'89 Fun daily build

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Menissalt

I'm Awesome
Joined
Feb 16, 2022
Messages
231
Reaction score
332
Location
Texas
Steering and Rear Suspension

After putting in a reman O'Reily's pump that failed they put in a heavier duty pump from PSC

I decided to also have them put on a Roadmaster suspension on the rear while it was there. After testing it they were so impressed that the guy who runs the shop is looking to add a set to his truck. I'll let y'all know what I think once I get it back, it's currently having the cruise and thermostat looked at.
 

John Young

OBS Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 6, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
243
Location
Olathe, KS
Steering and Rear Suspension

After putting in a reman O'Reily's pump that failed they put in a heavier duty pump from PSC

I decided to also have them put on a Roadmaster suspension on the rear while it was there. After testing it they were so impressed that the guy who runs the shop is looking to add a set to his truck. I'll let y'all know what I think once I get it back, it's currently having the cruise and thermostat looked at.
I put the roadster on and so far I really like it. I haven't towed with it yet but hope it will greatly improve the capability.
 

Menissalt

I'm Awesome
Joined
Feb 16, 2022
Messages
231
Reaction score
332
Location
Texas
Cruise control

Verified that the module is dead. Unfortunately we can't find any modules new, rebuilt, or even at local yards. Might have to convert to universal to get it working again.
 

Menissalt

I'm Awesome
Joined
Feb 16, 2022
Messages
231
Reaction score
332
Location
Texas
Got it back and was able to take it to work!

Unfortunately the cruise module that was "Tested and works well" from ebay isn't working. So either it wasn't tested or my shop didn't actually diagnose the harness.
 

Menissalt

I'm Awesome
Joined
Feb 16, 2022
Messages
231
Reaction score
332
Location
Texas
Dash update

The shop that said "guess I'll have to take back 30 years of wiring experience" because I told them they did a sloppy job on my gauges. The job they did

You must be registered for see images attach


Found this after I got my multimeter out and followed the cruise control diagnostic steps. The cruise harness is missing cables, the speed sensor was also wired wrong (which is why I've had rough idle when running the AC and an intermittent check engine light), the dimmer was wired wrong... I just stopped looking at that point and took it to someone else to fix. Turns out the faulty wiring killed the dimmer, don't know if anything else was killed by it yet. The second shop is making a wire harness and actually mounting the Dakota boxes instead of letting them hang by the wires. They've been working on it for a week now and are wrapping up so I should have it back this weekend.

Btw, the few wires zip tied together are the ones my second shop has already fixed. This picture was taken after they started.
Misc
Decided we're going to clear coat the faded and rusty paint and just embrace the patina, at least for a while. So the next big thing I'll be doing to it is that, bed liner, a tonneau cover, and a lock for the tailgate.

Still working on the steering, it pulls to the right and has too much play still. Redhead says the play is from the ball stud of the pitman arm. Video: https://1drv.ms/v/s!Amdan2uMn5m0h5tyiC0Dr20fDRZb9g

I'm also wondering if either Ridetech sent the wrong shocks or if the shop ordered the wrong ones, I think I might have the shorty 3.6 stroke ones which would explain why the truck was much too low with the drop spindles. I should hear back about that next week and if that is the case hopefully we can get that resolved.


My thoughts so far

Even though I'm still working through some last issues, it is an absolute pleasure to be in and drive. The way it turns is almost surreal. At low speeds it's more like the whole truck is rotating rather turning, it's hard to describe. It is handling *very* we'll despite the front being raised up to the max recommended for those shocks to match the rear height as best possible, though it did feel nicer when it was lower. The Roadmaster stuff might keep me from going full coilover too, it rides well but I have had a chance to push it. It's been a journey and it's barely started but I'm in deep enough to know that I'm happy with the direction it's going!
 

GrimsterGMC

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2021
Messages
1,148
Reaction score
3,726
Location
New Zealand
Dash update

The shop that said "guess I'll have to take back 30 years of wiring experience" because I told them they did a sloppy job on my gauges. The job they did

You must be registered for see images attach


Found this after I got my multimeter out and followed the cruise control diagnostic steps. The cruise harness is missing cables, the speed sensor was also wired wrong (which is why I've had rough idle when running the AC and an intermittent check engine light), the dimmer was wired wrong... I just stopped looking at that point and took it to someone else to fix. Turns out the faulty wiring killed the dimmer, don't know if anything else was killed by it yet. The second shop is making a wire harness and actually mounting the Dakota boxes instead of letting them hang by the wires. They've been working on it for a week now and are wrapping up so I should have it back this weekend.

Btw, the few wires zip tied together are the ones my second shop has already fixed. This picture was taken after they started.
Misc
Decided we're going to clear coat the faded and rusty paint and just embrace the patina, at least for a while. So the next big thing I'll be doing to it is that, bed liner, a tonneau cover, and a lock for the tailgate.

Still working on the steering, it pulls to the right and has too much play still. Redhead says the play is from the ball stud of the pitman arm. Video: https://1drv.ms/v/s!Amdan2uMn5m0h5tyiC0Dr20fDRZb9g

I'm also wondering if either Ridetech sent the wrong shocks or if the shop ordered the wrong ones, I think I might have the shorty 3.6 stroke ones which would explain why the truck was much too low with the drop spindles. I should hear back about that next week and if that is the case hopefully we can get that resolved.


My thoughts so far

Even though I'm still working through some last issues, it is an absolute pleasure to be in and drive. The way it turns is almost surreal. At low speeds it's more like the whole truck is rotating rather turning, it's hard to describe. It is handling *very* we'll despite the front being raised up to the max recommended for those shocks to match the rear height as best possible, though it did feel nicer when it was lower. The Roadmaster stuff might keep me from going full coilover too, it rides well but I have had a chance to push it. It's been a journey and it's barely started but I'm in deep enough to know that I'm happy with the direction it's going!
Wiring takes a lot of patience. It's not just about getting it to work but to keep it all tidy and accessible if you have to go back and make more changes later. i always start with too much cable and temp connect everything first to make sure it all works. Then I will go back and tie up and trim the cables while doing the permanent connections as I go. It also pays to right a list of what you have done and what colors you have used for new circuits so if you have to go back a year later you can trace each circuit from end to end while fault finding. On top of that, the factory looms are kept so tight and tucked away that to just try and get into the space requires standing on your head with your feet on the roof before realising you have left the tool you need on the workbench and there is no one there to pass it to you. It is certainly a young persons job I think. :)
 
Top