My new build thread: Stage 4!

[swyfor5]

Thank's MX, very, very lucky indeed. Ended up buying another Envoy for her. Figure one saved her life, hope one doesen"t need to again! And back to work on the hottest week of the year here in Mi!

[swyfor5]

Oh boy, a new twist. Just quit my job of 12 years after being called back after a layoff of 2 and 1/2 months. But going to a new adventure just up the road a 1/2 mile from my house. Machine shop, less money for an hours pay starting out, but man, I can walk to work! And HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE!

[swyfor5]

Well,I am back after a week of camping with my family! Start the new job in the morning. Update to follow ASAP. Very happy to start this and will be working on the Blazer soon!

[swyfor5]

New job working out ok so far, nice to be so close to home! Still working on stowing the camping stuff, but will get on the Blazer soon!

[swyfor5]

Well, back at it! The new job is working out ok. Weather is starting to change here, so better get going! Got the K5 out today and gave it a spray to get ready for some more bondo work!

[Chulisohombre]

Any progress is good.

[swyfor5]

Right on Chuli! Gotta get back at it!

[swyfor5]

Been working on getting the pole barn cleaned/set up for winter weather. Should be good to go tommorrow night. Setting up the tool area and the relaxaction area! Got a couple of different heater systems on hand, just need to experiment and see what works best.

[swyfor5]

Talked to a local body man the other night, might be interested in welding up my new panels. Just need to decide the person to go with, I want all the gaps done right the first time! New job is working out ok, just less money available for the K5 fund.

[swyfor5]

No progress on the build, but some real relaxing vacation time this weekend! Some pic's!

[swyfor5]

Started a new routine tonight. Since starting the new job, I am on second shift. So I get out at 11:30 PM. New plan is: Get home, head out to the pole barn for at least 2 hours-as I do have lights in there to see, and get some stuff done before it gets real cold here. Got some done tonight, so feeling encouraged!

[swyfor5]

Well not any progress on the build, been working too much. I did just order up a bunch of tailgate trim from WES at classic heartbeat though. Had my tailgate sandblasted a while back and had decided to have all the trim holes welded shut and go with no trim at all, but have since changed my mind. Going to go with the upper, center, lower trim. Not sure on the tailgate band yet? Tailgate already has the holes in it for this stuff and just figured it would look better with the trim in the end. Hope it warms up a bit here so I can get some self etching primer sprayed soon!

[Chulisohombre]

It does Look good with the trim. Are you going with the taillight trim as well? It Looks better with all of it there to me. Mine came without so I won't be adding it. But it does make the truck look better if its all there and complete.

[swyfor5]

Right Chuli. I will use the tailight bezels also, as I have a couple of NOS ones in my stash. Alot of that depends on how the rear taillight area turns out bodywork wise. Have decided to go with the black tailgate band after all, as the holes are allready there. Might have to wait a bit as the bands are kinda pricey!

[swyfor5]

Got the tailgate and rear wheel wells cleaned up and sprayed with self etching primer. Pic's!

[swyfor5]

Pic' don't really show it, but very little rust to deal with on these parts! Been sandblasted, cleaned, self-etching primered, should be good to go!

[swyfor5]

Been kinda busy here guy's. Busy buying stuff! Got a new air compressor coming, needed something I could actually run air tools with. Got all the tailgate trim, top left and right, center, lower, new black chevrolet band, new black tailgate handle assy, all the moulding clips and screw sets. Already had some NOS tailight bezels, so I think that covers the tailgate area. I have already removed and painted the tailgate hinges and hardware, so just need to put some more paint on the gate itself and start mocking it up to see how it all fits! Can't wait to see how it looks!

[swyfor5]

Thinking about reinstalling my hood. I think I want to go with a cowl hood. Got many options, LMC, Brothers, etc. But I don't want to buy junk as shipping is always extra and damage in shipping can always happen. Just looking in this direction as I like the look of the low cowl hood. Anybody got any comments or photos of this upgrade to the hood area? I could clean up my basically rust free hood and reuse it but just asking?

[swyfor5]

Started on my redo of my old superlift (heckathorn) shocks. Old but still in great shape, just need some fresh paint and some new boots. Will get some pic's asap!

[swyfor5]

Ok, just figured out I opened up a can of worms on this shock rebuild. Got the drivers side shock off and repainted. Knew something was wrong when I removed the rear upper bolt, it was a bolt with a nut on the enclosed side of the mount to the frame. When John swapped my 14 bolt in he must have broken off the shock mount stud, so he improvised. No problem, I have a pair of spare upper rear shock mounts here. Just had to order up some new air tools to grind off the rivets and swap it out. Good thing I just got the new air compressor to power it up! Need to sandblast the spare mount and knock out whats left of the rivets in it. Better order up some real good drill bits soon too! Any body done this upper rear shock mount replacement lately?

[vtblazer]

Just checkin' in, glad to see the project still moving forward...also so very glad your daughter is ok.

[swyfor5]

Thank's VT! We were very lucky indeed. Yes, my build is still creeping along. Nice to hear from you, it's been a while. I did get my replacement rear upper shock mount blasted,cleaned up, and the old rivets out last night. Ready for some paint and then start getting the three rivets out of the one on the k5. Not real fun drilling and grinding them out laying on your back under the truck, but I will get it done!

[swyfor5]

Got the primer on the shock mount, just needs some final paint. Got the two rear shocks painted and new boots installed. I think they look pretty good for some shocks I installed back in 1990! They have always had boots on them and they are rust free on the shafts with no seal leaks!Got some pic's!

[Chulisohombre]

Cleaned up mice

[swyfor5]

Yep, just ordered up a alternator conversion harness and terminial boot from LMC! Thanks SANTA!