Radiator 007.JPG
708 hits | 111.32 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
Refurbed AC evaporator box resealed to firewall with rebuilt STV, new expansion valve, newly rebuilt AC hose from evaporator to A6 AC compressor. Also installed new heater core.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Radiator 008.JPG
696 hits | 100.39 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
New Champion brand 3 row all aluminum radiator.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Radiator 009.JPG
660 hits | 106.15 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
Welds are pretty good, not show quality but I don't own a show car. The welds look black but they are not.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Radiator 010.JPG
673 hits | 86.87 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
Again welds look very good. I wouldn't hesitate to order another Champion radiator.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Radiator 011.JPG
675 hits | 95.47 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
This shows the filler cap is fully welded and not epoxied.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Radiator 012.JPG
677 hits | 99.39 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Radiator 015.JPG
675 hits | 88.91 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
2 1/4" wide 3 row Champion radiator
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Radiator 017.JPG
719 hits | 93.62 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Radiator 018.JPG
702 hits | 106.44 KB | Posted: 6/2/12
Fitament into Ranchero is very good, the only mod that may have to occur is the upper radiator mounts.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

r. radiator 009.JPG
802 hits | 101.15 KB | Posted: 6/3/12
2.5" x 2.5" x 1/4" angle iron modified with gussets for use as rear sway bar end link, bolted to crossmember.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

r. radiator 014.JPG
1004 hits | 114.34 KB | Posted: 6/3/12
'95 Chevy Astro van hydroboost unit with '78 Corvette 1 1/8" 4 wheel disc MC. MC plumbed to 4 whl disc brake proportioning/combination valve. Homemade 3/16" plate attaches hydroboost unit to firewall, used existing brake booster mounting ho...
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

r. radiator 018.JPG
688 hits | 105.53 KB | Posted: 6/3/12
Modified upper radiator drivers side bracket.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

r. radiator 019.JPG
731 hits | 99.24 KB | Posted: 6/3/12
Modified upper radiator passenger side bracket
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

r. radiator 023.JPG
1335 hits | 112.48 KB | Posted: 6/3/12
'95 Astro van hydroboost disassembled, cleaned up and ready to be resealed. It was pretty nasty inside, but showed no wear or scuffing of internals
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

r. radiator 012.JPG
820 hits | 87.85 KB | Posted: 6/3/12
3" dual exhaust tucked up in trans tunnel. System includes: Ceramic coated Hooker 6126 headers, Jegs 3" x 18" collector extensions, Pypes brand 3" X-pipe kit, Dynomax UltraFlow #17221's and Flowmaster T-3030 3" turndowns and ...
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

r. radiator 011.JPG
694 hits | 76.39 KB | Posted: 6/3/12
3" dual exhaust with Dynomax Ultraflow mufflers.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

r. radiator 015.JPG
677 hits | 108.9 KB | Posted: 6/3/12
Remanufactured A6 AC compressor, just installed AC clutch assembly including new coil, NOS.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

scan0001.jpg
840 hits | 52.51 KB | Posted: 6/9/12
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Ranchero AC 001.JPG
756 hits | 127.96 KB | Posted: 6/10/12
Saginaw PS pump w/ second return inlet, A6 compressor w/ new clutch, GM Suburban trans cooler used for PS/hydroboost cooler, new PS hoses, new fan clutch, MSD 2F coil, '78 Corvette MC.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Ranchero AC 002.JPG
684 hits | 127.09 KB | Posted: 6/10/12
7 blade clutch fan with new fan clutch installed. You can see GM Suburban trans cooler That I'm using for a PS cooler just forward of core support. New A6 AC compressor and clutch installed. Saginaw PS pump with 2nd return line for hydroboost install...
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Ranchero AC 003.JPG
853 hits | 113.56 KB | Posted: 6/10/12
Rebuilt AC plenum box using NOS parts after header heat melted original, fabbed metal heat shield to protect box from header heat, added self adhesive heat shield material to header side of box. Newly coated headers also reduce engine bay heat. Remo...
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Ranchero AC 004.JPG
686 hits | 85.51 KB | Posted: 6/10/12
New rubber AC hoses installed to reconditioned factory ends, ready for installation. Smaller liquid line is OEM, just cleaned up. Installed aftermarket high temp hose insulation to suction/pressure hoses.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

