Gary Lewis

Recently we started a discussion another thread about the "consoles" that Classic Consoles makes. I'm moving that discussion here for ease of finding later. And it all stemmed from this pic that Bisquik1959 posted:

Ok, I'll put this here, but I can easily create a new thread and move all of the console discussion there if that's desired. Yes? Might be easier to find? Based on the measurements of the consoles here's a mockup of the standard "cruiser". Note that it is spaced 4" from the back of the seat to simulate the 18" overall length. And I think it is too close to the ZF5 shifter on Big Blue. Here it is slid back against the seatback, which means it is the same length as the Shorty: And here 'tis with a spacer in it so it is approximating the Tall Shorty:

Shaun - They changed a lot of stuff up that makes it very hard to swap parts. Not sure why. Bill - Thanks. But what "inner reinforcement" are you talking about? The inner panel of the "roof". That doesn't seem all that strong to me and I'd want to see if I couldn't reinforce it somehow if I were to put a handle up there. Janey was just out and a handle on the A-pillar is her strong preference. It would be perfect for getting in as she can put her foot on the step bar and pull herself up with her right hand. Plus, once in it is about right to support herself on rough roads. A handle above the door would work for getting in, but wouldn't work as well for her. However, once in it would be about as useful as one on the A-pillar. And I just went out and checked Blue, which has a very large grab handle on the A-pillar. So I'm going to explore that option for a bit......

I've never seen one, but the 1986 accessories catalog shows this system:

Rob - Just had Janey out to check on where to put grab handles and we discussed the console. I'm thinking I'm going to mock one up from the dimensions they give to see which one will clear the ZF5's shift lever.

Chad - I got a bit lost. Are you doing away with the cargo light?

Thanks, Shaun. That helps. At least we are pretty sure it won't work.

There is a raised platform that contains the middle screw hole for the A-pillar trim. On either side of that platform it appears there is a decent amount of dead space between the pillar and the trim that would allow potential reinforcement. Rivnuts also came to my mind when looking at it as there is enough space inside the A-pillar to accept them. Just like over the door, hard to know how much flex will be present. A lot of that will be determined by the angle of the handle coming out from the pillar. I am wondering if a "shell" the full length of the A-pillar all the way up to the sunvisor attachment point is needed (with a cutout for the existing raised platform). At the bottom it could curve a ways into the middle of the truck beneath the windshield and attach in pre-existing holes. That may be overkill but having the reinforcement span over more than just the A-pillar would alleviate potential twisting where it was never meant to be. Just my thoughts First, I had a few drops of something on the inner fender liner and then on the pavement the morning after our 366 mile outing last Friday. I originally thought the worst - that the hydroboost unit was seeping. But on closer inspection today I think it may have been the clutch master connection to the line going down to the slave. So I've rigged up two more "diapers" to see where it is coming from: Second, I've done some checking and the top of step bar is 22" above the ground, which is why a grab handle is needed. And a handle above the door is going to be about 75" above the ground, which is a reach for Janey. (I'll check in a bit to see if that's even possible.) As for handles themselves, I see that Shaun has responded with pics of his trucks. And his conclusion is that the Ranger handle, or at least its bracket, won't work. And I did some looking at the A-pillar on Big Blue as well. Here are shots with and without the trim piece where you can see the spot Scott was talking about where the screw goes in. And you can see the area above and below it where something could be added since the back of the trim is straight, meaning that you could have something above and below that screw hole to bolt to. But, the screw is only 3/8" from the crease on the trim, which means its ~1/4-3/8" from the lip of the A-pillar. So I'm thinking that a piece of metal strap could be screwed to the pillar above and below the screw hole. You might get lucky and be able to get a 3/8" thick piece in there. If so you could drill the piece at the correct angle and weld a stud into it. Put the trim piece over it and then put the handle over the studs followed by nuts. And, btw, I think the A-pillar is plenty strong enough that it won't twist if this approach is used. Speaking of "nuts", am I?

I'm not sure he has the whole thing on here. He, and I, might have been on FTE at the time. But, for searching, go to the search function on the right where it says "Search Forum". Then type in anything and it should pop up the option for an Advanced Search. I searched for MAF and SEFI with the author of 85lebaront2 and got these results. (Never tried to post a link to search results, but that works pretty well.) Note that I've clicked "Sort by date" for those results. But Bill should be along in a bit and may be able to provide links to his build.

Just talked to Melissa at Classic Consoles and found that they have four different ones, outlined here: BC Cruiser; BC Cruiser Shorty; BC Tall Cruiser; and BC Tall Shorty. To answer a question Janey had when I showed her the picture, there's a strap that can be passed under the seat and fasten the console to the seat. And they are sending me samples of the blue colors.

That is a very cool setup! Good luck, and keep us posted.

