My newly acquired truck! =]

[Lilblue4x4]

Quote: Originally Posted by 94RedSonoma

thats a sick find...i might be the only person out there thinking this but i like the 1st gen. front ends better than the 2nd gen. they sit a little higher and I think they look more like a truck. only personal opinion though.

agreed

[Kiko]

Was going to keep it hush until i got them and put tires on them but once i save back $400 i've got a sweet set of 18's going on the truck. I'll put a pic of them up if i can find one.

[Fannatick]

Awesome progress. I'm still on page 6 but I had to post and give you props. Great to see your working hard to turn around this truck and make it into something you love.

Keep up the good work.

[Kiko]

Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm trying to get it back by September 5th for a local show that my friend told me about. Don't know if i'm going to make it or not.

[Kiko]

Not going to make the show (Damn it..) but i have decided that since i can not find a manual i'm just going to go automatic. I hate to do it but i want to drive already and i don't have $1,200 for a brand new trans. Planning to go Sunday when i'm off work and pull a steering column from an automatic and a trans. Not sure if i'll have it in Sunday. I doubt it but i plan to do as much as i can. Sucks cause i have to remove the clutch pedal and everything and get rid of the hole for my shifter. I'll post some more updates later. I haven't forgot but i just have not been motivated to work on it plus on top of that i have been super busy.

[Krusher]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kiko

Not going to make the show (Damn it..) but i have decided that since i can not find a manual i'm just going to go automatic. I hate to do it but i want to drive already and i don't have $1,200 for a brand new trans. Planning to go Sunday when i'm off work and pull a steering column from an automatic and a trans. Not sure if i'll have it in Sunday. I doubt it but i plan to do as much as i can. Sucks cause i have to remove the clutch pedal and everything and get rid of the hole for my shifter. I'll post some more updates later. I haven't forgot but i just have not been motivated to work on it plus on top of that i have been super busy.

Just leave the manual column and pedals there and get an auto floor shifter, it will be alot easier AND when you do find a 5 speed it won't take as much to change it all back out. don't forget you'll have to have trans lines and a cooler if your radiator doesn't have one built in!

[Kiko]

I think my radiator has it built in. It had two holes that were blocked off when i bought it. And i thought about that but i would rather just put in a auto column. I will be keeping everything i take out and putting it in my closet so when i get $1,200 i can take it apart and buy the new 5 speed and put everything back the way it was. I just need my transportation. I'm tired of riding my road bike everywhere

[Kiko]

Got a trans but when i was just finishing pulling it a met a guy who knew a shop that had one for $300 in Mississippi. I might go there and pay cash for it Thursday after work. For now i have a transmission but not sure if i'm going to use it or sell it and get the manual which is what i would really prefer...

[Krusher]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kiko

Got a trans but when i was just finishing pulling it a met a guy who knew a shop that had one for $300 in Mississippi. I might go there and pay cash for it Thursday after work. For now i have a transmission but not sure if i'm going to use it or sell it and get the manual which is what i would really prefer...

That's about the way it goes! At least you didn't get it all put in and a neighbor or buddy says " Well I had one I would have sold you cheap!" THAT would have really sucked.

[Kiko]

Yeah.... I'm going with the one in Mississippi. I didn't notice until after pulling it and getting it home that it's a 4l60. Plus i would really like to keep it manual. That was one of the selling points when i bought the truck. I'm glad i went though or i would not have met that guy and found out about the 5 speed.

[Kiko]

Dad talked to the guy for me (Work) and in two weeks he's going to drive me out to lucedale to meet with the guy and pay/pick up the transmission. I found out yesterday my battery is dead too. So i gotta buy a battery also....

[Kiko]

Got the transmission earlier. My battery won't hold a charge. I have to run the charger to run my compressor. It's partially on but we can't get it to slide up against the engine and it's too late. Hopefully i'll have it in tomorrow and then next week i can get a battery unless one of the ones i have laying around will work.

[rusty10690]

congrats!!!

[Kiko]

FINALLY got it in. Needs the rest of the bolts in and torqued down. I'm installing the crossmember right now and putting the starter and slave cylinder in. Not much longer and i should know if it's going to crank.

[Krusher]

Well good ! At least you didn't have to change over to auto.

[Kiko]

Yeah i'm very happy about that part. I wasn't looking too forward to having an auto. I'm glad i found this one. The crossmember is now bolted in and the trans is bolted to it. The driveshaft is also bolted in. Next i gotta put the rest of the transmission bolts in and snug them up to the block real good and install the slave cylinder then the clutch. Then it's on to bleeding the clutch and bolting the cab and fenders back and lastly connecting a disconnected wire that i have no clue goes where and trying to crank it (After filling the trans)


I'm pumped.

