'83 & '84 S10 Dad and Son Projects

[GM]

Quote: Originally Posted by bmxzach

looks like you kept over the limit, yolo? also, why'd you bother keeping the rock bass? They good eats? never tried em

Limit is like 5 or 6 each for bass I believe and 4 or 5 pike each as well. We were well below the limit. The other 2 were small panfish, or crappie as most call them around here. They are one of the best fresh water fish you can eat imo, followed by perch.

Another mediocre update but one none the less,

cali,


There was no fun car test drives this year for my dads birthday. I bought him a yard of gravel, 3 yards of topsoil and 20 lbs of grass seed. Colorado does not like any weight in the rear.


Washed it for the first time I think ever,


After getting the gravel spread out in the driveway and levelling out the backyard were we trenched for the gas line and spreading out the topsoil we spent the rest of the weekend working on the blazer. List of things done, pinion seal, both rear axle seals, rear rotors, pads, license plate light, drivers side front hub, and some other misc.



Took a min and stripped down the rear end. I was pleasantly surprised with how light it is.


by comparison, a 4wd s10 upper, lower and spindle,



I was guessing to go from a stick axle to irs I would be picking up at least 200 lbs, but it looks like I was a little ways off.

[benster]

nice update. hopefully the colorado wasn't too sketchy to drive that way. it certainly looks pretty scary standing still. happy for you that everything is coming together.

[GM]

^ Luckily the landscaping place was only a couple kilometers down the road or else I wouldn't have tried. That truck does not like any weight at all. helper bags would go a long way.

Another mediocre update,

picked up some freebie speakers for the shop,


Cut off the backyard back-half and knocked a lot of the surface rust off of the frame.


Got the garage door opener installed in the shop,




picked up a box for the colorado,


used the '83 to pick up a good bit of lumber,



built this and,


this,


Sand blasting cabinet is going towards the front of the shop, just there for lack of a better place to put it at the moment,


I missed a couple of oportunities this weekend. A guy was selling an Italian brand hoist for $1000, A.G.M or something along those lines. Privately used and working, we just had to disassemble and move it. I was suppose to go get it Saturday but buddy went MIA and I haven't heard from him since.

Also the body shop that is/was suppose to paint the '84 hood pulled the same thing on me. They gave me a quote and were like we'll call you tomorrow, but no call.

[01BlueZQ8]

I love the S-10 posters!

[taylor.morley]

I could swear I've driven by that house before, it all looks so familiar.

Where abouts in Kingston is it? I know earlier in the thread you mentioned north of the city.

[Davemutt]

Quote: Originally Posted by GM

^

With the way its lit and the barn in the background, this looks like a brochure photo.

[stevbrei]

Quote: Originally Posted by Davemutt

With the way its lit and the barn in the background, this looks like a brochure photo.

Yeah, it does.

[bmxzach]

too bad they didn't come with Camaro wheels :P

[GM]

stevbrei, nice photoshop, thanks.

Quote: Originally Posted by taylor.morley

I could swear I've driven by that house before, it all looks so familiar.

Where abouts in Kingston is it? I know earlier in the thread you mentioned north of the city.

It's out towards sydenham.


Another update completely non-truck related.

I took thurs/friday off and went away on a fishing trip for the long weekend.
This little haven in Quebec called 10 mile. I can't help but share some pics, it was truly amazing there.



our cabin, and my moms new truck,


the little town the owner built,


the main lodge,


most of the side-by-sides and 4-wheelers are electric. The guy built his own hydro-electric damn in the middle of nowhere. The cabins all have hot water, microwaves, baseboard heaters and even a/c! All of the amenities, it's incredible.


about 30 boats to choose from, a few pictured here,


the owner is a master log home builder, and everything shows it,








not to many pics on the lake as I was more consumed with fishing



the fishing was incredible, Took home our limit in pickerel. First time ever catching blue pickerel,





Anyway onto the truck related updates. I priced out my materials for the frame table and I'm looking at $500ish for everything to buy new from the steel supplier. So I'm trying to find some better prices before I jump on that.