A-pillar on the inside? Yes, something like this from Shaun's Ranger. And it would also give the passenger a grab handle when 'wheeling.

Cool! We aren't so hidebound that we don't talk about other vehicles. So, while Bullnose trucks have brought us together, we readily admit to having things like my '69 Bee and Bill's '85 LeBaron T2. In fact, many of us have threads on them, like Bill's LeBaron. And Bob's early Bronco. I like the early Hemis. Is that a Caddy air cleaner? And is the Hilborn injection system the new EFI unit that looks like the older system? As for the B-II, that thing appears to be quite capable! Wow! So feel free to have threads on the other vehicles if you want.

You are now on the map! As for the swap, Bill has done the complete swap where I'm only part way into it. Basically I have installed the later engine and fuel system, although at the moment I'm running a carb as I didn't want to try to break a brand new engine in with an unknown EFI system. (And, it got the truck back on the road after over a year in "transformation", which sure seemed like an eternity.) I've also done part of the wiring interfacing between the Bullnose and later systems, and think I've mapped out the rest of what needs to be done. And that brings up one of the issues you'll face - where to put the ECU. On the later trucks, and probably the Explorer, it sits outboard of the emergency brake pedal. But that requires some modifications on a Bullnose, like moving the pedal and cutting the firewall. So I'm thinking about placing it under the driver's seat. And Bill and I are using Binary Editor to modify the tables in the ECU. But in your case where you are using a complete system from the Explorer maybe that won't be necessary.

I think the nylon lines are much better than rubber hose, so I wouldn't change. But I would check the lines over to ensure they've not been damaged anywhere. I replaced all of the original lines on Big Blue with new nylon lines because I was going from a system with a switching valve to one with wyes. But had I not been I'd have stayed with the original lines.

Scott - I missed the bright yellow Dodge! Well spotted. Cory - I just asked Janey what she thought of that arm rest/console. I, too, like it.

To say Matthew's truck is, and will remain, stock is an understatement. I had a plug-in, no-cutting headlight relay harness I wasn't going to use and offered it to him. "Thanks, but no thanks. I want to keep it stock."

Shaun - I looked at the Ranger's A-pillar cover and a picture of a Bullnose cover and it seems there's a lot of difference. So I'm not sure how that's going to work. But pictures will help a bunch. Thanks. However, there's not a lot of hurry on this. I'm not going to do anything very soon. Scott - I'll have to check, but I really doubt Janey can reach above the door to a handle there. And with the metal there and the angle of the pull I'm wondering if some sort of reinforcement would be needed. But I've not looked, so may be way off. I'll look today. Jonathan - I've replied to your note. Thanks! I think those medium duty handles will come in .... handy. As for an elegant way to add handles to the A-pillar, I've been wondering if rivnuts could be used. Then studs screwed into them with nuts tightened down against the A-pillar. With holes drilled in the plastic cover it would slip over and the handle go on to cover the holes and acorn nuts to hold the handles on. The thickness of the nut against the A-pillar would be adjusted to ensure the handle isn't placing pressure on the plastic trim or else it could break it when the studs flex. And, A-pillar handles would give something to hold onto while 'wheeling, and there aren't very many places for a passenger to grab on these trucks. Thoughts?

Yes, either you are shrinking or the trucks are growing. Anyway, cool shot. I remember that kid from Eff Tee Wee.

Yep, you have. That's why I asked if the email had gotten to you. There was a change that seems to have broken our joining process, and I wasn't sure it was working. Nice truck! You've taken it a long way already, but the Explorer engine and tranny should be a big help. As for your other truck, how do you feel about driving around with the equivalent of a "kick me" sign on the rear end of it?

Hello! Glad you joined! Where's home? I ask because we have a member's map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and we could add you if we had a town or zip. As for the '96 OBD-II, Bill/85lebaront2 has already done that, and I'm in the process of doing it for both Big Blue and Dad's truck. So we do have some experience and can help. Now, back to your projects thread....

Ah! Big Blue's step bars are high enough that you want something to grab onto to get yourself up on the bar. Then you pivot and deposit yourself into the seat. On the driver's side the steering when accomplishes that - now that I did away with the breakable tilt function on it. But there's nothing to grab on the passenger's side. If there was a handle on the B-pillar then you might be able to grab it with your left hand and put your hand on the arm rest and boost yourself in. But Janey thinks the doorway will work ok to grab on the left and if there was a handle on the A-pillar that combo would work. So we are exploring possibilities.

I'll have to check to see if Janey could reach a handle over the door. But that might be a possibility as well. Thanks, Bill.

That'll work. That's what my ramps are made of.

I'm sorry. I don't mean to be harsh, but I just sent you an email that said, among other things: But you've not done that. Can you help me understand why? Did you not get the email? I'm concerned because we hold people to the guidelines, so I want to make sure you've had a chance to read them.