GMC Jacke's van

No more cutting my van! Besides I have my sun roof and my Hawk is always overhead keeping an eye on me... I love hawks.

JackeFriend wrote:Today I started the antenna install. I was apprehensive doing it by myself, but everyone was busy and I needed to get the task going. So I did get everything lined up and I drilled out the majority of the three 1"
holes, drill the 1/2" hole through the plenum. But I had to quit, I will get at it tomorrow with my dremel. Here are the progress photos...

I got some progress on the antenna... not done but almost there. Here is is just leaning in hole.
I will need to attach it for real next...
Having an issue with a 50 year old NOS gasket... having to let it stretch on the bezel for awhile
so it doesn't pop off the bezel during the install, the gasket is grooved to hold the edge, flat on the body side...

JackeFriend wrote:

JackeFriend wrote:Today I started the antenna install. I was apprehensive doing it by myself, but everyone was busy and I needed to get the task going. So I did get everything lined up and I drilled out the majority of the three 1"
holes, drill the 1/2" hole through the plenum. But I had to quit, I will get at it tomorrow with my dremel. Here are the progress photos...

I got some progress on the antenna... not done but almost there. Here is is just leaning in hole.
I will need to attach it for real next...
Having an issue with a 50 year old NOS gasket... having to let it stretch on the bezel for awhile
so it doesn't pop off the bezel during the install, the gasket is grooved to hold the edge, flat on the body side...

Wow! That seems like a lot of work just to listen to music. Have you thought of just taking singing lessons?

Work is a four letter word for sure on this one. Actually I just wanted the pretty antenna... but me actually singing would be even worse than a four letter word! LOL

I had to make an under dash support to hold my 8 track stereo. I did not want to cut the dash. They no longer make anything but ABS plastic tubs to hold stereos. But they either were too big or to small. "Goldie" Locks could not find the right size...
I made one for the van out of steel and aluminum. Now that's a support!

Good Job Jacke...do the mounting holes line up with preexisting holes or do you have to drill new ones?

vanny wrote:Good Job Jacke...do the mounting holes line up with preexisting holes or do you have to drill new ones?

Yes Paul, I did get lucky only had to add two holes under the dash. My switches had been in that area. I am moving those to the right of the stereo.. because the front supports the wait I have five screws one inch apart across the front.

I am pleased with the support and the way it sits just to the right of the wheel. Lucky for me my legs are short. No big guys gonna be able to fit his knee in that small area without banging there knee on the 8 track!

So it also serves as an anti-theft device at the same time...well, at least for taller thieves...

Its time for some good OLD rock and roll! Got my stereo installed and playing 8 tracks. And Paul you were right... some tapes needed a little lift to play. LOL Remember those days... I love the idea. But maybe not so much the technology or lack there of...
Rock on!!

Well got some needed help from VanAGAIN today! Can't thank him enough for giving me some expert guidance. He finished up the antenna install. We needed a little finesse to accomplish the mounting. The next thing was the window trim! I now have only 2 things to finish. Then my friends the 46 item list is finished. That is not to say I will not think of something else? But pretty much completed it. Have some door lock issues and the rear sway bar link to correct... I love my van, it makes me so happy. Rich and I sat and listened to an 8 track of Robin Trower... nice times!

Great News!!!

It is nice to be able to hear the music over the roar of the engine. I am getting ready for the weekend
and it's only Monday! Maybe this weekend I can go over to Van AGAIN's place and get some door stays welded into my door jams. One side has the extension and attachment inside the door. Th driver side had nothing. So I have accumulated some parts from various junk yard vans. Aso
Mike from San Bernardino gave me one side, thanks Mike! Rich seems to be a genius at taking thing apart for reuse. So, I think very soon I will have door stays in place to keep those doors from blowing open 180 degrees, Now I just have som pullman brackets and strapping on my door. Nothing on the passenger side.

Today, I am dropping off some interior trim pieces to get painted.

Next,  I will be going to have the rear sway bar link location corrected from 65 degrees to 90 degrees... I am glad to get the mounting right, I don't want to bind the link when I am driving recklessly down the old lady loop!

Then this weekend I can drive down to VANagain's and get some welding done to those door stays!

I am awaiting my newly chromed horn ring. I should receive it back within two weeks or so... they are working on it now. Cannot wait to see it all freshly chromed. Fun!

Woohooooooo!!!

Well, I may hit a first of the season show this weekend... just depends on my repair schedule.
I did get an invitation to attend Ladies Night event in April which was nice, I have a spot saved for my van in the promenade of the event. It should be fun and the weather should be very nice in April, not so rainy as it has been around here in San Diego. No more drought for now at least!

Let's see, Drought followed by Rain = Landslides???

You Vanners on the left coast have nice weather but you also have to deal with Fires, Landslides and Earthquakes...I guess there has to be some kind of trade-off...At least you don't have to deal with Snow and Salt and not being able to drive your vans for six months!

Well, I went over as planned today to VANagain's to get some expert help with welding on the door stays!
YES!! I now have doors that will not swing 180 and hit the front of the van.
We did have to adjust the driver door as it was a tad low.

But, one of the strangest things was inside the bottom of the driver door, which had no door stay mechanism at all visible on either side... was the entire door stay. That is not what was so strange... the door stay part that is welding inside the body channel was pulled out of the body still attached to the stay. It was collapsed like praying hands, So, they had to take out the two screws and then yank that sucker thru the slit!! Ok so how much pull would you need to bend steel from behind the channel and pull it out the slot?? I will post pictures, Rich took some and when I get them I will post.

Thanks to Rich and his abilities. I now have only 1 more thing on my To Do list. I will be completely done with my list tomorrow. I cannot beleive I actually can see out of that long long tunnel. And it is a beautiful sunny day...........

THANK YOU RICH

Congrats on seeing it through...just waiting to hear about the next list...hee hee hee! Enjoy the heck out of Goldie!!!

Here are the photos... the last one was the stay found inside the driver door bottom. This is welded inside the body side...it was pulled out of the slot and both tabs were flattened.

They must have had Dwayne -The Rock - Johnson pull that sucker out!!!

So I need a lower light opposite the doghouse in the back to be able to check the oil thru the access door.
It is nickle plated with glass from about 1949...

vanny wrote:Congrats on seeing it through...just waiting to hear about the next list...hee hee hee! Enjoy the heck out of Goldie!!!

Well... you were right! I just added another must have to that DONE list... LOL

I need a second battery so I can use my stereo when parked and enjoying life. I have gathered in a couple days, almost all the items I will need to make this happen. Now I just need to wait to be able to afford that deep cycle battery I want.

So, you were RIGHT again Paul!

Great minds think alike Jacke! It’s easy to spot someone with the fever 🤒!
You’ve got it Good!

Getting ready for my horn ring. Added a leather wheel cover. Made to order by Wheelskins. Nice quality, but my sister had to give me a hand as I could not see after awhile... black on black. But it fits great and feels very soft. Perfect addition for the horn ring.

And it will keep your hands warm on those cold California mornings !