Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I popped the reverse light trim off and ran them through the polishing wheel. They cleaned up pretty well i think.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Nice, it's coming along. :metal:

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Shine on!

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

First off, congrats on getting to this point! You have been very efficient all while performing outstanding work/fabrication and regularly posting to a message board. Looks great! and looking forward to seeing the next stage.

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Getting prepped for primer and paint. I've got to get some lacquer thinner to clean the paint guns and some surface prep, but it's getting close!

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I ordered a chrome paint pen from krylon to paint in the details on the grille that i was playing around with using pinstripe tape.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I masked off the door openings so i could primer the door and hood jams. Hopefully I'll be able to get the whole thing in primer by the weekend, weather permitting.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I got up early and put on 2 coats of epoxy primer. It rained, so the dust is non existent, even though the humidity is up. I'll let it sit for a day or 2 to fully cure before moving onto final color.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

The grill is looking nice and great progress on the prep for paint!

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

It looks a lot better all one color!

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

sooo much better!!! Can't wait to see it in color, the wheels are a little bit growing on me with it being in primer now.

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Well that escalated quickly!

It actually looks pretty darn good in flat white.

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I'm not keeping the wheels. I have my eye on a set of 17x8.5 9 spoke wheels. I want more sidewall and a more vintage look. I'm waiting on a jig I ordered to change the bolt pattern from 6x5 to 6x5.5. Then I'll steal the wheels and tires from my dad's Chevy Colorado to see what back spacing/offset i need before i pull the trigger on wheels

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Those look fairly similar to the original AMC/Jeep Wagoner turbine style wheels
Attachment 2077518

Another option- steelies with a nice set of Jeep dogdish caps:
Attachment 2077519

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

The issue is clearing the brakes. I wanted 5 slot mags, but the only 17s I found are 17x10, but only come in 8 lug. The steel wheels are more expensive in 17 inch. And i gave the hub caps to the guy who bought the rolling chassis, so I'd have to find those again. But nothing happens until it happens, so we'll see when that time comes.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I sprayed the Olympic white on the roof, pillars, center of the hood and down the sides. After it dried, i taped it off.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

The Captain Blue was darker and more metallic than i was expecting. I put down 3 coats.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I originally put ss stripes on the hood, but i didn't like them. I opted for a panel accent with a pinstripe. I like the way it came out. I put 3 coats of clear on. I'll scuff the clear when it dries with a grey scotch brite pad to make the paint look old and faded.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I stand corrected. The clear coat really brightened up the blue. I absolutely love it.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Excellent!!!! Great color combo.

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Looks like garbage, you should have stayed with more of a powder blue.

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

We'll paint your Lincoln powder blue. Then I'll put pink and purple flames on it for you.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I like it...a lot

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

When you started this project I was thinking it would never work out. Man did you prove me wrong. That thing is cool as hell. I know it's going to be a fun ride too. My daughter was test driving a TB SS one time and that thing would scoot.

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

You and I had the same thought process. I watch a lot of car building shows. Even when i was starting the the build, i was like "there's no way this will work". But mathematically all the dimensions were within an inch, except the wheel base on the trailblazer is 3 inches longer. If it did work out, i was sure it'd look like cobbled up garbage, which I'm used to driving, so the expectation was already pretty low. But my mindset throughout the build was "so what? If it works, great. If not, big deal. At least You'll learn something." There are no rules with this. I was sure I'd probably upset some Jeep and tbss purists. It's not a rare Jeep. There's no celebrity back story. And it's not their time or money.

One of my best friends in Florida is an awesome mechanic and painter. I worked with him on weekends, mostly to just hang out, but also to learn new things. I was like a sponge, soaking up knowledge and sharpening my skills. One thing he always taught me was "don't be afraid to break things. Things break, **** happens." I'm surprised i don't have that written on the wall i the shop somewhere. That kept playing over and over in my head before i cut the floor out of the jeep. It was a huge step and i was honestly tired of holding a tape measure, playing the "what if" game in my head..

The trailblazer ss IS fast. If i launch it from a dead stop, the traction control light flashes, and you can feel the front tires chirping. Madkidd can confirm. We took it over to his dad's house and i got on it a few times. He's got a 2wd Saab version with a 6.0 swap. It does really nice donuts.

-Josh