Project 6 Point Oh

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by East Tex

They were from Lowe's. Rip off huh? That's what happens when you don't plan ahead LOL.

I would've never thought those would be from Lowe's haha. It's hard to plan your entire build ahead. There's always those little things you sort forget about.

What % gloss is the powder coating? Looks very similar to mine which was 60%. They did nice job!

[East Tex]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

I would've never thought those would be from Lowe's haha. It's hard to plan your entire build ahead. There's always those little things you sort forget about.

What % gloss is the powder coating? Looks very similar to mine which was 60%. They did nice job!

I'm not sure on the percentage of gloss. I'll ask my guy, the next batch of stuff that I take to him.

[East Tex]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

I would've never thought those would be from Lowe's haha. It's hard to plan your entire build ahead. There's always those little things you sort forget about.

What % gloss is the powder coating? Looks very similar to mine which was 60%. They did nice job!

OK DarkOlive, you have a good eye for powder coating LOL. I talked to my powder coater and he said that my stuff was 60%.
He said that he had a 90%, but it was so shiny and glossy, that the smallest scuff would stand out bad and he didn't recommend it.

[East Tex]

Scored some tow hooks last week!

[East Tex]

I got my new wiring harness and ECU reflashed from Speartech.

[East Tex]

Started my fuel lines last week. The bulk of it is stainless lines that I formed with a tubing bender, and the tank and motor will be hooked to the stainless lines with 6AN braided hoses.

[East Tex]

Ordered a few wrong 6AN fittings, so I'm waiting on the new ones, then I can finish the fuel system.

[East Tex]

Finally finished my fuel system. I just need to fab a bracket by the bell housing, to hold the braided lines up. Where the weight of the hoses wont be hanging off of the fuel rail. I also figured out that wrenches scar up the anodized fittings, unless you put tape on them. I know they make special wrenches for those fittings, but I didn't have any.

[East Tex]

More

[East Tex]

more

[East Tex]

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[East Tex]

Well, it has been a while since I've posted anything. I have been working on it, but have neglected to update this thread. So, here we go...

[East Tex]

Fuel lines are finished. My LS has a truck manifold with a return line, so I had to run a supply and a return. I had plenty of 3/8" stainless, so I ran 3/8" on the return line too.

[East Tex]

Long story but the bottom line is, if you have an aftermarket aluminum radiator, an aftermarket core support, and reproduction rubber mounts, just be ready to modify everything so that it will all fit correctly.

[East Tex]

Trailblazer SS exhaust manifold studs are a mess, so time to remove the old ones, chase the threads, and replace with new studs. I still need to get them ceramic coated.

[East Tex]

The good news is...I AM FINISHED WITH MOCK UP!!!!!
Time to tear it down and get the frame powder coated, change out ring and pinion in both diffs, and start final assembly.
I have more pics on my camera and I will get more stuff posted soon.
I would love to have a rolling chassis soon.

[East Tex]

Time to tear it all back apart and powder coat the frame and other pieces.

[East Tex]

Looks like my axles are pitted a little, but they will clean up good enough with some steel wool or fine sandpaper. I am going to replace the inner bearings that ride on the axles too.

[East Tex]

Removing front spring bushings.

[East Tex]

I posted the wrong picture of the front axle, the photo shows where the inner seal rides.

[East Tex]

Tearing down the front diff. Sandblasting the knuckles and misc pieces.

[East Tex]

Pressure washing and grinding smooth a few rough spots before taking the frame to the powder coaters.

[East Tex]

This aftermarket radiator core support has some serious spot weld splatter. I am going to grind off the splatter before taking it to the powder coater. Also I drilled holes and welded in some nuts, so I could relocate the battery tray to the driver's side.

[East Tex]

I'm going to tear these diffs down and set up the new ring and pinions. Then tear them down to bare housings and take the housings in to be powder coated. Then when the housings are back from the powder coaters, all I'll have to do is wash them out real good and install shims, bearings, and gears that I've already dialed in.

[East Tex]

One thing I hadn't planned on, was the Eaton Posi clutches came out in pieces. Also the rear axles had huge grooves where the axle bearings ride. They had already replaced the stock style bearings with offset bearings and seals, but those never work well. So it is getting new rear axles and axle bearings. The brake drums were grooved deep and are junk.