DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

[DanenGraham]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Excuse the rookie question, how do you remove the steering column? I am wanting to remove my dash, and have read your how-to in the vault. But not sure on the best way to get the column out.

 

[DaveP]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Excuse the rookie question, how do you remove the steering column? I am wanting to remove my dash, and have read your how-to in the vault. But not sure on the best way to get the column out.

Steering Column Removal:

• Detach the steering shaft on the engine-side of the firewall. May take some persuasion to get it to come off. It will slide off with the bolt out.
• Remove the three wiring connectors, and the hose from the brake switches.
• Detach the wiring for the cruise stalk, wipers, and turn signal switch.
• Remove (4) 10mm head screws that hold column flange to firewall. You will have to gently pull firewall insulation away, and downward.
• Remove the two 15MM nuts that hold the column to the pedal support.
• Be Careful. As the column lowers, pay attention to not breaking the two brake switches. You have to monkey the column around, and under these. They break easy, if you're forceful.
• With column lowered, disconnect dimmer switch. On LH side of column. Two tabs have to be pressed inwards.
• Disconnect ignition switch. Rear black connector first, then the forward blue one. Once again, depress locking tabs to release.
• And the bitch: Release the shifter lock cable. I have trouble with this, and I know how to do it. There are two tiny Phillips screws at the firewall end of it. Accessed from the passenger side, across the top of the column. May require a mirror to see them. You can remove these, and the whole thing comes off. Then you can figure out how to take the cable out, and put the barrel-thingy back on the ignition switch.

It should be loose. Take it out. I store them upside-down on the steering wheel. Don't let it fall on the shaft-end. It can be damaged.

There ya go. Don't worry about the n00b question. If you're considering IP removal, I don't blame you for asking questions. Hope this is what you wanted.
DaveP

 

[DanenGraham]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Thank you!

That is perfect, i have the first three things done and then got lost after that. The top of the dash is cracked just a little, and im just scared its going to start cracking bad if i dont do it perfect. Might just try and get a new/used dash to replace it.

The dash removal how-to makes it sound so simple, "remove column". haha

Thanks again.

 

[DaveP]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Hey you might want to check that core again. I fought with a Spectra unit a number of times and the only way I could get it to fit into the heater box was to bend the tubes in such a way that they actually split at the base (at the heater core). So just fyi, you may want to check that core out before putting coolant to it (if you havent already).


I thought I had a pic uploaded that shows the damage to the core after making it fit into the heater box but apparently not. Either way the one tube seperated from the core itself and basicly made the core useless.

Hopefully yours is ok but I saw your post in the 'least favorite things to do' thread and wanted to let you know.

*edit: oh here they are:
http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/Ozrein/Heater%20Core/SPI%20Unit%20-%20Modified/Damaged%20Unit/

You can see at the base of the one tube, it's cracked around half the tube.

Thank You for the heads-up. Yours split wide open. I could get to almost seat, then it would just be 'stuck'. I kept bending the tubes, and trying again. I finally pushed it in with my foot the last 3/8". I took it back out and looked at it. I couldn't see any distress on the tubes, so I'm not sure what it was. But it went right back in the second time after I 'massaged' it with foot pressure. It has coolant in it. It doesn't leak, but frankly, I'm not holding my breath that the Spectra is going to last.

Thanks again.

 

[Ozrein]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Thank You for the heads-up. Yours split wide open. I could get to almost seat, then it would just be 'stuck'. I kept bending the tubes, and trying again. I finally pushed it in with my foot the last 3/8". I took it back out and looked at it. I couldn't see any distress on the tubes, so I'm not sure what it was. But it went right back in the second time after I 'massaged' it with foot pressure. It has coolant in it. It doesn't leak, but frankly, I'm not holding my breath that the Spectra is going to last.

Thanks again.

OK cool, when I had read you used 'foot pressure' to get it in, I thought you may have just done that without anything else. But it sounds like since you made some adjustments before applying the foot, you might be ok. I was never able to get the tubes to bend in the right directions to get it to clear. Glad to hear you had slightly better luck.

I have heard from a few people that the Spectra products dont fit well in a number of applications so I think I'm going to try to avoid them from now on unless they are the only option.

