Back in Black! rpu build thread

Sorry for the lag in response guys, I lost track of my own thread
Steve is right, started wiring finally. Didn't get anything done thru the holidays, I am glad they are finally out of the way!

I gathered up all the wiring supplies that I need. I enjoy wiring, I am a bit of a wiring nerd. Years ago I used to install marine electronics for a living. I learned lots, since the marine environment is SO tough on everything.

I also learned from that to make things serviceable, because everything has to come apart sometime. And I don't want to chop up my harness to remove things.

So long story short, I am putting weather-pack plugs on every accessory. Headlights, foglights, fan, fuel pump, etc. This way I can unplug anything without hacking up the harness. The plugs won't be "in-your-face" visible, but they'll be there.

I am also putting the same weather-pack plugs between the harness coming out of the body, going to the frame. If I ever do have to take the body off, I can unplug the harness.

I also am covering all exposed wires with flame resistant braided expandable sleeving. Really cool stuff, hides the colored wires nice, looks way better than loom. Looks like cloth covered wire, so it "fits" better. Looks like this, I chose the black:


So it's taking a little time, but the end result should be worth it. I will show some pictures of what it all looks like when I get over the shop Friday to work on it again.

I didn't make them. I bought a Kwik top kit for the bows, & modified them a ton. This top kit is meant to fold. I don't want or need it to fold though, so when I modified the kit I made it fixed.

The main reason that I modified it is because I hated the side window opening shape the way it was build. The side window opening sloped down & looked funny. I like the side window opening to be parallel with the top of the door, so I cut it up til I liked it

Thanks for asking what's up guys, I'll post some progress pics this weekend

Dan



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Nope. BUT, I DID put the grille on for ya



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Badass RPU! Very fine craftsmanship. You nailed it throughout.

 

Pics, man...we need update pics!!

Don't worry, Dan...WE'LL be the judge of how it looks!!

 

How is that wiring going? Are you driving it yet?

 

and still no photo...hahahaha

 

Yeah Dad nice little idea, Dan I just blew the whole nite on your thread...LOL
I'm kidding, Super truck and Outstanding workmanship! I gleened some great stuff I hope you don't mind.
Thanks, keep up the good work.

 

Nice detail, Dan...you keep listening to your father!!

 

Nice!

 

Great details. Thanks for taking the time to record and post.

 

Paging Dr. Dan... Dr. Dan. Please come to the HAMB and give us an update.

 

very cool build!!! Its hard to pick a favorite on this site,but this has gotta be one of the three!!!

 

Dans Brother Don Here

Dr Dan has been wiring the car over the last few weeks and more than likely has not been near his computer as he has been laying underneath the RPU. I will relay the message to be sure.

True to Dan form the wiring is going to be a masterpiece with every connection being perfect. I have seen the wiring so far and it is out of this world. RPU is looking fantastic.

Don

 

^^^^It should be a bullet proof wiring job from the sounds of the above.

 

Cool! Thanks for the update Don! Can't wait to see! Tell him to hurry up!

 

Ive been telling him to hurry up for 4 years!

I think this one is worth the wait though
Don

 

HAHA! Agreed!

 

Scott I think I nominate you as official "motivator" for the the HAMB seeings you keep bringing up guys build threads demanding progress.

 

Looking forward to the artful wiring and seeing the completed car.
Are you going to post your T Mr Blue?

 

If he'd stop welding up a new frame for Pops he'd get his own done quicker!!

 

wow she's a keeper for sure....I love it...nice job man

CB

 

Wow guys, I have once again lost track of my own thread. Old age is a bitch. Thanks for the push, it keeps me motivated for sure.

Hello Brother Don!

I have been wiring like a madman, I am amazed how much wiring there is in such a simple car. But I have made some good progress! Wiring is nearly done now. Only things left to wire are a few simple things-battery cable to the starter, ground the starter, & that is about it!

I did end up putting weather-pack plugs on everything for future maintenance. & I did cover all exposed wiring with the braided sleeving too. It ended up looking nice, no wires "jump out" at you now. I also put weather-pack plugs on the entire dash harness, so if I ever need to remove the dash everything unplugs.

Hard to take pics of wiring, but here's a few to show the results. It's nice to flip switches & have stuff actually turn on

Thanks again guys, here's some pics as it sits

Dan

tail lights are mounted:

 

Looking really good. The firewall looks much creamier than in the earlier (outside) pictures. Beautiful build.

 

Awesome work Dan! You are soooo close. I am ready to start the daunting task of wiring myself. I've got asphalt loom for the bundles of wire but was looking to do what you did on individual wires to hide the colors. Does that sleeve fit over individual wires? Where did you source it? Sorry if I missed all this info elsewhere.

Thanks! Mike

 

Thanks man, I appreciate! Yeah, the color thing is weird. The car honestly looks a lot different in real life. The top & firewall are the same color, & are really a cream color. They photograph white though. Better than hot pink I guess

Thank you Mike. I gotta check your progress on your truck-I am outta the loop for the past couple weeks.

The stuff I used is here:
http://www.electriduct.com/Non-Fray-Expandable-Braided-Sleeving-FLAME-RETARDANT_p_180.html

I used the 1/4" size. It expands from 1/4" to a little under 1/2". Most of what I did was bundles of 2 to 8 wires. They make this as small as 1/8" also, which has a range from 1/8" to 1/4". Might be a better choice for single wires.

Cool stuff though, I like the way it looks. I will have to get some pics of what it looks like over the wires. I like it because it covers the wires really well. It is near impossible to see thru

 

Thanks Dan! I would love to see some pics of the stuff in action.

 

Looks like it's ready for a night out! Man, you are REEEEEALLY close now!

 

OOOHHH getting close Dan!!! Must be a great feeling.

 

I see this pic....



And I hear this playing in the back ground!!!

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BvsMPOfblfg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

It's ALIVE!! Keep pushing... Gary