S10 Build getting started

[Meili]

It seals, glues and remains pliable, perfect for the dynamic environment of a vehicle.

Speaking of sealing, did more to lock down the back.

There was 1/4" wide by 3/4" deep gap that needed to be sealed. I taped the area off and injected some left over black roof? sealer I had.

Worked it in, let it skin up and peeled back the tape. Nice clean line!

To seal the cap to bed top, used aluminum angle that was backed with 1/4 bed tape.

On the passenger side ran it all the way to the spare mount to seal the top edge of the diamond plate.

Eventually all the screws will be replaced with black screws so they blend.

Last, I decided to ditch using the aluminum diamond plate inside so I used it to line by "back porch".

The whole area will be covered with spray on bed-liner (dark gray).

Thinking about coating the lower half of the door in gray and maybe running a black line to match the angle I just added.

Again, be nice on the drawing, done is MS paint.

Opinions?

8946

 

[Meili]

Not much to report, mother nature is not cooperating and got lots of family stuff going on.

Time in front of the computer is a bad thing, got a case of "might as well".

It started with looking up tie rod ends, they are really sloppy, "might as well" get idler arm and pitman arm done while apart.

CV axles seem to be original as well as wheel hub, "might as well"...

So besides ordering just about every front end component, ordered a lift kit too. Thank god I just sold some of my vintage Pontiac parts. $$$

The reasoning behind the lift is not to really raise it more, it is already lifted and I like how it sits, but to do it the "right" way.

Right now the torsion keys are cranked almost the whole way putting CVs at an extreme angle.

The lift kit will drop the front diff so the CVs are at a better angle, no sense wearing out the new parts Plus it will give my suspension droop back.

Got some other goodies coming too.

Hope the weather clears, this could get expensive!

 

[Meili]

Kinda bounced around today.

Made brackets and installed an oil pan skid plate from a S10 Blazer. Had to space it down about 3/8" to clear the pan.

That may be a result of the v8 swap?

Also dropped the front skid plate down the same amount. I will need the clearance for the diff when the lift is installed.

Next installed the braces/bushings I had made for the cab/bed. Ended up cutting down the poly mount to 3/4".Used larger washers, bigger bolts and

treated the area with bedliner before installing. Like before, truck now rides like a different vehicle, tighter with no rattles!

Next studded out the interior lower section with 1x2s. Got the basic part of the frig mount done.

Very happy how the frig lines up with the leading edge to the entrance door.

9251

 

[FBJR]

With all the extra weight back there and the v8. Have you thought about looking for an 8.5 rear for it? They came on the extremes and some 4x4s.

 

[Meili]

I am trying to keep weight down, that's why everything is aluminum.

An 8.5 would have been nice but the Extreme is 2wd so the rear to too narrow and the ZR2 8.5 is wider. Also I feel not all the 7.5/7.625 rears bad

reputation is deserved.Plus I had parted a 2.8 5-speed Blazer so I have an extra 4.10 rear, just in case.

Having work on G bodys for years I have found the weak spots! The Gov-snap, eeer Gov-Loc is crap. The only original part on mine is the housing,

upgraded axles,Tru-Trac,aluminum braced cover etc. etc.

With proper suspension, no wheel hop, it should last just fine.

 

[FBJR]

G body huh. I have the 8.5 in mine form a BGN. I too never hurt a 7.5, but never really loaded em up that hard.

 

[Meili]

My Grand Prix has a 8.5 , 4.11 with Eaton posi from an Olds. it was weird , some Olds got 8.5 OPEN rears? Also have an extra GN rear with 3.73s.

Don't know if anyone recalled earlier that I posted I would eventually countersink the mounting bolt for the spare mount? Well, I did not like the look but,

turns out they will interfere with the frig. Redid the mount holes and even found 2 larger fender washers to help spread the load. Overbuild is my motto.

Since the mount had to come apart everything outside got primed and a coat of bed-liner. I also sprayed the mounting pad area behind the mount

with bedliner trying to curb the whole galvanic action between dissimilar metals thingy.

The inside looks much better and now the frig door can swing freely.

In a moment of overkill, made a bracket for the top of the spare mount/door upright, hinge side.

The brown truck arrived with a heavy box!

Will not start the install until late next week at the earliest, more coming.

9432

 

[FBJR]

My rear is 3.42 with a posi, great upgrade from the 2.73 hwy open gears! Straight bolt in which was great.

Looks like you got your lift. A wider stance would not be a bad thing.

 

[Dougnuts]

Looking great Meili. That number at the bottom of some of your posts.....is that how you're tracking spend on the project? Keep it up, it's really coming together and I hope the utility bed works as well as it looks, because it looks amazing on there.

 

[Meili]

"That number at the bottom of some of your posts.....is that how you're tracking spend on the project?" Nope.

Not much to report, doing family stuff. They can be such an interruption!

Waiting for boxes with smiley faces on them to arrive. 10 items coming in 10 different shipments, I think they lost money on my order.

Actually one did arrive, the screws.

The shiny screws bothered me so I got black phosphate ones. Got lucky, ordered a bag of 50 and used 50.

Sometimes it's the little things, I feel it looks much better.

10142

 

[Dougnuts]

"That number at the bottom of some of your posts.....is that how you're tracking spend on the project?" Nope.

Miles travelled?

 

[chilliwak]

Those are some dang smart looking screws Meili. Nice work. Cheers, Chilli..

 

[Meili]

"Miles travelled?", nope.

Chili, who doesn't appreciate a good screw?

Happy Fathers day to all.

10385

 

[jswift716]

"Miles travelled?", nope.

Chili, who doesn't appropriate a good screw?

Happy Fathers day to all.

10385

Happy fathers day gents

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[borison]

Miles travelled?

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