Project “Learning as I Go”

[jbice70gmc]

Where did you buy your shock relocators, drop blocks and trac bar from. I am doing a very simular build and I'm not really sure if I need the shock relocators or not but I think I may and those drop blocks look like they fit real well. Also what shocks are you using?

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by AdvantageR1

Man Pokes, that thing is looking awesome.

Thanks man. I wish I had some updates, but I haven't touched my truck in what seems like forever. I need to get back to work on it. It's weird because I am so close to getting it driveable again, and I just kind of lost motivation over the summer.

Originally Posted by jbice70gmc

Where did you buy your shock relocators, drop blocks and trac bar from. I am doing a very simular build and I'm not really sure if I need the shock relocators or not but I think I may and those drop blocks look like they fit real well. Also what shocks are you using?

I got the relocators, blocks, and trac bar from CPP. The only complaint I had with any of it was that on the passenger side trac bar mount, the bolt hole is too close to the mount, so you can't get a socket on the bolt. Not that big of a deal, but it was kind of frustrating. For the shocks, I just used the Monroe book at the parts store and found a shock that would have the correct travel, and mounts. I might have the model number written down, but I will have to look for it. I did it that way because they were only like $20 per shock.

[gopokes]

Well I finally got off my lazy butt and did some work. I decided that the steering colunm I bought was just too long, so I started thinking about gettting another one. I really didn't want to drop any more cash on one, so I decided I might as well cut this one down and see how it turns out. I was really suprised how easy it ended up being, just had to be really carefull with my cuts, and make sure it was all square when I welded it all up. There are three levels in the colunm so when i cut it, I stagered the cuts so to have room to weld the one inside.



The pieces on the bottom are what I removed.





On the inner shaft I drilled some holes and inserted another piece of rod inside to do some plug welds for extra strength.



Welded up.





Missed a pic of the second piece, but here is the outside piece going on.



All done, just need to clean it up and shoot some paint on it.



Installed to make sure. It fits!



Going to try to get my brakes finished up next.

[gopokes]

We didn't get any brake work done, but we did get the steering column mount in the cab finished up, and the gas pedal mounted. I'm getting excited about getting work done again! Don't pay any attention to the crappy welds.

[gopokes]

I spent the whole weekend working on my guage panel, trying to get the camaro gauges fiberglassed into the original panel. Big waste of time, after all the work, the angle of the gauges didn't work. It was really frusterating, but I will figure something out. I switched gears tonight and got my drivers rocker in. Not too flashy but it ended up pretty good for the first one I did.

[gopokes]

I'll probably end up stealing imsuchaman55's idea for the gauges. They look awesome, I was just hoping to be able to make them work with the factory front piece.

[502ms]

How is progress?
Posted via Mobile Device

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by 502ms

How is progress?
Posted via Mobile Device

Progress is not great. These stupid gauges are driving me crazy. I did get my brake booster back in and the shift linkage squared away. Nothing much picture friendly. Went on a fishing trip last weekend so didn't get anything done then either. Hoping to finish up the brake lines soon, that should be simple. But I have to get these freaking gauges done so I can start on the wiring. Thanks for checking in.

[hilljob26]

i really dig that dash,,,some little glass work and you should have a nice one

[chevy88]

Just read your build from start to finish, you have done some major work so far, keep it up your so close and its an awsome build you have going on.

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by chevy88

Just read your build from start to finish, you have done some major work so far, keep it up your so close and its an awsome build you have going on.

Thanks man! I read through your build as well, lookin real good over there!

It's crazy that I havent worked on this thing in so long. It has almost been a full year. I basically lost all motivation to do anything after I started working on the wiring. It started to get overwhelming. I guess I just needed some time away from it, because I actually started doing some work during some time off around the holidays. Nothing major, or picture worthy but it's a start I guess. Im lucky to have an understanding wife because she hasn't even mentioned anything about it, and I have buddies that would be getting an earful every night. Hopefully I will get some good progress going and get some more pics up.
Posted via Mobile Device

[sourkraut]

Hang in there. I have come to find that if you feel like you have to work on it then it is no longer fun. You will be more productive too once you get back at it.

[gopokes]

Well I finally got some work done on the ole girl. With the new engine, I needed the battery to be on the drivers side, so I made a new battery box. I also got some more rust fixed on the rear wheel arch, and filled a bunch of holes in the bed rail. Not a ton of progress, but at least it's something.

[chevy88]

Posted via Mobile Device Looks like someone got motivated, good job on the wheel arch, one job at a time gets her done.

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by chevy88

Posted via Mobile Device Looks like someone got motivated, good job on the wheel arch, one job at a time gets her done.

Thanks man! That is the first sheetmetal that I have done that will be really visable. I took my time and really moved around alot with my spot welds. But after i finished grinding them all down, there seems to be a high spot all the way across the top edge of where the panel and the original metal joined. Down the sides feels nice and smooth, so I can't figure out what went wrong. I thought at first I must have gotten the top too hot and warped it a little, but I did the whole panel exactly the same. Oh well, I guess I was going to need to learn to use a hammer and dolley at some point anyway.

