North Idaho Driver

[timachone]

Wow, what awesome photos you shot and what a beautiful landscape - awesome

Glad, you're back and hope to hear from you soon...

[popeyes71]

back!!! Looking forward to seeing more progress on your truck!

[hfdco4]

Truck looks even better against that backdrop!

[Idaho Chris]

Wow. Hard to believe it has been 2 1/2 years since I was last active here. With the truck running great and having a couple other car projects I guess I just got away from the forum. Time sure flies. After reading a bunch of random posts today I realize how much I have missed it here! I hope to be back more regular going forward.

Since last posting I have installed electric power steering on the rig. All I can say is wow! I can now steer and drink my Big Gulp at the same time!

The system is expensive, but it really is a simple bolt on conversion. I probably spent all of an hour doing the install.



The system is sold by a guy in Kansas. I had a great experience dealing with him. Here's a link to his site: https://steermancycle.com/shop/
If you can swing it I highly recommend it. So much better than the leaky OEM hydraulic system.

I've been driving the rig everywhere (usually with my dog in the bed) and just having a great time with it.

This spring I am going to finally get around to installing the tailgate that I picked up some time ago and at the same time I'll repaint the lower half of the truck when I paint the tailgate. I did finally get a chance to learn some paint technique when I refurbished my '73 Mach 1 which as I recall DuckRyder asked me about back when I joined the forum.

If anyone is interested I'd be happy to post up some pics of the Mustang and also the '68 Triumph I restored over the past two summers. But hey, they ain't Bumps so I am not going to presume anyone gives a damn about 'em.

[hfdco4]

I am very interested in more pics of the electric steering, but wouldn't mind seeing your other projects too!

[Idaho Chris]

I am very interested in more pics of the electric steering, but wouldn't mind seeing your other projects too!

Paul-

Unfortunately I have left North Idaho and the truck is stored for the winter months. I will not be back until early April. I will definitely post up more pictures of the steering install when I get back.

There are basically three components; the pictured electric unit itself that includes resized steering shaft(s) and new universal joints, a small control module that mounts up on the inside of the firewall right under where the speedometer cable comes in, and a small potentiometer that is mounted in an existing hole just to the left of the steering column near the light switch.

I'll round up some pics of the Mach 1 and the Triumph...stand by.

[Idaho Chris]

So here's what I worked on instead of the truck last summer. I restored my 1973 Mustang Mach 1. This is my first car. I bought it used back in 1975 with my dad's help. I kept it all these years, but sadly it sat in a non-running state for the past 30+ years rotting away in storage. I did paint the front bumper and the hood myself. First time I've ever painted anything with a real gun. All in practice for some paint work on the truck next summer...

I need to get some pics of the Mustang and the Highboy together for sure.

[jzjames]

Heeey! Been wondering where you went with that great truck with the nice straight six. I look at the saved pics of your engine quite often. I figured you were enjoying it.

[hfdco4]

I love the Stang and it has three pedals which make it perfect!

[Idaho Chris]

I love the Stang and it has three pedals which make it perfect!

Thanks Paul.

As for the third pedal; I added it during the restoration. It originally was an FMX automatic car and I installed a Tremec 5 speed last summer. The hardest part of the whole process was getting the pedal box in and out of the car to add the clutch pedal. There certainly is a lot less room in there to work on the pedals than on our trucks!

[hdman90]

Idaho Chris!
(Or should I say Florida Chirs? )
Welcome back! I've also been on a forum hiatus, and have decided to check back in around the same times as you.
I'm glad to see that you and your truck are doing well and are in good shape! Great work on the 'stang, but how about the neglected Triumph?? Lets see it!

[Idaho Chris]

Idaho Chris!
(Or should I say Florida Chirs? )
Welcome back! I've also been on a forum hiatus, and have decided to check back in around the same times as you.
I'm glad to see that you and your truck are doing well and are in good shape! Great work on the 'stang, but how about the neglected Triumph?? Lets see it!

Hello BJ, how have you been? How are those yellow wires holding up?

Yeah, I know I am remiss on posting the Triumph pics. I just need to get them moved off my phone onto my computer...

[hfdco4]

Sometimes the simple things aren't so simple!

[Idaho Chris]

OK, here are a few pictures of the '68 Triumph TR250. This is the car I fixed up the summer after the Highboy and the summer before the Mustang Mach1.

It still feels a little weird to post non-Bump photos on this site. At least the Mustang was a Ford. This Triumph is even a damn foreign car! Forgive me...







Does it help to know all the parts runs I made into town for the Triumph were done in the Highboy?

[hdman90]

Chris!
The Triumph looks great! I think we can allow since the Highboy was the parts hauler? Haha!

The yellow wires are great! I just went through the ignition system this past summer, and they passed the check and were allowed to stay! I doubt they even have 2,000 miles on them anyhow.