RIBS 71 convertible build JUNE 21 till??

[midlife]

What? What did I do now? I musta screwed up!

You'll be getting your $20 in the mail tomorrow.

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Quick update, I have been working all my free time for the last week, getting the AC bolted in, and wired, and the dash and front clip wiring done. I will do a bunch more pictures and a write up once I recover!
View attachment 63622
I tested all switches and accessories and AC fan/ blend door function…I have a few loose ends, and more testing followed by cleanup and tiding wires, but this is the result.

The sweet smile of success! Well done!

 

[RIBS]

Time for a photo dump, got the car on the ground and out for a test drive. The front suspension is loose so it can settle and nothing is aligned.

 

[RIBS]

Details of engine compartment AC routing.

 

[RIBS]

I do want to rate the experience…

American Auto Wire continues to exceed expectations. It’s a great kit stellar instructions, and the guys in tech support are aways going over and beyond. If it’s time to upgrade your wiring, you can’t go wrong with their kit.

Classic Auto Air has been a disappointment. Perhaps once my wife is enjoying cool air the rating will change….first, they were misleading about the build time, actually lying and telling me it was finishing production and about to ship, when it was not even started. It was estimated to be 8 weeks, after 9 they said it was shipping, it came in the 13th or 14th week.. I finally got it, the dash blend door won’t shut completely so air always comes out dash in all modes…one of the ducts was way short. the instructions are pretty crappy, horrible incorrect graphics, missing a lot of detail. I did not get any information on the compressor or how to mount it, the info about o rings, hoses and engine compartment work was almost nonexistent. Today when I sent tech support a picture and asked for help, the response was “READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!”, instead of answering a direct question…the answer is not in the instructions…..on the plus side, it seems to be a really nice kit, easy to wire, fairly easy to install, and integrates well. I will get it charged in a few weeks.

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Car is looking great and work is excellent. My car is looking like yours, with a half the passenger side of the car in primer. Hopefully I will have the complete car in primer soon and ready for paint. I suck at body work and I am really praying that I can get it straight.

 

[RIBS]

Car is looking great and work is excellent. My car is looking like yours, with a half the passenger side of the car in primer. Hopefully I will have the complete car in primer soon and ready for paint. I suck at body work and I am really praying that I can get it straight.

We are in similar places, mine is about to also get bodywork then paint. I need to take the doors off and clean up the lower lips and replace hinges….once they are reset it’s full on final body work .

 

[RIBS]

Did some more electrical, added center stack and AC controls, also added custom Map light and switch….LED in dash…switches and IC. And my console mount voltmeter and USB a charger tested good. Crappy nighttime pictures….

 

[RIBS]

Finished dash today…debating whether I should pull pad and paint same blue as the center stack trim…

 

[Lazarus]

Well done on the progress brother. Very impressive.

 

[timachone]

Great progress!

I would paint it blue like your other blue interior items. Looks more integrated and more factory in my opinion.

 

[RIBS]

So I got all my wiring and under hood work done…and bolted my hood on finally….

 

[RIBS]

Full weekend so far…hood friday night, front panel fitment today, highway test today, did 30+ miles at over 70 MPH, car ran great, no issues. It’s the first time I have driven it at speed, and for any more that 5 or so miles..so it was a great confirmation the car will be ok to drive away from home…

 

[Sheriff41]

Congrats! You've brought it a long way in a year.

 

[timachone]

Congratulations, man! You can be proud of!

Now onto the paint?

 

[RIBS]

Congratulations, man! You can be proud of!

Now onto the paint?

Yeah starting general bodywork….I still need to pull the front springs and cut them down, get the front end aligned, charge the AC and a few other small things….

 

[timachone]

Yeah starting general bodywork….I still need to pull the front springs and cut them down, get the front end aligned, charge the AC and a few other small things….

Ok, as usual: lots of work

 

[RIBS]

Starting bodywork….

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Ribs, are you going to paint the car yourself?

 

[RIBS]

Ribs, are you going to paint the car yourself?

Yeah, probably so…time to start buying things like a compressor that can shoot primer, etc…