1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

[buffydores]

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.



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

[OutlawDrifter]

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

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

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

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

[wazzabie]

Originally Posted by buffydores

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 1/2" 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.



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

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

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by wazzabie

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

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.

[wazzabie]

Originally Posted by buffydores

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.

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

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by wazzabie

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

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

[wazzabie]

Originally Posted by buffydores

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

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.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by wazzabie

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

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

[zellway]

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.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by zellway

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.

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

[aggie91]

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?

[buffydores]

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.

[wazzabie]

Originally Posted by aggie91

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?

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

[buffydores]

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.

[LT7A]

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.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by LT7A

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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[LT7A]

Originally Posted by buffydores

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

[HOTFUN]

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.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by HOTFUN

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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[buffydores]

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


Morning in Glendo, WY


Engineer Pass in the San Juans 13K'

[buffydores]

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


The cleaner engine compartment.

[HOTFUN]

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

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by HOTFUN

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

It's a great combo.

[phillipm]

Originally Posted by buffydores

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


The cleaner engine compartment.

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.