Project "Captain Insano"

[suspect]

Also to Dan & anyone else interested in the March alt/ac & power steering bracket setup, with that style you need a clockwise rotation water pump. That pump has the extra mounting holes needed to bolt up the brackets. I learned that the hard way.

[suspect]

I thought the collapsible ones were $1300 plus. I've always been impressed with summits brand stuff, of course they just put their name on other top brands, but I highly doubt this column is a flaming river. Everything on it seems decent so far. The only thing is I was under the impression it had an overdrive shift indicator. I may have mis read the description.

[suspect]

[Hart_Rod]

Thanks! Ours should be here by Friday.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by suspect

Thanks! I was a little worried that I chose too short of a tire, but I wanted the same height front/back. I love the look now.

I like the same height front/ rear too. Looks perfect. I noticed you pulled the bed back off. Did you have some finding a pair of tubs? Or you thinking of some custom ones?

[suspect]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I like the same height front/ rear too. Looks perfect. I noticed you pulled the bed back off. Did you have some finding a pair of tubs? Or you thinking of some custom ones?

I only have one bedside leaned up there just to see how it will look and if I need to clearance the inside. It looks like it clears by about 1/8" but I'll open it up another 1/2". No tubs yet. I'll still wait until the weather warms up a bit and get with you

[scottdidit]

ididit does not offer a collapsible Retrofit column for the 67-72 truck.
ididit does offer collapsible columns for some vehicles and also has a universal line of columns that collapse. These collapsible columns are $61.25 more than one that does not. In this vehicle I think a collapsible intermediate shaft was used so there is some protection there.

[scottdidit]

the column in the photos is a imported column that Summit has privately labeled.
Did you guys see the report about these columns and how New Zeeland outlawed them. Its good info if your column shopping.

[suspect]

Originally Posted by scottdidit

the column in the photos is a imported column that Summit has privately labeled.
Did you guys see the report about these columns and how New Zeeland outlawed them. Its good info if your column shopping.

My thread is your first post! I feel special. You should stick around and see the abuse I'm going to put on this truck.

[scottdidit]

Abuse away!! Just make sure your Whoa is stronger than your Go.

[GoaterAz]

Great build thread!

Are those the Mickey Thompson Street Comp? Looks like 275/35/20 rear from the pictures and I'm guessing 255/35/20 in the front?

[suspect]

Originally Posted by GoaterAz

Great build thread!

Are those the Mickey Thompson Street Comp? Looks like 275/35/20 rear from the pictures and I'm guessing 255/35/20 in the front?

Yes, that's the correct brand and sizes. I ordered them from SummitRacing, $800 free shipping. Pretty dang good deal if you ask me.

[suspect]

I took this past week off work to get this truck road worthy. Amazing how time consuming everything part is. A few little bugs here and there still but it's starting to come together. I got the steering column in, pulleys & brackets set up, brakes bled. I lifted the rear wheels off the ground to test the transmission and rear brakes. I started it up and kicked it into reverse, neutral, and drive and it appears to be working good. Rear brakes seem to be working good also. A huge relief seeing the trans work.
Today I'm going to fire up the Accuair and see how well that does. If it works good, then I'll be able to pull the truck out and putt it around the neighborhood a little.

On my steering shaft situation, I separated the old shaft, flipped it upside down and was able to slide it up into the double D part of the column. The lower section that connects to the rag joint, I cut about 4" of the double D part off "where it becomes round". I then cut off the splined part of my old column shaft and slid it inside and welded it to the lower shaft.
It's not the most attractive but functional and free. It will still collapse because the upper shaft going into the column is just sitting in freely, it will slide all the way up in there in a collision.

[suspect]

I'm ready to get this thing pulled out in the driveway and give it a good hose down!

[suspect]

I got the accuair up and running today. All working good so far. Still need to get the gauges hooked up. The sun was already down but I finally got to back the truck out of the garage on it's own power tonight. A huge relief! I just backed it down to the end of the driveway and back up about 3 times. The brakes sure are solid. Feels like I'll be skidding to a stop everytime i come up to a red light. Tomorrow morning I'm going to putt it around the neighborhood. I'll give all the neighbors a site to see, a truck creeping by with no finders, hood, bed, doors, glass, etc.
I'll try and load up a 3 min video. It's coming through photobucket, so I don't know how the quality will be. Also, it's not much to see, just playing with the air a little.

[suspect]

I'm going to leave the bags aired up over night and see if I have any leaks. I took some measurements from the frame to the deck to know exactly. It's all pretty even. I only have a 1/16" height difference in the front and 1/8" difference in the rear. I'm pleased with that. I can fine tune it once I get my gauges put in. I'm sure in time I may upgrade to the E-Level set up.

[suspect]

The air in the bags held up good over night. The front dropped down 1/16", drivers rear dropped 1/8", and passengers rear 3/16". The temperature in the garage was about 65* last night and dropped to 40*-45*, so I'm wondering if that could be the effect.

[mikeleeshields]

Looks so good dan. I bet you are excited to get this thing running again huh

[suspect]

Exciting and relieving. When I first started tearing it down 2 yrs ago, I thought to myself, the next time this truck comes out of the garage will be on its own power. It was pretty overwhelming to think of it that way.

[screaminchevypickup]

Looking good Daniel..

[67ctener]

Awesome job! Been awhile since I checked it out. Motor sounds great, and those intros look sweet. Are you planning to run any gauges with your switchspeed? I've got the same one and trying to figure something out

[suspect]

Originally Posted by 67ctener

Awesome job! Been awhile since I checked it out. Motor sounds great, and those intros look sweet. Are you planning to run any gauges with your switchspeed? I've got the same one and trying to figure something out

I have 2 double needle AirLift gauges I need to install. I need to see if I can find some push-to-fit fittings locally or order some. For now, I just keep an eye on the bags to make sure I'm not over inflating them. I'm sure I could drive just fine without gauges. It's very easy keeping it under control. You're going to love it. I can't stop playing with it. There's literally no set up to be done with the switchspeed, just connect power and fire it up. Later in time, I'll read through the set-up and play with the up down speeds some.
Also, mine came with only 1 compressor, so I didn't get the power cable and fuse that you need for the main power to the relay. That kit cost's $125 from Accuair and I couldn't bring myself to spend that just for 4' of wire and a fuse. I went to a stereo/speaker shop and bought a fuse block that holds 2 fuses. I'm using one side with an 60 amp fuse for the Accuair and the other side is open incase I want to add something else in time. The Accuair schematic says use a 70 amp fuse but that shop didn't have one. I figured if the 60 pops, then I'll investigate why and replace with a 70 amp. Working fine so far. Cost me $20 for the fuse block and I had some extra wire left from the American Autowire kit I used.
I'll go out and take a photo of the fuse block I'm using.

[suspect]

I also added a switch on the power cable. The compressor kicks on when the key is on, I want to have the option of keeping it off if I need to.

[suspect]

The fuse block is also water proof, so you could mount it outside the cab. Might be an idea worth you considering.

[Bennett68C10]

Looks great Daniel, nice job on the accuair install and congrats on being able to back it out of the garage under its own power. Motor sounds great too.