Post by: Powerhouse on January 13, 2021, 10:14:00 PM
I am enjoying my recently acquired '75 Camper Special. I am trying to learn more about my truck, and unfortunately the glove box door has been replaced and the original equipment list sticker is missing. My particular set up has the 454 eng. TH400, and 4.10 gears in a 14 bolt rear end. It is my understanding that some of these camper specials came from the factory with a Detroit Locker, or a "No-slip" as it was once called. I am trying to determine if that is accurate, and if I might have that or Poisi-traction in the rear. Thank You!
Post by: Mike81K10 on January 13, 2021, 11:41:35 PM
Post by: zieg85 on January 14, 2021, 07:51:42 AM
Post by: Shifty on January 14, 2021, 08:41:27 AM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 14, 2021, 04:07:44 PM
I forgot to mention, CA truck. The smog exempt is nice. I will try to upload a pic. Trying to figure out how to ratchet down the file size of the pic so it can post.
I have a question: I am new to classic Chevy Trucks, and one reason (in addition to the good looks) that I went with the Square Body as opposed to 67-72, is because of the slightly larger cab. I am 6' 5" and the extra room in the cab is well appreciated. That being said, I find the steering wheel too close to my body and and the wheel being an extremely thin feel in the hands. I feel like an ape scratching his chest when I am driving, so I am contemplating going with a shorter steering column, and thicker steering wheel. Specifically a 30" column and a 14" wheel.
How long with this swap-out take, approximately? I will retain the automatic shift on the tree and the tilt function. Anything to be aware of that is unique to this job?
I am already converting to lower profile bucket seats which will help a little bit in the leg room area, and I am custom making some brackets that will mount the seat in the optimal position for me.
Thank You for any helpful info!
Post by: frotosride on January 14, 2021, 04:48:29 PM
Well your choices are endless for columns. Pick chrome, or black, tilt or fixed, and then $$ or $$$. One thing to remember to disconnect (if it still functions and hasn't been broke) is the cable for the gear shift indicator. It's just a small clip but when it gets hung, snaps off and flies away, You are reminded that it's there, was there.
Post by: Powerhouse on January 14, 2021, 11:48:05 PM
Post by: Shifty on January 15, 2021, 08:30:49 AM
Post by: carmen77 on January 15, 2021, 01:48:27 PM
Where in California are you?
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Post by: Powerhouse on January 15, 2021, 08:39:33 PM
I am in the Bear Valley Springs Area near Tehachapi. I am stoked today because I just received the bucket seats, and I fabricated some custom brackets to place them just right for me. Already a significant amount of interior room freed up from removal of the bench seat, and I have plenty of room for a custom center console that I am planning on building.
I may not nee to swap out the steering column after all.
Post by: carmen77 on January 15, 2021, 08:46:54 PM
Beautiful Seats!
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Post by: Powerhouse on January 15, 2021, 08:52:11 PM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 16, 2021, 11:58:37 AM
Thanks!
Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 19, 2021, 08:26:18 PM
Looks great! Where did you source the seats? (don't look Carmen ;D)
Post by: carmen77 on January 19, 2021, 08:30:37 PM
It doesn’t matter where the seats came from because you aren’t in the market for bucket seats. You have a perfectly beautiful bench seat. Just saying....
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Post by: Powerhouse on January 19, 2021, 09:28:50 PM
I got them off Craigslist from someone who wanted to go with bucket seats first, and then decided to go with a bench seat.
Company is TMI, and American made. I'm happy with them. I welded up a custom seat rack which allows both buckets to slide together and space for a custom center console I am fabricating out of MDF which will slide with the seats.
Post by: carmen77 on January 19, 2021, 09:34:12 PM
Did you read that...someone thought they wanted buckets seats and then realized the bench seat was better.
Powerhouse,
Your design sounds amazing and very creative! Please share pictures with us when you have time.
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Post by: Powerhouse on January 19, 2021, 09:40:38 PM
I'm sure somebody on here has fabricated something similar.
Post by: Powerhouse on January 19, 2021, 09:52:28 PM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 19, 2021, 09:54:40 PM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 19, 2021, 10:00:35 PM
Post by: carmen77 on January 19, 2021, 10:08:23 PM
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Post by: Powerhouse on January 19, 2021, 10:15:43 PM
Post by: carmen77 on January 19, 2021, 10:22:52 PM
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 19, 2021, 11:00:46 PM
Post by: carmen77 on January 19, 2021, 11:17:30 PM
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 19, 2021, 11:49:05 PM
Post by: carmen77 on January 19, 2021, 11:54:20 PM
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 20, 2021, 12:03:04 AM
Post by: carmen77 on January 20, 2021, 12:05:20 AM
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 20, 2021, 12:47:04 AM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 21, 2021, 11:35:54 AM
I notice you have a '73 with a 454. I have a 454 in mine with the stock carb on it. It has been a daily river so far, but I am starting to notice some issues. What carb and manifold are you running on yours? Any recommendations?
Thank You!
Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 21, 2021, 08:04:10 PM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 21, 2021, 08:29:35 PM
I would like to upgrade the bone stock engine and get some more potential out of the 454.
I'm exploring reasonable possibilities that will help me accomplish that goal.
Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 22, 2021, 12:46:51 PM
I pulled a 32' 5th wheel toy house w/toys and after the cam grind, between 25-3500 rmp, it was like I wasn't hauling anything, pure power.
The water injector was a major factor too. I could use regular gas when that was deployed.
It too had headers and pretty free flowing exhaust. No smog required.
When you say the carb is spotty, what do you mean?
Post by: Powerhouse on January 22, 2021, 02:44:41 PM
It might be more of the latter and less of the the former ;D ;D ;D !!! I can get by fine for the time being with the carb the way it is. The QJet did supposedly have a rebuilt done to it in the last few years.
Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 22, 2021, 04:16:09 PM
Post by: carmen77 on January 22, 2021, 04:19:40 PM
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 22, 2021, 07:10:27 PM
Better than a "Fountain of Sorrow" Jackson Browne Circa ?
Post by: carmen77 on January 22, 2021, 07:15:56 PM
You've known that hollow sound of your own steps in flight
You've had to hide sometimes, but now you're all right
And it's good to see your smiling face tonight
Now you have to go listen to the whole song lol
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 22, 2021, 07:41:12 PM
Post by: carmen77 on January 22, 2021, 07:48:33 PM
I dig it.
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 22, 2021, 07:56:30 PM
No personal connection, just a sobering view of someones experience, disappointment, and-resolve? "Happy Idiot" ;)
Post by: carmen77 on January 22, 2021, 08:03:12 PM
Good stuff
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Post by: Powerhouse on January 22, 2021, 09:38:36 PM
Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 23, 2021, 03:26:43 PM
Keep in mind, when you have the 1" open end wrench on the filter housing, holding it real tight, you need to 'snap' quickly the 5/8th tube fitting.
If you don't have a tube fitting wrench, I would advise getting one before you try. Using an open end 5/8 wrench usually ends up rounding out the fitting, giving you another challenge.
Oh, and didn't mean to hijack your thread by waxing lyrical. Kinda just happened, with Carmen egging me on... ;)
Post by: carmen77 on January 23, 2021, 03:36:14 PM
lol Powerhouse,
Sorry for the temporary take over.
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Post by: Powerhouse on January 23, 2021, 04:25:32 PM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 23, 2021, 10:46:03 PM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 23, 2021, 10:49:12 PM
Post by: Powerhouse on January 23, 2021, 10:51:06 PM
Post by: carmen77 on January 23, 2021, 10:57:02 PM
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 24, 2021, 11:15:14 AM
Carmen, The LED gauge lights transformed the instrument gauges. I can actually read them @ night now. brilliant idea.
Did I miss a post about LED's? I was wondering about replacing my dash lights (lame-o!) with brighter lamps, just never got around to asking the SBP's (SQUARE BODY PEEPS)
Post by: Powerhouse on January 24, 2021, 11:52:30 AM
Post by: carmen77 on January 24, 2021, 12:09:09 PM
I have the LEDs in my truck as well. I haven’t got them properly adjusted quite yet. They can be a little finicky.
The few that I do have working properly...I really dig! They are far out and groovy.
See what I did there? Lol
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Post by: carmen77 on January 31, 2021, 08:10:28 PM
I finally got my LED lights working. Yay!
Johnny, you should get amber LED lights for your truck. That would be a great match to your paint.
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Post by: carmen77 on January 31, 2021, 08:14:15 PM
I also painted my gauge needles but I’m not satisfied with my work. I predict I will be purchasing new gauges and using a different method for the needle painting. They will suffice for now.
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Post by: JohnnyPopper on January 31, 2021, 08:21:18 PM
I painted my needles fluorescent orange when I changed out the bezel and cover.
Do they come in any other colors?
Like 3200 Kelvin?
Post by: carmen77 on January 31, 2021, 08:31:42 PM
I’m sure they sell every color imaginable. Finding ones that fit square bodies is a different story.
I have seen Blue, Ice blue, Green, White, Red and I’m almost positive Amber.
Red would also be a good choice for your truck.
The lights I have are directional so at first I didn’t think they all worked and then after reading the description I realized if you turn them 180 degrees, just like magic they work. I’m really happy with them. I’m also pleased that I finally got my headlight and interior light box working properly. Finally!
I changed a headlight today too and it actually works! Lol
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Post by: carmen77 on February 09, 2021, 11:57:03 PM
All I can say is ...WOW!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210210/b51ebc2e40a3ff66f522459115aa2606.png)
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Post by: Powerhouse on February 10, 2021, 12:26:03 AM
I decided to go in a different direction with the dash. I am actually envisioning a more squared-off, straighter panel surface area stretching across the cab, to complement the squarebody theme. Will possibly utilize some digital gauges and incorporate a dash/speakerbox combo. Or may tie in the stock circuit board and gauges into a completely reworked dash housing presentation.
Post by: carmen77 on February 10, 2021, 12:28:27 AM
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