Project Cheap Thrills!

[lowdown72]

cool truck like the 2-tone keep up the great work

[Palf70Step]

Nice job so far. I like the paint scheme on it.

[BMERDOC]

Thanks guys! My close buddy keeps mumblin something about puttin a gold star on the door...not funny.

[BMERDOC]

Time for an update:
I got my lowering blocks straight and wanted to see what they looked like. I measured each corner before and after but left the paper I wrote it on at work The fronts were 31 and some change and the rear were 33 (a. s. c.) when measuring from the floor to the top center of the wheel openings. It is just about level now but because I have 255/60s on the front and 255/70s on the rear it looks a little silly because of the gap in the front. I will be installing the front 3"ers after I order a new upper a-arm shaft for the passenger side. I think I'm figuring out that I'd like to keep a 1" rake as I lower it. Oh yeah, The famous broken-bolt-in-the-lower-spring-cup happened to me. I normally loosen and tighten an old bolt to keep it from breaking but I think I loosened it a little too much before tightening and it snapped, gotta get another one.
In this picture you can also see how the bed was raised and how I need to continue the black to the rear.

[VA72C10]

I like it! Lower looks better

On the bed/body line...does it line up or is the bed body line above the cab/door body line? I know the rockers have the pinch below...just wondering about the lower body line...

[BMERDOC]

I see what your talkin about. Its probably a mix of squashed body mounts and new plywood.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

I see what your talkin about. Its probably a mix of squashed body mounts and new plywood.

Just wondering if you really do want to paint the bed....

if you're going to do the body mounts at any point soon maybe not worry about it? But I guess since the paint is temporary then it's worth it for now.

[BMERDOC]

Its not high on the list of priorities but if had nothing else to do I'd be tempted to mask and quirt it.

[Vintage Windmills]

Is that shop floor painted to look like brick?

[BMERDOC]

Its Clinker Tile. Its was mandated by BMW during our expansion. Its supposed to be tough but dropped rotors can chip it and molten metal from the cutting torch can pop it. It doesnt help that Hillbillies installed it and spots in it aren't bonded. Only the grout is holding some of those places.

[Vintage Windmills]

Thanks for the info on the floor. 67's sure are nice, aren't they? Seeing those cars in the background reminds me I need to do the cooling system on my e46.

Keep up the good work.

[BMERDOC]

I love my '67! I have had a great time with it! Sure, I'd love to throw a bunch of money at it but the fact is I can't right now. I will try to upgrade it constantly and within several years you won't even know its the same truck!

What cooling system chore do you have to do to the E46? I may have some good advice for you. Whats its mileage?

[Vintage Windmills]

Its a M54 that has 69k on it. Just doing the preventative maintenance before the waterpump or expansion tank fails. wondering if i need the fan tool or can just make one with a bar and two small machine bolts like I did for silverados.

[BMERDOC]

I've never had to replace a waterpump on a M54. M50 and M52 yes, but not an M54. I was gonna suggest a tank if you were just doin a drain and fill. If its an automatic dont forget to get the trans cooler thermostat that goes in the bottom of the tank. See if it has any "stuck open" faults for the MAP thermostat and keep an eye on the coolant temp sensor in the lower hose by the radiator for seepage around the o-ring.

[Darkrider]

Truck looks great man! I love reading threads like this. Gives me ideas for my own budget build!

[BMERDOC]

Thank you Sir! As much as I'd love to show off my trick billet pieces, dropmember this, LS that and my God like TIG weldin abilities (not hatin Fellas!!!), the only thing lining my wallet these days is echos and dust. Hopefully that will change soon. For now my truck still needs a bunch of cheap upgrades and elbow grease. I can't wait for post #2732 to say "hey! I just spent four days reading your entire build and I can't believe how this thing started and where it is now!" I'm not frowning, it is what it is. I hope you get some cool ideas from me! Hang around and watch the evolution!!

[Darkrider]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Thank you Sir! As much as I'd love to show off my trick billet pieces, dropmember this, LS that and my God like TIG weldin abilities (not hatin Fellas!!!), the only thing lining my wallet these days is echos and dust. Hopefully that will change soon. For now my truck still needs a bunch of cheap upgrades and elbow grease. I can't wait for post #2732 to say "hey! I just spent four days reading your entire build and I can't believe how this thing started and where it is now!" I'm not frowning, it is what it is. I hope you get some cool ideas from me! Hang around and watch the evolution!!

Def planning on hanging around! No offence to the guys who build them but all these highly modded trucks are nice and all just not practical around where i live. Something like Fizzle fry's Tahoe would be a heavy target for vandalism around here and his truck has a rough azz body still! Something like yours most of the kids doing the crap like vandalism wouldn't even look at twice. I would rather just enjoy the truck and not have to worry about some punk smashing out a window or keying the paint.

[BMERDOC]

Here is some update pics. I had to install an upper cross shaft on the passenger side because the rear bushing had slop. The job went way faster than I thought it would. Heres a pic of my homemade 2" blocks. I've still gotta trim the U-bolts. I also have to order the lowered shocks (KYB GR-2) Notice everything gets cleaned and rattle canned if it hits the floor. I installed Energy Suspension bushings in the front of the trailing arms. Speaking of hitting the floor, am I the only person who has to clean up 20lbs of grime everytime I take something apart? This is what didn't hit the trashcan.

I went to Johnathan's (VA72C10) house to pic up my 3" rear lowering springs and adjustable panhard rod. I can't wait to get them on but I've been working on an alignment thread for you guys and I need the truck unmodified so I can show the alignment specs as I add parts. I also got to see his truck and his collection. I'm wide eyed everytime I go over there! Good seein ya Johnathan!!

[VA72C10]

Good talking with you this evening! I'm another one in it for the long haul

[oldblue1968chevy]

woah where did you get u bolts that big lol

[BMERDOC]

WWW.ATSPRINGS.COM 3/4x3-1/2x11-1/2 custom bent. The regular part in this size is like 12-1/2" long!

[oldblue1968chevy]

linky no worky??

How much were they? And what did u use to drill the holes?

[BMERDOC]

WWW.ATSSPRINGS.COM

Sorry left out an S. They were $27.50 for the pair with $7.50 shippin from PA to VA. That did included the washers and nuts. I gave the blocks to my co worker, he has a drill press...15/16ths drill bit.

[BMERDOC]

Lowered the front tonight! I used the CPP 3" springs I bought from Frkypunk70. They actually lowered it 2.5" but we'll see about the "settling in" thing. I like it but it still needs to be lower! I want bigger wheels too!! I took some pics including trimming the bump stops with a razor blade and another 5lbs of dirt hitting the floor! I did make one mistake that was easily fixed and made me think about other peoples complaints about how their truck isn't as low as the springs advertised. When I set the truck on the ground I noticed the passenger side was higher than the dr's side. I raised the truck again and found the spring pigtail wasn't centered on the upper indexing spot (wudeva ya call it). A few tugs with a prybar settled it in and the ride height is now equal.

[BMERDOC]

The others... I swear this thing is gonna lose 150lbs in dirt by the time its all said and done!