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General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: philo_beddoe on May 04, 2026, 08:51:26 am

Title: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: philo_beddoe on May 04, 2026, 08:51:26 am: What a great time of year to start driving our classic trucks around without the threat of corrosive materials on the road. At least we're safe until about Nov/Dec. Enjoy the season!

MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU...

(i love this original movie poster)
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: bd on May 04, 2026, 12:12:38 pm: Cool poster! The original Star Wars film was great fun with a spectacular opening sequence. Unfortunately, the bar was set too high for succeeding films. As is often the case, the impact on audiences by the initial movie was never matched, let alone surpassed. Little new was introduced and the plots were somewhat mundane in subsequent releases. One humble opinion among many.

HAPPY SPRING!
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: zieg85 on May 04, 2026, 02:31:50 pm: neither of my Squares are done so.... Happy Spring from the midwest!
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: philo_beddoe on May 05, 2026, 05:49:03 pm: Quote from: bd on May 04, 2026, 12:12:38 pm
Cool poster! The original Star Wars film was great fun with a spectacular opening sequence. Unfortunately, the bar was set too high for succeeding films. As is often the case, the impact on audiences by the initial movie was never matched, let alone surpassed. Little new was introduced and the plots were somewhat mundane in subsequent releases. One humble opinion among many.

HAPPY SPRING!
Yeah, VZ is a true Star Wars nerd. He is an expert on the good, bad and real ugly when it comes to prequels, sequels and such. Often good movies are trashed when they add and change things.
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on May 06, 2026, 04:16:23 pm: Back out in the Woods smelling all the smells and happily loving every minute of it!
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: Rapid Roy on May 06, 2026, 08:11:04 pm: The time of the year does not matter to me. I drive my truck 2-3 times a week unless of course it is icy. 8)
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: VileZambonie on May 07, 2026, 07:29:02 pm: OG Star Wars FTW Harmy's Despecialized versions are a great way to watch the unclucked versions. I remember going to see the re-releases and being like, why? Then the prequels and feeling like my life's blood had been drained. Now the Disney era...

It's like our trucks, they got it right for a certain period of time and can never do better.

Here comes the pollen, I've been driving mighty whitey (my patina truck) because the weather here has been crap.
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: bd on May 07, 2026, 08:51:23 pm: Since I sold my truck, I've been driving around in my imagination, so every trip is absolutely perfect. And, there's no maintenance or repairs! What more could you ask for? 8) ;D
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: VileZambonie on May 08, 2026, 03:55:43 pm: The real deal! 8)

That's why I love whitey. It's mechanically mint, cosmetically not but I'll drive it anywhere and not worry about it. When I drive my 74 I'm constantly worried about some other idiot or it getting biffed. I just enjoy it.
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: JohnnyPopper on May 09, 2026, 11:50:22 am: Whitey looks like a sleeper 8)

What year, 79, or 80?
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: VileZambonie on May 09, 2026, 07:34:07 pm: 79
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: JohnnyPopper on May 11, 2026, 01:20:27 pm: Was there a difference in the hood between those years? I have an 80 with front detail that is not on your beast. Embossed detail is the best way to describe. I'm sure bd has a more precise term ;D ;D
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: VileZambonie on May 12, 2026, 04:01:44 pm: There's a 73-78 hood on it, 79-80 hood had the raised detail and so did all replacement hoods up until recently. Now the aftermarket supports both styles again. If you are trying to be eyeballing it, your keen eye should know that's not a 79 grille, ;) those mirrors weren't an option in 79 either. It also has a 77 woodgrain dash in it, a 700R4 and a 327 along with several other alterations.

Truck originally came with the mighty 4.1L ;D, AM radio and a camel vinyl bench seat.
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: JohnnyPopper on May 12, 2026, 05:16:14 pm: Thought so. "Raised Detail", you hear that bd? Glad to know they're making them both ways now.

It's amazing how interchangeable these trucks are

Here's the 'correct' side mirror on a '80.

