85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

I got in late last night, but I had to crawl under Scarlett to look at the exhaust. I put a post on Facebook asking for local (Cypress, TX) shops to rebuild the exhaust. What was previously done will need some attention to satisfy my needs. Whoever installed the system used premium quality components, yet cut corners on the install. It has Borla Pro XS stainless mufflers and tips, but they mounted everything very rigid to the frame. They also cut the collectors off of the headers and welded everything together. I had to cut the mid pipes to remove the system. I'm plotting my course now, but be assured it wont go back like that. I am getting bids on having new mid pipes built with collector flanges added.

[RodsGreen10]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I got in late last night, but I had to crawl under Scarlett to look at the exhaust. I put a post on Facebook asking for local (Cypress, TX) shops to rebuild the exhaust. What was previously done will need some attention to satisfy my needs. Whoever installed the system used premium quality components, yet cut corners on the install. It has Borla Pro XS stainless mufflers and tips, but they mounted everything very rigid to the frame. They also cut the collectors off of the headers and welded everything together. I had to cut the mid pipes to remove the system. I'm plotting my course now, but be assured it wont go back like that. I am getting bids on having new mid pipes built with collector flanges added.

Borla man right here brother! I had the ProXs then with the new custom mandrel bent exhaust went with Borla XR1 race mufflers. Can beat the sound of Borla!! I got some YouTube videos of the XR1 mufflers on my truck.

[RodsGreen10]

Ok.
First video is with less than 5 miles on the Borla XR1. The rest will give you a idea of cruising and load on the Borla XR1. Love the way they sound. Best sound IMO.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gpL-eb...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=mLVSye7Gl4k

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zbxVN9...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GTlbex...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=cpivfIrXJ0g

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JUNFSe...ature=youtu.be

[RodsGreen10]

The Borla Pro XS mufflers are quieter than the Borla XR1 race mufflers. But I got the bigger version of the XR1. They make a 12" and a 16". My exhaust is a full 3" X pipe custom mandrel bent tucked tight as it can go.

[jwilson645]

Originally Posted by RodsGreen10

Ok.
First video is with less than 5 miles on the Borla XR1. The rest will give you a idea of cruising and load on the Borla XR1. Love the way they sound. Best sound IMO.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gpL-eb...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=mLVSye7Gl4k

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zbxVN9...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GTlbex...ature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=cpivfIrXJ0g

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JUNFSe...ature=youtu.be

That's a gorgeous truck and sounds wicked! Settles my debate on what mufflers to put on mine.

[RodsGreen10]

Originally Posted by jwilson645

That's a gorgeous truck and sounds wicked! Settles my debate on what mufflers to put on mine.

Lol thanks I appreciate that. Yes I am a Borla fan! Love the sound that comes out of them.

[N2TRUX]

I discovered I had a serious conflict of interest this past week and had to make a drastic change in my plans. I have a wedding to attend the same weekend as the Ft Worth Goodguys show. It's an event I wouldn't dream of missing, so Goodguys is a no go.

I found an alternative event to attend. It will give me less time to accomplish all my goals so I need to recalculate what I can accomplish. I wont cut corners to attend the event, so some things will be postponed till after.
The new event is "C10s in the Park" put on by the C10 club of Texas and Squarebody_USA with Brothers-Trucks as the title sponsor. Here's a link to the events Facebook page LINK

If you want to be a part of this awesome C10 event follow the link for more details.

[N2TRUX]

With that said, it's time to get busy. I had a long productive day Saturday. Unfortunately I didn't do anything related to my goal with Scarlett. So I got a fresh start today and managed to accomplish my goal for the day.

I decided I wanted to drop the gas tank to check condition and allow better access to the floor pan. I pulled the tank to find a couple of positive things. First thing I revealed was a brand new fuel pick up and sending unit had been installed. I was also able ensure that there was absolutely no rust hiding under the tank or in the corners.

This pic was before final clean up of the cab corner. Thats more of the red Georgia Clay you see under there. It cleaned up and looks like new condition before I coated it.

[rip2174]

Very nice work!!

[N2TRUX]

With the gas tank out in the open we wire brushed it clean, then scuffed it with scotch Brite and prepped it with Brake Clean. After several coats of paint it was ready for assembley. The factory insulation pad had deterioted beyond use, so we improvised with strips of sound deadner.

[N2TRUX]

While Chris put the final details on the tank assembly I did the same on the floor pan and frame rails. Since our time was limited today we only worked on the section above the tank on the drivers side. By breaking the work up in manageable sections we can control over spray better.

