85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If your excited now, wait till you see the sneak peak I was sent last night. Lets just say I was touching myself in an entirely inappropriate manner while viewing them

http://gph.is/13BpEh0

[rustytruck50]

I think he was talking about a astonished, speechless placement of both hands on his cheeks an a hearty "Well, I do decla-ah"
...I'm sure that was it...

[N2TRUX]

Things are heating up at @americanracing custom shop. Scarlett is getting new shoes and they are smoking hot.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Things are heating up at @americanracing custom shop. Scarlett is getting new shoes and they are smoking hot.

Not sure if you ever mentioned....
What are the specs on the wheels and tires you're gonna run with those VF506s?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Will this require fender removal or can it still be done with them installed?

The mods will be made with the fenders in place. I will use a cut off wheel to cut them where necessary.

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Not sure if you ever mentioned....
What are the specs on the wheels and tires you're gonna run with those VF506s?

The fronts will be 22x8.5 with 5.25" backspace and the rears will be 22x10.5 with 5" backspace. We haven't made the final decision on tire sizes. The front will probably be a 265/35 with a 315/35 rear. I really want as wide as tire as possible on back with a moderate sidewall

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

The mods will be made with the fenders in place. I will use a cut off wheel to cut them where necessary.
The fronts will be 22x8.5 with 5.25" backspace and the rears will be 22x10.5 with 5" backspace. We haven't made the final decision on tire sizes. The front will probably be a 265/35 with a 315/35 rear. I really want as wide as tire as possible on back with a moderate sidewall

Man I can't wait to see both mods done. I'm chompin at the bit to order the tubz and seriously considering bumping up to 22s.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Man I can't wait to see both mods done. I'm chompin at the bit to order the tubz and seriously considering bumping up to 22s.

I wouldn't hesitate to go 22s. I think you will regret it if you don't

[N2TRUX]

Last night I focused on mocking up the a/c compressor. You would think I could just bolt it back in place. I thought so too till I started looking at the bolts that we bagged and tagged.
Many of the bolts were not correct. Some were too long with extra washers, and others didn't have the built to on flange so I spent a lot of time to resolve that issue.

Once the compressor was in place I tweaked the hardlines and rerouted them a bit for better flow.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I mocked up rest of the a/c and the cooling system. I hate to do all of this twice, but I know that I need to fine tune the fit. This also allowed me to add correct bolts or replace with button heads where possible.
Today Chris and I will tear some of this down to touch up and make the final installment.

[N2TRUX]

I got a text from Chris at American Racing wheels. My wheels are shipping out and will be here soon. He said expect 5 boxes. I wonder what that means? Here's a teaser pic from production before final polish and assembly

[rustytruck50]

It's really coming together....Truck envy still an ever present issue!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

It's really coming together....Truck envy still an ever present issue!

Thanks, it's much appreciated.

[N2TRUX]

Chris and I thrashing all day Saturday. Unfortunately we are at the point of put it on, just to take it off. We worked out the wiring harness from the a/c to the compressor and got it wrapped. This allowed us to remove the condenser housing to install the passenger side header. We installed the oil and transmission dipsticks then the header.
With the headers in place we added passenger side valve cover and the @johnnyc designed heat shields.

[N2TRUX]

Chris had to leave at dinner time so I stayed on it after eating. I temporarily routed the plug wires.
The wires on the truck were new 8mm but routed horrible so I order new boots and plugs. I'm going to cut them to proper length and add separators where needed.

[N2TRUX]

Chris Plump from American Racing sent me a text and my wheels have shipped. He said to expect 5 boxes. I wonder what's in the 5th box?

[N2TRUX]

Sunday Chris and I worked on the drivers side of the motor. The valve cover got a new gasket and was snugged in place. We prepped and painted the side of the block and hung the header in place.
From there we added the power steering pump and a/c compressor. We installed the fan and belts then adjusted everything.
We are getting close to firing up.

[GAc10boy]

Love the color of the headers and the way they tie into the dimple died portion of the valve colors. Very clean!

[TKCR]

Man OH Man that is NICE!!! I can't to see those wheels on the truck.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Love the color of the headers and the way they tie into the dimple died portion of the valve colors. Very clean!

Thanks. I wanted a little bit of a contrasting color. I was hoping it wouldn't look to bright. I think I found a good balance

Originally Posted by TKCR

Man OH Man that is NICE!!! I can't to see those wheels on the truck.

Me too

[N2TRUX]

Ok, enough teasing. Chris Plump from American Racing sent me a pic of Scarlett's new shoes before they shipped out. I worked directly with Chris and the,American Racing Custom shop did an excellent job on producing what we had envisioned.
My thoughts were this wheel had a refined look that would be enhanced by accenting the blades with a brushed finish. Chris concurred and we are very pleased with the end result.

[rustytruck50]

Wow!!! Those look great...the difference in finish really gives them dimension and contrast...
What's involved with working with them? Can anyone do that?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Wow!!! Those look great...the difference in finish really gives them dimension and contrast...
What's involved with working with them? Can anyone do that?

Thank you. I really liked the elegant look of this design and thought it went with Scarlett's personality. I feel the brushed finish enhances the detail and Chris agreed.
Yes, American Racing Custom shop services are available to anyone.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I worked on the coolant and a/ c lines. First I had to finish the fan shroud. Originally it was put together as one piece. I separated the halves to make it easier to remove.
Once it was bolted in place with stainless button heads I moved to the lower radiator hose. It was too long so I cut it down for a better fit.
With that clamped down I installed the a/ c lines. With those in place I worked on routing the heater hoses. That side of the motor is very close to being finished.

[Bennett68C10]

Those wheels are really nice!

[GAc10boy]

Those wheels are jawdropping! A nice update to a classic 5-spoke design. You went with 22s, right?