85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

Today was a lesson in frustration. Since I finished late last night,I took my wife to dinner and didn't gather supplies. We got an early start on our parts run but hit an obstacle at Harbor Frieght. The lid to my paint gun cup was cracked so I planned to buy one along with a few other items.

That's where my unraveling began. They didn't have the cup I needed so I decided to buy a small detail gun. I thought it has a small cup but it would be easier to use under the truck. Unfortunately it lasted about 5 minutes before it stopped spraying completely. Deep cleaning didn't help so I headed back to Harbor Freight. By now their shelves were depleted so I grabbed a mid size gun. I soon realized it was just too big to move under the truck so I resorted to rattle cans. Not what I wanted but its been very effective in the past so why fight it.

We are prepped and masked so lets get some color on.

[N2TRUX]

Despite the set backs I had a job to do and goals to meet. I wanted to have the truck back on the ground tonight. I had to decide if meeting my goal was more important than fine tuning the details. I gave it a hard run, but didn't quite finish up.

Instead I located matching bolts for the brake and fuel line clamp. I also cut the bolts down so they didn't protrude through the frame. It's a small detail but makes it look nicer and its easier to clean. Here's where I ended tonight.

[RodsGreen10]

Nice use of aluminum foil never thought about that. Cheap and contours nicely. You need to hit those rear drums with some black caliper paint.

[GAc10boy]

Really looks great. Nice work, even if with a spray can.

[gringoloco]

Lookin' good! In to see what you do with the front shocks

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Chaplain

Now that you have to two rear wheels off pack'en up and send them on to TN.

Still haven't made a decision.

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Really looks great. Nice work, even if with a spray can.

I had a buddy drop by that works at a body shop. I told him that I used Krylon and he laughed. He said our shop figures it's 30.00 in labor cost plus materials every time they load a gun. He said they use rattle cans more than you might think. I have been detailing small parts for years with cans. I'm ok with the results, and its longevity. I'm just frustrated it wasn't the way I had planned it.

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Lookin' good! In to see what you do with the front shocks

Me too. Hopefully my home made shock extenders work out. I will find out soon.

Originally Posted by RodsGreen10

Nice use of aluminum foil never thought about that. Cheap and contours nicely. You need to hit those rear drums with some black caliper paint.

The foil works great for odd shaped parts. My buddy Keith (N2billet) taught me this trick. The brake drums have been blasted and sprayed with VHT Cast Iron. It's my favorite accent color.

[N2TRUX]

So close. All thats needed is to locate matching nuts and bolts, then blast and paint them. I had family over today so we relaxed around the pool and grilled. As much as I want the truck back together I wouldn't trade family time for nothing. The guys did have a nice bench racing session in the garage, so that counts as shop time doesnt it?

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

The brake drums have been blasted and sprayed with VHT Cast Iron. It's my favorite accent color.

I love that look! I did my master cylinder like that. I need to do my drums also.

[gringoloco]

What do you use on your black parts? I've taken a liking to the vht epoxy satin.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

I love that look! I did my master cylinder like that. I need to do my drums also.

I like the VHT Cast Iron a lot. It covers well, dries quick and has a nice satin sheen. I order it 4-6 cans at a time from Summit Racing when I make a parts order. They match AutoZone on price and its saves me from chasing around town to find it locally.

Originally Posted by Chaplain

Family first...

Absolutely. I have a great relationship with my wife's family. Not many of my siblings left, but my Niece and Nephew like to visit.

Originally Posted by gringoloco

What do you use on your black parts? I've taken a liking to the vht epoxy satin.

I use Krylon Cover Maxx satin black. I have tried just about every thing on the shelf and this works well. I buy it from Wal-Mart and its half of what I was paying for VHT.

My buddy N2billet uses an epoxy black that looks great. I ordered some from our friend Steve (STP67-72) and had planned to use it. As reported, that was an epic failure on my part.

[bbbc10]

looks great!!! if the shock extenders don't work out I have a extra set of front shock brackets I can send you.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by bbbc10

looks great!!! if the shock extenders don't work out I have a extra set of front shock brackets I can send you.

Thanks, I will keep that in mind. I'm going to try to get to that this weekend, but my priority is to get the truck back on the ground. I need access to the spot that its sitting in.

[N2TRUX]

I got in late last night, but I had to crawl under Scarlett to look at the exhaust. I put a post on Facebook asking for local (Cypress, TX) shops to rebuild the exhaust. What was previously done will need some attention to satisfy my needs. Whoever installed the system used premium quality components, yet cut corners on the install. It has Borla Pro XS stainless mufflers and tips, but they mounted everything very rigid to the frame. They also cut the collectors off of the headers and welded everything together. I had to cut the mid pipes to remove the system. I'm plotting my course now, but be assured it wont go back like that. I am getting bids on having new mid pipes built with collector flanges added.