[67cheby]

nice work !

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

nice work !

Thanks man, I have been following along on your wifes blazer build, looks like it's going to be another sweet ride!

Since I moved my gas tank I needed to fill the hole in the cab. I made my filler piece, and had it looking pretty good shape wise. I am definately living up to the title of this build and "learning as I go"! After i got it all welded up, it ended up being recessed a little. I think it would be ok with some filler, but if I can get it bumped out a little it will be better. The last picture makes it look way worse than it actually is. I also started getting my new filler fitted in. Still have a ways to go on it, but it's a start.

[fastcam1]

Nice work I'm watchin this one
Posted via Mobile Device

[mcbassin]

Anything new on this project?

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Anything new on this project?

No real progress on the truck, life has gotten in the way a little bit. We were looking to buy a new house, and put ours up for sale by owner just to test the waters. Wouldn't you know, we sold it in a week. So, we got to move into a rent house for a while, and the truck got to go to the storage unit. We finally got moved into our new house a couple weeks ago, and I plan on getting my truck moved this weekend.

The house we got has plenty of space for a shop sometime in the future, so I'm excited about that. Unfortunately we have been spending all our cash on stuff for the house, so I'm not sure how far in the future that will be. Here are some pics of the new house. It backs up to a pond that the HOA keeps stocked and taken care of.







Oh, and here are my new toys I found on craigslist. Gotta have something to get down to the pond and back with.



When I moved the truck, I got it wired up enough to start and drive, and was going to drive it to the storage unit, because it is only a mile or so from our old house. She fired right up, and I pulled out of the garage, I have a video somwhere I think, I'll post it if I find it. As soon as I started to turn into the street, I felt some resistance in the steering wheel, then heard a pop, and she died. I got out to have a look, and realized that when my brother hooked up the battery, the negative cable got wrapped around the steering shaft. So when I started to turn, it yanked it right out of the engine. I didn't have time to mess with it, so i just pulled her over to the storage shed.


It's funny that you posted in this thread today, as I was just thinking about how long it has been since I've done anything with my truck. I have actually been kicking around the idea of selling it, and buying another one after I get my shop built. Hopefully after I get it to the new house I will change my mind. Who knows. Anyway, sorry for the rambling post, but thats what has been going on in my world.

[mcbassin]

Looks like a VERY nice home congrats! Cool that you can go fishing in your back yard too. Dig the three wheelers, don't see many of those around anymore. Hope you get to build a shop, just build it twice as big as you think you need. Maybe even 3-4 times bigger. I could kick myself for how small I built mine.

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looks like a VERY nice home congrats! Cool that you can go fishing in your back yard too. Dig the three wheelers, don't see many of those around anymore. Hope you get to build a shop, just build it twice as big as you think you need. Maybe even 3-4 times bigger. I could kick myself for how small I built mine.

I apreciate it, yeah everybody geeks out over the 3 wheelers when they see them. People say they are super dangerous, but heck, that's all we rode when I was a kid. How big of a shop did you go with if you don't mind me asking? I am thinking 30x40.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by gopokes

I apreciate it, yeah everybody geeks out over the 3 wheelers when they see them. People say they are super dangerous, but heck, that's all we rode when I was a kid. How big of a shop did you go with if you don't mind me asking? I am thinking 30x40.

Yep they are dangerous when you put your foot down like we did on our dirt bikes going around a sharp curve. but you only forget a few times.....

My shop is 30X30 I don't mind at all it's too small! 30X40 is a start but if I had it to do over, I would have borrowed enough to build 40X60 or bigger.
Hindsight is 20/20 I guess.

[gopokes]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Yep they are dangerous when you put your foot down like we did on our dirt bikes going around a sharp curve. but you only forget a few times.....

My shop is 30X30 I don't mind at all it's too small! 30X40 is a start but if I had it to do over, I would have borrowed enough to build 40X60 or bigger.
Hindsight is 20/20 I guess.

The size of mine is all going to depend on the placement on my land. I have a couple options, but if i went too much bigger, it would have to be way back in the yard. Not sure when that's all gonna go down anyway, so I have time to think.

Found the video, I guess the cable didn't pull out until after i started turning the wheel back. You don't even see it die in the video. Oh yeah, that is my nutty old neighbor lady going crazy at the end. She always commented that she didn't know how that truck was ever gonig to go together again. Haha

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Yep they are dangerous when you put your foot down like we did on our dirt bikes going around a sharp curve. but you only forget a few times.....

My shop is 30X30 I don't mind at all it's too small! 30X40 is a start but if I had it to do over, I would have borrowed enough to build 40X60 or bigger.
Hindsight is 20/20 I guess.

we just moved a month or so ago and the new place has a oversized 2 car (will fit 3 and they can be looong) detached garage, a 15x30 w/covered 2 car carport and a 40x40....and I still wish the 40x40 was a 40x60.