Calf's 69 Crew build, and CNM67's 67 shorty build

[Heirloom]

I have used the HF vacuum pump (air operated) and their AC manifold gauge set many times with great results. Have only had one issue with a system after I have done an evac/charge, and that was not an issue with what I did. Just FYI if you wanted to do it yourself.

[guhfluh]

Autozone rents vacuum pumps. It's what I always use, though HF price on their pump is very tempting. I have my own set of gauges, so I've never looked into if they rent them also, but they may.

[Calfdemon]

Man, that is an awesome accomplishment! That is a LOT of work done in a small time! You definitely have more determination and drive to work on yours than I do on mine. I still have yet to finish my A/C, among other things. The enjoyment of driving it does get in the way though:)

I have a question about your rear wheel stud install. What process did you use? Hammer or press? What studs? I need to replace all of mine on both sides with longer ones. I have the studs(Dorman for a dually), but I have read that they need to be cut/reamed on the top before driving out. Was that the case for you?

As I was attempting to do this myself, I found out that our studs have to be pressed out and I did not have the means to accomplish it. So I put everything back together and drove over to my local tire shop and had them finish it off for me. Had to pull the axle and put a new seal in afterwords as well. As for the studs, they are 9/16 thread but not sure of the length. I was going to pull the old studs and then take them with me as an example of what I needed in 9/16th. Since I never got that far, I just had the tire shop do it for me since I was in over my head. They hit me for a little over $100.

I have used the HF vacuum pump (air operated) and their AC manifold gauge set many times with great results. Have only had one issue with a system after I have done an evac/charge, and that was not an issue with what I did. Just FYI if you wanted to do it yourself.

I have never done anything with an HVAC system before, but of course, I never installed one either. I am just worried that I may do something wrong since I don't have an experienced person to show me or learn from. My other concern is that since I am the one that installed my system, that I may have something amiss... I wanted someone that knows their stuff to re-check all of my connections and make sure I have everything tightened the way I am supposed to. I am headed to Vegas today for the weekend, so hopefully I will have some luck and can afford to just have someone do it for me. Of course, I may HAVE to do it myself after this weekend... We shall see.. As long as the Kings win (preseason game at the MGM), then I will be happy.

[guhfluh]

It's actually very easy to do and I'd be willing to walk you through it, but a shop shouldn't charge much money to do it either. Just double check all of your wiring and fittings before hand if you are concerned about any and bring them the required refrigerant and oil fill amount information for the system.

Thanks for the info on the studs. I have access to a press, but it's not one I trust very much. It's bent some and doesn't align well, so I have fears of parts flying at supersonic speeds every time I use it. I may break down and buy my own just for this job.

[habu]

Man, that is an awesome accomplishment! That is a LOT of work done in a small time! You definitely have more determination and drive to work on yours than I do on mine. I still have yet to finish my A/C, among other things. The enjoyment of driving it does get in the way though:)

I have a question about your rear wheel stud install. What process did you use? Hammer or press? What studs? I need to replace all of mine on both sides with longer ones. I have the studs(Dorman for a dually), but I have read that they need to be cut/reamed on the top before driving out. Was that the case for you?

As I was attempting to do this myself, I found out that our studs have to be pressed out and I did not have the means to accomplish it. So I put everything back together and drove over to my local tire shop and had them finish it off for me. Had to pull the axle and put a new seal in afterwords as well. As for the studs, they are 9/16 thread but not sure of the length. I was going to pull the old studs and then take them with me as an example of what I needed in 9/16th. Since I never got that far, I just had the tire shop do it for me since I was in over my head. They hit me for a little over $100.

I have used the HF vacuum pump (air operated) and their AC manifold gauge set many times with great results. Have only had one issue with a system after I have done an evac/charge, and that was not an issue with what I did. Just FYI if you wanted to do it yourself.

I have never done anything with an HVAC system before, but of course, I never installed one either. I am just worried that I may do something wrong since I don't have an experienced person to show me or learn from. My other concern is that since I am the one that installed my system, that I may have something amiss... I wanted someone that knows their stuff to re-check all of my connections and make sure I have everything tightened the way I am supposed to. I am headed to Vegas today for the weekend, so hopefully I will have some luck and can afford to just have someone do it for me. Of course, I may HAVE to do it myself after this weekend... We shall see.. As long as the Kings win (preseason game at the MGM), then I will be happy.

not bump related, but you're going to Frozen Fury ??? Have a great time !!! Go Kings Go!!
to brag, a little, the cup was in my town


Anyway so good to see how far it's gotten and how much is done. Hats off you you man !!!

I'll be watching the HVAC updates, after the suspension on mine the HVAC will be next

[BobbyFord]

I drove this truck yesterday. It drives like a brand new vehicle.
Awesome job, Rich! You should really be proud of your efforts.

