It's worth the $2 to buy a pair of $.99 matching tape measures for alignments. Goes waaaay faster and you don't have to remember if the front was +3/16 or +5/16 and then have to measure it again and then not remember the back measurement and then go inside for paper and not be able to find a single pen in the house so you have to sharpen a Barbie pencil. Trust me, I've been there.
Well, no smartphone but I think I can scrounge together a couple tape measures 
Thanks for the heads up! about the Barbie pencils. Mazdeuce, you are my hero.
Well, I think I'm about done with the steel wool. I actually used some rubbing solvent on the grill and it didn't do too bad of a job of not eating stuff it wasnt supposed to. At a quick glance the truck actually doesn't look too bad!
The "Yo" was just done with some permanent marker on the front there. I was just kind of bored agian
But the big question: What DO you do with a truck that looks this good and runs like it should? Why you go and get all that damn paint out of the basement that the previous owners left behind when they moved out and you take it to the dump!
Charge!!!!!
And then you take it all back to your house because the dump wont take Latex based paint (who knew!?)
Ah well, it was fun 
I'm tossing around the idea of cleaning the black paint off my old chrome wagon wheels and tossing those back on the truck. I'll have to juggle a few tires to get it done though as one or two of them are slick... We'll see
Just a heads up, you could also have bent rims that are bent on the inside of the wheel only. Unlikely, but worth a free check.
Did you also check the inside edges?
Nice job on the chrome.
Around here, we're supposed to take the covers off the latex paint cans and let them dry out for a few days. Then it's just trash and they'll take it.
put a can of paint in every trash bag you use and put it out at the curb like normal.
I was told to mix the cans of latex with kitty litter and it'd dry it out, but having 2 cats I'd hate to waste perfectly good kitty litter I'll pop the lids off tomorrow and let them dry out (some of the cans are completely full. This may take some creativity)
Rcutclif: You know, I didn't even think about the inside of the rim! I'm going to try to do the alignment sometime this week (time permitting) but while I'm in there I may spin the back tires again and see what I see. Good call!
So a couple days ago the "Charge" and "Brake" light came on (at the same time. this is an important note). Normally this would tell me that I'm wheeling way to fast and I just dropped the battery out of the bottom of the engine bay (hey, that actually happened once! Medina River, Texas. Near San Antonio).
Since I wasn't wheeling I figured it must be something else. Plus just a few days prior I had performed a "Road Kill" level deployment of bungie cords and zip ties that should be able to hold the battery still no matter what the circumstances.
I figured I must be looking at two separate issues. The charging light could be checked by turning on the radio (I was driving when the warning lights turned on). In my years of ownership I've discovered that when the alternator goes out in this truck, the radio serves as an excellent "early warning system". If the radio shuts of by itself, start looking for an O-vanced Zone. But don't worry. The truck only needs the coil to run, you've got time
Since the radio never died, and neither did the engine, I figured this must be two separate issues. The first (charging) might be because I once installed a 100-amp GM alternator from a 1989(ish) Oldsmobile Firenza vin code k (with air conditioning). The charge light has been a bit funny ever since. I think it's just because I made a bad connection on the wire that's supposed to shut it off.
That can wait until later, I'm much too lazy to get out of the driver's seat so when I get to the parking lot at work I decide to look at the brakes.
Would you look at that!? the darn park brake switch is being missed by the park brake light switch actuator (if that's not the name for that tab then it is now)
I shimmy the actuator into position, but both lights are still on. If I press the park brake switch they'll both dim a bit. That has me thinking I'm looking at one issue that's triggering both lights again... (I also checked the brake fluid level and switch. It has no effect on the brake light)
meh. Truck still runs. I'll get to it tomorrow 
First thing I'm cutting you when I get home to the cutter is A YO for the tailgate.
You need to make your truck into a Pizza Planet clone.
mazdeuce wrote: First thing I'm cutting you when I get home to the cutter is A YO for the tailgate.
I'll be honest. The want was there, but I was a bit too shy to ask Let me know if you need any measurements 
Jimbob:
Funny thing about the canopy on that truck, I just got rid of one just like it (for free!).
When I got the job in Hungary about 6-years ago I didn't want to let go of my truck, but I had to get to Washington from Texas. So I bought that canopy, threw it on, tossed my baggage and bed-roll in the back, and my dog, two cats, and I drove three days from south to north.
