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-   -   78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more.. (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=705252)

aboesec10 03-15-2017 08:48 AM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
thanks man, Truck looks killer

buffydores 03-15-2017 08:14 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipm (Post 7885943)
Here are a couple more shots of the suitcase subwoofer. Or at least what will become that!

Love this idea Phillip. Great taste. Looks like I'm planning a trip to attend next years Phoenix Open in February. I'll try to plan to drop by the shop in Mesa that Friday. We can geek out on truck porn. :)

phillipm 03-16-2017 01:22 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by buffydores (Post 7887110)
Love this idea Phillip. Great taste. Looks like I'm planning a trip to attend next years Phoenix Open in February. I'll try to plan to drop by the shop in Mesa that Friday. We can geek out on truck porn. :)

Greatest show on grass! What a party that place is. You've got my number, give me a shout!

phillipm 03-16-2017 01:36 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
So I was hoping my 50 watt laser had enough cojones to get through the 3/4" MDF.. Well it didn't. Last time I cut this stuff I was running 120 watts of power. So, I decided to just use the laser to mark each board. Much faster and easier than templating by hand that's for sure! The box is made up of just a couple parts. The back, stacking rings and then the top. Here you can see a couple pieces getting marked.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...k.jpg~original

After that I used a combination of jigsaw and band saw to cut the pieces out. I think I've got about 2 hours in cutting everything. Next I'll glue and air nail everything together, but I haven't received the woofer yet, so I just want to wait and confirm fitment before doing that. Once I get it all into one piece I plan to belt sand the side and get it all smoothed out.

Also if you're wondering what I'm using it's a Hartmann 707. OD dimensions of this case are roughly 15x16x7. I think the color is Sandstone Toast. They made 3 different colors of this case, a blue, a gray and this tan one.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...l.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...o.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...r.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...i.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...d.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...j.jpg~original

I haven't completely worked out how I'm going to mount it in the truck yet. I definitely don't want to modify or cut holes in the side panel so I'm just brainstorming some sort of base that can maybe slide under the carpet and provide the mounting support needed. Also I'll need to laser cut a hole pattern in the side to allow the air to pass. I'll probably do that on the back side of the luggage so it's not seen when mounted.

phillipm 03-23-2017 01:12 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Okay finally got a little more time to work on the truck. The woofer came in so I got right to finishing up this sub box. I glued and nailed/screwed the pieced together and then used a belt sander to smooth out all the edges. It fits into the luggage perfectly.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...q.jpg~original

I then started getting all the holes cut that I was going to need. The fabric isn't as breathable as I originally thought so I ended up cutting a speaker mesh pattern into it.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...i.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...w.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...y.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...g.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1.jpg~original

And that's pretty much where we are at. Next I need to build the mounting brackets and get everything wired up. We're still waiting on the seats as well as the steering gear so until then we'll just keep plugging away and the side projects!

OutlawDrifter 03-23-2017 03:03 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Very cool.

phillipm 03-28-2017 01:53 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Okay, the steering box and pump returned from Lee Steering! We got those items put back in last night along with the rest of the Vintage Air kit. Including the ducts, defrosters and finally the dash went back in. So far I'd say the kit moves about 200% more air than the original system we had did! Can't wait to get it charged up just in time for summer here in Phoenix!

Only thing we're really waiting on now are the new seat bottoms that I'm having done.

Here is a shot of the dash re-installed.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...r.jpg~original

phillipm 04-04-2017 01:14 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
I wanted to post up the final pics of the subwoofer project! I got it tuned in and sounding great in the truck! Under the box is a piece of 3/4" MDF with the hammer in nutserts. The box bolts in from underneath and before it's fully tight I kind of lift up on the luggage and slide the carpet in-between the mount and the box. This is the absolute cleanest look I could hope for! Only future modification might be to laser cut some thing plastic with holes in it as well to spray glue into the front and provide somer further "structure" for the fabric.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...l.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...v.jpg~original

buffydores 04-05-2017 10:03 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
So freakin' trick.

phillipm 04-12-2017 12:23 AM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by buffydores (Post 7907673)
So freakin' trick.