 

[Sydwinder905]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

for future reference iirc the steering column bowl bolts can be reached without that much column disassembly. it requires a "wobble" extension and the appropriate sockets.

 

[DaveP]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

for future reference iirc the steering column bowl bolts can be reached without that much column disassembly. it requires a "wobble" extension and the appropriate sockets.

Thank You for your input. I'm pretty good at figuring out how to do things. Like take a tilt column apart and put it back together. This doesn't mean I do it for the fun of it, or because I can. In this case, I couldn't even SEE two of the bolts, much less figure out any combination of tools to put a socket on them. Look at the background in the pics in this thread. These are all taken in my home shop. While a little cluttered, it can be discerned that I'm not limited by availability of resources such as "appropriate sockets".

Next time you do the bowl bolts in a tilt column, post some pics of how you did it.
Regards.

 

[canadian]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Dave:

How are you re-attaching the felts on the inner door panel? I'm doing the Sportmachines replacements and had to cut the old staples out since some were rusted. I was looking at some small pop rivets to attach them and read in another post that's what you did. Do you have any pics?

The passenger side must have been in the sun all these years. It came out in pieces. It had been baked. I've never seen one this brittle before:

Thanks for reading.

 

[DaveP]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Dave:

How are you re-attaching the felts on the inner door panel? I'm doing the Sportmachines replacements and had to cut the old staples out since some were rusted. I was looking at some small pop rivets to attach them and read in another post that's what you did. Do you have any pics?

Hi Warren. Have a nice "vacation"? I missed you around here.

I haven't done the inner's yet for DesertSy. They need to be done before the door panels go back on, and that's really close to being the next thing to get done on this project. I haven't made any progress for a few weeks. I got busy with boat work (good. I need it) and have some other things going on, like the Corvette is going to its last show in 3 weeks.

I'll take some pics when I do this again, as I don't have any. But IIRC, I clamped the three parts together using medium size vise-grips, and drilled for 1/8" pop rivets and used backing washers on the inside. They can't stick through very far, or they hang up on the sheet metal when you install the panel. I also don't remember if I put a spot of black paint on them so they don't show when the glass is down. The critical thing is that strip is in the correct fore-aft position so the panel indexes in the window frame correctly.

If you do it first, please put up some pics, and any hints or tips you come up with.

Thanks for checking-in.
DaveP

 

[V]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

The trend for this truck continues. If it's in this truck, it's f'd:

Thanks for this....I feel that this will be my catch phrase for the project I've stupidly undertaken. :rotf:

I know I'll be following in your footsteps and referring back to these pics. Mahalo again. :tup:

 

[canadian]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Hi Warren. Have a nice "vacation"? I missed you around here.

I keep going into chat looking for you.

I'll take some pics when I do this again, as I don't have any. But IIRC, I clamped the three parts together using medium size vise-grips, and drilled for 1/8" pop rivets and used backing washers on the inside. They can't stick through very far, or they hang up on the sheet metal when you install the panel.

I started to do this last night but the riveter I had for some reason is all jacked up and won't open properly to grab the rivet. I plan on getting a new one tonight. I hadn't thought about using washers on the back side but I'll probably have to get some of those as well. I am going to try and get one side done tonight.

 

[canadian]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Ok, just finished the first inside door panel. Here's what I used:

1) Hand Riveter Set: http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html
2) Aluminum Rivet Assortment: http://www.harborfreight.com/100-piece-aluminum-blind-rivet-assortment-67610.html
3) #6S Washers: http://www.lowes.com/pd_69743-37672...Ntt=490710&N=0&langId=-1&storeId=10151&rpp=24
4) 1/8" drill bit

Process:

I pulled the old inner channel off and clipped the staples to remove them from the panel. The new channels have 5 holes pre-drilled in them. For the front most 2 holes, I used 1/8"x3/8" rivets with a brass washer on the back side. For the rear most 3 holes, I used 1/8"x5/8" rivets with a brass washer on the back side.

Finish it off by coloring the rivets black with a Sharpie (optional)

 

[DaveP]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

It's been a few months since I had a chace, or felt like working on this truck. I've been busy, and am about to get involved in a huge boat project, so I though I'd put a couple days into DesertSy again.

