Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Last update today: Amazon had new blower switch AND new blower connector harness... ordered both and will have them tomorrow. I think before I complete my soldering, I'm going to pull the blower motor tomorrow and service it. If it all checks out good. If not, I'll search for a rebuild kit and if no joy, I found OEM replacement motor for $64. This may add another day to the project, but will be well worth it.

Thanks y'all.

Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Blower motor looks pretty good, turns nice and easy, and resistence numbers: 5 ohms, 32 ohms, and 826 ohms.

I have a FSM, but Dodge must not have provided multi meters to techs, so no resistance numbers given.

Have another sidetrack... found the backup light battery lead cracked about every 1/2 inch or so, gotta run a new one. Doing that now and connecting new wiring to make tach, new radio, and factory volt meter work before soldering.

Back at it, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Did you really think mult-meters were given to the techs, what for to trouble shooting? Yes the wiring can be real can of worms on old vehicle with cracks on outer wire cover, just image where you cannot see, That's why you are replacing all wiring period will save headache in the furture, for you Ron.

 

[Wiredawg]

Did you really think mult-meters were given to the techs, what for to trouble shooting? Yes the wiring can be real can of worms on old vehicle with cracks on outer wire cover, just image where you cannot see, That's why you are replacing all wiring period will save headache in the furture, for you Ron.

You know, what's funny, is the manual actually details repairing AC compressors, starters, and carburetors. I'm glad I'm inspecting every circuit on this truck. Not in a hurry, as I shared with a friend who visited yesterday. I'm going to buy some 3/8" loom Monday so my new wiring, like this B/U light circuit. When done, I can see some more work. For example, I observed only one of the three side marker lights work.

My red LED instrument lights came in Saturday, so I took a peak at the blue bulbs in the instrument panel to see if I can get them out without destroying them. Looks like I may have to take the circuit board off to get them out. I'll study on this before taking any action and while I add the wiring for my new tach and vacuum gauges. The circuit board could be more delicate being 41 years old.

Another observation while deep into the electrical wiring is how perfect the body, paint and details. Seat, dash, new carpet, new window and door rubber, and the bed looks like no one ever used this as a pickup truck. The wheels are the original factory ones, but like so many I've seen, likely had significant rust on the chrome. The builders look like they sanded and powder coated them silver and put chromed trim rings, which looks really good. Much later on, I can figure out if I want them chromed or not.

After all the electrical is finished, hopefully next week, I'm going to pull the wheels and inspect brakes, lines and calipers. There's a mom and pop transmission service I'll get the transmission inspected and serviced.

So, still lots ahead before getting her on the road.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

This is a short one... I compared the brightness of the white LEDs and the red LEDs for the instrument panel lights and the white ones are much brighter. AND, I decided it's NOT worth the risk of removing the printed circuit board in order to remove the blue colored bulbs. Red would have been cool, but not at the expense of ruining a good dash cluster. So, mark one more thing off the list.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, How about changing out the headlights to LED just like the wife's 1500 they are very bright like my 2019 2500 and soon will be ordering 2020 3500 to my fleet, since the 2500 will be on Catalina Island with the '96.

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron, How about changing out the headlights to LED just like the wife's 1500 they are very bright like my 2019 2500 and soon will be ordering 2020 3500 to my fleet, since the 2500 will be on Catalina Island with the '96.

Already did headlights and front parking/turn signals. Installed relay flasher so wont have to install resisters on the LED turn signals. When done, all lighting, interior and exterior, will be LED. We think alike!

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

The new Mack trucks are coming through with fantastic LED “sealed beams” in single round and square. I think they’re Truck Lite brand.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

It's amazing how much time you can spend on little details. I spent today remounting the fuse panel, thanks to the extra height of the LED turn and hazard flashers.

Here's before:

Here's after:

And, the glove box shuts fine. Got tired, so tomorrow will run the new circuits mentioned in my previous post. Be nice to be done with electrical soon.

Cheers, Ron

 

[GCroyle]

Looking good Ron.

how’s the ankle doing?

 

[Wiredawg]

Looking good Ron.

how’s the ankle doing?

Thanks. Ankle a little sore today. Was at my BIL yesterday and he has a sloping driveway. Walking up to the house and later back down kinda torqued it. Seems slopes are a bad thing, at least for now. Next Dr visit November 25th, so hoping for a good report. Just figuring out the new norms for pain.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Grades are very tough on ankles, especially going down.

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, Take at easy with that ankle will you, yes LED lights all around make big diffenerce, yes the flashers for LED's are really big, the fuse box looks good.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Happy to report I completed all the soldering inside the truck today. Tomorrow will heat shrink it and start dressing it up.

Cheers. Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron,
Are you doing ok is the soldering completed? What and shrink tubing you have been really quiet?

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron,
Are you doing ok is the soldering completed? What and shrink tubing you have been really quiet?

Hi,

Yep, I'm working on wiring for the audio system, got the Ram 2003 AM/FM/CD/ Cassette head unit on the workbench testing it out before installing it. Got an interface that converts hi power speaker connections to low power amp input. Just have to check out the cassette player.

EDIT: Pic of receiver unit on the messy bench:

Also bought some vacuum line to connect to the vacuum gauge. Have to cut off the left blank wing of the dash inlay so I can install the vacuum/Volt meter gauges. Just time intensive working little details. Created new cigarette lighter circuit, but decided need to install dual 12VDC receptacles so I don't have to have ashtray open to plug in Garmin. Calcuating now should have audio worked out and dash all back together by end of day Thursday.

I'll catch up with some pics and post soon.

Thanks for checking, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, Sounds like you are adding more circuits when you build the new Dodge fuse box did you make enough room for additional stuff, CD radio, Garmin GPS so you can find your home in Texas.
That looks like my work bench never enough room!

 

[TFucili]

While you're at it, Ron...

 

[DavidC]

While you're at it, Ron...

Very cool, on your bucket list Ron ?.

 

[Wiredawg]

Very cool, on your bucket list Ron ?.

Dave,

Nah, I'm going to be happy to wind what I'm doing up. It is cool though.

Cheers, Ron