There's a correct order in which improvements should be made to a truck. Skip a few steps, and the toll might be having to buy the same parts all over again. During the last three or so years the '79 Chevy C10 Big 10 known to loyal CCT readers as the Americruise truck has gone through a lot of good changes. The first improvements after buying the truck and readying it to drive across country in only six weeks time for Americruise was to install a Gearstar 4L60E transmission and rack-up over 5,200 test miles in one week on CPP's new trailing-arm kit for '73-87 C10s. Since then I've installed Howell Development's TBI kit, the Wilwood-CPP 14-inch big disc brake kit, Dakota Digital goodies, and a host of other upgrades that can be found in tech stories archived on CCT's website. The one thing that I haven't done to the truck because I have a passion for old vehicles left in original condition is not to mess with the cosmetics. With only 75,000 miles on the clock and kept in a plum farmer's barn most of its life the truck looked pretty good for its age. Unfortunately I don't have enough room in my garage to keep the '79 indoors at night, or out of the sun during the day, so it's been aging at an accelerated rate ever since-kind of like in one of those science fiction movies where a pretty young girl shrivels up into a pile of decrepit dust within seconds. This is especially true of the rubber weather seals on the '79, but the funny thing is I didn't start out to write a story on replacing the rubber. The original plan was to install Brothers' direct-fit power window kit for '73-87 C10s, but I soon came to the realization it would be best to take care of everything at once since the doors would already be apart. Rust is one of the most destructive things that an old truck can be exposed to, and allowing the windows and doors to leak water opens the floodgates to rust other areas of the cab. Besides preventing the spread of cancerous rust, replacing the weatherstripping seals out noise, and helps to contain air-conditioned or heated air. Beyond maintaining comfort levels a properly sealed cab eliminates exposure to dangerous carbon monoxide fumes that ultimately can cause death.
The first thing one learns when a weatherstrip kit arrives from any of the aftermarket parts suppliers is that they have a real mystery on their hands. The box is filled with rubber strips and funny pieces that don't lend any clues on how to install them. Have no fear though, I've bumbled through enough of these rubber installs that I'm actually getting pretty good at achieving what I consider a perfect job. By perfect I mean the metal reinforced parts aren't bent, and the door seals don't fall short, and look like Pee Wee Herman's pant legs. Ultimately the truck should be able to drive down the street without wind whistling, and survive a heavy rainstorm without allowing rainwater to leak inside.