Today was install the inner window fuzzies, and door panels. The inner felt drove me nuts. Thanks for the patience, Tony.

This was my big problem. The rivets stuck in too far, and hung up on the metal and the panel wouldn't slide down far enough. I used my die grinder and ground them off:

I didn't like the location of the pre-drilled holes. They were too far up, and the backing washer was into the radius, and wouldn't sit flat.

Here's the location I picked for the rivets. I drilled my own holes:

These are the rivets and backing washers I use.

And here's the sequence number again. "1882" is on the firewall.

The Driver's side panel was bent to hell from years of the previous owner sticking his fingers into the top of the panel to close the door, as the arm-rest/pull was all busted to shit, and you couldn't close the door that way. I'm not super-pleased with this jankiness, but it's the way it came out. I tried to massage the panel straight, but it didn't work out. Oh well. Plus the door didn't shut. That was the bonus for the day. I removed the striker, cut the opening in the jamb bigger, and readjusted the striker. Now the door closes normally.

Here's the results of the day's efforts:

I also got the glove box door and surround installed. And the remaining dash pieces cleaned. Tomorrow I'll change out the stereo in the Typhoon; and the take-out from that car is going in DesertSy. We'll see if that all gets done. I hope so.

 

[Petesgn]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Thanks Dave for the detailed pics , I need to get around to doing the felts on my SY also. Keep up the great work.

 

[DaveP]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Worked on it again today. Making real progress now. I'm really close to it being done.

I finished the stereo installation and got the dash and IP all buttoned up.

Then got a bug up my ass and pulled the interior and carpet out. This is the last major 'chunk' to getting this done. This phase is:

Replace carpet.
Recover headliner.
Replace drivers seat cushion and cover.
Clean everything before re-assembly. (Story of my life on this truck. Dirt, and dirtiness).

I found this on the passenger floor. Obviously had a lot of water in it for a period of time. I don't think the rust is through the primer, it's just superficial. But it will get sanded and re-primed before the carpet goes back in.

I have never worked on any extensive vehicle project with so many "surprises" as this one. I'm glad it's almost over. The other surprises for the day were the cable under the passenger seat that releases the slider is busted. And the seat belt buzzer doesn't work. The light does, but the buzzer doesn't. I know, very trivial, but I like my vehicles to be 100% as-delivered functional.

Thanks for reading.

 

[SY2455]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Dave, Looking good. What are your plans for the headliner ?

 

[NJSERRANO]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Worked on a couple of electrical additions today. One bundle is a Delayed Accessory Buss that allows the stereo and windows to operate after key-off until the door is opened. Alpines have such a loooooong power-up, I like this feature. The other relay-set is for a anti-theft ghost switch. I have one on my Ty, and like it. Easy enough to do, so why not?

I was looking at the IP on my floor. I noticed this crayon number on the side of the fuse box:

See the correlation? This is the GM plant sequence number. Various components have this number on them. When the worker goes to install it, he checks the Seq number to be sure he's putting the intended component in the correct car. I guess the fuse box is original to the car. :grin:

DAMN IT! I would have loved one of these

 

[DaveP]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

Dave, Looking good. What are your plans for the headliner ?

Thanks, Lloyd. I have a piece of material Jeff Scott gave me about a year ago during a visit to his place. I'm going to scrape, massage, (somehow) remove the old foam residue from the backing board, and glue the new material to the old board. I successfully recovered the headliner panel on the roof panel for the Corvette, and I've seen others on here do their Syclones.. So I know it can be done. We'll see.

 

[DaveP]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

DAMN IT! I would have loved one of these

A; I hope your truck didn't get stolen, and you now wish you had one.
B: We can still add both systems, if you wish. Not quite as easy as it would have been when your IP was on the work table, but it can still be added. Let me know.

 

[NJSERRANO]

Re: DesertSy: It's Just a Driver

A. No, this thing is parked on the front side of a tandem parking spot...nobody is taking it.
B. I still want to add some more things, I'm just trying to get this wedding paid for. BTW, the navigation is in, speakers installed, and amps are wired...