Olde Skool update 4-28-07

[kaptnkaos]

Olde Skool Update 4-28-07

Today was definitely a bump bus working on day…
The weather was perfect…
Sunny, 70-75 degrees, with a slight breeze... oh yeah !!!
After being sick for the past 3 days, it was really nice to actually get outside and do something productive.

Project one: updating the fuse block… removed the crusty old fuse block. Once removed, I found that two wire connections had rusted thru... one wire wasn’t even attached. The other had one of the fingers that hold the glass fuse in, fell out when I removed the fuse.
After fabricating a mounting plate for the new fuse block everything else just fell in order.
Total cost of the conversion:
Fuse block …………. $15.00
2 inline fuse holders …$4.00
Fuse assortment…… $2.49
Wire clamps………….$1.40
Total…………………$22.89

Satisfaction from getting the job done myself… Priceless

Project two: Attacking the rear lighting situation again.
Got the drivers side nearly done… finished getting the large lights rebuilt. Made new gaskets, repainted, new sockets installed. Also finished rebuilding the license plate light. I still have to make a new gasket for both lenses. Got every hooked up ready to do the actual installation and found out the new light would not fit into the old hole… the new housing is about an 1/8 wider in the back that the old one even though it is the same size light. Had to use a cutting wheel to enlarge the hole… the hole still needs stretched a little bit more but it fit well enough to smoke test things… I hooked up the battery, clicked on the light switch to first position, checked and both front and rear markers worked …Yes !!!
I pulled the switch to the second position… headlights came on, the front markers went off, but the rear ones stayed on just like they are supposed to… yes !!! (I’m gonna change it so the front markers stay on when headlights are on)
Then I clicked on the turn signal … click…click… click ahhh what a wonderful sound… yes, I got flashed… I still have to finish doing the passenger side, but I am a whole lot further along today than I was yesterday.

I have uploaded some new pics of today’s progress to my webshots album…

Take care and God bless,
KaptnKAOS

[ezernut9mm]

sweet. sounds like you got alot done.

[jzjames]

Nice job on the fusebox. The lights look good!

[kaptnkaos]

Thanks guys...

With the rising cost of gas here in WA right now, it might be a bit before I take any long drives with Olde Skool... the bus is supposed to get around 6.5-7 mpg, though I can't verify that yet.
Most of the events I go to with the SCA, are within a 75 mile radius so the damages won't be that bad. My '68 CS, loaded with a 9.5' cabover, doesn't get much better milage than that anyway. The bus isn't that much bigger than the pickup and camper size wise, but has much more usable space...
I love the idea of not having to get out in nasty weather (not that we have any of that here in WA state) and go around to the back of the camper get out the set of wooden steps, just to be able to get in outta the rain... Once it's finished, I'll be able to just park and camp is set up... Yes !!!
I am planing on using it for the first time for a 3-4 day event Mid June. It won't be completed, but should be usable by then.

Take care and God bless,
KaptnKAOS

[XLT]

With all that space, there is alot you can do. I like it.

[ezernut9mm]

i am very envious. i've done a lot of "tailgate camping", but it would be nice to just park and set up without having to worry about the weather. that's one cool ride you have there.

[kaptnkaos]

Thanks guys..

I appreciate the support and technical know how I get from everyone here on Fordification... I read all the posts, even if they don't apply to me at the given moment. After seeing what most of you guys have done with your bumps, I get inspiried to learn and do more myself.
I have gotten some great ideas and learned what can and what can't be done. Sometimes, I be struggling with something tryin' to figure the best way to do it and someone will post something that turns on the light... like dah.. why didn't I think of that...

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks...

Be blessed
KaptnKAOS

[rjewkes]

so did you go with the blade fuse style or back to glass?

[kaptnkaos]

I replaced the old glass fuse block with a new one for blade fuses...
Follow the Olde Skool link to webshots below...

KaptnKAOS