[ShadetreeTim]

You mean I'm not related to a prince, and I didn't inherit a couple million?@#%$&^(* I hope I didn't waste my $1000 I sent.

[DOUBLEDICK]

Dont for get your mothers maiden name and social sucurity number.Can a moderator please block and ban this clown on page 157 posts 2351, 2352 and 2353

[ogre]

i did this a while back and thought i'd post a how to for youse guys.

i've seen/had door switches in the jams and didn't like how they looked or worked.
the way the door hinges on 55-59 cabs work, it's also brutal on the switches.
i decided to take a different approach.

i spent 2 days looking at the doors and hinges to come up with a design.
it took me 1 hr to make both door brackets.
i figure i'll save you 2 days of looking.

these pictures are from my cellphone
i used 10ga flat plate to make these. i cut 1'' strips about 7'' long.
i found some junkyard door switches for $1 each or you can buy them new for a lot more.
a single hole mounts them to the center bolt on the top hinge.
the door switches had a 3/8'' fine thread, so i drilled and tapped the end for the switch.
i had the hinges out to bend the bracket, 2 40 degree bends or there abouts did the trick.
i did make a couple of trial brackets out of sheet metal to get the right length and bends.





and in action: pics taken in place from the bottom of the hinge.





i use these to activate the dome light on my truck, also the activate my alarm system.
i wire both doors together and then to the rear most connections on the headlight switch.
use the same hookup where your dome light wires into the head light switch.

[ShadetreeTim]

Thanks Ogre, timely instructions. I am getting ready to wire my door switches now.

Tim

[ogre]

take some better pictures of the bracket will you?
i get rolling on a project and forget about documenting it.

[ogre]

when i re-wire my truck with a EZ Wire harness and added all the accessories and a lot of loads,
i decided not to use the amp meter in the gauge cluster.

rather than leave it dead, i converted it to a volt gauge.

i didn't take any pics of the conversion, but this is how it turned out.
i used a $10 autozone off the shelf 2'' volt gauge.
i gutted the gauge down to the bare essentials, no case and no face plate.

i gutted the stock amp meter down to the bare essentials too.
no guts, just the back and face plate.
it was a close fit width wise, to screws held the face plate on the volt gauge,
2 screws held the face plate on the volt gauge.
hammered a couple of dimples out of the amp gauge face plate and drill 2 holes to match the volt gauge and screwed it on.

the needle didn't match the other gauges so i whacked it off and used a little epoxy to attach the old needle to the new gauge.
the studs on back of both gauges were the same.
i carefully reused the old and new insulators to make sure nothing would short out.

calibration: hooked it up to a fully charged battery and bent the needle to match the center dot on the old face.
installed it. usually it run positive of the center dot; charging at 14 volts.

ignition off it goes to the left


old temp gauge and new volt meter. new gauge sticks out 1/16'' past, but who cares...


gauge back with old and new insulators. new gauge has threaded studs.


new face plate ($9) and a little crinkle paint from a spray bomb and this is the finished product.


it's an amazing transformation from old to new.
all new bulbs a little washing and a little paint and it looks better than new.
i have my gauges out to replace the speedo, it was hanging at 30 and would work again after 45 (and a bump in the road)
classic parts has new speedos for $99, cheaper than i could get it worked on.

[ogre]

can someone post a picture of the 58 id tags located on the drivers door jam?
i have no blue build tag and my vin plate came off working on the body.
i probably ought to remount the vin before too long

[Oregonite]

Hey Ogre, Hope these pictures help.

[DOUBLEDICK]

Ogre nice work on the gauges

[OLNOLAN]

Originally Posted by DOUBLEDICK

Ogre nice work on the gauges

X2, I like it. olnolan

[ogre]

thank oregonite
my vin tag has 6 different weld marks on it, none of them held.
they must have been setting up the welder
i had it epoxied on for a bit and then it popped off when i hit it with a sander

[ogre]

thanks dd & olnolan
ups brought my speedo today
it looks sweet!
the odometer reads 000000 just like my truck (well maybe 500)

[evilbeef54]

Hey guys, one more project in the planing phase, i am trying to price out/figure out how to do a power steering conversion in my 55 TF 3100 with manual steering and a 350ci, i have been googleing the hell out of this... as much as i am able with my slower than dial up internet, lol... and i am seeing several different kits/options ranging anywhere from $200 to $1400, i just need something simple that will work, do i just need to unbolt the old manual steering box, bolt on a new power steering box, and find an old power steering pump/bracket off something with a 350 and run the supply and return lines? and i'm done or is there more to it, i see some places have just the box from $250-$500, some have a kit with the box/bracket/pump/lines around $750, and then there are some places with a kit for about $1500 that has everything and what looks like steering arms and such. I dont mind going to a salvage yard and searching for a pump/bracket if i can save some cash, and if i can find a descent steering box (not sure what vehicle to be looking for) i wouldnt mind that however I am not sure what modifications/fabrications wouldbe needed to use a donor box, and i dont have a welder, although i will be looking for one when i get back to the States. Thanks guys you all have been great for helping me get a lot of my plans squared away so i can get right to work when i get back, i appreciate it.

[dsraven]

take a look at the bottom of your steering column, it goes directly into the steering box. you would have to cut that off and get a bearing for the bottom of it, for starters. then find a box that would work. if you wanted to use the stock steering arms then the box would have to go behind or in front of the wheels. I haven't looked at any kits, just something for you to ponder. I installed a tci mustangII front end in mine so I could have ifs and disc brakes ( as well as air bag suspension). I just figured i would probably get power steering, then later I would want to upgrade to disc brakes, by that time I might as well just pay once and get the thing the way I want it. it isn't that hard to install if you have lots of time. if you don't have a welder just hire somebody after you get it all ready. there is a tech article on installing the tci kit at the custom classic trucks site.
good luck.
dsraven

[LDO]

I'm thinking of doing a PS conversion. Info/advice on which kits?

Anything I need to consider with regards to motor mounts, lowering? Specifically, a 57 3100 with the original V8 (283) conversion front motor mounts. I plan to upgrade to a 350 (zz4) so should I look at the side motor mounts? If so, which ones? Future plans are to go with a 3" dropped axle. Any known issues there? I appreciate all the info/help. Ran a thread search but came up empty.

Many thanks!