Project: sport handling on a college budget

[Driveway Kustomz]

yea I like the lid, most of the time I don't go for the over the rail types, but this one is low enough that it doesnt bother me. Thanks for the info

[S-10Driver]

np man, always glad to help.

['98forests10]

Just have a quick question for you (s-10driver); when you painted your grille shell, did you sand it at all or just sprayed it? Thinking about doing the same thing to mine before I do the cutting for the billet inserts. If you could just let me know what you did to make it turn out so good, it would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[BudRacing]

He took it to the professionals---thats why it turned out so good.

[Outlawz24]

Now that i have seen one of these lil trucks transform into an autocrosser i forsee a future project once my Blazer and RX7 are where i want them to be...i think an SS or Xtreme would make for a good autox truck. I used to participate in autocross with my old Cavalier RS then the Z24 that replaced it.

[BudRacing]

^ The best/easiest place to start is with a ZQ8 non Xtreme s10. The xtreme kit is extra weight and even less ground clearance once lowered. The Zq8 has the same suspension and steering as the Xtreme without the body kit and badges.

[greencactus3]

Quote: Originally Posted by BudRacing

^ The best/easiest place to start is with a ZQ8 non Xtreme s10. The xtreme kit is extra weight and even less ground clearance once lowered. The Zq8 has the same suspension and steering as the Xtreme without the body kit and badges.

+1. unless you want a longbed. which is good too!

[Outlawz24]

The question is this how can i tell a ZQ8 from a standard S10?

[lowcherrydime]

look in the glovebox at the rpo codes.

[98layinframe]

they sit 1 1/2" lower from the factory plus they have 16" aluminum wheels on them.

[Outlawz24]

Quote: Originally Posted by greencactus3

+1. unless you want a longbed. which is good too!

If i went with a long bed i would be setting up the suspension like you have yours. But then if i went with a long bed i would be doing up a 1st gen version of your truck.

[BudRacing]

Quote: Originally Posted by Outlawz24

If i went with a long bed i would be setting up the suspension like you have yours. But then if i went with a long bed i would be doing up a 1st gen version of your truck.

... and you'd be stuck with a long bed.

[S-10Driver]

Quote: Originally Posted by '98forests10

Just have a quick question for you (s-10driver); when you painted your grille shell, did you sand it at all or just sprayed it? Thinking about doing the same thing to mine before I do the cutting for the billet inserts. If you could just let me know what you did to make it turn out so good, it would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

yeah, i had it done a shop, i can tell you that they base/cleared it. it ended up costing my around $120 but I'm sure you could research around and get it done for cheaper.

i think this is the most post in my project thread i've had in a long time. lol

as for the truck, i just got through detailing the outside...still gotta do the inside, but that doesn't take long.

i also made myself a shorty antenna. took the one off my blazer, chopped around a foot or so off, drilled the ball at the top out, and epoxied it back on.

[prodan]

what exactly does the jeem steering shaft and idler arm do for your steering

[greencactus3]

Quote: Originally Posted by prodan

what exactly does the jeem steering shaft and idler arm do for your steering

idler arm?

the jeep shaft replaces the rag joint with a universal, cutting down on compliance

[S-10Driver]

the jeep shaft has a u joint, like on your driveshaft. instead of a rag joint.

as for the idler arm, the aftermarket ones are built a lot stronger than the factory pos ones. much better.

[01cherryreds10]

Have there been any new updates Jon? This is one of the more frequent project threads I check out. I just actually ordered the ZQ8 bumpstops from gmpartsdirect

[prodan]

are they the same for first gens

[BudRacing]

Yes

[S-10Driver]

Quote: Originally Posted by 01cherryreds10

Have there been any new updates Jon? This is one of the more frequent project threads I check out. I just actually ordered the ZQ8 bumpstops from gmpartsdirect

unfortunately, not really. money's really tight right now.

dude, those bumpstops are awesome, i can't believe now many people know about them on here. the people on the g body forum i saw them on were praising them for their lowered cars.

[01cherryreds10]

The best thing about the bumpstops is...

THEY ARE HUGE!!!



Most of the stuff you've done, I'm in the process of doing now

Keep up the good work!

[S-10Driver]

haha, i said the same thing when i opened the box.

they are a lot bigger in person than they are on the pic online.

basically the later xtremes pretty much rode on the bumpstops.

[S-10Driver]

i have an important update for the truck...that has nothing to do with the truck...



I HAS A YOB!!!!!!!!!

after 7 months of being unemployed i start on Nov 3rd as an engineer in the R&D department of YKK. YKK is a leading manufacturer of fasteners btw, proabably have a ykk zipper on the pants you're wearing now.

[greencactus3]

congrats!

[wildman ss]

make me some zippers son!

[Slow_S10]

Congrats on the job man!

I really like what you have done with your truck too. I have had a very similar goal as you as far as making my truck handle. The only diffrence is that I don't AutoX mine... yet My truck is dropped 3/5 (that's what it took to get it close to level) and thanks to you I am about to go and pick up some of those bumpstops. My truck has always bottomed out hard but It's been like this for almost 2 years and I pretty much just got used to it. I was actually on the verge of dehumping my lower control arms and I still might but I'll try these first.

[S-10Driver]

thanks guys, i can't tell you how relieved i am to finally find something. crazy thing is, i didn't even apply for it. i was sitting at the house last week with nothing close to getting a job coming up and all a sudden a guy from there called and said he saw my resume on monster.com and one interview and a week later i got the offer.

looking at a few things, gotta remember this is a dd, i can get a zq8 box for pretty darn cheap...and lookin at some SS mirrors.

[S-10Driver]

here's a pic from a local meet the other night:



and here is a pic from tonight (excuse the nastiness...it rained like 2 days):



Notice anything different?

[kms_dude1]

mirrors

[lowcherrydime]

yup. you got different mirrors. looks great man. love the clean and simple look of your truck.

[S-10Driver]

Quote: Originally Posted by kms_dude1

mirrors

yep, you win.


if you were really good, you would notice i put a new wiper arm on the driver's side...haha

...i need to get a passenger one now. looks stupid w/ one shiny and one faded.

now that i have some cash flow (notice the parking pass on my rear view), might actually update more that 5 months apart with stuff.

starting at the end of the month, i'm gonna start collecting parts to do a blazer 2 piston from brake swap. Grant (Budracing) has a set of spindles for me in atlanta. i also have a 56mm throttle body that Gutling's holding for me in statesboro.

just gotta get them here in Warner Robins.

just off the top of my head, stuff i'd like todo:
- swap to bucket seats (probably cavi) and center console
- swap from rear drums to blazer discs
- revise the rear drop. (ditch the blocks), probably get a set of drop leafs
- body work (paint handles, mirrors; fix dents; repaint some of the truck; maybe shave the tailgate)

[BudRacing]

Yeah man, let me know if you want me to grab this TB before I head outta town. I'll be leaving for ATL friday around 2.