Thx! Wasn't the easiest way to go but I like the idea of hiding in plain sight!

phillipm 04-13-2017 12:42 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Okay we decided after much deliberation to install side molding on the Blazer! The holes we're all welded up sometime in the 80's so it's a little tricky but so far we're making it along. We we're having trouble getting a socket onto the back stud and not dropping it down into the fender so I think we're going to take the inner fender out to so you can actually see WTF you're doing while trying to screw it on. That means the back hasn't been secured yet and is sticking up slightly in the photo. I think the molding is really going to make the matte wrap look even better. We've also talked about putting a white strip inside but I think one thing at a time..

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...0.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...w.jpg~original

I also started painting the letters on the tailgate to be black again. Small detail but I think it really helps!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...f.jpg~original

I'll post more when we make more progress! Probably won't get any time on it this weekend with it being Easter and all. Hopefully next week though.

buffydores 04-13-2017 12:56 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
How did you polish the tailgate panel?

phillipm 04-13-2017 01:01 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by buffydores (Post 7914684)
How did you polish the tailgate panel?

It was already brushed like that when we purchased the truck. My dad just used some Meguiar's spray on it I believe to clean it.. I'll have to ask him. I saw your tip with the stainless cleaner. I've also just used some WD40 on a rag before.

I do want to know what everyone does before attaching the aftermarket trip sticky mounts? Just prep cleaner in the spot? Does the trim not stick off the body too far? Can't see how it will be pulled in tight with these things...

buffydores 04-13-2017 01:06 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipm (Post 7914689)
It was already brushed like that when we purchased the truck. My dad just used some Meguiar's spray on it I believe to clean it.. I'll have to ask him. I saw your tip with the stainless cleaner. I've also just used some WD40 on a rag before.

I do want to know what everyone does before attaching the aftermarket trip sticky mounts? Just prep cleaner in the spot? Does the trim not stick off the body too far? Can't see how it will be pulled in tight with these things...

Mines all 3M tape and screws. None of the original holes were there from 80s bodywork.

phillipm 04-13-2017 01:13 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by buffydores (Post 7914695)
Mines all 3M tape and screws. None of the original holes were there from 80s bodywork.

Is it the tape that came from LMC with the molding or different tape? I just want to do it right the first time! I know, novel concept.. hahaha

buffydores 04-13-2017 02:50 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipm (Post 7914708)
Is it the tape that came from LMC with the molding or different tape? I just want to do it right the first time! I know, novel concept.. hahaha

Poop. Can't remember. I want to say it was a 3M product, not the LMC stuff. I would always lean 3M, all things considered. Maybe someone else can pipe up.

dec010974 04-13-2017 08:50 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Ccool. It was very entertaining to read this build thread. i may seal an idea or two. Enjoy the blazer.

dec010974 04-13-2017 08:51 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Cool. It was very entertaining to read this build thread. I may steal an idea or two. Enjoy the blazer.

PEDROSKI 04-14-2017 06:33 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Do the center white stripe before adding the trim so you don't have to "fight" the trim.

phillipm 04-14-2017 06:40 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
You know I don't know if I want to do the white or not, I really cannot decide. It would be vinyl just like the rest of the truck so it wouldn't be hard to tuck it under the lip of the trim later.

OutlawDrifter 04-14-2017 10:48 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipm (Post 7915832)
You know I don't know if I want to do the white or not, I really cannot decide. It would be vinyl just like the rest of the truck so it wouldn't be hard to tuck it under the lip of the trim later.

The full two tone would look awesome. But having the trim alone will look good.

phillipm 04-14-2017 11:00 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter (Post 7916091)
The full two tone would look awesome. But having the trim alone will look good.

Yeah I think I'll take it to the brother's show at the end of June like this and have a look there at some of the other trucks. Really appreciate you're guys opinions. Thx!

phillipm 04-20-2017 12:45 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
I know I'm slow as I really only get to work about 12 hours a week on the Blazer, but man, installing this trim is taking WAY longer than I expected!!

