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#351 | |
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Location: Longview, TX
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#352 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
I've always been jealous of the LS guys having great products that could show them what's going on with their ECMs. Us RamJet guys were given a dipswitch plug that was just stupid. Well, I've finally got a better solution. I now have this cute little USB plug that can plug into my Toughbook and data stream to my hearts content.
![]() ![]() Last edited by buffydores; 07-27-2020 at 10:33 AM. |
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#353 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast KS
Posts: 1,777
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
That's handy!
__________________
1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E 1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56 1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E Instagram @aceshighspeedshop |
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#354 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Yep. $200 bucks for the cord and USB drive: http://mefiburn.com/mefiscan.asp
Plus this nifty dash plug: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07D4...b_b_asin_title |
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#355 |
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Location: Mifflinburg, PA
Posts: 304
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
I just re-read this entire thread. I take a lot of inspiration from this build, buddy. Stock-plus and trying to stay true to the era except where performance trumps. And it’s a family truck! Good on ya. I hope my ‘78 Suburban can approach the excellence of your blazer.
__________________
Ryan - WANTED: '60-'66 4X4 Suburban/Carryall Meet 'Earl', '71 C10 Suburban - Sold, but not forgotten... Meet... yet to be named, ‘78 K10 Suburban Daily Driver |
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#356 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Longview, TX
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
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#357 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 161
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Where did you get your seat belt material?
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#358 |
Senior Member
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Location: Longview, TX
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
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#359 |
Senior Member
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Location: Longview, TX
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
The original black plastic handle to the rear bench release lever has been gone forever. Never saw a NOS part for it. I finally got around to making one out of a scrap of garapa wood.
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#360 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Nice work on the wood handle. Looks clean.
__________________
Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#361 |
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Location: Longview, TX
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Thanks Karl. The little things are fun.
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#362 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,586
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Cool. The details make a difference. Although I have no idea what a garapa is.
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#363 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
There is going to be a Classic Car Show at Flying Burger in Longview this Thursday night starting at 6pm and a Trucks & Treats at the Flying Burger in Longview on Oct 31st from 5pm tp 9pm. You ought to bring out the Blazer.
I hope to make it to both in my son's tan/red '84.
__________________
Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#364 |
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Location: Longview, TX
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
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#365 |
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Location: Longview, TX
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Failed to mention it. I finally got a few minutes to meet Karl at the event back in October. It was so joyful to meet another squarebody lover. Karl is a super cool guy. Look forward to more meets.
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#366 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Rochester, KENT
Posts: 10,528
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Quote:
Real good guy.
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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. |
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#367 |
I know the pieces fit
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MONTGOMERY, AL
Posts: 5,523
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
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#368 |
Senior Member
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Location: Longview, TX
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Time for some updates.
The kids are getting bigger, so time to swap the low hanging modified steps for a set of original height, refreshed GM accessory steps. Here are the used ones as I'm dropping them off to get powdercoated. ![]() There. Better. ![]() Then I spent time pulling the steering column apart to tighten things up and to swap out the cruise multi function lever for a non-cruise version. ![]() I replaced the front output flange for the NP203 to address a small forever leak. ![]() And then finally, I installed ORDs Sway Bar kit for Crossover Steering. ![]() I'm so happy to eliminate the annoying lean at every turn. It gets old. A little side note. I'm beginning the process of preparing this thing for some new adventures. Our initial run will be next summer into Montana. I have a buddy with a Squarebody Suburban that's driving along with us. I still have a traction bar I want to install, need to tune the shift points on the TH350, add new tires and play with a few odds-and-ends. This truck continues to amaze. Last edited by buffydores; 05-28-2021 at 01:03 PM. |
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#369 | |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Quote:
__________________
Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#370 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Still working on this sucker. I've been focusing on drivability at 80mph in the summer. Love the traditional look of these new Toyo AT3s.
![]() I installed Noico 80 butyl sound deadener and overlayed that with acoustic foam sound absorber in the door panels. I sprayed Boom Mat spray in the fender wells and underneath the lower panels. I also filled the space between the interior rear vinyl/particle board panels and sheet metal with Van Insulknop wool insulation. The floors were already covered in mass loaded vinyl. All together, this has made a substantial improvement in the sound profile at speed. Also, really working on the side vent glass rubber to ensure a good seal is important. From there I needed to work on the TH350 transmission shifts. It has shifted way early on both the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts since going to 35" tires in 2014. So, out with the governor. ![]() Using one of those weight and spring kits, I only needed a single weight and spring to get my shifts to the right RPMs. I also wasn't super happy that the guys that originally installed my 12 bolt diff cover overtightened the drain plugs. I was fed up with it, so I just replaced the whole thing with an anodized cover and installed a LubeLocker gasket to boot. ![]() Here's some good ole fashioned overkill. How do you kill exhaust sound when you're cruising at 3,200rpms down the highway? ![]() I used RockAuto and a tape measure to figure out the largest mufflers with 2.5" openings I could fit in the space. These two stainless units come out of an early 2000s 4.6L Expedition. Then engine doesn't roar at speed anymore. |
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#371 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast KS
Posts: 1,777
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Some good updates. I've got a set of those Toyo AT3's on my DD Tacoma, I will comment, the road noise is WAY more than I expected. The Yokohama Geolandar AT G015's on my K2500 'burb are much quieter. We'll see how the Toyo's do in the snow/ice this Winter.
I bet those mufflers made a huge difference, on my '89 K5 I ended up going from a 5x8x24 Magnaflow copy to a Walker QuietFlow SS, same deal, just too much noise at highway speed.
__________________
1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E 1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56 1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E Instagram @aceshighspeedshop |
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#372 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Quote:
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#373 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona City, AZ
Posts: 747
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Such a amazing ride you have built! I have needed some motivation to get back to work on my 76 Jimmy and I could only hope to get it even a 1/4 as nice as yours.
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----------------------------------------------------------- Erik My 69 suburban http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=530626 1970 C10 step Project Jiminy http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=682647 RUST!? Thats just mother natures way of telling all of us.....MINE!!!! |
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#374 |
Senior Member
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Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 758
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Thanks Eric. I've spent 5 years tweaking and fixing it. It's about as good as you can do with one of these on 35s without replacing the frame and going coilovers. Even then, it's not a huge gain. My JK on 35s was slightly more refined, but didn't really ride much better even with high end suspension components. It has an honest 70s vibe that's hard to replicate.
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#375 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Rochester, KENT
Posts: 10,528
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Re: 1978 Russet Metallic 4x4
Noise can be such a distracting thing if you live with it.
I always love loud pipes at shows etc but one forgets our 5 minutes of aural pleasure ls another persons entire existence. Good looking boxes you fitted,
__________________
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. |
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