El Camino Central Forum banner

1978 Upgrading "Bits & Pieces"

5.2K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  Keyser Sose  
#1 ·
Since I just broke my trans-shift cable, I figured now is as good as any time to fix little things here & there on the Elky.

She's not the cream of the crop and I'm thinking a 'kid' owned her in the past so I know my work is cut out for me.
 
#2 ·
Day One:
The Charging system....

The 'rats nest' I pulled out:
Image


The old alternator 'harness:
Image


Old and New Battery Cables:
Image


And the final product:

Image

Image
 
#4 ·
Day Two:
Headlight Wiring



Here's what the wiring looked like when I removed the wire conduit that was in...
(Yes that is speaker wire)
Image
Image


Finished Product:
Image
 
#7 ·
Days 3 & 4
Front Suspension

New Front Springs and Shocks:
Image

Old vs New Front Springs:
Image


Other Upgrades done at the same time were: Front brake pads & rotors, sway bar end links, tie-rod ends, ball joints, & full alignment.
 
#8 ·
Swapped wheels over to some old dusty steely's I cleaned & repainted, bought two more matching beauty rings, & found a dirt road... Here's the result:

Old rims:
Image

'New' cleaned & painted:
Image



The resulting photo shoot:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
 
#9 ·
Even though I am restoring my Elky there are some modifications to the body I have planned (roll pans, custom tail lights, etc..)

Since the entire front clip is from another Elky (maroon paint under the white) I decided to not keep the hood 'stock'.

So, I cut along the outer bodylines:
Image

Used the edges of an old BMW hood:
Image
Image

And tacked in the 'fins':
Image
Image
Image

Front View:
Image

From behind the wheel:
Image


I'm in the process of body filling and priming for the final paint, so those photos will come in another post when it's done.
 
#11 ·
{Here's what the wiring looked like when I removed the wire conduit that was in...
(Yes that is speaker wire)}

Did that well them hear better around corners or on foggy nights!!!:poke:
That hood is wild looking, I can't wait to see what it looks like when your done!!:beer:
Donny
 
#12 ·
{Here's what the wiring looked like when I removed the wire conduit that was in...
(Yes that is speaker wire)}

Did that well them hear better around corners or on foggy nights!!!:poke:

Donny
The previous owner had done some 'upgrading' to his standards before I had purchased the Elky. Rest assured, the only speaker wire that is now in the truck is that which is connected to actual speakers. ;-)