Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Thanks Karl. The little things are fun.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Cool. The details make a difference. Although I have no idea what a garapa is.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

There is going to be a Classic Car Show at Flying Burger in Longview this Thursday night starting at 6pm and a Trucks & Treats at the Flying Burger in Longview on Oct 31st from 5pm tp 9pm. You ought to bring out the Blazer.

I hope to make it to both in my son's tan/red '84.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Anniversary night with the wifey. May do a drive by.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Failed to mention it. I finally got a few minutes to meet Karl at the event back in October. It was so joyful to meet another squarebody lover. Karl is a super cool guy. Look forward to more meets.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Yup,

Real good guy.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

With some really cool trucks.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Time for some updates.

The kids are getting bigger, so time to swap the low hanging modified steps for a set of original height, refreshed GM accessory steps. Here are the used ones as I'm dropping them off to get powdercoated.

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There. Better.

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Then I spent time pulling the steering column apart to tighten things up and to swap out the cruise multi function lever for a non-cruise version.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...y_768x1024.jpg

I replaced the front output flange for the NP203 to address a small forever leak.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...y_768x1024.jpg

And then finally, I installed ORDs Sway Bar kit for Crossover Steering.

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I'm so happy to eliminate the annoying lean at every turn. It gets old.

A little side note. I'm beginning the process of preparing this thing for some new adventures. Our initial run will be next summer into Montana. I have a buddy with a Squarebody Suburban that's driving along with us.

I still have a traction bar I want to install, need to tune the shift points on the TH350, add new tires and play with a few odds-and-ends. This truck continues to amaze.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

It was great to meet you too. Really dig this blazer. And to the others that replied, thanks for the props. I try to do my best at putting together some cool trucks, my '65 really needs my attention, so be on the look out for updates on that one soon.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Still working on this sucker. I've been focusing on drivability at 80mph in the summer. Love the traditional look of these new Toyo AT3s.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...y_1008x756.jpg

I installed Noico 80 butyl sound deadener and overlayed that with acoustic foam sound absorber in the door panels. I sprayed Boom Mat spray in the fender wells and underneath the lower panels. I also filled the space between the interior rear vinyl/particle board panels and sheet metal with Van Insulknop wool insulation. The floors were already covered in mass loaded vinyl. All together, this has made a substantial improvement in the sound profile at speed. Also, really working on the side vent glass rubber to ensure a good seal is important.

From there I needed to work on the TH350 transmission shifts. It has shifted way early on both the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts since going to 35" tires in 2014. So, out with the governor.

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Using one of those weight and spring kits, I only needed a single weight and spring to get my shifts to the right RPMs.

I also wasn't super happy that the guys that originally installed my 12 bolt diff cover overtightened the drain plugs. I was fed up with it, so I just replaced the whole thing with an anodized cover and installed a LubeLocker gasket to boot.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/..._1612x1209.jpg

Here's some good ole fashioned overkill. How do you kill exhaust sound when you're cruising at 3,200rpms down the highway?

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I used RockAuto and a tape measure to figure out the largest mufflers with 2.5" openings I could fit in the space. These two stainless units come out of an early 2000s 4.6L Expedition. Then engine doesn't roar at speed anymore.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Some good updates. I've got a set of those Toyo AT3's on my DD Tacoma, I will comment, the road noise is WAY more than I expected. The Yokohama Geolandar AT G015's on my K2500 'burb are much quieter. We'll see how the Toyo's do in the snow/ice this Winter.

I bet those mufflers made a huge difference, on my '89 K5 I ended up going from a 5x8x24 Magnaflow copy to a Walker QuietFlow SS, same deal, just too much noise at highway speed.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

I knew that about the AT3 going into the deal. I just didn't want to go with a modern tread pattern. This was my best compromise.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Such a amazing ride you have built! I have needed some motivation to get back to work on my 76 Jimmy and I could only hope to get it even a 1/4 as nice as yours.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Thanks Eric. I've spent 5 years tweaking and fixing it. It's about as good as you can do with one of these on 35s without replacing the frame and going coilovers. Even then, it's not a huge gain. My JK on 35s was slightly more refined, but didn't really ride much better even with high end suspension components. It has an honest 70s vibe that's hard to replicate.

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Noise can be such a distracting thing if you live with it.

I always love loud pipes at shows etc but one forgets our 5 minutes of aural pleasure ls another persons entire existence.

Good looking boxes you fitted,

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

I finally got around to modifying the OEM tire bracket so I could fit a 35" (34.6") fullsize spare. If you look closely at this picture, you can see how I made a 5/8" plate (spacer) with two holes to insert bolts through the OEM adjustable slot and 1 squared hole for the OEM carriage bolt to hook up the wheel. I moved this square hole mounting point up one inch and over two inches.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/..._1209x1612.jpg

And on the other side, the finished product. There is literally no room to spare, but it absolutely fits. Snug as a bug.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/..._1209x1612.jpg

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Wow that is tight! Are you going to have a cover made to match the interior?

