"Elwood" the 77_remix

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by ultrahd4me

That's next level stuff for sure. Ken, yourself and Elwood is what has inspired a lot of us younger guys to get into the squarebody trucks. This definitely raises that bar to another level. Killer work as usual sir.

Bobby that means a lot my friend. My hope is to show that persistence can produce a quality build with a fair budget in an average back yard shop.

[gringoloco]

Are you wrapping or painting the rest of the interior? Hard to beat red guts on black

[rustytruck50]

Wow...that's really going to look great with the black!

[mcmlxix]

Well I am definitely following along. I will be working on a factory 2WD 1978 Blazer soon and really like your attention to detail. I only hope I can get close to the level you have achieved.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Are you wrapping or painting the rest of the interior? Hard to beat red guts on black

The bottom of the dash will be painted. The dashpad and plastic trim parts will be dyed. I dont think I'm going to paint the back of the cab red as depicted. That opens up a can of worms with no real stopping point.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Wow...that's really going to look great with the black!

Thanks

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

Well I am definitely following along. I will be working on a factory 2WD 1978 Blazer soon and really like your attention to detail. I only hope I can get close to the level you have achieved.

Persistence pays off. Break it down in to small jobs and stay focused on the end result.

[N2TRUX]

This respiratory infection is kicking my butt, so I'm trying to work on the inside rather than the shop. I have been working with my Wilwood getting the brakes lined out for Elwood. We finally got where I need to be so heres what I'm going with.

Up front I will be running 13" slotted rotors with black 6 piston calipers. In the rear we went with 13" (technically 12.88") with 4 piston calipers. This set up uses an internal E brake.

[N2TRUX]

I already had a 13" set up for the front, but they have the previous style font on them. Wilwood wanted them to match, and of course I agreed. If anyone is interested in a pair of Wilwood 6 piston calipers (calipers only) that are still new in the original box, message me. I will sell them for 25% less than Summit.
Please DO NOT reply in the thread.

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I have been working with Wilwood getting the brakes lined up for Elwood. We finally got where I need to be so heres what I'm going with.

So the brakes are specked out to the factory rear end and the Ridetech front spindles? Please supply the part numbers when you have the time.

Also, do you know of anyone that has used the Ridetech coil over setup on a factory 2WD Blazer (ie: like my 1978 Blazer)

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

So the brakes are specked out to the factory rear end and the Ridetech front spindles? Please supply the part numbers when you have the time.

Also, do you know of anyone that has used the Ridetech coil over setup on a factory 2WD Blazer (ie: like my 1978 Blazer)

I will post all the part numbers later. I do recall that RideTech was talking with someone about that install. Obviously the front will work just fine. I'm not sure what they offer for the rear.

[N2TRUX]

Heres the break down of the Wilwood components.

Front- 140-10775-D 13"
Which is the Forged Narrow Superlite 6R big brake kit thats mounted to the RideTech spindle with black powder coat 6 piston caliper and SRP drilled & slotted rotor

Rear- 140-10093-D 12.88"
This is the Forged Narrow Superlite 4R big brake rear kit that includes a parking brake with black powder coat 4 piston caliper and SRP drilled & slotted rotor

[N2TRUX]

This has been a week of total frustration. I desperately need to be knocking out shop hours. Every time I get out in the cool air I am reminded I cant breath and start coughing again. I have squeezed in a hour here and or two so I dont fall further behind.

In preparation for the Wilwood brake upgrade, I decided to pull the rear axle completely. I wanted easy access to remove the stock shock mounts. I did it on Scarlett laying on my back, and it was not fun. By removing the axle completely I could get it cleaned up and ready to add the disc brake conversion.

I unbolted the RideTech 4 link and related brackets to clear a path for removal. With the axle riding on a floor jack I pulled it from under the frame.

[N2TRUX]

Now that I had room to work I sat the 12 bolt on a wheel stand to use as a work station. I rolled it over and used a an abrasive wheel to cut the stock shock mounts off. I ran a flapper disc over the area and smoothed it out a bit. While I had the flapper disc out, I cleaned the center section up a bit too.

[N2TRUX]

Now that I had it smoothed out some, I got the Scotch Brite out and scuffed it down. I followed with Brake Clean and blew it dry. The raw metal needed protection, so it got a few coats of primer.
I have a seeping pinion seal that I plan to replace. I marked it with a center punch to have a guide for alignment.

