Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Saturday morning I moved closer to getting Elwood back on the ground. Chris had stripped and painted the gas tank. It was time to get it installed.

I removed the filter and pump to prep the inner frame for paint. I painted the pump cast iron and added more satin black to the frame

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

While the frame dried I added sound deadner to the support straps on the gas tank. It makes a great replacement for the factory insulation.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

After the frame rails cured I concentrated on the fuel lines. When Roger did the Ramjet install he used Parker push-lok fittings and hose. It's great stuff, but it's meant to stay on once installed. It requires surgery to remove it, so I replaced all of the fuel lines.

Once the layout was determined I cut the hose to length and added fuel injection style hose clamps for added security.

Note that loose wire you see is a ground wire. I decided to run it to a different location.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Christmas eve was productive for me. We aren't hosting the family this year so I spent my day in the shop.

With The fuel system done I moved over to the air supply side. The RideTech Big Red valves will stay but the frame needed painting and lines rerouted to accommodate the changes.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

When Roger at RPL Customs installed the system years ago, he made this cool plate to mount the valves one. All it needed was a clean up and fresh paint.

With the valves out of the way, I prepped and painted the frame. While it was curing I worked on the Big Red valves. All that was needed was a good cleaning before I updated the pressure fittings.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

What kind of paint are you using for the frame and other parts? On a side note, there's a '74 stepside I have been watching. I'm thinking about selling my '57 and my Toyota and buying it. I won't have to smog it and I'll still have a hot rod.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I use Krylon satin black on all my parts. Its durable, affordable, and easy to touch up.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Looking great man. I like it a lot

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Really nice. I love that you are explaining as you go. I never seen that heat shield before. Thanks for sharing and awesome work.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Thanks guys.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

While waiting on paint to dry I worked on the gas tank shield. I tried cleaning it up, but it was too scuffed to leave raw. I decided a light coat of undercoating would give it enough texture to cover the scratches in the plastic. I followed that up with a satin black. Its amazing how the texture changes the color. Both the tank and the guard are painted the same color.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

With the tank shield done, I moved back to the RideTech Big Red valves. Part of the updates will be replacing the Ride Pro E3 system with the new Ride Pro X air management.

I will document the entire Ride Pro X installation once I move inside the cab. For now I wanted to replace the E3 pressure sensors with the new Ride Pro X sensors. I unscrewed the old sensors and bagged them up. I cleaned the threads with a brass brush and installed the new sensors.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Looking good as always.

I had a thought when I was looking at your calipers: custom ELWOOD logos in the WILWOOD font would be super trick, but subtle enough that most wouldn’t notice

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Its a good thought, but Wilwood might not appreciate that since they are a sponsor.

I will find a way to get "Elwood" on the truck somewhere.:metal:

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

The valves were mounted in place tucked up on the side of the frame. I cleared all of the wiring away and concentrated on the air lines first. The supply line from the tanks needed to be replaced so it was first. Once it was safely routed I adjusted the remaining lines and secured them.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Unfortunately you cant always run the air line exactly like you want since its rather rigid. I had to go around a body mount to get to the rear of the truck. I was concerned that this location might come close to the exhaust so I created a heat shield. I found a bracket that I had saved and cut it down to fit in front of the body mount. The air line tucks behind it and its now protected from exhaust heat.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Ken have you ever used these Parker elbows? They make sharp turns really easy. I think I found these on Amazon.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Keith, thats what I am using on the air tanks. I plan to switch them on the valve block as well. I just need a functioning system for now.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Ironically the fittings I needed to clean up the output lines on the Big Red valve block came in. Of course there wasnt enough room to switch them with the block mounted, so I had to pull it off again.

The ports are 3/8" NPT so the fittings are pretty thick. I removed the old straight fittings and replaced them with 90 degree 3/8" npt x 3/8 ptf elbows. This allowed me to cut about 6" off of the 3/8" air line and tuck it in much tighter.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Much mo betta! What are you using to protect the lines where they pass through the framerails?

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I slide a piece of fuel hose over the air line on individual lines. Where those are clustered together I have a rubber boot.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Wiring, wiring, and more wiring. Yesterday Chris came over and we sorted out the wiring. I had planed to wait till I got in the cab to pull the Ride Pro E3 system. Unfortunately it was in my way and we decided it was time for it to go.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

With the E3 system clear we looked at where to mount the Ride Pro X processor. It will go inside a custom enclosure under the seat. Till we get inside the cab that will have to wait.

