More Little Things Mean a Lot

 

This is the time of year when weather is usually at its maximum schizophrenic swings, and it has been happening again. With temps in the teens and snow flurries only a few days behind us, we were blessed with two sunny and calm 83*F days, and then it was back into the forties with howling NW winds. Today our forecast is for Spring-like weather that is expected to last a week or more.

 With the nice weather, I was able to fabricate, assemble and install several interior parts. Both door handles are now in place and functioning satisfactorily.

The latest version of the steering wheel is complete and waiting for the dash and steering column to be re-attached, so the interior is beginning to look like it is finally taking shape. This is the newest version of the old truck steering wheel and the various versions that led up to it. The center section trim will probably change, but I can do that after everything else is done.

This is the stock wheel that was OEM on my '73 D-100 pickup that I purchased new. I disliked it from day one but was like new and I finally found a use for it. 

I got rid of the plastic center pad and created a new center from the original '56 Plymouth Mayflower cap and a stainless-steel wheel center cap from an aftermarket truck wheel. I liked the look, but it didn't work out well as I could not come up with a way to attach it reliably to the horn mechanism.

The final results don't look much like a modernized 50s era design, but it functions like expected and the text can easily be replaced or changed at any time if I can come up with a nicer design.

I still have the problem of the windshield wipers not parking when turned off. When I tested the motor with a power supply, it was working fine, but I can't understand how running on battery power would change how it operates. I hate to fasten the dash panel without getting it fixed while it's accessible, but I also hate not being able to install the remaining console and heater controls. I do have an extra single speed motor that checks out fine, but it requires minor wiring changes and I would much prefer a 2-speed wiper. I saw there is a way to adjust the park setting, but the last time I read about it in the service manual I was confused...but that's normal!

  

 

 

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