Suburban, 53 Plymouth

[DJ194950]

Paul, is that location on the side panel of the firewall where the original wires exited the dash?

 

Suggest that you do not cut any wires to length under the hood area until you have the doghouse with the inner splash aprons in place, they may be in the way where you are currently laying wires on the frame??

 

DJ

[pflaming]

DJ, that is my plan. With the dog house absent, access is so easy. My body is not very contortionistic any more.

[DJ194950]

Paul,  I more than understand the body not being able to move easily into a tight area, almost impossible for me these days.

 

Just the pics posted were not clear enough for me to see if all wires were left long at this point.

 

Still wonder if the original wires exited the fire wall on the side compared to the motor side??

 

The reason I ask is that I used that hole for many wires to come out on my 50 Suburban and I regretted some as their is no access when the doghouse is installed, not always so good!

 

DJ

[pflaming]

I'm quite certain the wires came through that side hole. Will need to check some earlier pictures.

Edit: found this picture shows how the harness enters the engine compartment.

Edited June 6, 2017 by pflaming

[pflaming]

Went to my donor car for a part and this steering wheel horn bar caught my eye. It must be for a Plaza Model. I have a deluxe wheel and ring, but I like the minimalist appeal of this wheel. Anyone know this wheel and its current appeal?

Edited June 6, 2017 by pflaming

[pflaming]

I spent all day identifying and routing wires. I knew this was going to be a task, but thought it would go a little easier. Maybe by the end of the week. I'm amazed at how many more wires the '53 car has over the ' 52 truck.

Edited June 6, 2017 by pflaming

[pflaming]

I spent yesterday verifying each and every wire to the dash area. I think I was careful as I opened these two large coils by snipping the ties as I unrolled it, whatever, to read the words on the cables was extremely difficult for me. The font letters are block in style and silver on purple, dar green, brown, etc requires a precise location for the light to pick up the words.

This morning the dash will get a final sand, the primered, then hammer tone on the backside. Then each wire will be attached to its destination post. Though each wire is masking tape identified, it will be tedious at best. To sit on a flat floor for hours is akin to a nine hour airplane ride in the back row seats. Yet once completed this EZ kit will be a nice improvement to this vehical.

Once all lines are in place, then I will place the dash piece upside down and move the switches and gauges to it. Then lift and turn it to install it. Hopefully today. Then the rear wiring followed by the front wires. Be assured this is NOT a three day task and it is not easy.

Edited June 6, 2017 by pflaming

[Branded]

I used the same wiring kit in my 49, time consuming routing all the wires but it is a nice kit.

[DJ194950]

Paul you need to go in the house and Borrow a couple of throw pillows off the couch or chairs to set/lay on for this type of work. I'm sure she won't mind since you will return them when your done! 

 

I Borrowed some from my house but they stayed in the garage! But I did not have to ask anyone if that was OK!

 

DJ

[pflaming]

DJ, it would be easier to cut out the floor and put a lazy boy recliner in the space! I have several dashes, so I'm cleaning up a 2nd one to try out an idea. I had this bead blasted, now to smooth sand, primer, etc.

Edited June 6, 2017 by pflaming

[DJ194950]

Paul-while I might be kidding you a bit but I do have two throw pillows for use as stated. When my mothers sister would come and stay with mom as she got sicker ,my aunt loved to shop when mom napped so would go shopping and max out her credit cards,loved throw pillows so had them everywhere!

 

So I was overstocked?

 

Took several older ones for my use.

 

Perhaps your best half would like some new throw pillows to replace the faded ones? Give her the card!

 

DJ

[pflaming]

While hand sanding this dash, I discovered it is a Belvedere dash. Can you see why? The painted dash is a Plaza dash. I don't want a Belvedere dash, so I just threw $45 away and will have to resand the painted one and repaint it. Little things kill time. I need a painted dash to finish wiring.