[RodsGreen10]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I got in late last night, but I had to crawl under Scarlett to look at the exhaust. I put a post on Facebook asking for local (Cypress, TX) shops to rebuild the exhaust. What was previously done will need some attention to satisfy my needs. Whoever installed the system used premium quality components, yet cut corners on the install. It has Borla Pro XS stainless mufflers and tips, but they mounted everything very rigid to the frame. They also cut the collectors off of the headers and welded everything together. I had to cut the mid pipes to remove the system. I'm plotting my course now, but be assured it wont go back like that. I am getting bids on having new mid pipes built with collector flanges added.

Borla man right here brother! I had the ProXs then with the new custom mandrel bent exhaust went with Borla XR1 race mufflers. Can beat the sound of Borla!! I got some YouTube videos of the XR1 mufflers on my truck.

[RodsGreen10]

Ok.
First video is with less than 5 miles on the Borla XR1. The rest will give you a idea of cruising and load on the Borla XR1. Love the way they sound. Best sound IMO.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gpL-eb...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=mLVSye7Gl4k

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zbxVN9...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GTlbex...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=cpivfIrXJ0g

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JUNFSe...ature=youtu.be

[RodsGreen10]

The Borla Pro XS mufflers are quieter than the Borla XR1 race mufflers. But I got the bigger version of the XR1. They make a 12" and a 16". My exhaust is a full 3" X pipe custom mandrel bent tucked tight as it can go.

[jwilson645]

Originally Posted by RodsGreen10

Ok.
First video is with less than 5 miles on the Borla XR1. The rest will give you a idea of cruising and load on the Borla XR1. Love the way they sound. Best sound IMO.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gpL-eb...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=mLVSye7Gl4k

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zbxVN9...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GTlbex...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=cpivfIrXJ0g

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JUNFSe...ature=youtu.be

That's a gorgeous truck and sounds wicked! Settles my debate on what mufflers to put on mine.

[RodsGreen10]

Originally Posted by jwilson645

That's a gorgeous truck and sounds wicked! Settles my debate on what mufflers to put on mine.

Lol thanks I appreciate that. Yes I am a Borla fan! Love the sound that comes out of them.

[N2TRUX]

I discovered I had a serious conflict of interest this past week and had to make a drastic change in my plans. I have a wedding to attend the same weekend as the Ft Worth Goodguys show. It's an event I wouldn't dream of missing, so Goodguys is a no go.

I found an alternative event to attend. It will give me less time to accomplish all my goals so I need to recalculate what I can accomplish. I wont cut corners to attend the event, so some things will be postponed till after.
The new event is "C10s in the Park" put on by the C10 club of Texas and Squarebody_USA with Brothers-Trucks as the title sponsor. Here's a link to the events Facebook page LINK

If you want to be a part of this awesome C10 event follow the link for more details.

[N2TRUX]

With that said, it's time to get busy. I had a long productive day Saturday. Unfortunately I didn't do anything related to my goal with Scarlett. So I got a fresh start today and managed to accomplish my goal for the day.

I decided I wanted to drop the gas tank to check condition and allow better access to the floor pan. I pulled the tank to find a couple of positive things. First thing I revealed was a brand new fuel pick up and sending unit had been installed. I was also able ensure that there was absolutely no rust hiding under the tank or in the corners.

This pic was before final clean up of the cab corner. Thats more of the red Georgia Clay you see under there. It cleaned up and looks like new condition before I coated it.

[N2TRUX]

With the gas tank out in the open we wire brushed it clean, then scuffed it with scotch Brite and prepped it with Brake Clean. After several coats of paint it was ready for assembley. The factory insulation pad had deterioted beyond use, so we improvised with strips of sound deadner.

[N2TRUX]

While Chris put the final details on the tank assembly I did the same on the floor pan and frame rails. Since our time was limited today we only worked on the section above the tank on the drivers side. By breaking the work up in manageable sections we can control over spray better.

[rip2174]

Very nice work!!

[N2TRUX]

With the frame rails prepped and painted, and the floor pan covered with a nice layer of undercoating it was time to hang the tank. We replaced all the clamps on the fuel lines and set it in place.

[rip2174]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

With the frame rails prepped and painted, and the floor pan covered with a nice layer of undercoating it was time to hang the tank. We replaced all the clamps on the fuel lines and set it in place.

is that the krylon cover maxx rattle can? if so it look great!!