Well WTF, do I post my 3500HD project here or not

Okay...so the radiator is almost 2" too short, but otherwise fits. Can't just set it down in there because the cap will hit the core support, and so will the bottom edges of the tanks. So I take two scrap 2x4 blocks, yes the w-word, countersunk some bolts with small heads in them so they could poke through the holes in the bottom of the core support where the titties on the rubber pads normally lock in. Then deck-screwed plumbing strap to the top of the blocks to create a new hole for the titties. The lower half of the fan shroud also helps keep everything in place. This is totally temporary, I just don't want to lay out the big bucks for a new HD radiator at the moment, and they're unique to HD's because of the taller core support. Now on to the update...

Installed a new water pump, thermostat, and bypass hose. Drilled the hole for the repositioned hood release cable...major pain with everything in place; shoulda done it before I installed the fender. Still need to drill the holes in the cab's kick panel area for the new style handle. Installed and adjusted the main hood latch. New wiper blades. Got the washer bottle in and filled with bug juice, and the underhood storage box bolted in, too. Installed both door handles, though I've only got the HD handle for the driver's side - passenger side is broken so I used a regular handle for now. Adjusted the strikers, doors shut really well. Installed both door windows and the driver's side door module/regulator. No pictures because...well...nothing all that exciting to get pictures of on this update!

And BTW Husk the doors really do shut with just the push of a pinky finger. I thought about taking a vid of it but don't want you to think I'm razzin ya too hard.

Richard

That's cool. Just replace the pins every 2 months and they'll keep shutting like that.

Looks good Richard, I see your putting in some work!!!!

Tee-hee...he said, "titties".

See that's the thing. You don't just replace the pins, you replace the bushings, and it lasts a lot longer than 2 months. I know some of you square guys aren't hip to replaceable parts so I gotta let you know what's new in the world.

I'm just havin' fun with ya man...I've owned a bunch of squares, and loved them, but hated them too for a few problems, mostly the doors, the tendency for the frame to crack at the steering box, and the cab to rust out along the roof and A-pillar seam in the door opening. But instead of perpetuating a bunch of squarebody hate, I'll just squash it and call you guys my squarebuddies.

Richard

OK, a few pictures for today.

Re-bent the charcoal cannister hard line to the tank, the one from the 1 ton frame had a bunch of bends keeping it from fitting the HD frame.

Got the "dealer only" clip for the brake switch/pedal retainer, brake lights temporarily rigged up with magnetic LED tow lights on an adapter until I put a bed on the truck and wire up permanent lights.



Installed a passenger door module/regulator, and driver's door handle and interior door panel.



Temporarily installed grille filler (needs paint) and grille. Ya know, looking at the red GMC emblem kind of has me missing it on my extended cab; maybe when I replace the grille while fixing the crash damage, I'll take my blacked-out emblem off. I do like the original red.



Richard

Looks like it's going to be a real nice truck when your done!

Thanks...I'm real happy with how well the fenders, hood, grille, etc. all lined up, considering how many times I had to hit the core support with the BFH.

Richard

good job on the BFH! my tech teacher used to say.....
"the bigger the hammer the smaller the brain"
i'd always be like, well gimmie the bigest one ya got. im gonna show it some pain. haha