[GM]

Picked up some 3x3 1/4" tubing on Friday.


Bought a chopsaw,




decided 3-1/2' was to high so I cut the legs down to 2'




need another 24' length of 3x3 but it's just about done,

[bmxzach]

Jealousy level just sky rocketed, I'm moving in haha

[Tuckin15's]

In for progress.

[GM]

Still picking away at little things,

My dad made up some plates and I picked up 3/4 bolts to use for adjustable legs.


Just need to make up some dollies for ease of moving it when I get some more time,


laid out my front suspension so I can make up a list of everything I need to make or buy and get it together.


bolted up the zx3r fronts to the rear just to see what they would feel like. Big difference between 8 and 10.5's when it comes to traction. I didn't think it would be as significant as it was.

[slvrs10]

I have the same calculator. Just so you know.

[benster]

awesome thread as always Andrew. I love seeing updates, hopefully eith the bigger garage we won't have to wait till next spring to see some hehehe.

[GM]

Thanks Ben. Yea thats the idea work on it all winter. We are looking at installing some radient propane heaters this fall. Hopefully by the time the snow melts it will be a rolling chassis.

Quote: Originally Posted by slvrs10

I have the same calculator. Just so you know.

Phil I read this and I was just like huh? deja vu,

Quote: Originally Posted by slvrs10

I have that same calculator. Great model.

^ from nearly two years ago, You should really approach the company and ask for some compensation for supporting their product lol.

Picked up another length of tubing. Just need to get some 3 x 1/4" bar now and I can make up the front and rear cross-members for the table.



Spent a few minutes drawing up how I want to do the upper control arm bushings. Also ordered the lower ball joint pockets and screw in cases.



did a quick test fit, upper control arm is way out on caster/camber but it gave me a good idea of what I'm looking at. I will definitely be making a different shock mount, it clears comfortably but is just not ideal. Also I'll be moving the upper control arm mounts.

[slvrs10]

That's hilarious about the calculator LOL.

[bmxzach]

Looks great! Lots of shiny parts haha. Keep it up! I'll have to take a visit one weekend

[benster]

i think if you can move the shock mount a bit more vertical it would work a lot better. your project is awesome, I'm loving every new update and wish I had enough money to do anything decent with mine.

[bmxzach]

shock mounts out, control arms up. I'm sure he already knows that though! Also, Andrew, check your PM

[Nitemare]

so much legit chevy/ do it yourselfing in this thread

[GM]

^ thanks Nitemare,

Quote: Originally Posted by benster

i think if you can move the shock mount a bit more vertical it would work a lot better. your project is awesome, I'm loving every new update and wish I had enough money to do anything decent with mine.

That's my biggest hang up is money, well I guess that would be most everybody. I've been paying off my student loans and between that and just normal bills like insurance and what not I just can't put anything aside for this. I was hoping to get the ball joints cases ordered this week but with other things like getting tori fixed and birthdays my money just seems to be gone before I even get it. It's making an employment opportunity like Fort Mcmurray look real nice right about now.


Still picking away at it though, one thing at a time.

[duggie]

NOOOOOOOOOO !!!!

I just spent the last 2 days reading this entire thread (and not working on my own 84' extended) and I'm disappointed to be at the end (for now !!!!).

Come on get working on that frame and post more updates !!!

You don't need to sleep or eat, when everyone following this truck is desperately wanting more !!!!

[heeter_33]

Lookin good.

Ever been to Fort McMoney?

[prupnurp]

Love the 84 and espically the colorado. What kinda mileage that get?

[GM]

^The colorado does alright, wish it did better though. I get roughly 500km's out of a tank. A full tank is usually about $90. I'm planning on removing the body lift so it will get a bit better mileage then.

Quote: Originally Posted by duggie

NOOOOOOOOOO !!!!

I just spent the last 2 days reading this entire thread (and not working on my own 84' extended) and I'm disappointed to be at the end (for now !!!!).

