Project: Rufus Restoration

[shearjs]

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[shearjs]

Last one. I posted the truck last week with the intention of taking offers and letting the truck go to a new home to make room for a Suburban to haul the family around. Currently, I'm not actively trying to sell the truck, but would entertain serious offers. Until then, I'm just going to drive and enjoy it as much as I can and keep looking for that Suburban project. Maybe I'll get lucky and get both!

[GAc10boy]

Steelies and caps for the win! They really set this truck off. Remind me, what's your suspension set-up again?

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Steeliness and caps for the win! They really set this truck off. Remind me, what's your suspension set-up again?

Thanks! I really like the steelies and caps too. It has an ECE 4-6 drop kit.

[invicta455]

Very nice rig

[Bennett68C10]

Try to keep it if you can Jason, it's a beautiful truck. Plus you need to drive and enjoy something while you work on that Suburban project

[mcbassin]

Nice detail work on the AC lines. Glad to hear Vintage Air hooked you up. Digging the steelies too! I certainly hope you get to keep both rides. I've been looking for you a burb around here.
How much of a project do you want?

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by invicta455

Very nice rig

Thanks buddy!

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Try to keep it if you can Jason, it's a beautiful truck. Plus you need to drive and enjoy something while you work on that Suburban project

Keith, you make a very good point!

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Nice detail work on the AC lines. Glad to hear Vintage Air hooked you up. Digging the steelies too! I certainly hope you get to keep both rides. I've been looking for you a burb around here.
How much of a project do you want?

Thanks Mike. Those shiny lines always stuck out like a sore thumb to me shining through the grille. As for a burb, I don't mind to do some rust repair. Actually I expect it, although something with a little less than my truck had would be ideal. More or less, I'd like to find something that is mostly complete, with 3 rows of seats, that could be driven as is until I get brave enough to tear another one completely apart. Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!

[shearjs]

Against my better judgement, I decided to make a small upgrade today in the name of comfort. My vintage air has been working great, but with the minimal insulation and clear glass, these upper 90 days feel like an oven in there. I've always thought it would look better with the clear glass but I went with some light tint to lower the cabin temps a little. I've gotta say, I love the look and i think it definitely adds to the overall appeal of the truck. Not to mention, it already feels more comfortable.

[shearjs]

Another

[shearjs]

Last one

[Bennett68C10]

The tint looks really good Jason, you didn't overdue it by completely blacking it out!

[GAc10boy]

I typically don't like tint on our body style trucks but with the solid color paint I think it looks great. Very well done!

[flashed]

I agree with Robbie ,looks great .

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by shearjs

Against my better judgement, I decided to make a small upgrade today in the name of comfort. My vintage air has been working great, but with the minimal insulation and clear glass, these upper 90 days feel like an oven in there. I've always thought it would look better with the clear glass but I went with some light tint to lower the cabin temps a little. I've gotta say, I love the look and i think it definitely adds to the overall appeal of the truck. Not to mention, it already feels more comfortable.

Living in FL, I installed all tinted glass in my Suburban.

[mcbassin]

Looking good Jason.

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

The tint looks really good Jason, you didn't overdue it by completely blacking it out!

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

I typically don't like tint on our body style trucks but with the solid color paint I think it looks great. Very well done!

Originally Posted by flashed

I agree with Robbie ,looks great .

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Living in FL, I installed all tinted glass in my Suburban.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looking good Jason.

Thanks everyone! I was a little nervous that it would hinder the classic look but I'm happy with the outcome. This is a driver after all so I might as well me comfortable while doing it.

[shearjs]

It's been a while since I've had any updates. This past weekend I finally decided to attempt the oil pan swap. The truck has the original truck pan from the donor truck still installed. It was about 3-1/2" off the ground. I swapped to the 08-15 ctsv pan to gain an extra 1-1/2-1-3/4 of clearance. I had been dreading this swap for a while with the engine in the truck. After disconnecting the few things keeping the engine in place I was able to jack the engine up a couple of inches to allow plenty of clearance to drop the old pan and pickup tube and to install the new one. Much needed upgrade! Can't wait to get the next upgrade underway and get this ol girl back on the road.

[shearjs]

I've been continuing to work on upgrades. This past weekend I finished up my exhaust upgrade. I pulled everything out from the header collector back, and started from scratch with some 2-1/2" 304 stainless bends and straights from Ace Race Parts. This time around I am giving Black Widow Exhaust a try with their Venom 250 mufflers. I also decided to continue the exhaust to the rear bumper instead of turn downs before the rear end. So far so good! Can't wait to log a few miles and see how it really sounds.

[shearjs]

Black Widow Venom 250 - YouTube

[MMcMasters]

Jason,

You have a beautiful truck man!

[Gus350]

Just read thru the entire build. Truck looks killer will you have it at Goodguys Nashville this year. And if you don't mind what are the specs on the new steelies and tires thanks.

[Bennett68C10]

Nice job on the exhaust Jason, it sounds great!

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by MMcMasters

Jason,

You have a beautiful truck man!

Thanks Mike. It makes for a good driver. Hindsight makes me wish I had done a cool Porterbuilt suspension, but I've been happy with the ol girl! Thanks for checking it out.

Originally Posted by Gus350

Just read thru the entire build. Truck looks killer will you have it at Goodguys Nashville this year. And if you don't mind what are the specs on the new steelies and tires thanks.

Thanks for checking out my build! I doubt I will make it to Goodguys Nashville. I'm hoping to make it to the Southeastern truck show that's been going on in White House, TN the past few years. The steelies are Wheel Vintiques 62 series, 15x7 and 15x8. Tires are 225/70 and 275/60. I think I'll go with a little larger front tire next time around. Maybe a 235/70.

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Nice job on the exhaust Jason, it sounds great!

Thanks Keith! It was a bit of a learning curve for me trying to fit the bends in there just right. My welding could use some practice, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. Can't wait to see some more progress on your beast.

[mcbassin]

Sounds and looks great!