Project Madera: A Jimmy GT

[skorpioskorpio]

...and a bit of the bad, or maybe just my over perfectionism. Got my rack drop shipped to me from Unisteer and well the dipped in paint look powder coating just looks a little too much like a Pep Boys rebuild for my taste, especially considering I'll be doing my aluminum straight 6 and a dark gray hammered vein powdercoat on the frame and suspension components. This dipped in black look, I think, will look like hell, so back that will be going and I've already ordered a quick ratio Flaming River rack.

The frame got picked up today and will be de-bracketed and de-riveted and de-PO-snot welded in addition to being sand blasted in prep for the Porterbuilt pieces. Those of you that have done a 4wd to 2, what do you do about the front leaf spring mount? It also serves as the mount for the radiator support, seems you can de-rivet off the bottom part but it still leaves that odd bracket there.

[Wasted Income]

Trim it off with the plasma until it looks right.

[jlsanborn]

I'm on for this ride, think it's gonna be really cool! Dunno about the tail lights in the gate but you're the one that has the big picture painted. Props man!

[jbclassix]

I looked at the wiper linkage on my 65 this weekend. It looks like if you have the linkage arms, and build your own rods, you can move the passenger side over.

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by jbclassix

I looked at the wiper linkage on my 65 this weekend. It looks like if you have the linkage arms, and build your own rods, you can move the passenger side over.

That was my thoughts, the cowl panel is, I think, the real issue more so than the linkage. Like I said earlier I'd like to extend the cowl induction hood into the cowl panel, and maybe just keep the vents in the scoop and smooth the outer areas like some of the C3 'Vettes had with their cowl induction hoods. It would be really cool to have the wipers hide behind the scoop stacked but I'm not sure that is possible with the sheer width of the windshield and the wide stance of the pivots.

[skorpioskorpio]

...also some updates, the brakes are all assembled and everything fits great, I did have to file a bit on the spindle where my outer spacers interfered, but it worked out. Seriously heavy duty, I won't be saving any weight there, the spindle, hub, rotor, caliper, center lug adapter all together has to weigh 80-100lbs easily per side. the front sway bar also arrived, drop shipped from Porterbuilt as did the Ridetech Select Coilovers. I'm concerned there in that the front springs are so much heavier than the rear, and it's just a wild guess at this point, but I'm hoping to be much closer to a 50/50 weight distribution when it's all said and done than these trucks typically are, we'll see. Anyway, there is a distinct possibility that I may try and respring the Ridetechs with dual rate Eibach springs at some point anyway.

The Pep Boys rebuild looking rack and pinion got shipped back and now in it's place I have a glorious Flaming River quick ratio rack. If this is an example of their products, I'll probably be doing one of their columns as opposed to the Ididit I was planning on, nice piece, pic attached.



I should have taken pics before I stowed them away, but I also picked up a pair of Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade 3rd row seats. I've attached the ebay pic though. They are pretty cool, they are like individual buckets with each having a cup holder and a little cubby hole so that then they are together it's like a center console between them. They have the integral shoulder belts and I think they will adapt well to a Recaro like makeover to better match the fronts. I think my biggest issue there will be that I really want to use early style aircraft latch seat and shoulder belts in the front and adapting that to the back maybe tricky.



I also packed up my space saver spare wheel before I took a pic of it but I found a new Cadillac XTS spare wheel, 4" wide and will clear the Corvette brakes. Also attached the ebay pic of it. I'll be getting a new center milled so that it will mount on the center lug. still trying to figure out where I'll put it, I may put it under the floor with a well in the top of the tank or maybe in the bed side behind the drivers seat with a suburban well grafted in there, just not sure there is room for a 28" diameter tire there. Another option is under the hood (it is going to be a straight 6) but I'd have to put it on the exhaust side of the engine, just not sure that is a good idea. I was going to go spareless but when I thought about it, being stuck with a flat with a hard to find tire size and a wheel arrangement that pretty much doesn't exist seemed too risky for me, maybe in the end it'll just get thrown in the back and taken out when I need the space.

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

I'm on for this ride, think it's gonna be really cool! Dunno about the tail lights in the gate but you're the one that has the big picture painted. Props man!