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Nope. I like the bare look. Back in the day, it sported the factory cover, but I never really liked it.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

It is difficult to see. Did you have to cut or drill your original tire mount? Is your solution entirely bolt on?

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Completely bolt on. Imagine a triangular piece of 5/8 inch plate with three holes sandwiched between the original bracket and the wheel. Two holes to the original bracket. One hole for the carriage bolt attached to the wheel.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Also btw - Did you paint your spare rim? The wheel looks perfect.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

That's a factory spare punched out to 16" by Stockton Wheel. Just painted white. Looks right.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Interesting. I didn't know they can go from 15in to 16in. Why did you punch them out?

My white rims look terrible as the paint has gone bad. They need to be sand blasted and maybe power coated. I'm not sure what is best.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

More tire options. I recommend blast and rattle can. Easy touch ups.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

I didn’t know that size tire would fit inside. Looks great! The smell of new rubber makes for a added bonus. I might need to look into making one for mine. The AZ sun is not kind on rubber so I would rather it be inside like you have.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Amazing what we can figure out with a tape measure. :) Good luck.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Cameron,

Saw your Blazer the other day at Southern Longview Automotive, I noticed something fuzzy in the vent widow? I am guess you came up with this to cut down on wind noise? Or I am off base?

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

LOL. Yep. I had Mark down at Action Seat Cover make those for me. They're sheepskin with strong magnets. I lay them in A-pillars when I'm on Interstate to cut down on the road noise. They're very effective and very tacky. ;)

I have the Mega Western Roadtrip coming up this summer. I'm doing everything I can to improve comfort. We have two squarebodies running up to Ennis, MT (fishing), then down to Durango, CO(offroading) and then back to East Texas. We're called the Senseless 6.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Did you put in new window seals for the vent window?

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

It's newish. The seal is fine there. It's just the wind rushing by the gap of the door. I run 85 mph on Interstate, so there's only so much you can do.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Haha, the fuzzies are great! And those mufflers! Cut those in half and you've got four Quonset huts. Never seen such a thing. The bluing on them concerns me. That seems like a lot of heat build up and therefore back pressure. Did you notice a performance difference when you had them installed? Truck looks great, and always so clean. I really like the effort you put into drivability even if it requires big squirrel tails to be mounted on the A pillars. Good updates.

Edit: Just thought of something. Do you have both rubber strips for your doors? There is the standard inner seal, and then there is another seal that attaches to the door itself. I believe that it was added for high optioned trucks.

The mufflers came out of the box blued. They’re stainless and that’s from the welding. I do have both seals. I bet if this was a true frame off and everything was squared up, it would be a little better. I can’t tell any difference in performance with the mufflers. My butt-o-meter still indicates spunky. The squirrels come off if I’m just running around in town. I wanted it to be super easy on and off. I really appreciate everyone’s continued interest in something that means a lot to me. Cheers.
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Copy that, it took a lot of heat to make them blue. Glad to find out that occurred during the manufacturing process.

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

I have been going back to this post for years looking at this Russet Poly paint. I am frame off restoring a loaded original 1973 GMC Sierra Grande 4x4 short box in the deluxe two tone russet or red body with frost white. I have a perfect bucket seat interior in charcoal with black dash. I'm between your Russet Poly main color and cardinal red from 1973. Im leaning to russet/white. Thanks for the great updates.

You’re quite welcome. Unsolicited, the Cardinal Red and white would probably contrast with the charcoal better than orange and white. That’s coming from a guy that loves his orange.
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

A few updates folks. Me and some runnin' buddies took the Blazer and my buddy's square 'Burb' on a big western loop last summer. We drove from East Texas over to New Mexico and then up to Montana for some flyfishing. The hipsters from Cali have invaded my favorite watering hole in Ennis, MT. We headed south through Idaho and Utah and then back down to Durango for some trail running on the Alpine Loop. Good times. We've already planned the next adventure in 2025.

The El Western, Ennis, MT
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Morning in Glendo, WY
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Engineer Pass in the San Juans 13K'
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

The Blazer did fantastic on its longest journey thus far ~3,600 miles. The only broken part was the foot switch for the brights. The trip did highlight two weaknesses: The inaccurate speedo and the weak AC. Finally got around to addressing both with the good folks at Southern Longview Automotive. I can't oversale these upgrades. I finally have a legit AC.

You can see the Dakota Digital RTX instruments with GPS speedo and the Vintage Air Controls
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The cleaner engine compartment.
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

Im getting close and I love orange so its going to Russet poly and frost white deluxe tutone. Edged and going on restored frame next week. 1973 GMC K15 short fleet

Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
 

It's a great combo.

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You finally pulled the trigger on the Vintage Air! Too bad you were a little before the new Gen V with the bigger blower however I'm sure it's still better than before either way. Looking good man. Lookin good.