Project Big Red

miguelito

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Hello! I just discovered your Big Red build--thanks as others have said for the excellent documentation. I'm looking at an '87 and would like to do the window swap to OBS as you did. If you have a moment, do you know about which page that info is on? If not, no biggie--but with 200 pages, it takes a while to search! Mike
 

catbird7

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I think Laser and I were doing this swap around the same time and not sure if we did it the same way. I welded flat washers around the perimeter of the brick window opening plus changed interior trim to OBS including door panels and side mirrors, however still have the brick dash.
 

laserjock

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I think Laser and I were doing this swap around the same time and not sure if we did it the same way. I welded flat washers around the perimeter of the brick window opening plus changed interior trim to OBS including door panels and side mirrors, however still have the brick dash.
This is the right way to do it. I’m trying to remember what I did. I think I actually bought some clips and didn’t end up using them. I think I just used some washers against the lip to pull them in. The studs litterally are right up against the window opening metal. The butyl tape stuff really will hold the window in. I did not go the extra mile on that mod.
 

laserjock

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Well, I know this thread has been dormant for a while. Honestly I haven’t had a lot of ambition to work on the truck. Haven’t been able to go anywhere so what was the point. Well, I’ve got some trips planned for this year so I decided it was time to attack my biggest issue. Cooling.

I had planned on doing the 6.4 fan clutch upgrade but the more I thought about it, really, in my mind the 6.4 fan is really the way to go. His handle escapes me right now, but I spent a lot of time studying the fan clutch upgrade thread because he showed the problem with the fan clearing the water neck on the radiator. I tried everything I could think of to make room. Finally I said screw it. In for a penny, in for a pound.

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I made the inlet a little longer so I could use the stock hose even with the new position.

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Now the fan spins. Bottom hose is good as-is.

The IDI fan is 22”. The 6.4 fan is 26”. Obviously the stock fan shroud is not going to cut it. So a half sheet of 18 gauge later...

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Cont.
 

laserjock

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After a lot of head scratching, cutting, welding, grinding, cussing and bleeding...

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I came up with this 2 piece design. It just would not fit in one piece and servicing it would have been a nightmare. Here it is installed.

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I had to reroute the one charge pipe.

The one thing I did not mention is that I am running this fan on a stock style thermal clutch. I just opened the 6mm holes up the 5/16” that the IDI clutch used. It’s the same bolt circle and the fan pilots the same. If this doesn’t work I have the bushing modeled up ready to be machined to go full on 6.4 clutch and fan.

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So that’s where we are there. Got a couple small tweaks to make to the shroud but it works. Good clearance and it seals way better than the factory one ever did.

Cont.
 

laserjock

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While I was at it, I ordered up a pump upgrade from Wes.

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hopefully that solves some problems I’ve been having.

And how cool is this....

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I don’t even care if it runs better! LOL

it runs good but I’ll know more and report after my upcoming trip.

I fixed my water temp gauge problem. It was installer error causing it to be erratic. I’m not going into details on that.

Other than that I changed the oil too.

I’ll report back once I’ve got some miles on it.
 

laserjock

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Wow Mike, your work looks incredible! I might have to break my truck back out of hibernation and start playing again....
It’s a solid 20 footer. LOL

It’s amazing what a little filler, seam sealer and flat black paint can do.

LOL

Considering I’ve never done anything like this before really, other than one big screw-up I’m pretty pleased.
 

no mufflers

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looks good from here mike! lol. i am sure thinking that will keep it cool. defiantly the advantage of the 6.4 clutch would be able to put the fan in full lock.
 
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