Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Heres the break down of the Wilwood components.

Front- 140-10775-D 13"
Which is the Forged Narrow Superlite 6R big brake kit thats mounted to the RideTech spindle with black powder coat 6 piston caliper and SRP drilled & slotted rotor

Rear- 140-10093-D 12.88"
This is the Forged Narrow Superlite 4R big brake rear kit that includes a parking brake with black powder coat 4 piston caliper and SRP drilled & slotted rotor

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

This has been a week of total frustration. I desperately need to be knocking out shop hours. Every time I get out in the cool air I am reminded I cant breath and start coughing again. I have squeezed in a hour here and or two so I dont fall further behind.

In preparation for the Wilwood brake upgrade, I decided to pull the rear axle completely. I wanted easy access to remove the stock shock mounts. I did it on Scarlett laying on my back, and it was not fun. By removing the axle completely I could get it cleaned up and ready to add the disc brake conversion.

I unbolted the RideTech 4 link and related brackets to clear a path for removal. With the axle riding on a floor jack I pulled it from under the frame.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Now that I had room to work I sat the 12 bolt on a wheel stand to use as a work station. I rolled it over and used a an abrasive wheel to cut the stock shock mounts off. I ran a flapper disc over the area and smoothed it out a bit. While I had the flapper disc out, I cleaned the center section up a bit too.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Now that I had it smoothed out some, I got the Scotch Brite out and scuffed it down. I followed with Brake Clean and blew it dry. The raw metal needed protection, so it got a few coats of primer.
I have a seeping pinion seal that I plan to replace. I marked it with a center punch to have a guide for alignment.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

With all that done it was time for a final coat of color. I had considered painting the housing using an accent color, but decided against it. This truck will be nicely detailed, but it will be a driver. I want to be able to wash it down and touch it up with Krylon satin black when necessary.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Nice updates. I hope you can get to feeling better soon, this is not the time of the year to feel bad. We hope to get Owen's truck, Henry, into the shop during his Christmas break to get some upgrades done in preparation for LST.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Karl i have been trying to shake this crap for a week. I drag myself through the day and some home with the intentions of putting in some quality shop time. As soon as I step out and start breathing the cool damp air my lungs feel like they are on fire. I will have a productive weekend no matter what.

Glad to hear Henry is getting some love. Keep me posted on your progress.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Call me crazy, but I took a step backwards today. I got a call from a friend that buys and sells Squarebody trucks and parts. He recalled a conversation we had about a month ago that I was looking for a axle with 3.42 gears. He picked up a deal on an 87 Suburban with a bad motor that had 3.42 gears on the SPID.

He pulled the cover and verified that they were the gears I wanted and appeared to be in excellent condition. I ran the numbers and verified this was a factory 8.5" 10 bolt so I couldn't resist. He offered me a brother in law deal and we traded axles.

Chris and I loaded the 12 bolt up and headed over to Berto's house. Fortunately he had sprayed the U bolts down with PB Blaster this week and let them soak. We dropped the drive shaft, and bolted the U bolts and slid it out.

In the light of day two things were obvious. The pinion seal was leaking, and the gear set was immaculate. The gears literally dont have awear pattern at all. I'm not sure how thats possible considering the Suburban had over 100k on it and I'm pretty sure the gear oil had never been changed.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

So lets do it all over again. I used a wire brush and putty knife to remove the majority of the caked on grunge. That was followed by Scotch Brite and brake cleaner to get down to raw metal. I cut the stock shock mounts off, and ground the housing clean of casting flash. I dressed the cuts and grind marks with a 180 grit disc followed by a 4" flapper disc.

With the housing as smoothed out a bit, I blasted again with brake cleaner. Once dry I laid down several coats of filler primer. It wont be smooth as glass, but a lot slicker than it started. Once I replace the pinion seal, it get a coat of satin black.

really nice. Love the seat. Looking forward to the steady updates. Be well.
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Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Thanks, I'm slowly shaking it off.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

After I picked up the new (to me) 10 bolt on Saturday, I spent some time putting up Christmas decorations. With that done I got a bit of time back in the shop again. My exhaust components arrived from Summit so I played with them a bit. I'm going to make a trip to the exhaust shop to get some adjustments made on the inlet and outlet side of the muffler. It needs to be stretched a hair for the V bands to fit properly.

I mocked up the Vibrant Performance #64806 6" flex coupling and cut the pipe to length.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Saturday night I added a couple more coats of filler primer to the axle. I also spotted in a few bare spots on the frame rails. Sunday morning Chris came over and we worked on final prep for the frame. We gave it one last scuff and wiped again with brake cleaner.

I sprayed the frame from top to bottom, while Chris started on the gas tank. With the frame finished I moved on to the axle. I gave it a few coats of satin black as well. I pulled the rear cover and worked it over in the blasting cabinet. Unfortunately it had factory undercoating on it that didnt want to come off. I'll get back to it after it soaks for a while.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

With the pinion seal installed, I gave it a few coats of satin black. I pulled the rear cover and worked it over in the blasting cabinet. Unfortunately it had factory undercoating on it that didnt want to come off. I'll get back to it after it soaks for a while.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Today was a good day, especially considering its a Monday. At work we are setting equipment in the last location that I lost due to Hurricane Harvey. Its a significant step in getting my company back on track.

Besides that, I got pics from Brent at Sculpt Garage. He got the additional yardage needed from Snowden Supply to finish the back cover on my seat.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Outstanding! Really looks good.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

I agree, rear differential looks good too. Congrat's on getting equipment back in place. What is your business?