[Kiko]

=)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itJXna1W4eY


It's got a wierd squeeling sound when it rolls even in neutral. Sounds like the front somewhere. I don't know what it is but i'm going to check the brakes and stuff today after work. I test drove it around the block and gave it hell. I have a few more things left though.

*Hook up speedometer
*Plug up a couple random wires
*Bolt on hood
*Fix air leak on gauge line
*Clean inside and outside


Hope to actually be able to drive it tomorrow when i'm off work.

[Krusher]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kiko

=)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itJXna1W4eY


It's got a wierd squeeling sound when it rolls even in neutral. Sounds like the front somewhere. I don't know what it is but i'm going to check the brakes and stuff today after work. I test drove it around the block and gave it hell. I have a few more things left though.

*Hook up speedometer
*Plug up a couple random wires
*Bolt on hood
*Fix air leak on gauge line
*Clean inside and outside


Hope to actually be able to drive it tomorrow when i'm off work.

Can you video or record the squeeling sound? It may be like my blazer, needing a brake job and the wear indicator is starting to scrub the rotor to let you know BEFORE it's too late to replace pads. Try jacking up each front wheel separately then rotating each to see if you hear the squeeling sound, if so probably pads wore.

[Kiko]

It's got new pads. I did them a while back. I drove it on the highway by my house and hit 50-55 and it didn't squeel anymore. I think it worked itself out. But yeah....i'm back in action

Now i have to clean it up and check everything to make sure it's good and i can start working on it little by little. I'm hoping to buy a 2 door blazer that's bagged but the bag stuff is coming off and i'm getting it for $500 cash.. gotta work my ass off to get the cash though. Too many bills right now.

I'll post pics tomorrow.

[Driveway Kustoms]

sweet, can't wait for more updates!

I hear you on the money thing, i get a paycheck and it all goes out to either savings for after college, gas, or food money then the gf and whats left (not as much as i want it to be) goes into the truck =/ oh well after school shit will get better

[rusty10690]

F U C KING A Dude!!!!

[Kiko]

Quote: Originally Posted by Driveway Kustoms

sweet, can't wait for more updates!

I hear you on the money thing, i get a paycheck and it all goes out to either savings for after college, gas, or food money then the gf and whats left (not as much as i want it to be) goes into the truck =/ oh well after school shit will get better

Yeah. I'm trying to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend,trying to get a house in my parents neighborhood,and trying to get that blazer. And on top of that i have to pay bills that i already have


Hope to somehow get the cash and make it to cruisin the coast.

[Krusher]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kiko

Yeah. I'm trying to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend,trying to get a house in my parents neighborhood,and trying to get that blazer. And on top of that i have to pay bills that i already have


Hope to somehow get the cash and make it to cruisin the coast.

You got to prioritize ! Get what you need first then go for the stuff you want, sometimes they are not the same things though. (just some friendly advice)

[Driveway Kustoms]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kiko

Yeah. I'm trying to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend,trying to get a house in my parents neighborhood,and trying to get that blazer. And on top of that i have to pay bills that i already have


Hope to somehow get the cash and make it to cruisin the coast.

ditto

[Kiko]

I know,i know... I'm doing that this week if i can. I got rent coming up. I'm doing a layaway on the ring for a few weeks cause i was told by my co-worker that it would help build me credit since i have no credit score. That way i have some credit later when i want to buy a house instead of just rent. I'm working side jobs for the blazer and saving. The ring and everything comes out of my pay check..

I'm contemplating getting a night job after i get off from my regular job...








Girlfriend's cavalier & my truck.






And the girl that changed my world =)

[rusty10690]

be carefull drivng tomorrow, if im correct, tomorrow is exactly one year when your truck got into an accident

[Kiko]

I realized that last night when i was washing dishes. (Yea,you heard correctly) I rode my bike to work this morning instead. I'm going back to my parents after work to fix my airline on my tank gauge and put my exhaust back on and pick up the truck. I've been pricing metal for the bed and if i'm right it should run $100-$150 for the steel to build the frame for the floor. I'll get to that eventually.

I've got a road bike trip planned tonight but if the rain keeps on tonight i'm working on my truck instead. Looks like i will be making it to cruisin the coast afterall too. It's free to get in so all i really need is gas unless i can get trailered there.