Come on get working on that frame and post more updates !!!

You don't need to sleep or eat, when everyone following this truck is desperately wanting more !!!!

Thanks, I would love to get more done on it but I'm afraid I just don't have the cash flow at the moment to make as much progress as I would like.

heeter_33, I haven't been there no. I have a bunch of friend who have been working there on and off for 10 or so years and it's tough seeing them come back from a 6-8 month stint there and just buy everything they want. One fellow in particular went up there with zero skills in every trade. When he came back he put a down payment on a house, and bought a viper. It was kind of jokes. He was like what did you do all summer? I was like uh rode my skateboard and he drives off in his viper...


Rare monday update,

I decided to do something that wouldn't cost me anything. I had the material and even the 3m spray adhesive so I set about recovering my headliner.



It was sagging and super faded,


As soon as I started trying to remove the material I knew it wasn't going to go well. The headliner was just so dried out and crusty it was just falling apart in my hands. The backing (tan) separated from the Styrofoam (white)



So I called out about 9 junkyards in a hour proximity to me and no-one has an ext cab with a headliner. I priced them out on ebay, lmc a couple other sites and they all run about $130 + anywhere from $70-$140 for shipping. So much for the won't cost me anything project.

brought the hood to the body shop as well,

[84blaze]

If you go to an upholstery shop they will usually have headliner material that already comes with the foam backing to it. I originally tried that stuff when I recovered my headliner in my blazer. The foam backing is very forgiving and allows for a nice flat looking surface if you have any nicks out of your headliner board. Since I created flames with 'landel' foam the underlying foam didn't allow for nice sharp edges around the flame shape so I decided to go with a tweed material instead.

I found it very easy to do. Just start on one side and slowly work your way down the headliner board.

I'm sure you'll have no problem with it, as you do a good job with all your projects.

[GM]

^ thanks for the advice and I wish it were that easy. I already have a roll of headliner material with the foam backing. My problem is the headliner itself has de-laminated. Where it's white above it's paper thing and the headliner is broken damaged in 5 or 6 places. It's at a point where it's not worth trying to salvage.

[bmxzach]

unless you want something peeeeerfect, my black truck has a minty one... i'd consider getting rid of it for you

[duggie]

I have a question about the corvette rear end .... does it fit on a stock frame (width wise) or do you need to narrow the frame rails ??

I eventually want to build mine similar to yours (maybe swapping out an entire Vette driveline & suspension), so I'm liking the Corvette rear !!!

[GM]

Zach I really appreciate the offer but it's not like your parting it out so it doesn't make any sense for me to take it from you. I'll come across one soon, hopefully.

duggie, the corvette rear is 7" wider if my memory is serving me correctly. You have to narrow it or run some large flares.

got some parts in,


Hopefully the pockets will be tigged into the control arms before the week ends,


the new cases are quite nice,



hood still isn't painted. If the guy doesn't do it this week I'm just going to take it somewhere else.

[Illernoise]

awesome thread!
it was great to see the rebuild, your dogs grow up and the new house/shop!
will definitely continue to follow this

[bmxzach]

I demand progress!

[duggie]

+1

This thread is useless without updates !!!!!


hehehe !!

[mafiacustomz]

Nice garage, nice truck, good work, I hate you LOL.

[S_Dime]

This truck inspires me.

[GM]

thanks for the good words guys,

I really wish I was getting more done but at this moment in time I just can't afford to move forward at all. Between now and December I need to save $4500 so that I can afford to go to school from jan-april. Could have bought an RHS block for that and got started on the motor...