[N2TRUX]

With all that done it was time for a final coat of color. I had considered painting the housing using an accent color, but decided against it. This truck will be nicely detailed, but it will be a driver. I want to be able to wash it down and touch it up with Krylon satin black when necessary.

[aggie91]

Nice updates. I hope you can get to feeling better soon, this is not the time of the year to feel bad. We hope to get Owen's truck, Henry, into the shop during his Christmas break to get some upgrades done in preparation for LST.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Nice updates. I hope you can get to feeling better soon, this is not the time of the year to feel bad. We hope to get Owen's truck, Henry, into the shop during his Christmas break to get some upgrades done in preparation for LST.

Karl i have been trying to shake this crap for a week. I drag myself through the day and some home with the intentions of putting in some quality shop time. As soon as I step out and start breathing the cool damp air my lungs feel like they are on fire. I will have a productive weekend no matter what.

Glad to hear Henry is getting some love. Keep me posted on your progress.

[N2TRUX]

Call me crazy, but I took a step backwards today. I got a call from a friend that buys and sells Squarebody trucks and parts. He recalled a conversation we had about a month ago that I was looking for a axle with 3.42 gears. He picked up a deal on an 87 Suburban with a bad motor that had 3.42 gears on the SPID.

He pulled the cover and verified that they were the gears I wanted and appeared to be in excellent condition. I ran the numbers and verified this was a factory 8.5" 10 bolt so I couldn't resist. He offered me a brother in law deal and we traded axles.

Chris and I loaded the 12 bolt up and headed over to Berto's house. Fortunately he had sprayed the U bolts down with PB Blaster this week and let them soak. We dropped the drive shaft, and bolted the U bolts and slid it out.

In the light of day two things were obvious. The pinion seal was leaking, and the gear set was immaculate. The gears literally dont have awear pattern at all. I'm not sure how thats possible considering the Suburban had over 100k on it and I'm pretty sure the gear oil had never been changed.

[N2TRUX]

So lets do it all over again. I used a wire brush and putty knife to remove the majority of the caked on grunge. That was followed by Scotch Brite and brake cleaner to get down to raw metal. I cut the stock shock mounts off, and ground the housing clean of casting flash. I dressed the cuts and grind marks with a 180 grit disc followed by a 4" flapper disc.

With the housing as smoothed out a bit, I blasted again with brake cleaner. Once dry I laid down several coats of filler primer. It wont be smooth as glass, but a lot slicker than it started. Once I replace the pinion seal, it get a coat of satin black.

[st1]

really nice. Love the seat. Looking forward to the steady updates. Be well.
Posted via Mobile Device

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by st1

really nice. Love the seat. Looking forward to the steady updates. Be well.

Thanks, I'm slowly shaking it off.

[N2TRUX]

After I picked up the new (to me) 10 bolt on Saturday, I spent some time putting up Christmas decorations. With that done I got a bit of time back in the shop again. My exhaust components arrived from Summit so I played with them a bit. I'm going to make a trip to the exhaust shop to get some adjustments made on the inlet and outlet side of the muffler. It needs to be stretched a hair for the V bands to fit properly.

I mocked up the Vibrant Performance #64806 6" flex coupling and cut the pipe to length.

[N2TRUX]

Saturday night I added a couple more coats of filler primer to the axle. I also spotted in a few bare spots on the frame rails. Sunday morning Chris came over and we worked on final prep for the frame. We gave it one last scuff and wiped again with brake cleaner.

I sprayed the frame from top to bottom, while Chris started on the gas tank. With the frame finished I moved on to the axle. I gave it a few coats of satin black as well. I pulled the rear cover and worked it over in the blasting cabinet. Unfortunately it had factory undercoating on it that didnt want to come off. I'll get back to it after it soaks for a while.

[N2TRUX]

With the pinion seal installed, I gave it a few coats of satin black. I pulled the rear cover and worked it over in the blasting cabinet. Unfortunately it had factory undercoating on it that didnt want to come off. I'll get back to it after it soaks for a while.

[N2TRUX]

Today was a good day, especially considering its a Monday. At work we are setting equipment in the last location that I lost due to Hurricane Harvey. Its a significant step in getting my company back on track.

Besides that, I got pics from Brent at Sculpt Garage. He got the additional yardage needed from Snowden Supply to finish the back cover on my seat.