[Kiko]

No pics but i finally got motivated to start working on it again. Not working on it today (Plans with my lady) but tomorrow i'm finishing shaving my firewall now that my a/c stuff is gone and i'm cutting my cab and putting in the driveshaft tunnel. Also plan to get my exhaust put back on. I decided to make my own cowl hood too. I'm taking a bike box (Basically a big cardboard shipping box the size of a bike) to the apartment today along with a tape measure and drawing up a template for the side peices so next week or so i can buy sheetmetal and cut out the peices and weld them onto a spare hood i have and bolt it on.


I also noticed my rattle can paint job faded badly during the 3-4 months that it sat broken down. I went last night and priced a paint gun and compressors and hope to paint it soon. I'm going glossy orange and the cowl hood is going to be glossy black to mix it up a little.

I don't know what # to call the color but i want this color:





I'll post pics tomorrow. Wish income tax would hurry up so i can go all out

[Kiko]

Shaved part of the firewall where the a/c stuff went. Still applying/sanding body filler to make it nice and smooth then priming it. I have pics but it looks ugh. I'll wait until i'm done sanding and take a new photo. If all works out i am bringing a spare hood,sheetmetal,grinder,and my welder to work tomorrow and during my hour lunch break i'm making the spare hood into a 3 inch cowl hood and putting it on when i get off work if it turns out right. Sometime this weekend i'm putting my exhaust back on and cleaning up my sub/amp setup so it doesn't look so messy behind my seat.


If i have the $$ i'm going to start on the frame for my false bed floor (I think that's the name for it?) also. Pics soon.. Been too busy to get much work done the past few days...

[Kiko]

I'm not so great at body filler/sanding but it looks alright considering my level of experience at it....



I need to finish sanding the edges and stuff so i can spray some primer on it. I also need to wash under the hood now thanks to the body filler dust. It looks like shit under there with red dust everywhere =\

I know my wiring is a rat nest right now too. So don't waste time telling me about it... I'm going to tidy it up eventually. Just been lazy. I also got my exhaust halfway fixed. I just need to put the muffler on. My friend Gary is giving me his old bed flood from his second gen (Should fit,right?) for my false bed floor project. Going today with my girlfriend to lowes to pick up the sheetmetal for my hood and some of the steel tubing for my bed floor's frame. Going to try and do the hood Sunday. All i did today was my exhaust. I'm going to clean up my wiring for my radio too. Aswell as tidy up my amp and sub behind the seat. Possibly putting in new dash speakers next week to replace the stock ones...


It's nice being motivated again to work on it

[Kiko]

Got an idea from a hot rod site for the cowl hood... I'm doing it 3" tall but way more narrow than the one he did. The only sheetmetal i can find in big enough pieces comes in 22 gauge. In the writeup he didn't mention what gauge he used. Think 22 gauge would be strong enough to use for the side pieces to fill in the gap? I plan to brace it later but i wasn't sure about the sheetmetal i should use... Help?

[Jesslaney09]

looks way better than wat it did when u got it

[Kiko]

Thanks. I decided against making the hood. I messed with it some and i just don't have the patience. Plus i hate welding sheetmetal..

Thursday (Payday) i'm planning to order a bag plate so i can finally mount my bag under the bed to tilt it with my air setup. Going tonight to pick up some fittings and downsizing from 1/2" airline to 3/8" airline on the rear. It hops when i lift it and looks/feels like shit...

Just doing little stuff right now. Not in the mood to tackle big projects.

[Kiko]

Gotta love cheap fixes =P
All that's left is to add a glasspack when i get paid (Yeah,yea...i know)




My friend Gary gave me a fiberglass cowl for my hood. Just test fitting to see how it would look..













I have the floor and wheel wells for the false bed floor too. I just need the steel to build the frame in the bed to support it. Also got an air horn from him but it won't work for some reason. I'm trying to fix it if i can.

[V8Blaze]

Just a heads up, thats scoop will crack. My stingwray scoop on my blazer is fiberglass, and its cracked a few times. I finally just gave up and leave it unfinished. Its got adhesive on it, pop rivets, and then glassed to the steel hood. And still cracked in the rear corners. But for me it keeps my truck from overheating, so i live with it for now. However a cowl would look cool on your truck. But just giving a heads up

[Kiko]

Thanks. i want a whole new hood but it's $300+
I was going with a steel hood with a 3" cowl already on it from ebay or someplace. I have been looking up stuff lately and getting more plans for my truck.
I found one of those led light strips for under the tailgate for about $21 on ebay that has tail lights,brake lights,backup lights,and turn signals. I also found some tail light shavers for $31 or so. Going to check prices with suicidedoors and see which is cheaper. Eventually i'll get around to shaving the tail lights and installing that light strip.
Just stressing about christmas right now though. I've got two months to buy everything and the stuff i have picked is around $1,000.....

