85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by j carter

Thanks and prayers for your family

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Be safe...hope all is good as possible

Originally Posted by LT7A

If I read your post right you will be dealing with some storm losses with your business. I hope that all goes well as it can.

I appreciate everyones thoughts and prayers.
We were blessed that all of our families came through the storm with no flooding in our houses. Its amazing how a near by neighborhood can be destroyed and yours go untouched.
We did have several of our accounts that were damaged or destroyed. Some will be closed for 4-6 weeks, others may not rebuild. The loss of revenue will take some time to recover from, but we will overcome this hurdle too.

Texas Strong

[N2TRUX]

I did manage to get much needed paint to move forward on my storage tank project. I test fit all the pieces and put a coat of VHT cast iron paint on them.

I decided I didnt like the bolts that held the tubing together, so I picked up a package of cap nuts to use instead. I had to open up the holes in the mounting tabs for them to fit. Unfortunately I managed to beat the paint up badly, so everything was sanded and repainted one more time.

With a fresh coat of paint things were ready for final assembly, but the paint wasnt dry yet. I will have to finish the process tonight. Maybe the washer pump will arrive today and I can wrap this up.

[smpoulin01]

Great work as always! Glad you and your family were safe through the storm, that is what is really important.

[N2TRUX]

I didnt realize when i started this overflow/washer bottle project I was creating a giant jigsaw puzzle. As hard as I try to measure and mark accurately, there were some variances in my drilled holes. What I discovered on reassembly is there are 9 wrong ways to put it back together, but only one right way.

I took everything apart to sand and paint before final assembly. When I put it back together the holes drilled in the panel didnt line up. I adjusted them to fit, and the exit hole for the washer line was off. Hmmm??? So I flipped it over and everything lines up just fine. Thank you Jesus. I was getting tired of playing that game.

I remounted the assembly once more and bolted it down. Now i need the washer pump to show up so I can get the project done.

[PunishedC10]

Those tanks look awesome!
The end result will be rewarding for sure. Glad to see you're still at it even through the madness down in your part Texas.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by PunishedC10

Those tanks look awesome!
The end result will be rewarding for sure. Glad to see you're still at it even through the madness down in your part Texas.

Thank for the kind thoughts. It been a rough couple of weeks as we are able to get in my accounts that had high water in them. I went to the worst one yesterday. It had over 5 feet of water in it that finally receded enough to allow access.

As sickened as I am, I still feel blessed compared to those that lost everything.

[N2TRUX]

While waiting for the pump motor to arrive, Chris and I started work on the squirters. I had cut the old hose that went to them since I planned to replace it. I had no idea that I was going to regret that decision.

When the truck was repainted, they had removed the cowl, wipers, and squirters. I didnt know that they were still attached to the hose that I had cut, but not bolted back to the firewall. The passenger side stayed in the cowl, but the drivers did not.

In my research for the parts I needed I discovered that Scarlett originally had the squirters in the wiper arms. The arms on the truck were not of the correct style so I found replacements at Oriellys. That put me one step closer.

[N2TRUX]

With the cowl cover removed I was able to take a closer look at the weather seals around the hood hinges. It appeared that one had been replaced but the other had not. I checked with Precision Replacement Parts and determined this was an item they carried.

With no time to order what I needed I looked for a local distributor instead. I found that Outback Truck Parts had what I needed. If you are in the Houston area and need classic truck parts fast, check them out. The new owners are great to work with.

[N2TRUX]

When I removed the old seals I discovered that the passenger side had some rust under it. Fortunately it was nothing serious, so I ground it down to clean metal and treated it with Rust-Mort. I get to prime and repaint the entire cowl now.

I reached out to my local C10 brothers with a Facebook request for the squirter that I needed. I got a reply from a guy not to far away that had what I needed. It was an hour drive, but still faster than having one shipped.
I bead blasted all the parts and mounting hardware then mocked them up to ensure they were correct.

[Zook75]

WOW is about all I can say Ken. Awesome job you and Chris are doing. I took the time to read this entire thread for the start. I just picked up a 1975 that besides being lowered is as stock as stock can be, going to make it dependable and drive her the way she is.
Again great job.

