My Build Thread, 78Chevyrado's 1978 C20

[choptop]

Oops, typo.  8 lug.  (I have some Hummer H2 wheels in my garage for my Crew Cab. )

sweet, I wanted some for my 81 3/4 ton but was told the bolt pattern was different on the Hummers than the other 8 lugs. Didnt make any sense to me, but I did have time to measure  the pattern, so I passed it up.

[Captkaos]

Lug pattern isn't different, just the lugs.

[78 Chevyrado]

I'm not sure about the ppg code, I'll have to find out.  What they said about the wheels...


got the carpet in it and the RH door panel on.  Can't put on the LH panel yet, the aftermarket regulator i bought is crap and already rough working.  I want a GM one but the dealer wants $110 for it, so I'm hunting around for a better deal.  Can you get them Capt?

on to the pics...



In the last pic, look at the armrest.  There were a few good spots in the felt that i stripped out of my console, so I kept two pieces and cut them to go in the armrests and attatched them with a bit of contact cement.

[Captkaos]

Kenny,
Manual regulators?  Who made the ones you have?  What is wrong with them?

[78 Chevyrado]

Kenny,
Manual regulators?  Who made the ones you have?  What is wrong with them?

Yes, manual, LH Side.  I got it from classic parts of america.  they're hard to operate (even out of the door) and when the window is about halfway up it gets really hard to crank then gets easier at the top.  I slid the window up and down the channel without the regulator and it works fine without it.  I greased it with white lithium greas before installation.  I thought maybe it was new and would wear-in, but i don't think that's what it's doing.   I reused the original regulator in the passenger side since it was in great shape and didn't get much use over the years.  so I'm thinking it's just not as heavy as the originals, and since it will get most of the use, I'd just go with a GM part.  I don't know yet if they will take it back or what, but either way I don't want to have to do a regulator again for a while, since it's a PITA trying to be careful of the new paint (even with masking tape there for safety).  I just checked at the dealer first since I had to go get a throttle cable for the truck.  The GM PN# is supposed to be 14027431.

I checked on gmpartsdirect and they have it for $81+shipping.

[Dragon]

they're hard to operate (even out of the door) and when the window is about halfway up it gets really hard to crank then gets easier at the top.  I slid the window up and down the channel without the regulator and it works fine without it.  I greased it with white lithium greas before installation.  I thought maybe it was new and would wear-in, but i don't think that's what it's doing.  

Yeah the majority of the Aftermarket Regulators that I have used in my projects, or replaced in other friends/family member cars/trucks/mini-vans were pretty much mass produced Chinese/Taiwanese Junk....  What I've had to do in the past, is literally tear them apart, and rework them, to get them to move right......   It sounds like in your case, the lithium grease was a God idea, but it almost sounds like either it is binding half-way into the crank stroke, from either a pinch/ bend in the mech, or some of your gear teeth needs to be filed.....

I would start off by checking the Sash Channel at the base of the glass that the rollers slide around in, and make sure it isn't obstructed, or bent in any way......   If the Shash Channel is clear, and the rollers slide in it freely, then I would suggest checking the gear teeth, to make sure that they are allowing the proper movements......

[Captkaos]

All aftermarket stuff is overseas, it sounds like it..  nevermind I see Dragon replied.

If parts direct can get it, I can also.  That is a good price on it though.  What was wrong with your original one?

[Dragon]

All aftermarket stuff is overseas, it sounds like it..  nevermind I see Dragon replied.

If parts direct can get it, I can also.  That is a good price on it though.  What was wrong with your original one?

Sorry Capt!   The only thing I will complain about Partsdirect, is that they will stick it to you on shipping costs..... They make up for it, so long as you got more than one item, or a really large one!!!  I used to try to get misc. trim fasteners and such from them, cause alot of other places didn't have the parts available, but $0.98 for a small trim piece, and $5-20 to ship it is ridiculous! Now if I bought those pieces in bulk, the shipping would still be around the same, and I could always sell off my left overs.....   Just trying to say that PartsDirect can sometimes be too good to be true, if your not buyng enough to make it worth your while.....

[78 Chevyrado]

thanks dragon, I may see if I can fix the one I have, otherwise GM still has one for me .   

[78 Chevyrado]

Here's the truck all finished now (maybe not finished, but to a good stopping point ).  It's Code 16U "Graystone Metallic" off of an '08 Silverado.  The Wheels are off of an '01 silverado.  350sb/TH400, 14bolt FF 3.73 rear end

Here's my build thread: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9090.0

Here's an album with pics of all the trucks different stages since I first got it.  There's a heck of a difference from the first and last pic.
http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t195/wes2880/78%20C20/Picology/











And a closeup:

[78 Chevyrado]

The interior isn't done yet, I still need to carpet the back wall and get seat covers, but it's still pretty nice.

[78 Chevyrado]

I think I'm done adding new stuff to this thread and started a new thread for the finished truck.

The thread is here: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9881.msg67757#msg67757

Thanks to everyone for the comments, the good info, and the opinions.

[JRConnieK10]

Job well done. Great attention to detail and keeping us up on progress I know your very proud as you should be it looks awesome. Now get in and DRIVE you and your truck on a road trip.

[VileZambonie]

Looks awesome. If I would make a suggestion it would be to get some wheel spacers so they don't stick inside the body so much.

[got2haul]

Beautiful!  Very, very nice job!