[N2TRUX]

With the frame rails prepped and painted, and the floor pan covered with a nice layer of undercoating it was time to hang the tank. We replaced all the clamps on the fuel lines and set it in place.

[rip2174]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

With the frame rails prepped and painted, and the floor pan covered with a nice layer of undercoating it was time to hang the tank. We replaced all the clamps on the fuel lines and set it in place.

is that the krylon cover maxx rattle can? if so it look great!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rip2174

Very nice work!!

Originally Posted by rip2174

is that the krylon cover maxx rattle can? if so it look great!!

Thanks. Yes sir, thats what we use. I find the Krylon Cover Max coats well, dries quickly, and has a nice satin sheen that is durable. Its much easier than loading a paint gun, and there is no waste.

[LDO]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Thanks. Yes sir, thats what we use. I find the Krylon Cover Max coats well, dries quickly, and has a nice satin sheen that is durable. Its much easier than loading a paint gun, and there is no waste.

Which Black is that?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LDO

Which Black is that?

We use Krylon Cover Max satin black. It's not as good as the old original formula we have used for years, but its the best I can find these days. Walmart has it for less than 3.00 a can and they have had bonus cans with 25% extra.

[aggie91]

Nice results! I need to look into that "new" event...

[N2TRUX]

Another week flies by and not much time spent in the shop. My nephew sold his car so we spent most of Saturday searching Craigslist looking for a truck. It's amazing how many people have no idea how important it is to use quality pics and a real description of what they are selling SMH

Sunday was much more productive. We did some minor repairs to Chris riding mower then got back on wrapping up the gas tank install. Last week we installed the tank but we had to drop it again. I didn't like the routing of the factory harness and decided to make changes. Now the harness is at the top of the rail and crosses over to the inside. It's much cleaner and is protected inside the frame rail.

While cleaning up wires going to the tank we ensured the ground had a very good connection.

[N2TRUX]

With the gas tank install finished we moved to the passenger side. The floor pan had a dusty coat of paint and undercoating that was sprayed over more of the red Georgia clay. We scrubbed the pan and rails clean to uncover more rust free metal. Lots and lots of red clay but nothing more than specs of surface rust on the rails.

[N2TRUX]

We prepped the pan and gave it a couple of coats of undercoating then hit the frame rails with satin black. We have most of the cab done now. We need to lower the transmission tail to get above it and the exhaust. We are getting close.

[N2TRUX]

While the bottom of the cab was drying we wrapped up on more detail at the back of the cab. There is a small cross brace there that supports the fuel lines as they cross over to the tank. Whoever mounted it last used what ever bolts they had laying around. None matched, and none were GM style bolts. We found all the correct bolts with built on washers and secured the cross brace properly.

[rip2174]

nice and clean.

[aggie91]

Your last build and this one have inspired me and Owen to do a similar undertaking on his Sonoma. The Sonoma will need an all over paint job, but the rest will get this kind of treatment...

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rip2174

nice and clean.

Thanks

Originally Posted by aggie91

Your last build and this one have inspired me and Owen to do a similar undertaking on his Sonoma. The Sonoma will need an all over paint job, but the rest will get this kind of treatment...

Karl my quest here is multipurpose. By working on these newer purchases I am distracted from fixing things that aren't really broke on my 77. My Dad once walked up on my taking apart one of my cars when I was a kid. He asked me what was broken and I replied "Nothings broke, I'm making it better" . He gave me a puzzled look and said " Son, if it ain't broke don't fix it till it is". While that is very profound advice, it's just not in my nature to leave things alone.

The other reason I am doing these builds is for my nephew. Chris has a desire to learn more about old trucks but my brother didn't teach him a whole lot. Hopefully I can teach Chris what I have experienced over the years and learn together as we go.

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Thanks Karl my quest here is multipurpose. By working on these newer purchases I am distracted from fixing things that aren't really broke on my 77. My Dad once walked up on my taking apart one of my cars when I was a kid. He asked me what was broken and I replied "Nothings broke, I'm making it better" . He gave me a puzzled look and said " Son, if it ain't broke don't fix it till it is". While that is very profound advice, it's just not in my nature to leave things alone.

The other reason I am doing these builds is for my nephew. Chris has a desire to learn more about old trucks but my brother didn't teach him a whole lot. Hopefully I can teach Chris what I have experienced over the years and learn together as we go.

I fully know where you are coming from on this. I hope to teach Owen just as you are doing for Chris.