For now we ran the compressor turn on wires and pressure sensor line to the rear. That was combined with two power wires and tail light wiring in one loom.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Chris and I analized how to terminate all the wires necessary to run the Viaair compressors. I hated having a big cluster of connectors, so we opted for a terminal strip.
I ran to the local electronics warehouse and grabbed a 4 junction 60 amp strip. I had hoped to get one that was weather proof, but they didn't have any.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Since there wasn't a weather proof option, I made a cover myself. It's not weather tight, but it covers the exposed connections.

Each wire was precisely measure for fit, then terminals were swedged on and covered with marine grade shrink tube.
I had to modify the pressure sensor line so it was soldered and protected with weather proof shrink tube as well.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

With the wiring in place I topped the strip off with a protective cover. I will take it all apart to paint again. When I do final install all the long bolts will be cut short and braided wire loom added.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Now that the wiring is wrapped up I can do the final assembly. I decided the air tanks needed to contrast a bit so I brushed the raw aluminum with 150 grit followed by a green Scotch Brite. I had planned to use satin clear but ran short so I was forced to use gloss instead. Not my first choice but I needed to move forward.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I had previously installed all of the fittings and cinched them down. I mounted the tanks in place one last time and adjusted the fitting to the proper orientation to route the air lines. The lines were trimmed to length and pushed in place. I will check for leaks once the system is active.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I had previously downloaded the Ride Pro X app on my Android phone. Its also available for you iPhone guys. Its becomes obvious that RideTech paid big money to have this app programmed. It has a very animated control screen with highly visible graphics.

I discovered that you must calibrate your system before some features are functional. Once I realized that your phone becomes married to the system after the calibration, the ease of operation was very simple.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

AwwWe needed to get the X management system up and running quickly. With out it I would have to rig an input line to air the system up so I could move the truck. Chris and I removed the Ride Pro E3 system and set it aside. We laid out the X components and mapped out a plan.

I will mount the electronics inside a custom enclosure under the seat. RideTech includes a cool bluetooth control that plugs in the cigarette lighter. Instead, I plan to install a 7" tablet to control and demo this app, along with others I will be using. Until then I connected the necessary wires and fired the system up. Its not pretty, but it is functional.

Once we get inside the cab and I'm able to route the wiring properly I will give more details on the RidePro X. Until then take a look here. RidePro X

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

With no fuel in the system yet, I cant start the truck. Consequently, trying to run two ViAir 444c compressors off of a dead battery and charger was a lesson in frustration.

The Ridepro X system runs to compressors to 150 psi before shutting off. To calibrate it goes through 200+ small steps that use air and drain the tanks. This process should be done with the truck running, or on a high output charger, and mine was neither.

I finally had an epiphany and turned one compressor off. With a fully charged battery I was able to complete the calibration process. With that done I could set the 3 presets and finally take control the system.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I'm at the same stage with mine. Another idea I had was to screw-in in a fitting for an air tool into an unused port on my tank and let the shop compressor do all the work.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I considered that option. I even bought a 3/8" T fitting to use. I decided it was to my advantage to get the system operational instead. That clock is running away and I'm chasing it.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Truck is looking great Bud!!!!

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Thank you. Its slowly coming together.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

It was a productive weekend at the @n2trux shop. I took a break Friday night for some quality time with my family. My wife and I took my daughter and son-in-law to dinner and had some much needed time together.

Saturday morning I helped a neighbor with a busted water pipe, then settled down in my shop. It was time to get the front suspension updated. I had some quality parts from RideTech and Wilwood that would give Elwood better handling and stopping ability.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

With the truck secure on jack stands, I let the air out of the bags and got busy. The complete 12" stock disc and 3" spindle assembly was going away to be replaced with Wilwood components. I opted for 13" rotors with 6 piston calipers. These are mounted on modular spindles from Wilwood as well. This should make a huge improvement in my stopping power.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

The current suspension was changed several years ago when RideTech developed the latest in air suspension. It included Strong arms tubular A arms, a Muscle Bar, sway bar and upper shock mount to add additional length for the HQ series shock.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Looks great Ken! How much is changing on the front suspension or are you doing detail work?

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

The core of the system will remain unchanged. The shocks and mounts are new, along with the sway bar and it's mounts.