Edited June 6, 2017 by pflaming

[DonaldSmith]

It's like the puzzle, to find the things different between two pictures.  The first dashboard has the ash tray(?) on the right.  The second has it on the left.  

 

Why would Chrysler make two different dashboards,and not just vary the level of accessories and decoration?  

[Plymouthy Adams]

I see a 1954 dash and a 1953 dash...and the trim mounting holes is not a sign it is a Belvedere....as the Savoy also go that treatment in 54...you have been told this before...

Edited July 23, 2016 by Plymouthy Adams

[pflaming]

Here they are together. Tim, we've discussed memory in better time and I have repeatedly commented on and admired the memory that you enjoy. I dip one want that '54 bling, so . . A light sanding is under way. The '54 tray is one inch wider. I wonder if the '54 location is easier to reach, putting a hot fag under the steering wheel and over a nice pair of trouser legs may be part of the reason.

Edited June 6, 2017 by pflaming

[Plymouthy Adams]

54 with bling trim holes on top.....lower unit is 53 without bling, most likely a Cambridge dash...Cranbrook for 53 also had bling..Plaza was not a trim line for 53...Savoy was, but as a wagon

 

even if you were to go to some pretty well known web sites with entries from so called experts you will find some very disturbing pictures of misidentified model and years all jumbled together..can often make it hard to truly distinguish one from another as many think these entries are the hold grail of the model line..that is why it is important to properly identify parts etc....my 54 Savoy has been cut and pasted on the internet as a 1953 by who knows who....it's an injustice but what can you do....you do a bit more searching about and make your call only after learning a bit more about features of the model years...

[Plymouthy Adams]

another thing in that photo of interest..the 54 dash shows two drilled holes between the glove box opening and the ashtray....do you have a specific aftermarket item mounting there...if not they need welded and it also look like pressure applied when drilling the holes has lightly distorted the panel.....am thinking mobile/dispatch radio mike mount...

[pflaming]

Tim, those holes are for the fire extinguisher mount!

[pflaming]

The work continues, but not this afternoon, 106 in the shade. Beside. Getting the dash repainted also need to do more work on the fire wall. Electric wiper motto which is 6 volt will have to address a restrictor later. The silver is gutter repair tape from Home Depot, much less expensive than dynamat. Next some cosmetic work such as paint the exposed frame areas and open needed holes for wires, heater hoses, etc.

Edited May 28, 2017 by pflaming

[casper50]

a few steps closer to the end.  Looks good.

[pflaming]

Casper, got to retreat one step. The black coating is undercoating and the sound proofing material is letting loose,so will remove the tape put it on the roof underside, and rethink the fire wall. I've read that the fire wall does not vibrate so then treat it for heat reduction, engine noise and wind noise. Vibration noise comes through the floor and the doors, so I have read.

Edited May 28, 2017 by pflaming

[rhelm1953]

You might want to reconsider using the Home Depot stuff on the roof as well. Once your 106 degree sun starts baking the roof the glue will get hot, soften up and the foil will fall down. The expensive dynamat uses an adhesive that is more heat resistant and even then I have had some problems with it staying in place on the underside of a roof or decklid.

[casper50]

on my roof I used the cheap stuff and had to heat it with a heat gun to get it to stay up there.

[pflaming]

Ouch. I've not had those problems with my truck, but then it's been heat treated! So then for one, I'll remove what is on there an use it in the side panels and on the floor. Should be fine there under a carpet. Maybe just put some louvers in the roof. LOL

It's 108 here today so . . . Dash is coming along, will have to buff it out before installing.

Edited May 28, 2017 by pflaming

[pflaming]

Results update. I had I retreat a step and remove the gutter sealer. I. Would not adhere to the undercoating spray which is "rubbery" thus not at all like a smooth painted surface. So I will use it under carpets, maybe in the doors. I'm at the "better do that now" stage and all the bdtn items burn up time.

Edited May 28, 2017 by pflaming