The Wanderers build

[superbuickguy]

since I was finishing exhaust on my dually, I figured I'd finish the blazer's
test

and fitted

then moved stuff around and did bunch of rewiring (with more to come)... as that isn't really picture worthy....
tomorrow's task... need to get some diamond plate

 

[superbuickguy]

today's purchase. diamond plate

first, take the 18 ga plates that were on it originally and make them into templates

then cut them out - was fighting the plasma tonight so it got the death wheel treatment

then tack in place

then weld tabs on the brush bar

drill holes in the plate for wires

fully drill out the holes...

then tack in place

side view

I'll full weld it off the truck... and this should answer the question from before about these bumpers not being very strong.... the 1/8" plate plus plating the underside should make this pretty stout without needing to add overloads.

also will cut holes for driving lights in the bumper

 

[superbuickguy]

a highly exciting activity - to wit - watching paint dry was accomplished tonight

also pulled the bumper off and started assembling/welding it

installed tow loops

welded them in

then finished welding the front seam. I'll grind this to blend it

once that's done, paint and reinstall

 

[superbuickguy]

started the evening with the exciting task of cleaning whatever nastiness was the PO put onto the top rails

then started the mods for the front speakers - this is 'done'

basically, you can screw them over the panels - but that looks as hooky as it sounds, not to mention that they don't really fit

I trimmed and screwed them on

then removed, put epoxy on the stock covers, then reattached

next up, pull the screws out (after it dries) then cover with fiberglass then bodywork and install...but that is 'coming soon'
as is grinding the welds from last time.... I just couldn't get myself to breath more grinding dust tonight

 

[superbuickguy]

first speakers... no picture, not sure what happened but they are now painted and ready to reinstall
and for those counting, receiver for a Blazer is different then a pickup

but I wanted to see if it fit - and it does. Mods coming soon

onto the front bumper.... paint

still wet (will be flat when dry)

what does interest me.... my wife is enamored with this... Her Jeep is about ready to hit the road, she has a Colorado diesel but for some reason she likes this one... we will see, I suspect once she drives it, the love affair will be over but she's trying to get me to finish it and leave it in Sandpoint for her 'backup vehicle'....

 

[superbuickguy]

Getting closer, front bumper

first problem, bolts are too long

second is I can't get the winch in with the bumper bolted up

which is a good thing,
power is on

wasn't going to hook up the power to the light in the logo, but it's useful red means not ready
white is working (and green when it's ready to go)

so the problem with the receiver hitch.... thing is, a 'stock' one won't work - so I'm thinking I'll fix two problems at once.... weld and bolt plates to the side of the receiver then bolt it to the frame - thus putting the entire assembly in tension rather than compression while under load

anyway, tomorrow finish up the rear then work on the molding. Once that's done get to finishing the interior. Problem is the rear panels aren't even started yet .... it'll be a couple weeks before they get back from the upholstery shop... Inside, install the stereo, fix the inside lighting, bolt down the center hatch, make seat brackets, wire things up....
also have ARB lights coming but probably not for a few weeks....

 

[superbuickguy]

finish yesterday

finally, I can put these on

plus the carpet

and there we go

and here's where I'm at now, and it's fighting me

 

[ITTOG]

Looks good. I think I like it better without the carpet. Either way, it looks good though.

 

[superbuickguy]

Carpet... is for the fix for the speaker holes I fixed prior.... it also makes for a quieter ride.

Tailgate
finally, wired and works.... and it required taking mostly apart again

but here... mark, done (I hope)

 

[superbuickguy]

Let there be lights

2 flood, 2 spots.... what's cool about the ARB (for those who don't know) is they can vary light output from 5% to 100%... the spotlights, at 100%, can illuminate things 3 miles away.

 

[superbuickguy]

lights, installed

with light covers on

and clear covers if needed

those are the floods. Not yet decided where I'm going to put the spots.

got the dash panel in (what a pain)

then started on the side molding

and yes, you have to take it completely apart to put it on

I may paint the middle chrome black... leave just the edge chrome .... time will tell

 

[superbuickguy]

new switches... snazzy

set the kick panels in place... just barely clears the e-brake... but barely is just fine

still haven't decided whether to drill a hole in the dash and mount the tweeters or call the spot on the kick panel good enough

in an effort to make a good sounding stereo... speakers get boxed

checked on the rear panels today, 50% done... looking fantastic, so glad I decided on slightly custom

 

[superbuickguy]

not a lot done today... but
door panel got finished

then worked on door switches

which went great until the passenger side - where the hot wire has dropped into the inner panel

then did some drilling on the center console cover

in no particular order, started experimenting with what this is going to look like

in the end the spots will be on the top, but they look basically the same - so experimenting is fine

maybe add another spotlight to the middle?

flash your brights at me.... I dare you...
truth though, this is why I have covers for them. I'll have the floods uncovered by the spots will be dark covered to keep from the temptation of making people see Jesus 2nd coming when they refuse to turn their brights off.....

 

[superbuickguy]

got the last of the interior panels today

5 1/4 speaker in front red spot, 6x9 in the back in the carpet

worked on sealing the floor

and off to ski tomorrow... g'nite

 

[superbuickguy]

year end shop update