SIMPLE CHEVY TRUCK MODS

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I made this simple shield to help stop gravel, snow, salt, and road grit from pelting my fuel tanks. I have replaced 3 tanks on  different Chevy trucks, and all of them had gravel caked on top of the tanks, especially on the sending units. There was also a lot of gravel that got caught between the tank and the factory plastic shields A stone caught in the shield rubbed a hole in one of the tanks I had to replace. 

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Here's a Handy spot for a digital clock. I got this one from JC Whitney. Only 3 wires to hook up. A "constant power", a "key on" power, and a ground. I got lucky, a previous owner had installed the same clock. I removed the broken old one, and popped this one in. I think the clock was $12.95 four years ago. I tapped into the lighter for constant power, and the radio for key on power.

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WE ALL LOVE ACCESSORIES. MANY NEED THEIR OWN POWER SUPPLY. I HAD THIS FUSE BLOCK LAYING AROUND, AND USED UP THE LAST OF THE COTTER PINS THAT WERE IN THE PLASTIC BOX WITH THE DIVIDERS. I USED 10ga. WIRE TO FEED THE BOX DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY. ALL THESE CIRCUITS HAVE CONSTANT POWER. NOW WHEN I WANT TO ADD AN ACCESSORY, I HAVE A PLACE TO TAP INTO. OEM FUSE BLOCKS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPARES FOR ALL WE LIKE TO ADD. YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO THIS FOR LESS THAN $20. BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT AMPERAGE FUSE EACH ACCESSORY CALLS FOR.

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BLIND SPOTS ARE DANGEROUS. BEING ABLE TO SEE IS VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN PLOWING SNOW. BLIND SPOT MIRRORS HELP, BUT WHEN BACKING UP WHILE PLOWING THE MIRRORS GET CAKED WITH SNOW AND ICE FAST. A REAL PAIN , ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR CO PILOT IS OUT SHOVELING WALKS WHILE YOU PLOW. I HAD THIS PIECE OF EXPANDED WIRE MESH LAYING AROUND. NOW I CAN SEE MUCH BETTER. I ONLY WISH I HAD A PIECE WIDER (HEIGHTWISE) TO USE. THIS STILL HELPS, BUT A LARGER "WINDOW" WOULD BE BETTER.

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HERE'S A WINTER WIPER BLADE. IT'S GOT A BOOT COVERING IT TO HELP PREVENT ICE FROM CAKING UP ON IT. IT USUALLY CAKES ANYWAY. I FOUND IF YOU WET A RAG WITH ARMORALL, OR A SIMILIAR PRODUCT, AND WIPE DOWN THE BOOT EVERY NOW AND THEN, IT REALLY HELPS STOP CAKING. DO NOT GET ANY ON THE ACTUAL BLADE PART, OR YOU'LL BE SORRY!!

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OK, YOU NEED TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF YOUR TRUCK, IT'S AT NIGHT. YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE DRIVERS SIDE, TO TURN ON THE COURTESY LIGHT. THEN GO AROUND TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND GET WHAT YOU NEED. (NO I DON'T HAVE PIN SWITCHES ON MY DOORS) I MOUNTED A SOCKET FROM AN OLD BUSTED TRAILER TAIL LIGHT. THE SWITCH WAS EASY TO MOUNT TOO, NOTHING BEHIND IT BUT AIR. I USED A QUICK SPLICE CONNECTOR TO TAP INTO THE 12v ACCY. OUTLET. THE LIGHT GETS CONSTANT POWER. IT WORKS FOR ME.

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A DROPLIGHT UNDER THE HOOD IS A HANDY ITEM TO HAVE. THIS ONE HAS A SWITCH MOUNTED ON IT. IT CAN BE TURNED ON, TO CHECK OIL WHILE IN IT'S HOLDER, OR YOU CAN PULL IT OUT AND USE IT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE A RELIABLE LIGHT UNDER THE HOOD. THERE IS A SMALL HANDLE, TO WIND UP THE CORD WHICH IS AT LEAST 15' LONG, MAYBE LONGER. IT STARTED TO RAIN AS I WAS FINISHING, SO I HAVEN'T TRIED IT OUT YET. I GOT MINE USED, AND IT SEEMED LIKE IT HAD A MAGNET ON THE BOTTOM OF IT. THAT WAY YOU CAN STICK IT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD, OR ON THE FENDER IF YOU WERE SAY, CHANGING A FLAT TIRE. I USED EPOXY TO ATTACH MY OWN MAGNET TO THE BACK OF IT. I TOOK THIS OFF A FRIENDS 93 CHEVY SILVERADO. HE WAS SELLING IT, AND THE DEAL WAS I GET THE LIGHT, BUT I HAD TO UNINSTALL ALL THE CONTROLS AND WIRES FOR HIS WESTERN PRO PLOW. THE NEW OWNER DIDN'T BUY THE PLOW WITH IT. (SMART GUY. THE PRO PLOW IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR 1/2 TON TRUCKS. IT LISTS CHEVY/GMC K2500-K3500,FORD F250-250,SUPERDUTY,DODGE 2500-3500 AS TYPICAL APPLICATIONS. BECAUSE THE 7.5' BLADE WEIGHS 695 POUNDS ALONE!! (end of rant) ) MY FATHER'S 96 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED, AND MY BROTHER'S 95 DODGE RAM, HAVE NEARLY IDENTICAL LIGHTS MOUNTED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THEIR HOODS. NEXT TIME YOU GO TO A JUNKYARD, YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

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Here is a box in the bed of my 77 Chevy. It is no wider than the wheel well. I can still slide a full sheet of plywood into the bed if I need to. I carry a small hydraulic bottle jack, tow chains, and tow strap, a few clevises, and two blocks of 6" X 6" RR Ties about a foot long. I need one 6" X 6" under the jack just to be able to lift a wheel high enough to get a tire off. This box is not waterproof, though it has a seal around the top. I found out after not opening it until I needed a strap in the winter. I installed it in September. When I opened the lid, I was greeted by a block of ice with my jack in it, and of course m towing gear was frozen solid in it. Luckily i had a strap in my other truck. That afternoon while it was still frozen, I drilled a hole on the side near the bottom to let the water drain out. I slipped a paper cup over a 1/2" drill bit, sticking the bit through the bottom of the cup. This was in case I hit water when I broke through the side of the box. It would help contain it, and limit what got on the drill. When the ice melted and drained, I drilled several holes in the bottom of the box. I used a cordless drill, and suggest you do the same in a case like this. Water and 110V don't mix!! This box has been on my truck since 1992. You can buy a similar box at the link below. They are definitely handy, and really don't take up much space. They lock, but are not the most secure place for items.

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Tool Box

Dee Zee STORAGE BOX
Reversible locking storage box. Perfect for tow straps, etc.

 

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SIMPLE MODS PAGE 2 !!

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