I do have a small update though and some random pics,

firstly my dads honda was involved in an accident,



The what seems to be typical I hit the gas and not the brake deal. It was an older lady in the minivan who was diabetic and had a dog on her lap. Apparently she could barely even walk and she was still allowed to drive. She was parking 3 spots down and just pinned it. Clipped the building, ran over 2 people and ended up like this,






The younger girl she hit got dragged a good 30 ft and luckily the van ended up sitting on top of my dads honda so they were able to get her out quickly. Apparently though she is in a coma and has really bad road rash and internal injuries. The other person was hit and bumped out of the way and made out alright considering.

now onto the damage,







ironically this is the same flat bed driver that towed the '97 parts truck when I didn't tighten the lugs down all the way and the rim snapped off.





My dad was pretty upset. Luckily he wasn't in the car, I mean I don't think he would have been hurt but you never know he could have been going to get in and gotten pinned between the 2 cars. He was standing in line at the checkout and watched it all happen. From what I understand the older woman was just sitting in the van like nothing had happened with her dog on the lap and didn't even shut it off. Someone else came out and shut the van off.

The insurance company had the car appraised and the value was $6500. Damages were $6100 so they just wrote him a cheque for the damages and let him keep the car. Now the dilemma was does he fix the car or part it/sell it. I finally convinced him to sell it and put the money towards the mustang. So I listed it up for parts and the first guy who emailed me insisted on buying the entire car. Here are some pics of it torn down a little bit,











So after talking it over with the guy and explaining to him we could get just over 5k in just parts we struck a deal and sold it for $3500 as is. He has a ton of extra parts and stock parts in the mezzanine as well. After we sell those off all said and done he'll pocket over 12k for a car that was worth maybe 6 on a good day.


and lastly some pics of the '84 so glad to finally have the hood painted. Just need to fit it properly when I have some free time.

[svmcgover]

Yikes! I hope that girl is alright!
some people should not be on the road at all

went through your thread though, truck is killer

[slvrs10]

I hope they shred her license.

That was a clean car in person. But, so was the mustang.

[bmxzach]

Aside from the injuries obviously, that accident turned out for the best on your Dad's side. Hopefully the lady in a coma is okay!

Man, that truck looks SPOT on with the hood painted. Can't wait to see it on the new chassis.

[duggie]

thanks for the updates

Truck looks awesome with the hood painted ... nice and clean !!!

[GM]

Yea the system definitely failed that older woman with the fact she still had her license. Apparently she is facing some pretty serious charges, but I mean do they really throw the book at this 80+ year old woman? I just couldn't see it happening.

Thanks guys, I'm really happy about finally getting the hood painted. My biggest complaint now about when I look at the truck is the rear cab mounts, man does that ever bug me. They've gotten so much worse this year. I was hoping to put it off until I did the chassis swap but I don't I'm going to be able too.

Just about got the lower control arms done,

[GM]

lowers done, just put a quick coat of paint to keep them from rusting before I get them refinished,


Here they are mocked up with the uppers in the right orientation. quite a bit better. Next up is lower control arm bushings and relocating the upper shock mount.

[Wicked Mayhem]

I saw the bodyline from the cab to bed and was like OMG that mount must of gave out

LCA's look good.

[GM]

ughh don't remind me lol, every-time I see a pic of the truck that's all I can see. I was looking at some pics from last year and it wasn't near as bad. Maybe over the winter I'll fix them.

[GM]

honda was taken away this week,





been incredibly busy with work so the hood still isn't fitted nicely but we picked this up,


It's going to be so nice and convenient to be able to work on stuff at home now,

I think we got a really nice deal on it too. Came with a collet set and mitutuyo read out and some other misc things. After gas and the farmer next door helping us unload we have just over $2000 into it.

[01BlueZQ8]

Very nice mill. The '84, as I said before is badder than hell. Glad to see your dad come out on top on the Honda. I hope that girl is alright.

[JayinMI]

So are you planning to layout the '84, or is the frame/suspension for something else?

Jay

[Wicked Mayhem]

Nice mill. Looks exactly like the one my dad bought about a year ago. Very handy to not have to wait on him to go to work the next day to do something lol

[duggie]

bumpity bump ... so it doesn't fall off the end and .......








GIVE US AN UPDATE, PLEASE !!!!!!!




*hehehe*