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Are they special vents to adapt to the restomodair kit? I’ve battled with vintage air trying to adapt their non ac cab kit to OE style vents.



I’m in AWE! That seat looks amazing!!!!

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Love the seat Ken! looks great!

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Thanks for the kind words.
My company owns and operates arcade games. We lost six of our accounts to flooding from Hurricane Harvey. We were blessed that there was no damage to our home or warehouse, but the loss of equipment and revenue was significant.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

I plan to adapt to OE vents. If there is an issue I will bring it to RestoMods attention.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

I have been waiting for a few weeks to make an exciting announcement. Once again, I will be working with RideTech to debut some of their latest technological advancements in suspension components. They showed several items at SEMA 2017 that were coming available soon.

Of particular concern to the classic truck owner is the recently released 73-87 Coil Over System for C-10's. In case you missed it, that system was installed on Scarlett my 85 Sierra. LINK

This same package is available with air springs as well. The Bolt-On 4 Link System for 73-87 GM trucks is available with CoilOvers or Shockwaves. The latest update to the ShockWave version utilizes a new "Composite Design" material with CAD-engineered reinforcing ribs that is stronger and lighter than billet aluminum.

The R&D department gave approval to send a system out for public testing, and Elwood will be first on that list. Stay tuned for an indepth install feature.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Still tuned in & enjoying the project! Shaping up very nicely...not that it was out of shape before!!!

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Very kind, but it does need some love. After a few seasons of sitting, its time for some attention.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

While waiting for shipments, I'm tinkering with small projects. The differential cover was coated with undercoating over spray that was baked on. It took a while to get it clean, but I finally cut through the grunge.

After a trip or two in the media blast cabinet, it was ready for primer. I hit it with a couple of coats of filler primer then sanded it smooth. I followed it with a top coat of my favorite accent color, VHT Cast Iron gray.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Christmas came early at N2trux house. The FedEx driver doesnt look anything like Santa Clause and I'm pretty sure he not one of the "Wise Men" either . Regardless he did bring gifts of joy to my shop.

I pulled in from work and stacked under my usual work related shipments were several large boxes from RideTech. I grabbed my dolly and shuttled everything inside the cozy confines of my garage. Oh boy, truck toys!

It was quite a process to unpack everything. RideTech shipping department does not scrimp on the packing materials. Each item is wrapped tightly and smothered on foam packing sheets. Not a single part was out of place.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

They do packs things nicely

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Cool! Thank goodness for the ability to live vicariously! Pretty big word use for this late at night! Lol

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

When you have a minute, can you take an outside measurement of the frame with, arrow to arrow?
Thanks

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

The frame alone is 34" with the bridge in place it goes up to 34 3/8"

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

As you saw from the previous pics, the frame has been stripped of the last version of the RideTech 4 link in preparation for the new. I left the C notch in place until I was ready to bolt the new one up. Both sides of the notch will be supported while the transition takes place.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

well.. I have finally got caught up on this build thread..I am stoked to see the outcome Ken!

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Welcome Ruben. It should be a lot more interesting from now till LST.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

It snowed here in South Texas last night. It was a perfect night to spend in a warm shop. I fired up my little space heater and went to work. I unpacked the last box of parts from RideTech that stored my new bolt-on 4 link system for 73-87 GM trucks. The parts were wrapped extremely well to protect the slick satin black powder coated finish.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

After unpacking, I double checked the inventory list. I'm not sure what process RideTech uses cutting out their parts, but the finished edges are so clean.

I re-positioned my jack stands to ensure that there was no stress on the C notch area. With that stable, I removed the old cross brace and C notch. The old bolts came out with ease letting me know my jack stand adjustment worked.

It was a relief to see that all the old holes lined up with the new C notch. I had to drill one additional hole, but everything else lined up. Note that there are some longer bolts in the bags. These are used in the cross brace brackets. Yes, I didnt catch it till I had them all in place.

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Slick!

Re: Elwood the 77_remix
 

Thursday night I finished the C notch bolt in and added the 4 link hanger to the frame. After double checking that all the brackets were square on the frame, I ran them down with my 20v followed by hand torquing each bolts to ensure it was locked in place. That also gives me an opportunity to clock the bolt heads. Yes, I'm anal.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I'm not on call this weekend so I have had some quality shop time. Friday night I installed the 4 link brackets to the new 10 bolt axle. The fit and finish on these pieces are incredible. I did note that the center pin for the top perch plate was just a bit too long. I shaved it down a hair and the plate fit flush on the perch.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

With the axle in position, I added the 4 link bars. Hanging the bars up front is simple. Its no easy task connecting the rear bars by yourself. I found that creative placement of a 2x4" block on the floor jack helped roll the housing enough to align the mounting holes.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

With the axle in place and the 4 link bars cinched down it was time to add the icing on this cake. Besides a much cleaner design of the entire 4 link kit, the biggest difference is the change in bags and shocks.

The previous system worked just fine with the sleeved bags and separate shocks. This set up required a panhard bar that was located with a bracket attached to the center of the axle. It worked very well, and rode smoothly. It was however a bit cluttered and did not allow room for a rear exit exhaust.

The new design allows the use of coil overs or Shockwave air springs on the same kit. This includes a lower mounted panhard bar with a much cleaner placement. All of this means you have room to tuck a true dual exhaust system and run it out the back.