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PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:07 pm 
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Well, it's time to say goodbye to the Monstro, and Hello to PROJECT BEARMONSTER

This is going to be a 3 stage project while i prepare the truck for it's upgrades.

First, some questions so i can better lay out the plans for the build

Fusebox - An obvious and frustrating source of problems for many a LUVtrucker on this forum. (AKA the little glass box of death)

I had an idea while flipping through my Aircraft spruce and specialty catalog the other day. Since the fuse acts as a kind of circuit breaker, what would prevent me from using aircraft breakers to perform the same function. granted they are a bit more expensive (around 20 bucks each), but if rated for the same amperage, would this theoretically work?

Wiring - When looking at the wiring diagram, it seems like there is a simpler way to route all the wires and have a cleaner firewall to boot. (ive been looking at other threads on this) Is there any problems with changing the routing of the wiring so as to have a cleaner and less cluttered appearance?

Switches- I love having FULL manual control of everything the truck does. From lights to accessories, i want to use toggle switches to handle all of the electrical systems on the truck. Namely the headlights, aux. lights, turn signals, high beams, external utility lights, horn, ignition etc. i need to study the wiring diagrams a bit more, but i'm pretty sure i can get this to work.


I plan on driving the monstro until i can finish stage one of the bearmonster's wiring and panel upgrades
Stage two will be to mate the montro's engine to the bearmonster and do a clutch job. drive it that way for a time.
stage three, V6 4WD. I will find or make a trans adapter to mate a V6 of unknown origin and keep my 4wd.


The new truck arrives sometime after the 5th, and once it arrives, i will rip out all the old wiring (the guy who has it now says everything works, but i want to make SURE there are no electrical gremlins roaming about.
This is going to be a SLOW build and i expect the first stage of wiring and panel will not be finished for at least 3 months. so "BEAR" with me :lol:

PS suggestions and tech tips are greatly appreciated!

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:33 pm 
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the fuse box sounds like a great thought.

and the switches are on my list of upgrades, along with windshield wipers that actually bring themselves to the "down" position when you switch them off, fog lights, and i want to look into power windows and seats. gotta Modernize the luv :D

there wont be a problem with re-routing the wiring. as long as every wire that had a fuze keeps one and everything gets hooked back up to the right spot it wont make any difference.

if your going with a 4x4 V6 you should look into a chevy 4.3L with a turbo 350 w/t-case.

definately gonna follow the build

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:59 pm 
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as far as the electrical goes, i'm thinking about using a bulkhead connector for that cleaner firewall look.


Thinking about using something like this
Image


i would have to go to a junkyard to find EXACTLY what i need, otherwise it's one more thing to try and find new. I remember my old Bel-air had this type of connector for the front engine harness. The other part of this build is to make the truck as serviceable as possible. (if i need to disassemble something)


These are the kind of circuit breakers that i want to use and build a panel for them just under the dash. (which is going to be a custom Fab job)
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remember apollo 13? (like trying to drive a toaster through a car wash...)

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:18 pm 
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I run a stock harness and fuseblock on my truck. I did modify it to run my fan and fuel pump on relays, and some other minor stuff. It looks clean, I have the factory wiring diagram to work off of and it has been years of trouble free service. Ask anyone here who has seen it. I dont believe in over doing things.

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PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:28 am 
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all 3 LUVs I have dealt with, I cleaned all the terminals up once, ( a good sanding) and never had another problem.
I'm sure the dry, so cal weather helps with this, but still......

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PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:05 am 
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yeah, if nothing else, i will see what actually needs to be fixed, but i still think the breaker panel is the way to go. they are all 15 amp, and if i remember correctly, i know where i can get aircraft breakers for relatively cheap.

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PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:29 am 
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Aircraft and cheap do not go together, just ask my wife as she reminds me almost daily. Several Beachcraft airplanes have to have all breakers replaced, this has driven the cost up. Look in the aircraft spruce book for breakers for experamrntal airplanes, they are cheaper because they are not FAA certified.

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PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:30 pm 
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by cheap i mean i will pull them from derelict aircraft yards.

right now this is all speculative to see what parts of phase one will be. i think that rewiring the WHOLE truck won't happen unless the harness is in REALLY bad shape. More than probably, the rear tailights and fuel pump wiring will be replaced with new plugs and wires. I also plan on adding some internal nav lights and external work lights.

i go into the mountains alot to pick up scrap and i usually haul a trailer with me.


doing a suspension job will also be in the future.

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:55 pm 
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i was feeling kind of this weekend, so i ended up doing some doodling to mock up the dash change/instrument cluster change. still havent decided what configuration i will end up with, but it will be different...

some ideas. sorry the pics are kind of dark and the drawings were done in pencil
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 8:48 pm 
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If your willing to go that far...custom build something..not a Luv

just my .02...carry on... :D

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PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:47 am 
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i had always wanted to build a one-off car, specifically meant for long distance travel and gas mileage, but that project will have to wait...

the reason for the interior upgrades is also the simplest. i'm tired of looking at a bare metal dash and it looks ugly.

i can section a dash from a 60's GM truck and use that as a template to build the dash i want. gauges will replace the tired old factory stuff

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PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:33 pm 
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the reason for the interior upgrades is also the simplest. i'm tired of looking at a bare metal dash and it looks ugly.

i can section a dash from a 60's GM truck and use that as a template to build the dash i want. gauges will replace the tired old factory stuff[/quote]

im with ya on the e off car and on the wantign a different dash. i was thinking the arrangement left a bit to be desired. and not enough gauges to know what is going on with the engine. im a motorcycle guy i like to feel totally in control of whats goin on and hopping in a truck takes a bit away from that. gotta upgrade the interface lol

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PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:24 am 
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u can use late model fuse and relay boxes. i scored a 90 dodge caravan fuse block for the cheap at the yard dor my 75 dart build and 89 nissan king cab fuse block with relays for my luv. the hondas are good cuz you could run 1 battery direct and it has a lug for the alt that is protected and the circuit for component protection are done int and prewired to relays.

cant wait to see it when your done. let me know when you hit the trails i might come out :lol:

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PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:30 pm 
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or you could come and help me with this. i mean you live somewhere out here right? :lol:

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PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:14 pm 
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luvit80 wrote:
If your willing to go that far...custom build something.


I've always wanted to build something like this...

Image

it's based off a litestar pulse "3 wheeled motorcycle" that used to get about 75 mpg and a top speed of well over 120mph.

or i could build a gooney bird motorhome....

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:45 pm 
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that motorhome would definately get some attention coming down the road 8O

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:06 pm 
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yeah, i remember seeing it (or one just like it) when on a road trip with my parents in arizona.

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 7:51 pm 
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Project Bearmonster - Tentatively Cancelled.

sorry guys... :(

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PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2011 8:29 pm 
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Project Bearmonster has been officially resumed!

just picked up a new luv for 600 bucks today. took a 5 hour drive down to panguitch, but it worked out. i know it's going to need some cosmetic attention, as well as some help in the emissions department...

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PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2011 9:05 pm 
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Figuarus wrote:
Project Bearmonster has been officially resumed!

just picked up a new luv for 600 bucks today. took a 5 hour drive down to panguitch, but it worked out. i know it's going to need some cosmetic attention, as well as some help in the emissions department...

Image


you have emissions for trucks that old in utah? that sucks.... :?

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