Before I found the truck to start with I did this tail rendering using a pic from an ebay truck, maybe a members or former members truck, not sure. I liked the way the 3 light tail looked and on LA Freeways I'd really prefer brutally obvious taillights, which the GM trucks do not have, it's pretty easy for them to fade into your peripheral vision especially in stop and go traffic, while eating a burrito, texting, staring at the "How green is my Prius" display on your dash, checking your hair and reading a script at the same time. ...and I'm putting brakes on the truck that I know are far better than almost anyone that will ever be close behind me. The obvious fear of course is to avoid the fine line between a well executed customization that looks like it belongs and looking like the "Family Truckster" from National Lampoons "Vacation", and I do realize how fine a line this mod is to that.

[thor]

Originally Posted by skorpioskorpio

Before I found the truck to start with I did this tail rendering using a pic from an ebay truck, maybe a members or former members truck, not sure. I liked the way the 3 light tail looked and on LA Freeways I'd really prefer brutally obvious taillights, which the GM trucks do not have, it's pretty easy for them to fade into your peripheral vision especially in stop and go traffic, while eating a burrito, texting, staring at the "How green is my Prius" display on your dash, checking your hair and reading a script at the same time. ...and I'm putting brakes on the truck that I know are far better than almost anyone that will ever be close behind me. The obvious fear of course is to avoid the fine line between a well executed customization that looks like it belongs and looking like the "Family Truckster" from National Lampoons "Vacation", and I do realize how fine a line this mod is to that.

I think what is throwing off the aesthetics (IMHO) in the rendering you did is the repitition of the back-up lights. By shaving those you would clean-up the look. Just a thought. Otherwise, rock on! I'm enjoying the ride so far; very cool concept! Anxious for more and sub'd in to boot.

[hgs_notes]

Ka-ching!

That's a lot of custom fab work and definitely high end for a top flight build. I was just happy to get mine all the same color and to drive reliably. This thing is so many steps beyond what I ever considered. Love watching builds that show me how far a person can really take a vehicle beyond what it was originally intended for.

[jlsanborn]

Looking forward to pics of the braking system. I really appreciate a clean hydraulic install. Got your tube benders and flaring tools handy? This is gonna be a cool ride!

[skorpioskorpio]

Thanks for the encouragement, I'll be getting a Mastercool Hydraulic flaring kit next week along with the 37 degree AN dies, and I'm leaning towards Imperial Benders. I've decided to do most everything in double annealed stainless hardlines and keep braided to a minimum, so I've decided I need to become a master at bending and flaring, we'll see how that goes.

[jlsanborn]

There's a couple schools of thought on bending. I was taught to use centerline and bend radius while a lot of other people use the "take up" method. I'd bet that Imperial bender will come with an instruction sheet based on the centerline method. I've got ACAD my shop PC and use that to sketch up the goofy bends. My -4 bender is from Aeroquip and the rotating handle is also on a swivel, which is nice!

[skorpioskorpio]

The ball joints for the Porterbuilt drop member got here today, so this weekend I'll be able to finally mock up the front end to get a final measurements for the Moser 9". My power steering pump is at Lee's Power Steering getting beefed up to run the Hydroboost and rack, and being fitted with an slick custom aluminum reservoir with individual returns on it so I don't have any tees in the hydraulic lines once it's all put together.

I also need to order the transmission, which I'll be using a new 4L70-E which supposedly will handle more torque than most mild aftermarket rebuilds and cost about the same or even a little less so why not, right? I've read so many iffy reviews about just about every trans rebuilder out there, and the only ones that seem to have more good than bad reviews or the usual TCI, B&M and Hughes all of which are all pricey even for a mild trans.

[skorpioskorpio]

OK, where were we? Oh right, so here's the completed Trans Amified fenders:

As well as a big pile of blasted panels:

(Frame rails and body are blasted as well)

Transmission is being sorted out, have decided to do a 6 speed 4L80E so I'm having a 4L80E case modified (milling off the bellhousing so I can put my 4L60E straight 6 bellhousing on it).

I've also gotten my Ferd 9" from Moser. Aluminum 3rd Member, 5" wider than a stock rearend, Wavetrac diff, all very exciting.

Things are starting to move again so I should be updating this thread more frequently.

[jlsanborn]

Glad to see an update here! Fenders look great!

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Glad to see an update here! Fenders look great!

Thanks for the feedback, I really like how they turned out. All the body curves seemed to line up really well.