[Kiko]

Alternator is not cutting it. My headlights always dimmed when i had my radio up and the subwoofer hit but now if i'm driving even in the day with no lights the truck would all of a sudden feel like it was towing a 10,000 pound trailer or something. It stops maybe a second after i turn off the radio. If i drive with my subwoofer off it does fine. My only thought is the alternator is not putting out enough amps because my volts stay at 14 or so.

Looking to do the big three wiring upgrade (Using 2 gauge) and swap my stock alternator for a AD244. Doing the false bed floor soon. just need to get to the house so i can cut the steel tubing and weld it up for the frame. Been doing minor interior stuff and fixing things like my headlights. Focusing on the little details for now..

[anotherteenstat]

im pretty sure you can find tail light fillers on ebay for like 15-20 bucks. its been awhile since i was lookin at them so they might have gone up tho. trucks lookin good!

[Kiko]

Yeah i found some cheaper ones last night. just not sure on the quality. And thanks. I like yours. Any thread on it?

[coloRADo_S10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kiko

Got an idea from a hot rod site for the cowl hood... I'm doing it 3" tall but way more narrow than the one he did. The only sheetmetal i can find in big enough pieces comes in 22 gauge. In the writeup he didn't mention what gauge he used. Think 22 gauge would be strong enough to use for the side pieces to fill in the gap? I plan to brace it later but i wasn't sure about the sheetmetal i should use... Help?

Its been a while since i have checked out the truck but it looks sexy. This is the same thing i kinda want to do on my hood. What site did you find it on?

[coloRADo_S10]

22ga sounds a bit small but i don't remember how thick/thin the hood steel is.

[Kiko]

Just got back from the local "Weekend hangout" and all i gotta say is empty,wet parking lots + my truck = fun
I drifted for the first time and it was awesome. Almost tore something up though cause i kept ****ing around in the pouring rain going home. Burnouts,drifting,just whatever... But all is ok thankfully. No real updates. I did some wiring to the lights in the bumper and made running/fog lights out of them so now they actually do something instead of just fill space in the bumper. They both work but i only have a pic of the first one wired. Going to try and cut some of the metal for my false bed floor frame tomorrow at work and weld it when i get the time. I'm hoping to be in Florida this weekend visiting family so i won't have much time to do anything to it until the weekdays...


Cut the blower motor hole square and cut sheetmetal to fit...test fitting it




Welded...i suck at welding thin metal. I always burn through...



First coat of body filler...



Sanded. Looks much better now that it's sprayed with filler primer and had a second coat of filler... gotta get a pic later






Lights








Random

[Driveway Kustoms]

spamming threads now?

[Kiko]

Hm?

[Kiko]

Pic of both bumper lights wired up. Helps a LOT when driving at night. I can actually see where the **** i'm going...








Club broke up during the 4 months my truck was out with the busted transmission so i removed the decal finally and i had thought of this for a while so i got one custom cut at the flea market today with my girlfriend









It's too late and too cold to start plugging up grinders and cut the metal for the bed floors frame. I'll bring a piece to work tommorow and cut a couple pieces on my lunch break. Hope to maybe,possibly,if i'm lucky have the floor in by the weekend...

[Fannatick]

Looking good, keep up the good work.

[Kiko]

Thanks. My motivation comes and go's. I'm working on it a little tomorrow if i have the time. Cutting more metal for the bed floor frame in just a little.

[Kiko]

Looks better when it's actually light out to see it





With filler primer applied....Almost done

[Kiko]

"New" tailgate. It's been sitting outside for a good while which explains all the rust. It's just surface thought so it'll be fine. I've got to sand it tommorow at work and spray it flat black to match. I'm thinking about touching up my faded paint and then doing a two-tone for now until i get it stripped and real paint applied.




Random cell phone picture at work....

[Kiko]

Random cell phone photo.. (Can you tell i love camera phones?)





I bought some metal to make drag mounts with for the rear just have to cut it,drill it,and bolt them on and paint them. Going to try and buy a brand new ad244 next week. Didn't have the funds this week but new they go $159.99. Sanding the tailgate some more tomorrow. Did a little today but the rust is a bitch.