My Build Thread, 78Chevyrado's 1978 C20

[78 Chevyrado]

I'm lovin it!


here's some progress today

I got the doors wired up for the speakers and the keyless entry stuff.



Here's the door jamb loom I bought.  I had the holes drilled in the same spot the stock loom goes for power window trucks.  They had to be drilled when the fenders and doors were off the truck.


Here's where the wires come out of the A-pillar.  I cut a quarter out of the grommet attached to the courtesy light switch wire and ran them together.  The loom on the wires is to keep the wires from touching the metal hole.



I found these in the garage last night and stuck them on the truck but havent wired them up.  I Had them about a year but forgot about them. I bought them for the golf cart but never used them.  What do yall think?

[Novadiecast]

Ditch the lights, it is perfect without them.

[Dragon]

Here's where the wires come out of the A-pillar.  I cut a quarter out of the grommet attached to the courtesy light switch wire and ran them together.  The loom on the wires is to keep the wires from touching the metal hole.

Looks Amazing Kenny One suggestion though, the plastic loom will vibrate around on the sheetmetal, and it will eventually cut through the loom....  As big as that hole looks, I would take some Carb Small Diameter Vacuum Hose, trim to go around the area, and then slice the hose open with a Razor Blade(Please Be Careful With the Razor Blade )....  After you have opened the hose, slip it over the edge of the sheetmetal(To Help Keep it in place, use either rubber contact cement, or even Weather Stripping Glue)...

I second Novadiecast's Suggestion of Ditching the new Fogs/Driving Lamps....  If you must have some, either mount some K.C. Lites to the Top of the Bumper, or some smaller ones in the Bumper...  If you would prefer not to drill holes in the new bumper, I would suggest a "Stealth" Mounting for your current Lights, then how about mounting them Behind your Grille

[78 Chevyrado]

Good idea dragon, worked good, i cut the hose like you said and now I feel better about it. 

I'll probably just ditch the lights all together.  They look too small and really don't fit the truck, after looking at them for a few days now.  I want to get some like these, my old hellas i had on my 77.  I like the some of the retro stuff and would put a light bar on it like the one below if I had the money.




Here's a little progress  got the bumper back on it, and put the first bit of carpet in it.



It's not picture perfect, but here's the plate I made for the 4x10 center dash opening; I'll have 3.5's in the dash, 6x9's in the doors and 6.5's behind the seats.



Here's an overall shot; the outside is done except for the back window.

[GoatBeard]

It's lookin' great! 

You might be gonna do it anyway, but if not you might consider puttin' some of that dynomat-type stuff on your cab floor before you put in the carpet.  I am absolutely AMAZED at the quietness of my truck after puttin' that stuff in.  Even with the top off the K5, I can't hardly hear my engine runnin'.  Words can't describe how quiet it is. 

[78 Chevyrado]

I am absolutely AMAZED at the quietness of my truck after puttin' that stuff in.  Even with the top off the K5, I can't hardly hear my engine runnin'.  Words can't describe how quiet it is. 

I got a bit on the floor but ran out so I'm waiting on some more to show up.  I'm still in awe at how my doors sound now.  It doesn't sound like I dropped a coffee can when I shut the doors!  I did inside both doors; on the outer skin and the inner framework, up and down the rear cab pillars as far as i could reach, and will finish the floor hopefully soon.

Here's today's progress

Here's the speaker plate, in the dash:


got the keyless entry installed and some of the stereo stuff, enough I could finish up the dash.

[Prong]

Only thing your missing now is the factory tach dash. I finally got around to getting the mouldings on mine today. Will be done with final detailing on mine in the a.m. and be able to finally button up my project as well.

[GoatBeard]

This is what I used on mine -- I picked it up for $15 a roll at Home Depot.  It took me 3 rolls to do the K5, that's the doors, floors & rear wheel wells.   I put it down then used aluminum tape on the seams.  I put down POR 15 first just because I wasn't sure if I could get this stuff back up after putting it down!

I wonder if there's REALLY any difference in this stuff and Dynomat (or other similar brands)?



I just can't hardly believe it's as quiet as it is.  Stuff should be a requirement.

[78 Chevyrado]

That's a good bit cheaper than what I got, though mine wasn't as much as dynomat.  I got mine from elemental designs for around $1 a sq.ft  whereas dynomat and a couple of others go for around $2-$3 per sq.ft  I don't think there's much difference in the brands, I just go for the one that's really sticky so it won't come off later.  Anything will help....  a lot.

[79diesel]

wow..im jealous not going to lie lol looks awesome!

[JRConnieK10]

Looks absolutely awesome. You should be very proud, really nice work.

[Scootin 81 C20]

Been watching this and............................WOW!!!!!!!! is all I can say. I envy the way yours is set up. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing? I'm not sure if someone already asked this, but what is the PPG ColorCode for that paint? And, are those wheels a direct bolt-on or would I have to modify anything for them? BTW, neat idea for the stock speaker hole and sound deadener.

Thanks
Benjamin.

[Captkaos]

The wheels are a bolt on, BUT the truck is a 6 lug 3/4T truck.  It does require the non metric lugs though.

[choptop]

The wheels are a bolt on, BUT the truck is a 6 lug 3/4T truck.  It does require the non metric lugs though.

Typo Capt??? Did you mean 8 lug? If so what did I miss?

[Captkaos]

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