Re: Killer
 

Ok guys, I have a few mental updates / questions

I havent gotten much done to Killer lately partially because I have been trying to decide on a few things

#1 would be wether or not I should channel my front X-member 2" or not

In order to do that I have to pull my engine & trans back out (which I have to do anyway), buy about 200-300 bucks worth of steering crap, & build new engine stands

By doing that I gain a 2" lower ride height & at dump I wont be binding my BJs so hard (I will be running a 2" bump stop, not laying it out the extra 2")

#2
Should I just bite the bullet & delete my heater ??? (it will be getting vintage air eventually)
I would shave it & most likely try to get a small ceramic heater or something I could run off a power inverter
Or, should I just finish my heater box mod, that will still put me very tight for clearance & look like crapola ???


Now for the coming up stuff

I will be swapping out my current brake junk for my Corvette mini booster & master cylinder (mounted directly to the firewall), Finishing my rear Z, & a bunch of other stuff

Re: Killer
 

That would be dump

My frame sits roughly 2-1/2" off the ground at dump ;)

Re: Killer
 

I don't know how much you're willing to spend, but JC Whitney has several heaters for under $200

Here's one

Or this under-dash mount one for $219

JC Whitney has been selling portable vehicle heaters for years. They used to sell electric portable heaters, but I think they got away from them.

Re: Killer
 

I'll chime in on both....I think for the extra 200 it's good insurance for the ball joints to go ahead and do the section, plus, it gets you 2" lower ride height which is what you want

ON the heater box, how much will you run the heater. You mentioned the ceramic option. I am planning on a future blazer project. I'll be running the scotts brake booster relocated under the firewall and deleting the heater stuff altogether because i'm going to run it w/out a top anyways. But you'll have to make the call on how much you will need the heater esp. for defrosting would be my main concern.

Re: Killer
 

I say section the crossmember(that's what all the BROKE cool guys do:)) I don't know that I'd go 2 inches though.
I say ditch the heater thingy and get an el cheapo something to stick inside(how often is it really that cold here) Of course then you can't defrost the windshield either so that's something to think about.

Re: Killer
 

I'm sorry guys, I meant channel not section :lol:

Re: Killer
 

Since you asked.

If it's going to look like crapola I would go ahead and delete the heater. Besides you don't live too far from me , and we don't actually need heaters but about 2 mos. out of the year.;)

Re: Killer
 

I think I am gonna delete it, but I will add that I hate being cold & its about 18* outside

Im still trying to convince myself to do the X-member channel

Re: Killer
 

did i see stone cold steve austin with an impact gun????? looks like truck heaven in texas for sure!!!!
respectfully Phipp13

Re: Killer
 

Ha ha ha ha, thats my dad

Re: Killer
 

looking good, now get busy man!

Re: Killer
 

Well I got some goodies for Killer this morning :D
Sparkplug wires, sparkplug wire holders for my center bolt valve covers, & what we all expected to be a really cool alty bracket that turned out to be poorly designed...

This thing looks really nice, but doesnt line up with my serp set up & it sets crooked
So I have to mod the spacers & get the thing to line up, other than that its just WAY too shiny :rolleyes: :lol:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture383.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture386.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture387.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture388.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture390.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture391.jpg

Re: Killer
 

It's not messed up, it's "Custom"

Re: Killer
 

idk much about the crossmember thing , but if the motors gotta come out anyway then you might as well .

I say go vintage and clean up the fire wall . or just put air in and defrost the extremly cold way .

Re: Killer
 

So how many steps back does it take to step forward again ???

I have decided to do some things different / back to original plan

I started shaving my fire wall today & will be doing the crossmember channel, 7 depending on some info I may be putting my NV-3500 in :cool:
I have to pull my engine out to pin the rocker studs & at that time I will do the X-member mods & finish my firewall

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture414.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture417.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture420.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture421.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture424.jpg

I should get the engine out & the rest of the firewall cut out tomorrow & maybe even get started on welding in the new one :D

Re: Killer
 

So I got the engine / trans pulled & cut out the rest of the firewall :devil:

Played around with a VW decklid to see if it would work for the engine recess but I dont think its deep enough, so I may be running a wheel barrow instead :cool:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture437.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture438.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture440.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture443.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture444.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture448.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture449.jpg

Re: Killer
 

wow why not just patch the small holes

Re: Killer
 

Because Im shaving my firewall, not smoothing it :cool:

Shaved
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...orVideo893.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...rVideo1028.jpg

Re: Killer
 

looking good Matt, and you are right just way too shiny there, i am sure it will only be detrimental to how the truck runs, so you better take them off and ship them up here, and by the way, i am glad you are gonna get rid of the firewall, it will look way cleaner.

Re: Killer
 

Thanks :cool:

I will be powder coating that bracket along with a lot of other things under the hood ;)

Re: Killer
 

Man looks like you have your work cut out for you. Going to be nice finished though I think.

Re: Killer
 

that thing is going to bed bad a$$!!! nice build. :metal:

Re: Killer
 

Looking great. The firewall is going to look much better done like that and the VW decklid and now the wheel barrow tub is a KILLER idea!:metal:

Re: Killer
 

Also by cutting the firewall and the wire channel out, you gain about a inch and a quarter clearance at the rear of the engine.

We had istalled the engine set back about 3 inches and there wasn't much room. With the new firewall and the wheelbarrow tunnel he should have plenty of clearance and even be able to run the HEI.
Not only is it much cleaner looking, it just makes things work better.

Matt is really trying to make this custom but also dependable/reliable for a daily driver. That's a lot harder than just custom with it only being driven to shows.
He is at the point that every change/modification affects several other areas. I'm sure those of you that have severely modded your truck know what I'm talking of.

He never really wanted the factory heat/air and he was wanting to channel the xmember for FE geometry, plus a few other things. When we looked at it, it just made sense to pull the engine and cut the whole firewall out and set it back, along with the tunnel mod.

You that have followed this thread know this project has taken on a few changes from the original intent. Matt has done most of this work by himself. I stay gone working on the road a fair amount and only get to help when I'm home. All of your encouragement really helps him to stay motivated, please keep it up.

Re: Killer
 

Thanks guys :cool:

I hope to get a wheel barrow today :D