1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

[phillipm]

I want to say I'm surprised that they didn't hook up the IAT, however, we once got an install back and it was running terrible. Started poking around and they had just laid the IAT (which was plugged into the harness) on top of the intake manifold and called it good. It was at that point I started learning to do it myself. Cannot believe what people will charge you to do, and then do it terribly. I'm glad you found a reputable shop to take care of this for you!

[OutlawDrifter]

First off, wow, just made my way through this thread.

Second off, RamJet 350, epic!

On the transmission front a well built 4L65e will handle everything that RJ350 can throw at it, just make sure and put a nice big cooler on it. I 100% agree about 1st gear in a 4L80e. When the time comes to LS swap my '89 it will likely get a 65e. Not sure on hooking the 203 up to the newer tranny, however.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

First off, wow, just made my way through this thread.

Second off, RamJet 350, epic!

On the transmission front a well built 4L65e will handle everything that RJ350 can throw at it, just make sure and put a nice big cooler on it. I 100% agree about 1st gear in a 4L80e. When the time comes to LS swap my '89 it will likely get a 65e. Not sure on hooking the 203 up to the newer tranny, however.

They make a short shaft kit to adapt the 203 to the 4L60. Thanks for your compliments.

[buffydores]

I've grown frustrated with the twin stick. The shifting is easy, but the linkage likes to bump the transmission tunnel and I need my little spacer bar to keep the kids from accidentally shifting the levers. So I dug up the old shifter that looked more like a heavy turd and started chiseling away the baked shell of 40 years of mud. Then I worked it with some brake cleaner. Disassembled. More brake cleaner, then soaked it in Evaporust for a day. Reassembled with a bunch of lithium grease, and its ready to go back in the Blazer. Found new bushings for the levers here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-79-All...e7d7%7Ciid%3A1

These little refurb projects are fun. I'm also moving away from the 4-speed auto idea. It just feels like I lose too much identity with that upgrade.

[phillipm]

Originally Posted by buffydores

I've grown frustrated with the twin stick. The shifting is easy, but the linkage likes to bump the transmission tunnel and I need my little spacer bar to keep the kids from accidentally shifting the levers. So I dug up the old shifter that looked more like a heavy turd and started chiseling away the baked shell of 40 years of mud. Then I worked it with some brake cleaner. Disassembled. More brake cleaner, then soaked it in Evaporust for a day. Reassembled with a bunch of lithium grease, and its ready to go back in the Blazer. Found new bushings for the levers here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-79-All...e7d7%7Ciid%3A1

These little refurb projects are fun. I'm also moving away from the 4-speed auto idea. It just feels like I lose too much identity with that upgrade.

I was with you all the way till you said no to the overdrive upgrade. That’s the first upgrade I make!
Posted via Mobile Device

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

I was with you all the way till you said no to the overdrive upgrade. That’s the first upgrade I make!
Posted via Mobile Device

I like the idea. I'd want a fully electronic setup. I just always get in a constant cycle of always changing factory stuff. Sometimes its better, but sometimes, its not worth the hassle. The truck is fast enough off the line already. I'd get better fuel economy at highway speed, but I'm not roadtripping this rig anywhere. It's not a daily driver. I'm sitting at 3000rpms at 75mph. It's high, I know, but it's not gonna hurt anything.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by buffydores

The rubber transmission cooler lines looked a bit rough and leaky.



That's better. Finally found a use for those 3/8" FI hose clamps.

Originally Posted by phillipm

Man someone went gorilla on those old hose clamps!! That hose is cut bad!

Originally Posted by buffydores

"If it's leaking just tighten more" has its limits.

The clamps don't loosen up... The fuel and oil hoses tend to extrude through the slots in the old fashioned Jubilee worm clamps. For some reason fuel and the various flavors of oil cooler hoses are much worse than coolant hoses.
Breeze Liner doesn't make their liner clamps smaller than 3/4" or so. That's why I recommend the Fuel Injection Clamps or Rotor Clip type spring band clamps. My 1994, 1998, 2000, and 2005 GM trucks use(d) a lot of the spring type clamps rather than Jubilee worm clamps. No extrusion.