A pizza planet clone would be awesome if I still had it laying around
Well, no progress yesterday. The day was just TOO dang nice to not take the Impala out for a spin. Instead I spent my free time giving my baby a good rubbin
So today I thought I'd let life return to normal by taking the Toyota to work but alas, someone broke in to the windowless beast while I was out gallivanting around in the 4-door hardtop. I know this because they left the door open, took all the change out of my change tray (under the stereo), and even stole a set of coveralls that I left on the bench seat that said "State Patrol" on the back (hand-me-downs from my uncle). Meh, nothing too valuable.
The bummer was that the battery was dead, and instead of bothering with a jump-start I just decided to take the Impala again today! (and it is a dang nice day)
I got the "Brake/charging" light sorted out though. It turned out that the alternator was just missing it's switched 12v source that would tell it to turn off the charge light.
Unfortunately there aren't any switched 12v spots coming out of my fuse box that aren't being used. I'm going to have to splice it into the same switched 12v spot that the choke is using (or another system with a switched 12v line). No big deal there.
That alignment is still on the agenda. It being the first time, I'm trying to wait for a day when I'm absolutely SURE I wont be interrupted for about 6 hours. and days like that are kind of hard to come by. But stay tuned, I have high hopes for next week!
Also, the Enfield should be sold on Wednesday of next week so I'll finally have the cash to get that darn window fixed
good-looking ride. I love the YO made using permanent marker.
Use a fuse tap?
If you haven't already you should be able to knock out a quick tape measure toe and go in an hour or so, it's a one man job with a set of plates (4 of the cheapest 12" vinyl tiles at lowes and some grease).
Man, I was all sorts of motivated this morning. I got what I thought I was going to need for the alignment and went to drive to work (I was hoping for a lunch-break thrash). First though, I had to hook up the Saab for a quick jump.
No joy. I couldn't get more than a click out of my ignition.
So I snagged the Optima red-top out of my Impala and got the truck to start. But (and I do this often with old carbureted vehicles with dead batteries) when I unhooked the Optima to remove it (with the intention of putting the old battery back in) the darn truck died!
Looks like the alternator's died on me 
. Not sure if that switched 12v line had something to do with it (I seriously doubt it, I really think that was just coincidence) but either way the truck fails the alternator test.
So I think I've mentioned before that I got rid of a dead Toyota alternator in favor of a 100amp GM one. This'll be the THIRD alternator I've changed since that swap. For some reason these GM units crap out on me after a year or so...
Ah well, as it turns out I have a spare in the basement (was planning on stuffing the same 100 amp alternator in the Impala back when I was contemplating a carb to FI swap). So she won't be down for long.
Reason for the quick death is typically to much voltage on the l or L terminal. I prefer using the L terminal with a bright bulb. Makes them last a proper lifespan. The resistor on the I terminal don't seem to work as well.
Good to know. Then I probably did kill it when I hooked up the switched 12v source. I should have the new one in by Monday, I'll leave the new 12v line off and probably just remove the darn bulb from the "charge" light. I'm thinking a set of gauges are going to be in my near future (charge, oil pressure, and coolant temp). I never was a fan of dummy lights. To me they seem very "reactive" (ie: Hey, you're engine is toast, but at least you have this pretty red "oil" light to look at)
If you have the charge light wired into the L terminal, removing the bulb will make the alternator not charge. But you may need a brighter/higher wattage bulb in there. Check out the painless wiring instructions for the cs130 and you'll see what I am talking about.
Will do.
But first I have to tell you that the dang truck was stolen while I was at work (around 3:30pm).
It had a completely dead battery and a dead alternator but the clowns were caught PUSHING it two blocks away from my house!!!
It was a co-worker buddy of mine that caught them. They stopped, checked under the hood, left, came back with a battery, and got busted by my friend's 10-year-old kid. They took off in a white pickup, but he (the 10-year-old) got their license plate and the cops were called when I got home.
Anyhoo, the truck is back in the garage and the Impala is on the street now (without a battery).
Never a dull moment I tell ya! (it's all gravy though, I got 12 PBR's in the fridge and the rest of the night off )
What the berkeley!
