85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

After lunch the paint had not cured enough to allow for masking so we couldn't paint the steering linkage yet.
Instead we mocked up the sway bar. This truck didn't come with one from the factory. My experience has been that adding a bar really improves the handling. I picked one up a while back and prepped it for install with fresh paint and new bushings.
The holes for the clamps are already in the A arms but not in the frame. Since the truck is lowered we don't need the factory clamp stands so we mounted it directly to the frame.
Time to watch Michael Phelps make history..again

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Chaplain

Well stated sir.

Thank you sir.

Originally Posted by LDO

May I ask for the PN of the line kit that you finally received that worked? Also, did you have to drill any additional holes in the A-Arm for the nylon clamps?

As mentioned I called Wilwood Tech support first to resolve the issue. Summit can only give me the info in their database and we knew it wasn't correct.
The tech at Wilwood gave me part #220-11719 and it was a direct fit.

I did discover a couple of things. First off the U clip that's supposed to hold the bulkhead fitting won't work. It was to tight to be able to install with all the obstacles in the way..I plan to try the stock C clips instead.
Another point to be aware of is install sequence when tightening the fittings. You need to tighten the banjo first followed by the line at the caliper end and the stainless line to hard line last. If not, the line will twist up and not stay straight.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LDO

.... Also, did you have to drill any additional holes in the A-Arm for the nylon clamps?

I missed this earlier. As I mentioned earlier, I first tried using the line mounting hardware that was on the rubber line as there is a place to mount it already on the A-Arm. Unfortunately I couldn't remove it from the line with destroying it.
With that said, yes I had to drill holes in the A-Arm.
I did so reluctantly as I know it could be a weak point but I chamfered the holes as a precaution.

[N2TRUX]

Another weekend gone in a blurr. Today Chris got here early again so we got a lot of details wrapped up.
We unmasked everything we painted last night and it looked great. We mounted the sway bar and synched it tight. As you can see we mounted it directly to the frame rather than using the factory clamp stands.

Chris got on routing the drivers side brake line while I double checked all our work. I installed cotter pins and greased all the fitting, then wiped everything clean.

[N2TRUX]

With the front suspension wrapped up, we moved on to other things that needed to be done. Chris grabbed the fender liners and started prepping them.
We noted that the tires had been rubbing at some point. We believe that may be why the spacers were added.
Until we know for sure we opted to use the Dupli-color undercoat. Once we determine if the tires are still rubbing and resolve any clearance issues we will recoat with the rubberized coating we used in the rear wheel wells.

[N2TRUX]

While Chris prepped the wheel well tubs, I focused on the rear shocks. I sanded and painted them to match the rest of the suspension. The bolts were way to long so I cut them down to fit correctly.

We discovered a problem when I set the shocks in place and secured them on top. With out the weight of the bed we couldn't compress the suspension enough to get the bottom bolts in.
Even with two big ol boys sitting on the frame we didn't have enough ballast so I got creative. Those boxes hold 40# of candy each.

[N2TRUX]

With the rear suspension finished Chris wanted Scarlett to look like a truck again. It was time to put her shoes back on. They hadn't been cleaned in a while, so we got them looking fresh again. We scrubbed the backside with Scotch Brite and washed them with a soft brustle brush. We will Polish the front side later, but for now they look much better.

[mcbassin]

Awesome work as always Ken! Keep the pictures coming!

[Low Elco]

Nice stuff!

[original-71]

perfection as always

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome work as always Ken! Keep the pictures coming!

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Nice stuff!

Originally Posted by original-71

perfection as always

Thanks guys. Your kind words keep me motivated.

Originally Posted by Jaysonb

I like the wire loom you are using. Just for reference, what size loom did you use for the tail light harness?

I used the 3/8" and some 1/4" on the small runs.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I started painting the fender liners. Unfortunately it was extremely humid from all the rain. The paint wanted to blush, so I put the liner in front of a fan and moved on.

I was organizing parts when I ran across the bolts for the fender liners. I realized they had nor been cleaned up, so i took on the task of getting them ready for the upcoming install. I blasted them clean in my bead blasting cabinet, then soaked them in solvent. Once they dried, I gave them several very thin coats of black paint. The liners will look so much better with clean matching bolts to hold them in place.

