!

I've been good... making pepper steak with German egg noodles and creamed corn for supper. Mama just brought me a Jack and Coke, just the way I like it.

Cheers, Ron

 

[gsbrockman]

@Wiredawg
Here’s a link to the device I was telling you about.

https://www.discountcarstereo.com/chry02-aux.html

If you’ll be patient with me.....I’ll see if I can dig up my old one. Since I’m a hoarder....it might take a day or two, IF you’re interested.

 

[Wiredawg]

@Wiredawg
Here’s a link to the device I was telling you about.

https://www.discountcarstereo.com/chry02-aux.html

If you’ll be patient with me.....I’ll see if I can dig up my old one. Since I’m a hoarder....it might take a day or two, IF you’re interested.

Greg,

I have LOADS of patience AND time. I've fixed the firewall connectors, now going to open every lug, connector, and ground in the engine bay and the REST of the truck, inspect, clean and grease. I'm going this far, might as well do ALL the electrical on this truck. Might be another week before I actually start working the radio. I found a nice dash panel on eBay I want to receive and inspect before I use a hole saw on the dash panel in the pic. It's 41 year old plastic. Securing it without breaking it AND not damaging it in a vise I'm studying on as I go through all this other "preventative maintenance."

EDIT: Just dawned on me this device uses plug for optional factory external CD changer. NICE!

Thanks, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I guess y'all's lights got brighter as I came up with an idea. You think a hot knife would work better than hole saw for making 2 5/8" hole in the right plastic panel on the dash. I think hole saw is too violent a well as jigsaw.

Maybe drill pilot hole and use coping saw?

Unfortunate result of being a type A is once a challenge or requirement is entered into the Bat Computer, it runs continuously until it spits out an answer.

Down in the Bat Cave right now trying to figure it out.

Thanks, Ron

 

[DavidC]

If you use a hole saw do it from both sides. Less of a chance shattering the plastic doing it that way. Kind of like doing door knobs, dead bolts etc., never hole saw completely from one side as splintering will happen.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

ALMOST left out another accomplishment... found NEW factory coolant overflow tank... it came in and just laid it there. Will install and plumb when I finish working in the engine bay.

Nice touch to give factory look.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Sounds like you're doing the right thing with all the wiring speciality in engine bay, clean and dielectric grease our your friend.

 

[TFucili]

If you use a hole saw do it from both sides. Less of a chance shattering the plastic doing it that way. Kind of like doing door knobs, dead bolts etc., never hole saw completely from one side as splintering will happen.

Or if you can find the "grit edge", toothless hole saws they work well in composites and plastic.

 

[Deathrowdave]

I put a few of those on the road when they were brand new . I was a line mechanic for Dodge dealer . Here is mine CTD powered

 

[GCroyle]

To Gotham City we go, fasten your seat belt Robin.

 

[Wiredawg]

View attachment 115010 I put a few of those on the road when they were brand new . I was a line mechanic for Dodge dealer . Here is mine CTD powered

I love it man! I've been a Dodge guy my whole life. The US Air Force bought W250 Crew Cabs with step sides, 4spd standards, and 225CI sixes.

And later with a 318V8

Thanks for the post.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Friends,

ALMOST left out another accomplishment... found NEW factory coolant overflow tank... it came in and just laid it there. Will install and plumb when I finish working in the engine bay.

View attachment 114995

Nice touch to give factory look.

Cheers, Ron

I forgot about those ‘70’s era burp tanks.

 

[TFucili]

Or if you can find the "grit edge", toothless hole saws they work well in composites and plastic.

Oh, and if you can, back up your work piece with a sacrificial block of wood or something solid to pilot the arbor and keep it from wallowing it out, so you can make a clean circle.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

NO FEAR! Thought about it, placed dash panel in vise, supported the panel with STUFF on the work bench, used standard 2.5" hole saw at slow speed, cut the hole nicely, used the Dremel sanding barrel to smooth it out.

BIG BUBBLES, NO TROUBLES!

Nice snug fit, could easily hold without the clamp, but will clamp anyway. Ankle sore today, so for today, "THAT'S ALL FOLKS."

Cheers, Ron

 

[GCroyle]

Mama (per your post Ron),

I'm done for the day and I'm ready for my ice cream now, can you bring it to the den please?

I ducked not sure about you.

Gary

 

[TFucili]

#ad

 

[Wiredawg]

This is my little baby, 5 mo old Lab Cleo(patra).

She just made her master get in the easy chair.


Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Not done for the day but taking a break in the Lazy Boy and watching some Darlington qualifying. This race is cool because of all the retro paint schemes.

Ron, that Tach looks great! Its a Sun SuperTach! As retro correct as you probably can get.