[gringoloco]

Details, details

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Zook75

WOW is about all I can say Ken. Awesome job you and Chris are doing. I took the time to read this entire thread for the start.....

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Details, details

I appreciate the motivation guys. Thanks for following along.

[N2TRUX]

Yesterday Chris worked on routing the supply lines from the pump to the firewall. He had to pull all of the Slosh Tubz filler panels to hide as much as possible.

I treated the raw metal with Rust-Mort then coated it with a filler primer. No, I am not going to body work the metal. A few coats of primer will have to suffice since it will be completely covered.

[N2TRUX]

It is so frustrating when a simple fix turns in to a full blown project. This wiper washer project seems to be unending. Every step has been a battle, but this job is getting closer to being done.
After a fight with the paint, I got it to lay down. We routed the supply lines inside the cowl to hide as much as possible. I found matching screws to hold the cowl cover in place and mounted it up.

[UKNOWME]

Don't you hate when the last minute things before an event turn into a project?! I'm in the same boat!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Don't you hate when the last minute things before an event turn into a project?! I'm in the same boat!

Its nothing new, but it sure is frustrating.

[N2TRUX]

I had service calls yesterday, but we managed to get the wiper washer project "almost" done. Chris searched for the last few screws we needed and detailed them We mocked everything up one last time, made adjustments, and bolted it down.

I installed the wiper assemblies and gave it a test run. When the passenger side went to home I realized it was to low. While attempting to remove it I scratched the badly, so we had to sand and paint. Great! Now it has to cure.

We did determine that everything works correctly, so we moved on to the next project. It was time to deal with the tailgate band I have been avoiding.

[LT7A]

Good work Ken and Chris. Sometimes urgency also provides impetus. Good luck on the tailgate band.

[Moostifer]

Hope you get everything done in time for C10's in the Park tomorrow. Can't wait to meet "Miss Scarlett" in person. I know I'll be in the hotel parking lot with a flashlight tonight doing last minute stuff!

[N2TRUX]

Sorry for the gaps in reporting but I had to focus my attention on final prep for the park. Last Wednesday we wrapped up the wiper project. It was a lot of effort for the sake of simplicity, but the install looks really clean. With the squirters done we were able to reinstall the hood and align it once more.
Note to those that have WAM Rods installed. Dont try to adjust the hood with the rods connected. Its a lesson in frustration. Once we disconnected the rods it went fine from there.

[PunishedC10]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Sorry for the gaps in reporting but I had to focus my attention on final prep for the park. Last Wednesday we wrapped up the wiper project. It was a lot of effort for the sake of simplicity, but the install looks really clean. With the squirters done we were able to reinstall the hood and align it once more.
Note to those that have WAM Rods installed. Dont try to adjust the hood with the rods connected. Its a lesson in frustration. Once we disconnected the rods it went fine from there.

Posted via Mobile Device

I also learned this the hard way haha.

[UKNOWME]

Well it was all worth the effort! Great job representing for Precision, American Racing and Slosh Tubz! It was good to see you again. Can't wait to see what's next and the 77 remix!

[N2TRUX]

Thursday night I worked on the tailgate band and emblems. Chris had stripped the anodizing with several applications of oven cleaner. He sprayed it and let set, then scrubbed with Scotch Brite and rinsed. He repeated the process at least for times to ensure that the band was stripped clean.

With the anodizing removed I started the refinish process. I had previously massaged all of the minor dings that I could reach due to the double layer backing. I finessed a bit more of the metal before starting the sanding process. I began with #320 wet and got the grain started. By keeping the sanding strokes very straight, the grain started to emerge. I worked the entire band and set it aside.

[N2TRUX]

I polished the chrome on GMC emblem, then masked it off. I sanded it with #400 wet and got most of the multiple layers of paint off. I didnt try to strip it completely, just get the surface smooth. I pulled all the masking and rinsed it clean, then blew dry. Once again I masked off the chrome and laid several very thin coats of Duplicolor Torch Red. I allowed dry time between coats by working on the fender badges.

[N2TRUX]

While the paint was drying on the tailgate emblem I worked on the fender badges. these were cleaned and dried thoroughly before hand painting. I used a small brush trimmed flat on the end to paint Duplicolor Torch Red in the 1500 and a Qtip to paint Krylon satin black in the SIERRA letters.