[N2TRUX]

I got an early start today so I would have more shop time. When I got home FedEx had a few boxes for me. My replacement mirrors had arrived. Actually only one came in so I decided to get it installed before dinner.
The old mirrors are dull and dinged so this was a great update at a very reasonable price. As expected, the bolts were mismatched and the bottom one was missing.

I found a set of correct bolts and gave them a quick paint job. I aligned everything and snugged it in place. A quick wipe down and I'm off to dinner.

[N2TRUX]

After dinner I finished up a project that Chris started this weekend. He sanded and prepped the front fender liners and gave them a couple of coats of Duplicolor under coating. They were set aside to cure.
I finish prepped the top side and sprayed them satin black. Due to excessive humidity they blushed a bit and one side had some reaction to old paint. I wet sanded the affected areas and hit them with Scotch Brite before a final coat. This time I left them to dry with a fan blowing. Problem solved and it's time to go watch some volleyball.

[Gus350]

Those fenders and mirrors turned out great truck looks killer.

[rip2174]

very nice and clean.

[GAc10boy]

Looks great! I've started using the Krylon Maxx Satin Black for painting parts, at your suggestion, and it works so well. Thanks for the tip!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Gus350

Those fenders and mirrors turned out great truck looks killer.

Originally Posted by rip2174

very nice and clean.

Thanks

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Looks great! I've started using the Krylon Maxx Satin Black for painting parts, at your suggestion, and it works so well. Thanks for the tip!

I have tried several different brands and Krylon is the best out there. It's not as good as the old formula for retaining it's sheen, but still a good product.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I had dinner with my daughter and son-in-law. We didn't get home till late but I still wanted to do something in the shop. I decided to remove the drivers side mirror in anticipation of the new one that has now been shipped.

This mirror had one of the threaded inserts missing, and the inner brace was gone too. Consequently the mirror was held on with mismatched bolts and nuts. Guess where the nuts went when I removed the bolts? Yep, they fell inside the door. Hmm, now what?

I had planned to completely restore the interior after the C10sinthepark run, but it looks like a partial job will ensue. As expected the door panels were held on with a huge assortment of styles and lengths of screws. Those will be replaced and the panels will be stripped to the base.

This was not where I was headed, but here I am.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Last night I had dinner with my daughter and son-in-law. We didn't get home till late but I still wanted to do something in the shop. I decided to remove the drivers side mirror in anticipation of the new one that has now been shipped.

This mirror had one of the threaded inserts missing, and the inner brace was gone too. Consequently the mirror was held on with mismatched bolts and nuts. Guess where the nuts went when I removed the bolts? Yep, they fell inside the door. Hmm, now what?

I had planned to completely restore the interior after the C10sinthepark run, but it looks like a partial job will ensue. As expected the door panels were held on with a huge assortment of styles and lengths of screws. Those will be replaced and the panels will be stripped to the base.

This was not where I was headed, but here I am.

Funny how these little projects snowball. It will be worth it to do it right. Looking forward to checking it out in Texas

[GAc10boy]

Snowball, you say? That's my middle name. Looking forward to seeing the interior updates/upgrades.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Funny how these little projects snowball. It will be worth it to do it right. Looking forward to checking it out in Texas

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Snowball, you say? That's my middle name. Looking forward to seeing the interior updates/upgrades.

As mentioned, these are things I had planned to do, just not quite yet. Oh well, no problem just keep moving forward.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I continued on with the door panel project. I removed all of the small parts and noted that there were at least two layers of dye on them. This is going to be tedious.

I first tried lacquer thinner but it wasn't hot enough. Very little of the dye was coming off. I stepped up the heat with brake cleaner. This was applied to a folded paper towel and the color started coming off.

I had thought that the panels were much more worn and most of the texture was gone. It turns out they are actually in great shape, it was the excessive amount of dye filling up the grain.

[N2TRUX]

With the door panels stripped and ready for the next round of cleaning it was time to set them aside and turn my attention to the doors.

[N2TRUX]

They needed a thorough cleaning inside and out before I could go further. I started with Windex and Scotchbrite then wiped everything clean with solvent. This would give me a clean surface for mounting the sound deadner.

I pulled all the hardware and blasted it clean. It was set aside for paint while I analyzed the wiring. It was all in good shape except the plug for the door lock actuator. The wiring will get fresh tape and I will try to locate a connector for the actuator.