[Hart_Rod]

Very cool project!

[mx289]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Very cool project!

x2.

[danimal95]

absolutely love the build!I like the fact that you are keeping a I-6 in it as well,some very cool ideas on the build,keep up the good work!ps if youre interested in selling your old grill I would be really interested in it

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by danimal95

absolutely love the build!I like the fact that you are keeping a I-6 in it as well,some very cool ideas on the build,keep up the good work!ps if youre interested in selling your old grill I would be really interested in it

Thanks, and um, what? Sell the Jimmy? I'd lose my ass on it at this stage, well probably at any stage. Once we have a collapse of the economy followed by run away inflation maybe then it will be worth what I'm putting into it. Nah, it's being built for me with the idea that It'll be around longer than me, unless we go at the same time

You want a barn find condition '91 Suburban?

[boonedogs72]

think he is just interested in the grille

[danimal95]

Originally Posted by boonedogs72

think he is just interested in the grille

Yep

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by danimal95

Yep

Oh, damn I guess I misread that. I actually have 2 grills but plans for both, I have a '67 grill that will get welded to a roll pan and powder coated body color. And eventually the Chrome grill will get modified for my recessed rally lighting, rechromed and well another one of my goofy ideas, and riveted to another roll pan with a stretched '67 Camaro bumper mounted where the grill and pan seam is. Will probably keep the coated pan/grill assembly as spare body work given it won't exactly be an off the shelf piece at that point. Initially I'm going to do it without the lights just to get things going. BTW the plan is to do a pan on the back too and it will also get a stretched Camaro bumper, but again to get it going it'll just be roll pans front and rear. Once the Camaro bumpers are there the pans will finish off the body lines below the bumpers and provide support for the front air dam, will probably also have the little Camaro bumper guards as well to frame the plates.

Kind of an aside to that, I'm ordering punches and dimple dies for, not only the pan but also to break up some of the captive double wall stuff going on in the body. I plan on doing a row of dimpled holes, maybe 2-2 1/2" diameter on the underside of the front roll pan so the air that gets diverted by the air dam gets directed through the roll pan and into the radiator. May do brake ducts too, haven't decided yet.

Since I'm planing on powdercoating the whole body I plan on punching and dimpling the new floor ends under the door sile plates, as well as between the rockers and the torque boxes and maybe even a small row of 1"- 1 1/2" dimples on the bottom of the rockers inverted so they provide ventilation and drainage. This solves a couple problems, first lets those areas get powdercoated once things are assembled, and gets rid of the moisture retention that has killed all our rockers.

[skorpioskorpio]

OK, stuff going on, feels like progress, we'll see...

Body is blasted now, and the damage from the iron termites is now known. The blast is a pretty aggressive garnet blast so if there was going to be blow through this'll do it.

She's a colorless tub now:


Here's the blow through on the windshield frame:



And The corners are, well bad and gone:



Some reconstruction there, obviously. Unlike the factory the patches will be sealed though, I'll probably also use sealed bottom rivnuts also. I'm not sure yet if the damage merits cut and replace around the gasket area, or maybe it'll just get leaded or actually unleaded. Eastwood has some leadfree lead that flows at a higher temp than traditional lead that will hold up to the powdercoat curing oven and I'll need to lead the seams anyway. I wasn't expecting all that caulking there.

Continued....

[skorpioskorpio]

As expected, everything under the rockers is kinda toast. A & B pillars gone at the bottom.

Rocker horrors:




...and some floor blow through, fortunately it's basically isolated to a easy to fab flat patch.


I already have rockers, floor ends, pillar patches so I think I'm all good in this area. Those Jimmy/Blazer specific areas seem pretty solid nothing into the quarters at all. I am going to punch and dimple the floor ends (under where the sile plates go and the "wall" between the floor ends and the torque boxes) I am also going to do the same on the top of the rocker panels and cover it with a threshhold plate. I may punch the bottom of the rockers too, and a few higher in the pillars, we'll see, the point to this is so that it gets powder coated on the inside of these areas as well as providing ventilation and drainage. This trucks days of driving through the mud are over, but that doesn't mean it won't still get wet in there once in a while. Besides by the time I'm done punching and flaring holes in the body, I'll probably shed a fair few pounds and make the body more ridgid in the process.