Life and other distractions

I Haven't been able to work on the truck for the last couple of weeks. I've been working on my '91 go to work suburban instead. The suburban AC compressor locked up and broke the damped crank pulley,(not damned, though I think I called it that a couple of times). That pulley is $300! So I pulled the one off the pickup. The pickup crank pulley is a non damped version, similar to a gas engine crank pulley. Chevy switched over to the damped variety on the 6.2's (I'm not sure when, and after researching fer the last two weeks, I don't think anyone knows) to isolate v-belts and accessory bearings from the clackety diesel engine, that's what I was told anyway.... I've also changed the AC compressor, AC drier, front brake pads, one new rotor, two u joints, a carrier bearing, and the idler arm. I still have the rear axles to replace (outer bearing problems), the rear brake pads to replace, and a leak somewhere in the rear brake lines or pistons to fix. The old girl has 190,000 miles on her, and is starten' to feel her age.

I'm going to switch the truck over to a serpentine belt system. It's cleaner looking, and the parts are cheaper. I did get to put a little time into the truck a few weeks ago before the suburban started disintegrating. The jute padding came, and I have it cut and glued to the floor, and the carpet is stretched out in the cab, ready to glue down, but I just haven't had that extra hour I need to finish, maybe this weekend. I also put the power window and lock parts in the drivers side door. I'll save the wiring for a less stressful time in my life. I did look at the fuse block, and it has the area marked for power windows. I'll transfer the wiring over from the parts suburban. I was planning on putting the door panels from the parts suburban into the truck. When I was taking the drivers side panel off, I noticed that it has 4 window switches. Whoops! I wonder what I could use the two extra switches for? I would like to put the window switches in the center console anyway, so I may buy new panels.....

My car inventory- I have 3 suburbans, a 1970 3 door, 400/turbo350 (my other hot rod project), a 1986 no engine/transmission (the parts suburban), and a 1991 6.2 diesel (my filled with tools, go to work suburban). I also have "The Truck", and my wife has a Chevy Astro van. I like Chevys! Although after the last couple of weeks, I could very easily part with the work suburban and the astro.

I've noticed a difference in my attitude when I work on the suburban ('91) because I have to, as opposed to working on the truck because I want to. I doubt I'll try to fix my attitude though, that'd probably just take more time away from my truck.....

Ahhh the smell of new!

I've finished with the ice and water shield. I had to use 3M spray adhesive to get it to stick well, especially on radiuses and outside corners. I sprayed 3M on all the pieces on the ceiling just to be sure. I've ordered 27 oz.felt (jute) pad from www.yourautotrim.com . It will be here in a week or so. The carpet that I bought comes with the pad only in the foot well area. I want pad everywhere, on the ceiling, under the seat, on the back wall.
I sprayed the ColorBond on all the plastic and some metal interior trim pieces. It worked better than I had hoped. The pieces look like they're new from the factory. I don't think ColorBond is meant to be used for metal pieces, but it is adhering well and looks as good on the metal as it does on the plastic parts.
Headliner fabric is so cheap at yourautotrim that I think I will attempt it myself. I still have the original headliner backing, I threw it in the back of the truck thinking I was going to throw it away. Fortunately I haven't piled anything heavy on it and it hasn't been rained on. I figure for less than $20.00 I can practice. If I mess it up, I'll throw it away, and order a new complete headliner from www.classicparts.com .
I bought an '86 suburban for parts. The parts I will use are: front drivers side fender, passenger door, stock quartz clock (the clock will fill in the one blank hole in the gauge cluster), the power windows and locks, and the front door panels. I have started taking the drivers door panel, power window/lock switches and wiring out of the suburban. I will transfer the complete passenger side door from suburban to truck (original truck door was hit and repaired with bondo). I don't know how hard it will be to wire for power windows and locks, but I have had them in my vehicles for so long, that I don't want to live without.
I'm going to wait on the fender and door until I start the body work phase. Both originals look ok for now.
I'm getting excited about driving the truck, because the interior looks so new and clean.
I think the next big project after the interior will be dropping the truck. I want a raked, big and little look, so will probably drop it 41/2" front and 4" rear. I plan on using corvette ralleys with small trim rings and baby moons, and will paint the wheels corvette red. I know I can get 15" X15" for the rear, but that may be too big without narrowing the rearend and frame. If so, will go with 15"X12" and probably use a D.O.T. sprint track tire or equivalent. For the fronts, I will go with a 16"X8". I think that will get me less sidewall, make the tire look smaller, but still have the same overall radius as stock.