Didn't know they ditched the dumbo mirrors that year...
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: philo_beddoe on May 13, 2026, 10:30:05 pm: Nice factory mirror Johnny, hand crafted at the GM factory in Detroit!

Yeah, I been looking for a k-series that’s mechanically perfect, but don’t care if a carriage rams it or salt touches it.
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: VileZambonie on May 15, 2026, 05:40:29 pm: Quote from: JohnnyPopper on May 12, 2026, 05:16:14 pm
Thought so. "Raised Detail", you hear that bd? Glad to know they're making them both ways now.

It's amazing how interchangeable these trucks are

Here's the 'correct' side mirror on a '80.

Didn't know they ditched the dumbo mirrors that year...

The term "dumbo mirrors" is misused and confused time and time again. They called the 3 legged "dumbo" mirrors Below Eyeline Mirrors. In 1980 the regular "Truck" Mirrors were introduced and also called Below Eyeline mirrors but have the mount hidden under the cover. In 1981 they were also available in white, not just stainless. PS those round mirrors I assume you are joking. The attached shows the 79 mirror options.
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: JohnnyPopper on May 16, 2026, 01:58:34 pm: One of those pics (bottom left) is from San Diego, when you could still DRIVE on the beach! Stinkin doo-gooders...well, having said that, there IS one beach left where you can. Fiesta Island. You should see the looks of the above referenced ilk when they see you driving...Shock, disgust, and in your face! till you say calmly, 'hey, it's legal to drive on the beach here'...

I'm not well versed on 'all things correct', so assume these are factory rounds. There is no other bolt pattern on the door.

In fact, when trying to remove, one of the factory threaded plugs started turning in the door skin. Good thing I had planned to restored the door soft parts and had access to tighten.
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: JohnnyPopper on May 16, 2026, 06:47:38 pm: Well, I just went into the garage where this beast resides, and lo and behold! There are among the patina and greeny paste, 2 holes that have been filled.

They fit the description and location of the two lower pics VZ posted.

VZ, I repent in sackcloth and ashes. You are the man!

Still curious about how these mirror options were offered and delivered to the buying public.

I better be quick, the generation is moving on...
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: VileZambonie on May 17, 2026, 07:54:35 am: Someone decided to put them on there definitely not something that was ever offered on these trucks. For 80 you either had the sport mirrors or the 9x6.5 BE mirrors. The sport mirrors look good but honestly they suck for any practical use.
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: Captkaos on May 18, 2026, 11:36:53 am: During GM Tailgate Tour (https://gmtailgatetour.com//)( yall really gotta do this) this past March, I had an AC mishap and leaves were blown into the AC box and well they started smoldering while I was driving. We were able to get it out but the box melted. I patched it with some Flex tape and a piece of metal and continued.

This is from the smoldering leaves and it smelled!
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/87R10-Driver/R10drvr_452.jpg)

When I got home my plan was to put the original bed back on the truck. So that started (I will be updating the Project page also)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/87R10-Driver/R10drvr_453.jpg)

11 years had past since this bed was on the truck!
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/87R10-Driver/R10drvr_454.jpg)

Which forced me to finish this:
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/87R10-Driver/R10drvr_457.jpg)

I am currently fixing the melted AC Box by replacing it, this is the damage:
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/87R10-Driver/R10drvr_456.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/87R10-Driver/R10drvr_459.jpg)

Firewall was cleaned up (along with a lot of leaves/debris in the lower cowl
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/87R10-Driver/R10drvr_458.jpg)

All of my trucks except the 1997 Silverado are "patina" or unpainted originals. That way I am less likely to be disappointed when something happens.
Not sure what I am going to to about the 1989 K5 Blazer project (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15648.90/) for paint though...
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: JohnnyPopper on May 23, 2026, 03:43:19 pm: Bizarre! What was the cause of ignition?
Title: Re: Happy Spring Everyone...
Post by: Captkaos on May 24, 2026, 01:24:16 pm: Blocked off cowl drain, to many leaves and the fan sucking them in and blowing into the AC box apparently into the resistor and creating ambers.
I haven't been consistent on cleaning out the cowl....