The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board > The 1973 - 1991 Blazers, Jimmys, and Suburbans Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-02-2018, 12:23 PM   #326
phillipm
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 465
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

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!
phillipm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2018, 11:32 AM   #327
OutlawDrifter
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast KS
Posts: 1,789
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

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.
__________________
1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E
1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56
1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E

Instagram @aceshighspeedshop
OutlawDrifter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2018, 12:42 PM   #328
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter View Post
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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2018, 07:52 PM   #329
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

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.


Last edited by buffydores; 10-16-2018 at 08:48 PM.
buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2018, 11:23 PM   #330
phillipm
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 465
Quote:
Originally Posted by buffydores View Post
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
phillipm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2018, 11:58 AM   #331
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by phillipm View Post
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.
buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2018, 07:32 PM   #332
hatzie
Moderator
 
hatzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,977
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by buffydores View Post
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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by phillipm View Post
Man someone went gorilla on those old hose clamps!! That hose is cut bad!
Quote:
Originally Posted by buffydores View Post
"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.
__________________
1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD
1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD
1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD
1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD
1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD
1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD
2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500
2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263
2009 Impala SS LS4 V8


RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials...Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions.
And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

Last edited by hatzie; 10-23-2018 at 07:38 PM.
hatzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2018, 10:17 PM   #333
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Pretty sharp looking:

buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2018, 10:16 AM   #334
OutlawDrifter
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast KS
Posts: 1,789
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Nice, clean, stock.
__________________
1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E
1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56
1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E

Instagram @aceshighspeedshop
OutlawDrifter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2018, 11:41 AM   #335
phillipm
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 465
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Hell yeah, that looks awesome!!
phillipm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2018, 04:26 PM   #336
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by phillipm View Post
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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-20-2018, 08:10 PM   #337
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

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

buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 02:21 PM   #338
Grizz1963
Registered User
 
Grizz1963's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Rochester, KENT
Posts: 10,572
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

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.
__________________
MY BUILD LINK: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...585901]Redneck Express - 1966 C10 Short Fleetside
MY USA ROADTRIPS http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger
IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MATE.
Grizz1963 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 03:58 PM   #339
hatzie
Moderator
 
hatzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,977
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by buffydores View Post
Pretty sharp looking:

That is sharp looking. Nice touch that isn't over the top.
__________________
1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD
1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD
1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD
1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD
1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD
1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD
2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500
2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263
2009 Impala SS LS4 V8


RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials...Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions.
And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.
hatzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 06:33 PM   #340
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 06:39 PM   #341
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by hatzie View Post
That is sharp looking. Nice touch that isn't over the top.
Thanks hatzie.
buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 09:51 PM   #342
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

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.

buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 09:54 PM   #343
OutlawDrifter
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast KS
Posts: 1,789
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Definitely amazing what we learn to put up with, nice work!
__________________
1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E
1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56
1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E

Instagram @aceshighspeedshop
OutlawDrifter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 11:42 AM   #344
phillipm
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 465
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Nice handles. Did you find GM ones or are they Repops?
phillipm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2019, 01:57 PM   #345
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by phillipm View Post
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.

Last edited by buffydores; 03-12-2019 at 03:48 PM.
buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2019, 03:54 AM   #346
Grizz1963
Registered User
 
Grizz1963's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Rochester, KENT
Posts: 10,572
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by buffydores View Post
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.
__________________
MY BUILD LINK: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...585901]Redneck Express - 1966 C10 Short Fleetside
MY USA ROADTRIPS http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger
IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MATE.
Grizz1963 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2019, 09:25 AM   #347
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Thanks Rian Cheers.
buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2019, 06:28 PM   #348
Futurespeed
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

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.

Futurespeed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2019, 08:37 PM   #349
buffydores
Senior Member
 
buffydores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by Futurespeed View Post
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=

Last edited by buffydores; 03-27-2019 at 08:42 AM.
buffydores is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 05:43 PM   #350
Futurespeed
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2
Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by buffydores View Post
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/
Futurespeed is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:26 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com