Damn, even in Detroit I wouldn't worry about that truck disappearing.
In reply to Kenny_McCormic:
Meth is a helluva drug
Honestly I never gave two thoughts about it either. Even after my coveralls disappeared I didn't worry.
My kid's bedroom window faces the curb where the Impala is parked. I'm hawking it like it's going out of style 
Hungary Bill wrote:Will do.
But first I have to tell you that the dang truck was stolen while I was at work (around 3:30pm).
It had a completely dead battery and a dead alternator but the clowns were caught PUSHING it two blocks away from my house!!!
It was a co-worker buddy of mine that caught them. They stopped, checked under the hood, left, came back with a battery, and got busted by my friend's 10-year-old kid. They took off in a white pickup, but he (the 10-year-old) got their license plate and the cops were called when I got home.
Anyhoo, the truck is back in the garage and the Impala is on the street now (without a battery).
Never a dull moment I tell ya! (it's all gravy though, I got 12 PBR's in the fridge and the rest of the night off
Wow.... I Mean really.... WOW, lucky and not so lucky I guess.
Dang.
Dang is right. I dont know whether to be pissed at the idiots, or envious of their motivation.
So I went to install the new alternator today and found a few things. First a blown fuse, and then I saw that my alternator/water pump belt was twisted inside out and wasn't necessarily on the pulleys anymore. (so v-notch pointing up). My truck never overheated so I'm kind of wondering when this happened.
Neither the fuse, or a new belt (I keep an extra belt behind the seat) solved the "dies when negative battery terminal is removed" so it was on to the alternator.
I had a spare in my basement, so I thought this should be a "wham bam" job. I usually just drop the lower radiator hose and go in from there. But oh no. It couldn't possibly be that easy!
Turns out the spare alternator I had was "clocked" completely different than the one I had in the truck. It would hit the engine mount before I could get the mounting bolt in... Now, I'm positive I ordered the alternator for the correct year of Oldsmobile Firenza, so maybe I got the wrong alternator? Of course this was about 3-years ago so I have no idea where my receipt is (even though I promised myself I wouldn't lose it because it had a lifetime warranty).
Bummer. My Enfield is scheduled to sell on Wednesday so I still have no money today. BUT as it turns out, being completely broke is an excellent source of motivation for me
(old alternator on the top, new alternator on the bottom. See how the bolts are clocked at different locations? The old one is 180 off from mount to adjust. The other? not so much)
Looking at the two alternators it looks like the clocking of the mounting bolts is done entirely by the top layer (that is, the layer underneath the fan and pulley). It looks like all the magnets, coils, etc, etc, etc starts under that layer. So I decide "what's the worst that could happen" and I start pulling an alternator apart for the first time!
The bolts look like "splines" but my 12-point 1/4" works just as well. It turns out that there really IS a good use for all those 12-point sockets I really never use!
Old alternator on the left, new alternator on the right.
I'm doing my best to keep everything in the order that it came off, but I'm a little slow after one or two "fathers' day PBRs" last night. In the end I finally get one good, mountable, alternator from the two. Sorry for the fuzzy picture, but grease prints on my phone and all that
Huzzah!
(and just like that, I'm never throwing anything away again. EVER!)
So here's the deal. With that switched 12v line removed the charge light is off. Right now I have the charge wire going to the battery, the S wire to a switched 12v source, and the "I" wire hooked up to something-I-dont-know-what, but probably the "charge" light. Looking at painless's website that seems to be correct, but I may be wrong (I was in a bit of a hurry this morning). Either way, I'm beginning to suspect that charge light knew what it was talking about all along. Ah well, you live, you learn.
Either way, she's back in action!
I'm kind of glad to finally get an electrical fault (besides the heater). Every other system has broken at one point in time or another, I was beginning to wonder when the electricity was going to go... Now that that's out of the way I think the only thing left to break is the cooling system.
Coming soon:
I pull the window out of this, and put it in my truck.
Maybe that'll deter the thieves a bit?
My cousin's husband bought a couple 4-runners that need some fixing up. He needs everything from this door but the window. It cost him $50 and we decided to split the cost. This will come from the Enfield on Wednesday. I'll have $225 left to spend.
Nothing like counting your chickens 
Good times
You'll need to log in to post.
