His name is "George" 84' C10

[WilliamFd55]

Was able to get the trans cross member mounted in place and cut the tunnel for the shifter. Plan is to keep the bench for now. Blended existing Colorado shifter with the old and it clears. Plan is to get the fuel lines done this weekend and hopefully move on to wiring from there.

[WilliamFd55]

No where near this point yet, but wanted to hang some sheet metal. Seeing some metal on there will give me the kick to get this thing done

[WilliamFd55]

Fuel line update! 8an to 8ORB 90 degree swivel worked perfectly behind the alternator. Got most of the feed done back to the "Y" on the frame rail and the return line done. Fuel cell wasn't set up for fuel injection and I didn't want to drill into this thing. Top 6an port was previously used a vent. Now that I wanted to use this as a return, I added a small tube to drop the line to the foam on the bottom of the cell. From what I've read its better to have the return submerged, than to have it just drop in like a faucet. Luckily there was a 6an male on the inside of the tank to attach it to. Working on brackets for the pump/ filters.

[tinydb84]

I like the creative ideas. I struggled with my turbo mount for awhile before I came up with the one I did.

Is your intercooler high enough? Might be the angle but it looks pretty low.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I like the creative ideas. I struggled with my turbo mount for awhile before I came up with the one I did.

Is your intercooler high enough? Might be the angle but it looks pretty low.

x2. But... that's going off of web pics on a monitor.

My thought is maybe there's enough clearance that it's drivable. But, will a ~4" hydraulic jack slide under it? Ramps for any lifts or similar?

That's a low point on the rails (the sway bar mounts pretty close to the lowest point) so I'm curious because of the close proximity.

[WilliamFd55]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I like the creative ideas. I struggled with my turbo mount for awhile before I came up with the one I did.

Is your intercooler high enough? Might be the angle but it looks pretty low.

Thank you and 3rd time was definitely a charm. I'd admit, it's REALLY low. Truck is bagged so when aired out, its going to be roughly an 1" off the ground. I could set ride height to where I need it to be so its drivable. Think I have around 5" of lift.

[WilliamFd55]

Couple more pics at a better angle. Intercooler is a tad higher than the lower control arms. Those never touched the ground aired out. Was able to get the turbo bracket in and started laying out exhaust.

[SCOTI]

They may not touch when air'd out but they'll be close. They also have the benefit of the front wheels being on the same centerline to help keep them from making contact w/stuff.

For reference, I moved my modular sway-bar rearward from the stock mounting point as it was the lowest point of the front end on a raised aftermarket x-member + C/O set-up. A funky entrance/exit angle or a large enough dip in the road @ the right speed/height might be an issue for the IC mounted farther forward. There is still a concern my sway bar could make contact in the right set of circumstances but it's now higher mounting point & construction material should add a small safety margin. A IC made of aluminum would not take an oops hit weil.

Again. talking oops/worst case. Hopefully you'll be fine.

[WilliamFd55]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

They may not touch when air'd out but they'll be close. They also have the benefit of the front wheels being on the same centerline to help keep them from making contact w/stuff.

For reference, I moved my modular sway-bar rearward from the stock mounting point as it was the lowest point of the front end on a raised aftermarket x-member + C/O set-up. A funky entrance/exit angle or a large enough dip in the road @ the right speed/height might be an issue for the IC mounted farther forward. There is still a concern my sway bar could make contact in the right set of circumstances but it's now higher mounting point & construction material should add a small safety margin. A IC made of aluminum would not take an oops hit weil.

Again. talking oops/worst case. Hopefully you'll be fine.

I'm hoping as well. I try to think about everything before doing and have found that is just impossible. It's a great help to be on a site like this to get input like yours and really appreciate it. First time doing a build completely on my own and a turbo to boot. Its a blast and also nerve racking at the same time.

[tinydb84]

Whats the purpose of half and half? I thought about going aluminum but the driveshaft shop told me steel would be fine for my needs and cheaper.

[WilliamFd55]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Whats the purpose of half and half? I thought about going aluminum but the driveshaft shop told me steel would be fine for my needs and cheaper.

I wanted to go all aluminum, just like the look of it. Fabricator said that the front section to the center bearing was basically an extension of the trans, so steel would be fine. He said the rear section being aluminum would handle torque better.

[daddyjeep]

Looks like a good time. Do you have one of them fancy tools to form the lap joints?

[WilliamFd55]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

Looks like a good time. Do you have one of them fancy tools to form the lap joints?

Nothing too fancy "Harbor Freight" punch/ Flange tool. Really got in those tight spaces easily. Think it was around $35.

[daddyjeep]

yeah.... that's the one I was talking about. It appears to work good.

[WilliamFd55]

Progress on the inner fenders. Ended up with around an 1-1/2" bump out against the firewall. Also added 1/4" Round bar to the inner lip of the wheel well to give some support and mimic a rolled edge. A little finish work and this side is a wrap. Plan on installing a rubber skirt to fill in the front to the radiator support. Passenger side is going to be a fun! Working on the exhaust now. Want to get all the obstructions in place before I start that side. Will most likely template this inner fender. Its going to be like Tetris.

[WilliamFd55]

One fender complete and installed. Fresh paint on the rad support and inner fender. Closed up some holes on the fender with some dimpled plates like I did on the last. Decided to upgrade the headlights with a retro kit. New lights do not fit in the OEM housings. Had to make them a touch bigger.

[WilliamFd55]

Rad support is aftermarket, so nothing really lines up. All the headlight adjusters did not fit. Ended up using ones off a Toyota and they worked perfectly.

[WilliamFd55]

Exhaust is a wrap, literally. 5" straight down and out the side. Exhaust tip is also kind of obnoxious 7". Pics have it sticking way out the side, but it will not be that way when complete. Going to do some metal work to form around it instead of those stainless rings or stars. Might bump the fender out 1-1/2".

[daddyjeep]

I didn't see that coming. I am anxious to see it on the truck now.

[WilliamFd55]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I didn't see that coming. I am anxious to see it on the truck now.

It's going to be like a "Move that bus" reveal, hahaha. Won't be able to fully see it till the truck is out of the garage. I guarantee it will be different for sure.

[WilliamFd55]

While I'm doing the body work, did some multitasking. Crew at Autozone were nice enough to let be go thorough all the hoses in the back with a template I made out of wire. Got all the hoses set and ran the piping for the intercooler. Was a little wobbly where the blow off is, so I made a little bracket to stiffen it up. Also made a cheap bead tool. Kinda need a He-Man grip, but it worked out pretty well.

[WilliamFd55]

Rounding the homestretch!

[rodstored-72]

william, that is looking good. I like the tool creation too!! neat idea! it may be copied....

[WilliamFd55]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

william, that is looking good. I like the tool creation too!! neat idea! it may be copied....

Thanks. I've seen ones where they used vise grips, but this way seemed easier.

[WilliamFd55]

Busy weekend with work, but wanted to give it a shot on getting this thing running. Everything plumbed, fenders on, exhaust ready to shoot fire.....But this didn't happen. Couldn't get the Fuel pump to run just with the Terminator X. Hot wired it to a switch and we were good. Got keyed ignition and fuel pressure. Engine cranks, but does not start. Time to double check everything and chase the bugs. Also have to fix a minor fuel leak at the pump. Glad I went with a shut off right out of the fuel cell or it would have been major. On a good note: Finally have a hood and looks like everything fits under it!