From reading about the headlight relay setup and all it seems that there's no issue with the 18 gauge wiring that's stock, but just that the total routing of power from alternator>battery>dash>switch>headlights is what kills voltage. Interesting to know since I figured I'd use considerably heavier gauge wiring with the relay setup. Now I'm thinking I'll probably use about 14 gauge. That'll be heavier than stock and leave capacity for some low amp fog lights or something if I ever want to tie into that. I may wire the high beam system even heavier gauge and tie some long range spotlights into that since I'm still not sure I'll be happy with high-beam performance.

Thanks guys for all of the info and replies about the lighting stuff.

 

14 gauge is plenty, this is what sold me on the relay harness, some bulb facts. even though a 9007 uses a different filament, and 55 watt low beam, it is still relevant. http://www.dfuser.com/Install%20Guid...bs%20facts.pdf.

 

Here's a pic from last Thursday doing the diff fluid front and rear

 

I'm so jealous you have access to all that equipment at your school! I mean, I'm in school for aviation maintenance.. but I don't own a plane so the equipment doesn't benefit me much.

 

Yeah, it's really nice to have. They've got 7 lifts, 2 alignment racks, hoisting equipment, brake lathes, cylinder head machining equipment, and pretty much all of the tools you could ever need. A couple of weeks ago I used the stuff there to do a repair on my moms Suburban that the dealer wanted $1600 for, cost me $45. Definitely taking advantage of it while I can.

 

Oh yeah!? Well.. we have airplanes!

 

Hahaha

I bet the planes are pretty cool. I've got a teacher (automotive electronics systems) who works on DEA helicopters for a living. What he does sounds pretty neat, and I imagine plane work is similar. Sounds like there are really tight shop requirements and a lot of procedure involved. Mostly to make sure everything is tested right and nothing is left on/in the aircraft (tools, rags, etc...). Can't exactly pull a plane over into the shoulder if you break down...

 

Just checked out my rear brakes today. It'd been about a year since I last had the drums off. Everything looked good so I just cleaned it all up. Got some dirt/mud out that was causing some squeaking.

I also put in a different vacuum advance on the distributor because the one on there didn't seem to be operating well, and my gas mileage took a hit. The replacement gave me more part-throttle power back, better throttle response, and there's a good difference in how far I need to be on the gas to maintain speed (less now). My MPG should go on back up to 10, lol. With that vacuum advance being weird the last week I've been more around 8.5MPG... Having everything tuned right really makes a difference in economy and performance.

 

I ordered a new carburetor for my engine yesterday afternoon. I've been running an a Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb with vacuum secondaries and electric choke. The one I just ordered is a Street Demon 750cfm carb with vacuum secondaries and an electric choke. From my reasearch I should be able to get this one to run leaner and get more power out of it. The design seems pretty good on these Demon carbs. The top comes off like an Edelbrock/Carter and it adjusts the same as an Edelbrock. The carb has fairly small primaries to keep fuel economy up while cruising and it's got huge secondaries to feed in the power when you step in it.

 

Hey Collin. How've you been? Anything new going on?

It sounds like your trucks been running pretty good lately. That's good to hear.

I bet that new carburetor will be sweet. g It should be a pretty good improvement no? Was there anything wrong with your old one, or did you just want to upgrade, haha.

I'm still jealous of your tuck because it makes me wish I could drive my Dad's old truck, and it looks darn good too, lol.

Got anything else planned for it in the future?

 

Going pretty well. Staying busy with school and work.

The carb I've been running is fine. It's only 2 years old this month. I just wanted to upgrade. I'm not totally sure what to expect out of the new one, but I should get better WOT performance and I think the carb design will lend itself to better part throttle response too. I'll have fun experimenting with it all.

As for future plans, all I really have planned right now is to do a little body work and paint the whole truck. I'm thinking I may be getting all of that finished up sometime in April/May.

 

Yeah I've been pretty busy with school too.

I figured you just wanted to upgrade. It sounds like it should be a decent improvement. And I'm sure you will have fun testing it out, haha.

Ok sounds good. I can't wait to see it all finished, should look sweet. You're keeping the same paint job right? How's the paint now, just a little faded?

 

Yeah I'm going to keep the same two-tone. The clear coat is gone on the top of the cab and the hood. The rest looks pretty good.

 

Ok that's what I figured. Should be pretty sweet with fresh paint, can't wait to see it.

 

Did you have any clearance or rubbing issues with the 3 inch lift and 37s? If so, was it severe or do you think it would've worked with a 4" lift and 37s?