IH 54 R-100 4X4

[OldCracker29]

At this point in time I'm waiting to make a 30 mile trip for the needed angle iron .. Do want to get the T-case shifter done ..
... ASAP ...

Also waiting on the store bought crossmember to get here ..
Have been working on the doors, finish installing the keyless door locks, rebuilding both vent windows went well ...
The electric windows are about done too ..

Still in the middle of working the dash ...
Got to install the power unit on the cowl vent door, wasn't intending to do power on it but didn't have much of a choice after making up the pod for the AC control switches and center vents ..

View attachment 7794

View attachment 7795

Made it from another R-Series dashboard ...

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After a test fit was done seen a problem with access working the cowl vent handle ... That's when the idea came to me to add power and delete the handle ..

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This job is on the table yet to get done ..

Some other work will go down when the dash work starts up ..

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Found a NOS one of these ... That's on the work menu ..

Interesting history on the eye..
Oldsmobile first came on line with it in 1952 followed by the other GM divisions ..

Seems Olds was the leader with the new ideas ..

View attachment 7799

Remember the J2 package for 57-58 ?

Damn, we even get a history lesson. I had no idea...thanks!

 

[Jesse S]

Yippy-Ki-Yi-Yaaaaaa !

On the way to pick up the metal for finishing the T case shifter mount ...
Just may have that working by the end of the day ??
The wait for the super, well made crossmember may be long ..

I might attack the rear driveshaft (Must shorten it) and get it done and installed back on the truck .. Going to be a busy day for me ..

 

[Shaggy]

Yippy-Ki-Yi-Yaaaaaa !

On the way to pick up the metal for finishing the T case shifter mount ...
Just may have that working by the end of the day ??
The wait for the super, well made crossmember may be long ..

I might attack the rear driveshaft (Must shorten it) and get it done and installed back on the truck .. Going to be a busy day for me ..

Why would it take so long to get the cross member?

 

[Jesse S]

Why would it take so long to get the cross member?

They said they had 90 orders in front of mine !

 

[Jesse S]

Well ....
I'm ready for it ...



Some hardware and a test fit, shifter will be done ..



Good chance it'll work ..

Nailed it ...





Was thinking a longer stick would be a better choice, but this short stick is growing on me ..

 

[OldCracker29]

I hope you continue to post on this build after you get the cross member.

 

[Jesse S]

I hope you continue to post on this build after you get the cross member.

Sure ...

A few more days to wait for it ..
Hopping there's enough room, just by eyeballing photos might be tight at the T-case ??
Soon to find out ..
________________________

Edit; Crossmember will be shipped tomorrow ..
Most likely 3 day shipping from the Lone Star state .. ??

Palms are sweaty Lol .
________________________

Tracking says tomorrow ..

 

[Jesse S]

BTW ...

Pulled the trigger for a long Hurst stick ..
The short stick would have worked, but didn't fit the build ..



This was being made for GM trucks ..



Thinking that would be the best stick to have for the truck ..

 

[OldCracker29]

BTW ...

Pulled the trigger for a long Hurst stick ..
The short stick would have worked, but didn't fit the build ..

View attachment 7813

This was being made for GM trucks ..

View attachment 7814

Thinking that would be the best stick to have for the truck ..

I like the idea of the longer shifter. IMHO, the shorter one would require you to lean down and forward to shift gears. The longer one fits the persona of the build better...if that makes any sense.

 

[Jesse S]

I like the idea of the longer shifter. IMHO, the shorter one would require you to lean down and forward to shift gears. The longer one fits the persona of the build better...if that makes any sense.

I agree ..

The shifter won't be seeing much use cause it's only for the T-case ..
Kind of a fake trans shifter ...
Where the trans shifter is at is hidden, so to speak ..



In the above photo the trans shifter can be seen. ( Or can it ?? )

Do you see it ??
(Said the blind man to his deaf wife)



Dang ... Hid it better than I thought !!