You can put a quick and dirty bubble on the end of the steel lines with a brake line flare tool and then you only need one clamp.

[buffydores]

Pretty sharp looking:

[OutlawDrifter]

Nice, clean, stock.

[phillipm]

Hell yeah, that looks awesome!!

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

Hell yeah, that looks awesome!!

That little vinyl trim ring we made really dresses it up.

Took the wife out for dinner in the Blazer last night. Damn it feels good to be a gangsta.

[buffydores]

Installed some pimp valve covers. Starting to look pretty good under the hood.

[Grizz1963]

Hi from England Cameron,

I have never wanted a K5 in 4WD form before, but your thread has me wondering about that.

Just read through it all.

I have a 66 C10 in “kit form” in my garage thread here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=585901


And on the 6th October, I bought a 79 Blazer in 2WD form here in England.

Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774451

I come to the USA every year to do road trips, and almost made it to Longview this year, as I had thought of looking up Karl, Aggie on here as he lives there too, but ended up doing 8 states in 2.5 weeks. http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger

Looking at your restoration, and constant evolution, my brain got stuck on one piece of kit you fitted.....

That rear wind deflector.

Where did you order that from, and are they ever around used, as my Blazer is as rough as a badgers butt.

I also saw Bill “Palf” fitted a 4x4 front lip/airdam to his 82 Square stepper, does one see them around to buy or new?

Thanks, and awesome build as everyone has said so far.

I love the fact that you use it, and the photoset of it working off-road etc was great.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by buffydores

Pretty sharp looking:

That is sharp looking. Nice touch that isn't over the top.

[buffydores]

Grizz: Thanks so much for the kind words. The rear deflector shows up used periodically. It was a GM accessory. I saw a used one last week on here for $150. They are designed to keep the dust from gathering on the back glass.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by hatzie

That is sharp looking. Nice touch that isn't over the top.

Thanks hatzie.

[buffydores]

I finally got around to replacing the beat up door handles. Amazing how well new ones with fresh springs work. Also allowed me to lube up the window apparatus.

[OutlawDrifter]

Definitely amazing what we learn to put up with, nice work!

[phillipm]

Nice handles. Did you find GM ones or are they Repops?

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

Nice handles. Did you find GM ones or are they Repops?

Got them from LMC; reman., but they look like quality stuff. It feels tight.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by buffydores

I finally got around to replacing the beat up door handles. Amazing how well new ones with fresh springs work. Also allowed me to lube up the window apparatus.

Excellent


Always good changing for the better.


Love the security tape around the work area, such a simple insurance.

[buffydores]

Thanks Rian Cheers.

[Futurespeed]

When I was growing up, we had a late 70's GMC Jimmy that had a factory lift and granny gears. Where is the best place to find one if I'm looking to purchase something similar at a reasonable price?

Here is a pic that I found of a similar looking rig. I remember many amazing hunting and 4-wheeling trips in that beast.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by Futurespeed

When I was growing up, we had a late 70's GMC Jimmy that had a factory lift and granny gears. Where is the best place to find one if I'm looking to purchase something similar at a reasonable price?

I don't know if there's a best place. We bought ours new at the dealership.

Here's a few on Hemmings: https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...min=&year_max=

[Futurespeed]

Originally Posted by buffydores

I don't know if there's a best place. We bought ours new at the dealership.

Here's a few on Hemmings: https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...min=&year_max=

Thanks for the link. I book marked it and will check it periodically. There are a few in Houston which is somewhat close to me in Dallas.

Until I get the real-deal, I'll need to pick up one of these RC rides. It's the next closest thing.

https://traxxas.com/products/landing/blazer/