STV 003.JPG
1323 hits | 67.55 KB | Posted: 6/10/12
AC suction throttle valve, D6SH-19D580AA from '76 Thunderbird, installed on Ranchero
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

STV 002.JPG
705 hits | 77.63 KB | Posted: 6/14/12
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Stereo 001.JPG
829 hits | 79.79 KB | Posted: 8/13/12
US Acoustics USX1000F for 4 MTX 12's wired 2ohm stereo. Custom made, removable baffle covered in grill cloth hides the suboofers from view.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Stereo 007.JPG
843 hits | 89.84 KB | Posted: 8/13/12
US Acoustics USX4085 wired to front door speakers and center channel.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Stereo 008.JPG
899 hits | 98.15 KB | Posted: 8/13/12
Old School ZED Audio built US Acoustics amplifiers. USX1000F on subwoofers and USX4085(foreground) on door speakers and center channel in dash
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Stereo 009.JPG
748 hits | 95.85 KB | Posted: 8/13/12
Door speakers, 6x9 JBL GTO638's powered by ZED Audio built US Acoustics USX4085.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Stereo 013.JPG
903 hits | 96.47 KB | Posted: 8/13/12
Dash center channel, Denon DCS 692. Powered by one channel from US Acoustics USX4085, attenuated by L-pad mounted where cigarette lighter previously was.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Stereo 015.JPG
738 hits | 87.27 KB | Posted: 8/13/12
Modified gas cap with '71 Ranchero pillar emblem.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

Stereo 010.JPG
767 hits | 96.19 KB | Posted: 8/13/12
Modified dash for left and right "front stage" speakers. 1) JBL 4 inch coaxial and 1) Crunch CR1 Pro 1 inch; soft dome tweeter in each end of dash, had to do a bit of plastic clearancing to fit the JBL magnets. Both sets are wired to a Memp...
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim pen 004.JPG
853 hits | 94 KB | Posted: 8/14/12
Krylon Silver Leafing Pen for the silver/argent paint that surrounds the gauges and outlines the gauge cluster trim panel. The dash panel over the glove box and each of the A/C vents also has silver paint outline.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 008.JPG
678 hits | 109.99 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
After padded trim panel removed you can get a better look at the damage that has occurred from years of service and wear.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 010.JPG
723 hits | 112.34 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
Most of the paint is still there but in very poor shape, typical of the age of these interior pieces.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 012.JPG
647 hits | 118.74 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
Start the restoration process by removing the dirt/grime from the grooves in the outside trim that encompasses the gauge surround. Here I used a small brush to remove most of the debris.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 013.JPG
653 hits | 107.58 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
Here I used a clean rag with mineral spirits to remove any protectants like ArmorAll. This also preps the surface by opening up the outer layer of the factory paint to allow the new finish to adhere to the part. I allowed a couple of minutes for the ...
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 016.JPG
640 hits | 109.17 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
This pic shows the way I started to apply the finish, I always start in the corners and work from there.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 018.JPG
774 hits | 126.36 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
This pic shows the difference between the old paint, upper trim line, and the newly applied finish to the lower trim line.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 020.JPG
901 hits | 121.65 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
This pic shows the finished product after both trim lines were painted using the leafing pen. Very close if not an exact match to the factory silver/argent finish.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 003.JPG
671 hits | 105.2 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
Typical condition of 30 year old interior gauge cluster trim panel. Note the silver trim paint has deteriorated to the point of almost being gone.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 006.JPG
671 hits | 103.33 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
If applicatable, you can remove the padded panel from the gauge cluster surround panel by using a pair of pliers and straightening the clips that protrude through the back of the gauge cluster surround, it only takes a quarter turn.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 007.JPG
719 hits | 108.42 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
Straightened clips for removal of padded trim panel from gauge surround.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

trim paint 002.JPG
715 hits | 116.88 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

gauge surround 002.JPG
842 hits | 108.35 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
(Posted in: ranchero 79)

gauge surround 003.JPG
821 hits | 105.6 KB | Posted: 8/15/12
Restored gauge suround dash panel.
(Posted in: ranchero 79)