Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

More pics:

More Progress
 

Yes ! .

My elder brother talked me into trying LED's and I'm so glad he did .

They're not all the same so I buy very carefully and am well rewarded with betting lighting inside and out .

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Nice, well done. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery!!

Back Surgery
 

Yes, this ! .

I have a shattered L1 vertebrae, the main thing is to NOT RUSH the healing ! .

Take it easy and FOLLOW THE P.T. to the letter ! .

We'll all be here waiting for you .

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

The truck is now about 85% LEDS. Only the halogen headlights, front turn signals and 4x4 housing light are "incandescent". I expect those will change someday. Might add I had to replace the drivers side power step motor/gearbox. It was made by Amp research and exactly 5 years and month since i bought it. Seems 5 year warranty begins when you order it on Amazon -- Not when you get or install it. After some terse conversations with them they relented after i Mentioned than it might be an ADA device for us cripples. The motor relies on a very complicated set of plastic and metal planetary gears which are fascinating but not heavy duty. When it stopped working those grab bars were lifesavers.

Re: Back Surgery
 

No worries. My CEO/wife keeps me in line. I scheduled this as winter is coming. Think it will rain here right after Labor Day. Hope I can make it to the Rhody days on the 8th. First big car show ever for us and hopefully an end to the CEO's "why did you start this project anyway" refrain.

Oops
 

" hopefully an end to the CEO's "why did you start this project anyway" refrain. "

:lol: That's funny ! .

Stick to it , I did and I can ride my Motocycle again......

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

dont do led headlights just to do them, guys always say "there is so much more light" with LEDs and they should be happy because the crappy beam pattern blinds oncoming traffic. i saw holley? made some recently, better beam pattern but wooooo pricey.


keep driving it and enjoying it!

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

In correction i have both halogen and led fog lights. The regular incandescent headlight barely do the job alone here when its really dark. The halogen fogs help but do not blind oncoming cars. The little LEDS cause the trees to grow at night and possibly burn leaves and bark!

sorry about the upside down pic I cannot fix it!!

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

LED Headlights are nice but not always the best thing .

Plus, I hate how they look so I use Halogen headlights .

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

At my age I rarely drive at night so both the halogens and leds are somewhat of a comfort to know they are there. It gets very dark here in the cold and rainy coastal winters and tree/rock debris is a constant hazard. Should mention i used them all last year in assisting/lighting up an accident scene and the State Troopers were appreciative.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

i put together a CRV for the mother in law when she lived in the boonies, first upgrade was a 12ga relay setup and hella driving lights that came on with the high beams. it looked like the close encounters scene but she never complained about light :haha:

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Just when i figured i was finally done with electronics and wiring my 2001 alarm system took a dump. It cost $145 then and bought a similar but supposedly better replacement off Amazon for 37 shipped. Installing it now while i still remember how.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

The fun never ends.......

It was 104* F today so I was up past my elbows in the dashboard of my 40year old Mercedes taxi .

I'm slowly making progress at reviving the A/C .

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

104F !!!! Our old place in El Dorado Co is has hit near 120F recently. Here it barely made 69F at 2pm and was able to wash the 54 and the other car in comfort (if not a little chilly at times) Given all the horrendous stuff going on down there it makes me regret not leaving several decades before we did in 2010. The amount to time spent/lost hiding in the AC instead of working on stuff outside is difficult to think about.

In any case will be finishing the new alarm and may even post pics of the new gauges installed as part of the rewire project. First "show" tomorrow here in Florence after 6 years of toil.

Forgot to add that doing the massive rewire i managed to create a situation in which the led fogs come on with BOTH the pull headlight knob AND/or the control panel rocker. What fun iy will be sorting that one out!!!!

Heat & 'Lectricity
 

I feel your pain .

I never fail to be appalled at all the extra wiring so many add instead of repairing the perfectly good designed for the job wires.....

When my son was 18 or so he kyped my saved pair if vintage HELLA fog lamps for his VW Beetle, told me he was planning to use a relay, I mentioned that if he wired the ground path of the relay to the high beams the fog lamps would automatically go out when he switched to high beams....

He did that and really liked it, slid out in the snow a week later and smashed the lamps I'd been saving for 35 years...... :waah: .

Oh well, what's the point of having if you're not going to use, right ? .

The last week the temps have been 104* ~ 111* in the shade, before noon .

At least it's a dry heat and yes, there's a HUGE difference, especially if you're old and fat like I am ;) .

Interestingly, I'm getting acclimated to the heat again, I didn't think that possible .

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

First "show" more of a freebee "standaround". Sweltering, wildfire smoky 95F drove many away by noon - myself included. Ash was falling on most, Only lasted 1 day at 95 and back to 65 next. Lucky me. Many nice comments! Meeting with DAV on Monday for possible recruitment for their parades.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Since being back on road i'm seeing some thing that still need tweaking. Long ago i set up a negative battery disconnect primarily for ease of use when rewiring and long term storage. One issue with that is the use of an alarm system. I like the idea of parking it some public spot and removing the disconnect "key" rendering it "dead". This negates the use of the alarm. Am now converting the alarm to a standalone system being the only thing directly connected to the battery. This requires both positive and negative runs to alarm box, siren, shock sensor and door/hood anti-tampers. Will be using magnetic switchs with rare earth magnets due to steel body. The alarms starter kill function is still an option. Anyone have insight on the use of magnetic switchs in vehicles???

BTW I wound up with two complete alarm systems by mistake so have a cheep spare if anyone needs one. PM me

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

you can set the batt disconnect up to keep the alarm alive, many disconnects have this power tap on them for low amperage stuff like radios to keep presets etc.

you an even buy a remote battery disconnect, which is way handier than opening/closing a cutoff.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Yes except i decided to try an alternate method which isolates power by disconnecting the main ground. Seems to work fine except in this instance. I found some nice NC mag switches and will run low voltage positive and negative to each.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Well survived surgery and on the mend. I like the idea of the idea of coupling the high beams with the led fogs and managed to do it without bending over without ripping stiches. The Leds draw such little power a relay seems unnecessary. I think this is a real safety feature for those whose eyes arn't 18 anymore. It also really grabs attention of others when you need to signal them. Still need to be cautious/courteous not to blind oncoming cars. Dimmers on late GM columns are also safer than old floor dimmers.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Good to hear you're on the mend ! .

Go easy, I popped a few stiches after my vasectomy and WOW did that hurt .

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Thanks and OWW!!! Luckily stiches are on upper back out of the way. Did back into the handle of my folded up chop saw which brought a few tears to my eyes but no damage. Guess my crawler will remain hung up for a while. Looking for diagram of how to wire my original standalone starter push button to the GM column neutral safety switch. Will ask on main board.

Push Button Starter
 

Be sure to post a picture of the starter when you ask and mention what tranny it has as slushboxes should have a safety interlock switch .

It also matters if you're running points or electronic ignition .

It's really very simple .

Re: Push Button Starter
 

Sorry about that. No underneath pics for a while. Just a carbureted 350/700r4, High torque mini starter, electronic ignition. Will try wiring brake light to NSS and then to push button. Key switch for locking, ignition and functions related to key on not key starting. Retaining negative main disconnect with removable key. It works so well i was surprised. FWIW due to a series of silly mistakes i now have 2 complete, brand new in the unopened box, fancy car alarm systems with all the bells and whistles available for cheep.