[Calfdemon]

Habu: NICE!! Those are always great pictures to have. While I have been very close to the cup several times now, I still have never touched it or have a picture with it. One of these days I will go to an event where I can get that done. And yeah, I was at Frozen Fury. I go every year. Had a good time, but it was a quick trip this year. Got there just before midnight on Friday night and left Sunday morning. I HATE leaving Vegas on Sundays as then the 5 hour drive becomes 7+ hours, but had to do it as the wife could not get Monday off of work.

I drove this truck yesterday. It drives like a brand new vehicle.
Awesome job, Rich! You should really be proud of your efforts.

Thanks Bobby! Glad the truck met your approval! I got the AC system charged yesterday unexpectedly, and for free!! I stopped by my mechanic's place to show him the truck as he is always interested in old stuff and likes to see how it all comes out. He checked out the truck and loved it and commented on the AC system. I mentioned that I still havent charged it yet but that is next on my list. He insisted on doing it right then and there and did not charge me a dime. I tried to pay him but he would not accept it. Anyway, the thing blows a constant 45 degrees and it was 90 out yesterday. So I am happy about that.

I still need to get the stronger throttle return spring and take care of the leak at the tranny dipstick tube. When I have some more money, then I will get a rebuilt power steering box, and when I have more time, I will replace the intake manifold gaskets and take care of my coolant leak there. After that, I will put on my Moog steering stabilizer, and then get the windows tinted. Still have to fix the horn, but I believe that is all that is left!!

Right now, I am just looking for excuses to drive it and enjoying the hell out of it.

I put it in the local car show this past Saturday which was the goal I had in mind when I was trying to finish it. The truck showed very well and got a TON of attention. I did not win anything as this was the last show of the year in this series and brings out the best cars from all over the area. So the competition was stiff and I lost out in the truck class to an amazing 57 Ford F100 that probably had about $50k into it. So no complaints from me. Anyway, here is a shot from after I got there and re-wiped it down. This was 2 hours before the show even started which is why there are open spaces around the truck. The show spots sold out and there were over 150 vehicles there.

[duaneo]

Calfdemon,

Have you by any chance shown the truck to it's previous owner? What was his reaction?

Cheers,
Duane

[Calfdemon]

Calfdemon,

Have you by any chance shown the truck to it's previous owner? What was his reaction?

Cheers,
Duane

I called the previous owner on Saturday and left him a message as I still had his number in my phone. I also stopped by his house on Sunday and tried calling him again since he lives right around the corner from Bobbyford. Did not look like he was home and he has yet to call me back. I will give it a couple more tries in the next few weeks and when I bought it from him, he asked me to show him when I was done. Of course, back then, I thought it was going to take me a year. Now 3 years later, I am calling him out of the blue. Anyway, we will see how that goes, but I want to let him see it...

[duaneo]

It's definitely something to be proud of! I think if I was forced to part with one of my vehicles, that I'd be thrilled to see it restored later on.

Cheers,
Duane

[Calfdemon]

One thing the pictures don't show really well, and the only thing I have not been happy about with my restoration is the sealer bead along the bed above the "bump". They did not prep it right and it expanded in various places and looks like crap. Well, due to this, the paint along this bead has cracked and chipped. My body guys tried to do the bead 3 seperate times and it kept coming out messed up, but they admit that they have never done one of these trucks before and were unsure how to do it properly.

Bobbyford has a friend that owns a body shop and knows how to properly do this seal. So I took my truck over to my body shop and showed them what happened with the paint. They agreed to let me take the truck to Bobby's guy and get the sealer done right, and then my body shop will repaint my bed for me after that at no cost. So gotta love professionals like that who will make it right no matter how it needs to be done.

Unfortunately, I will probably have to wait until after the new year to do anything about this as I am not sure when I am going to have any spare money again anytime soon. The wife and I put an offer in on a house today and should find out tomorrow if it is accepted. There are no other offers and we offered asking price, so I am fairly certain that it will go through...


Going for a 30 day escrow, so if it goes through, I should be moving in right around Christmas. It does not have the bigger garage and bigger driveway, or RV access that I wanted, but it has everything else on our want list. So we pulled the trigger and will live there (if we get it) for the next 11 years until we retire and get out of this hell hole and move to Idaho. Then, we can buy our true dream house. This is just a temporary that we will settle for at this point.

Once the move is done, then maybe I can get started on some more projects on both my truck, and CNM67's truck, along with the Fairlane for good measure. The beauty with this house is no HOA!!! So no one telling me what I can and cant do to my cars in my own driveway! Not that I listened before anyway...

[duaneo]

Congratulations!

Cheers,
Duane

[Heirloom]

Great news Rich! Good luck!


Freakin' HOAs Lets see how similar, rigid and conformant we can be. Make sure you mow in the right direction. Your paint colors are chosen for you

[Calfdemon]

Got the call from my agent today and the offer was accepted. So we are officially in escrow. Looks like every spare bit of coin I will have for the next couple of months will be tied up in buying this new house. So truck projects are temporarily on the back burner. But at least it is for a good reason!!

[BobbyFord]

Congrats, Rich!