Hello from KY (1986 C10 Custom Deluxe)

blindbug said:

I'm not a fan of the rubber, but I still like it. Definitely like that it's tucked a bit. I actually like roll pans a little bit, but want SOMETHING pushing out the back to put my foot onto. You ever thought about making a groove in the rubber guard and putting a strip of brushed aluminum in the groove, similar to the way the dash and door trim looks? Something similar to this: https://www.autopartsdb.net/assets/images/ProductImg/1/153425.JPG ? That would look sick! It would be some work, and people would be asking where you bought it constantly, but might be a good compromise if you really do dislike the rubber trim.

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Mine is not a show truck it's just big tall and loud and is for mud, and anoying the masses.lol

Nice truck. Im with you, I have a rust free truck. Although easier to come by in Texas, its still hard to find one totally rust free. I hate the color of my truck but its all original.

Honky Kong jr said:

Mine is not a show truck it's just big tall and loud and is for mud, and anoying the masses.lol

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In that case, keep on truckin' my friend!

Welcome to the site. Nice start. Check that rag joint on the intermediate shaft. If it's wore out or gives any slop, stop by a pick n pull and get a jeep int. shaft (no rag joint). $15 bucks and about an hour and ur set. There's a write up on it here in the forums. I'm in KY also, I-75 south of Lexington.

Camar068 said:

Welcome to the site. Nice start. Check that rag joint on the intermediate shaft. If it's wore out or gives any slop, stop by a pick n pull and get a jeep int. shaft (no rag joint). $15 bucks and about an hour and ur set. There's a write up on it here in the forums. I'm in KY also, I-75 south of Lexington.

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I picked this truck up not too far from where you are then... Manchester. I saw that post about the Cherokee shaft, but the stock shaft doesn't really have much play in it.

My truck was hooked up today at the mechanic. Compression looked good, sparkplugs and wires were good, the distributor needed replaced, so I went ahead and let him change it out, along with the cap assembly. Looks like the oil leaks are very minimal, but the steering fluid leaks are a little more unforgiving, and he recommended replacing the whole power steering system. That'd be a decent chunk of change, so I passed on it, but will keep an eye out on the fluid levels until I can set aside funds for that piece of the project. Good thing is, the truck apparently is running MUCH better than it was before, so that's nice.

What part of the steering system is leaking?

I was wondering the same thing lines are cheap....lol

Honky Kong jr said:

I was wondering the same thing lines are cheap....lol

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Precisely what I was thinking.

CSFJ said:

What part of the steering system is leaking?

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I'm not sure exactly. When I pick it up I will get some better details on what is going on with the ps system.

When you get it back, clean everything as well as you can, and look for leaks then. I would have serious issues with a service facility recommending complete system replacement. Sounds to me like they either don't know what's leaking, or are too lazy to check properly, and just want to shotgun the situation by replacing it all. Which, coincidentally just happens to put the most cash in their pockets.

if you take the power steering pump off, it can be a bear getting the tension just right once you get it back on. I got tired of messing with it, so I went down a bit on the belt size. Don't be afraid to do so.

Well, I've got my truck back from the shop, and back to my house. It was a 3 hour drive, on the interstate, 60-65 the whole way (a few times going 75), and I must say, it drives like a dream! I was mistaken on what was leaking regarding the power steering fluid. I thought it was the pump, but it was actually the pump, the lines, and the gear... most specifically the gear was the worst offender. That is what he was referring to when he said the 'whole system'. Does that sound right? It would involve removing the belts, taking off the old pump and replacing that, and then taking off and replacing the power steering gear, which I believe is fairly expensive.

In any event, I was able to drive 175 miles at high speed and the truck handled like a dream. I would love to get a sway bar or something to make turns a little less... bouncy. I have a laundry list of items I'd like to address, including new headlights (way too dim), aiming the headlights (pointing down due to the adjustment screw bracket being broken), new dash pad, new seat cover, carpet, check the idiot lights for functionality, replace the sender units, replace a few deteriating parts, correct the abysmal stereo install, etc. etc.... I've got a long way to go!

There's a write-up somewhere here to make your HL brighter. It's basically using relays to direct battery power directly to the HL's. Your on/off signal for those relays would be your existing power to a high/low beam bulb. You can buy a pre-made harness or make one. Someone here at GMSB actually makes them as well. I measured the voltage going to my lights and it was around 11.5V. So I'm losing about 2v going through the wiring harness and all. I plan to do it eventually.

Camar068 said:

There's a write-up somewhere here to make your HL brighter. It's basically using relays to direct battery power directly to the HL's. Your on/off signal for those relays would be your existing power to a high/low beam bulb. You can buy a pre-made harness or make one. Someone here at GMSB actually makes them as well. I measured the voltage going to my lights and it was around 11.5V. So I'm losing about 2v going through the wiring harness and all. I plan to do it eventually.

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@gmachinz I believe