M1009 frame off restore and modification

[Croat]

These switches were salvaged from a United Airlines 747-400. The Overlays are being engraved. Here are the plans and an example.

.. right! Carry on.

 

[bl71236]

While I'm waiting for the air conditioner kit to be shipped, I decided to get the engine and tranny installed. Of course it didn't go as planned I managed to damage the passenger side mount. Grrrrr The engine was rebuilt by a local shop in Dallas. Bored .030 over and painted Detroit Diesel Ceramic Green. The exhaust manifolds , intake, coolant tubes were ceramic coated with "titanium" color ceramic from a shop in OKC. Transmission was overhauled and a new converter installed.

 

[CARC686]

First time I've ever actually seen one in Detroit Diesel green. That's gorgeous.

 

[bl71236]

Been working on the dash board last couple of days. Getting the speaker bezels made and fitting the air conditioner front panel. was able to get a preliminary dry fit of the dash and instrument panel. Once i get the dash done I'm going to use an UV spray designed for outdoor fabrics on the dash.

 

[bl71236]

Worked on the transmission cable lower bracket. had to relocate the forward attach hole and add a piece for the aft attach point. Also got the Dakota Digital position sensor mounted .

 

[bl71236]

I got the cargo side panels covered and fitted. This past week. Also the switch panels came back from the engraver.

 

[bl71236]

Yesterday The Vintage Air Gen 5 surefit kit showed up so I was able to get started on evaporator and interior duct mod install.

 

[bl71236]

This Gen 5 From Vintage Air is very cool. All digital controls, no cables or silly vacuum controls. The 1009 had the "military" version air conditioner installed when I got this truck . However it did not really cool the vehicle down. This unit is better than factory air I was told. Got to have cold air here in Texas. Once I finish the dash duct mods I'm going to get the tub mounted back on the frame. I have the mounts and a new bolt kit from ORD.

 

[bl71236]

Here is a look at the switch panels.

 

[Sharecropper]

Nice work. I'm in the final stages of installing Vintage Air in my M1028 rebuild. Just a heads-up - The kit comes with a length of 2" flexible hose for the defroster vent ports and 2-1/2" flexible hose for the cab vents ports. The VA instructions indicate to cut the 2-1/2" hose to certain lengths for each of the four (4) cab vent ports, with the hose stretched-out when measuring. However the length of 2-1/2" hose that came with my kit was insufficient for all four lengths of hose. I emailed VA customer support about this and they shipped me another full length of hose at no charge, and they didn't question my request so I believe they are aware of the deficiency. Also, you may find that the radiator hose which runs from the pressure (cool) side of the radiator to the lower port at the firewall needs to be 3/4" diameter at the radiator but 5/8" diameter at the firewall. VA offers such a transition hose through Summit and other outlets, VA part #99010,

Something else I did when installing the flexible duct was to install a small sheet metal screw over the last internal wire of the hose after it was stretched over the air duct port. The hose must be squeezed to a tight oval shape to fit over the duct ports and getting all four installed on the supply plenum was a bear. A sheet metal screw run into the plastic duct port over the internal hose wire will prevent a hose from popping off a duct port after dash reinstallation. I recommend taking out the defrost ports and installing the hose in your lap instead of trying to install the hose with the defrost ports in place.

Hope this help.