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Your attention to detail continues to amaze! Blasted back to your first post. I had forgotten you have owned this truck since 1976. Keeping something this long is a tough thing to do.

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Question for OrrieG: I am looking for a 1/2 ton 4x4 donor rig for my 57 pickup, which is a better choice (73-80) or (81-87) running gear? I know the earlier stuff used Dana 44 front axles and 12 bolt rears typical. The newer square bodies used 10 bolt axles.



I see that the NP203 transfer case is usually "full-time", while the newer aluminum transfer cases like the NP208 & NP241 are part time. I prefer to build something that is mostly street driven and part time select-able.

I also prefer the simple TH350 vs 700r4 that requires a critical tv cable adjustment. Wonder if it's possible to run a TH350 with a NP208?

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My NP203 has a Doug Nash part time conversion kit and beefer chain. The nash kit makes it so the chain and front driveline is only engaged in 4wd. It also has warn hubs so you can have it in 4wd but not have any load on the transmission. It has been used as a work and hunting truck in some pretty hairy situations and I always ran out of nerve before the truck gave out. If I had done more research at the time of conversion (1985) I would have went with a NP205. I have not done any research on the NP208.

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Hey Orrie,

is there any trick to removing the instrument cluster/bezel?

i took the 3 screws out but there seems to be a lip or something preventing the bezel from coming out of dash.

I'm trying to get to my ammeter to see if a wire is off/broke/loose i don't have power to ignition switch. so i'd like to remove my instruments.

thanks

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you should be able to pull it straight out ---with the 3 screws out --just make sure the speedo cable is disconnected as well as oil line ---also dont pull hard on it - you dont want to rip any wires out as in the turn signal lights and the lights that light up the entire face plate
good luck --and dont force it out -----work it out

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How's the truck coming? I haven't been on in a long time

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Cannot believe that i did not post in 2020 until now. Life got in the way, wife has had pretty significant health issues (NOT covid related) most of the year so I have had to take up the slack around the house and garden. Also decided to focus on finishing up a bunch of projects she has been wanting done. I Have been working on the truck, got the one piece windows in and operating correctly. Got the first blocking done on the truck and just before the weather turned shot another coat of Urofill. Found some areas on the passenger door and sill I want to address again. Goal is to get it painted this year. I had to start it up to move it out of the garage and it fired right up after sitting for three years. I tried uploading some photos but got an error message, so just imagine it with tan primer over perfect body work ready for some 220 sanding.

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On mine I use a wooden this wedge at the top near the corners to get it free, it is a tight fit. Tape the paint too.

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Orrie, I hope you're well. I've been following this thread since the beginning (nearly 15 years now). Even though I doubt I'll ever have a TF pickup, I like to come back and reread your thread from the beginning every few years because there are so many nuggets to absorb. I miss seeing updates.

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While I have not been posting I have been working on the truck, mostly blocking and fixing minor flaws I keep finding. Also working on other loose ends, bracket to vintage back up and fog lights, license plate, etc. I have shot the last primer on the bed parts and hood after 320 grit blocking. Will do the cab and front clip when it cools down. To do the bed I had to get up at 6am so I could paint when the temp were in low 70s.

I did buy the wood for the bed (ash) and am going to mill it over the next few weeks, then trial fit to drill the holes before finishing. Goal is to have it painted and driving late summer fall.

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Thanks for the comments. It has been so long I have to go back and see what I did too!

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Also wanted to say that Joan got thru her chemo ok and has been cancer free since the first of the year. Has to have blood work and CT scans every 4 months but is healthy and back out in the garden.

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That's the best update you've ever done on this thread. SO glad to hear it.

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Glad to see you back, great news on the wife...Jim

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That's good to hear, glad she's doing so well. My wife and I both went through a bout with cancer and it really slowed us down for a few years.

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Finally got my "year of origin" plate approved and licensed. Now I need to get it on the road. Took me 10 years to find a near mint truck plate. Dangling wires are LEDs to light the plate.

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Been working on blocking for paint over the summer. Also got the bed wood (Ash) and got it milled and did a trial fit to mark the holes I need to drill. The wood ate up my old Delta planner and I had to upgrade to a commercial grade Dewalt, which is ok because I do a lot of woodworking and furniture stuff too. Used the information on Mar-K and GMC Pauls site to dado in the notches. Bed strips are unpolished stainless from Mar-K, I started polishing them today. Probably just going to use linseed oil or tung oil on the wood for a lighter tone.

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*double post

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Great seeing progress! Been sometime so I had to go back and read back up on your build! Keep up the good work!

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good to see you posting again orrieg
bed is coming along ��

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Thanks, life got in the way the last 4-5 years but will have it painted and on the road this spring. I have a 64 chevelle that is way over due for some love.

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OrrieG, Hope you're doing well. This has been a great thread of your build. Many times when someone gets close to the finish of their project, they forget to post the final assembly and startup. Kind of leaves the rest of us hanging. Did he finish? Did it work? I hope you're happily driving your new old truck!