I also learned that the 2-sided tape that ships with the trim from LMC is absolute junk. Even using adhesion promoter the side pieces were still falling off. I went to Home Depot and grabbed some 3M Extreme Bond tape and so far so good! Worst part is getting the old tape off of the clips on the trim. I've been using a razor blade and adhesive remover to get them off but it's a slow process.

Here is where I'm at after about 5 hours of work so far... I'd say the only thing saving my back is our 4 post lift! Being able to set the truck at a height you can drill and work standing straight up is a life saver!!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...d.jpg~original

phillipm 04-25-2017 01:52 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Moved on to the driver's side. Definitely going quicker on this side!
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...i.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...u.jpg~original

Also spent some time really dialing in the up and down alignment on the tailgate. It was working just fine and the window fit great, however, the passenger side was up about 3/16" higher than it should of been. Really just fine tuning everything at this point in prep for installing the rear tailgate trim.

phillipm 04-27-2017 04:45 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Well just down to a couple screws as well as the two final tailgate bands. I also got my seat bottoms back and they've been modified to have some bolsters now. Really ready to put the seats back together and get this bad boy over to the a/c shop for a charge!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...0.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...v.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...w.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...h.jpg~original

phillipm 05-01-2017 12:41 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Well I'm sure everyone is probably pretty bored of seeing trim installation pictures so here is the final one! We were able to get the rear tailgate pieces installed yesterday. This finally completes that project. Took me 3 like freakin weeks to get them all on but it's a much larger job than i even initially anticipated. That's for sure.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...o.jpg~original

After that we moved on and got the front seats reassembled. That's not a tough job but it definitely takes 2 people to make it manageable.. Really happy with the change. I know it's subtle, in fact most people wouldn't have noticed but when sitting in them you now have a supportive feeling on your thighs and it's not like your sitting on a flat bench anymore. Here is a little before and after side by side as well.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...d.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...a.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...r.jpg~original

After that we moved on and got the original style wiper blades installed. I can't tell you how much having aftermarket black blades on there upset my soul. It just looked so wrong. I need to get the drivers side arm dropped down one notch but you can see the change.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...m.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...y.jpg~original

Just waiting on a few more things to come in. Also need to get it realigned after installing the new tubular CPP lower arms and get the AC charged with 1.8lbs of 134A. After that a window tint job before summer and he should be ready to go! I just realized I need to finish painting the lettering on the tailgate too! Haha. Darn, things never end.

mcmlxix 05-01-2017 02:27 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Are you bringing it out to LS fest in Las Vegas this weekend?

phillipm 05-01-2017 02:31 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mcmlxix (Post 7930869)
Are you bringing it out to LS fest in Las Vegas this weekend?

Really wanted to, but it's my Wife's birthday this weekend and she didn't think that sounded as fun as I did. Ha-ha. I am planning on being at the Brother's show in CA with it at the end of June though.

Jacobsonz 05-01-2017 03:54 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipm (Post 7587443)
Okay we started getting the cargo interior items buttoned up. Starting to get a good idea of what it will look like, and we're pretty happy with it. This week need to finish up wiring the fuse panel under the hood and we really need to get the windows back in it so we can final fit the doors and fenders.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psppffafed.jpg

did those rear interior panels come with the blazer when you bought it, or did you find them somewhere online? trying to replace my originals but these are hard to find. Thanks!

phillipm 05-01-2017 04:03 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacobsonz (Post 7930941)
did those rear interior panels come with the blazer when you bought it, or did you find them somewhere online? trying to replace my originals but these are hard to find. Thanks!

Yeah they sure are hard to find. These are my factory originals that came with the truck. So I won't be of any help I apologize.

phillipm 05-04-2017 12:14 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
After only driving the Blazer a few times really, and I've already come to realize that rolling down the back window manually sucks. If you've got something in your hand it's made even worse as you fling that handle around and around only after awkwardly fumbling to get the thing unlocked if you've done so.. After reading nothing but horror stories about 40 year old motor/cable/transmissions not working right I decided to give the guys at Nu-Relics a call. Dusty there was super nice. He explained that while they are unable to provide a all new solution, if I sent him a power regulator he would modify it with a reliable motor on regulator design he's come up with over the years.

What I got back is nothing short of awesome! They hot dipped and stripped my regulator, replaced the original transmission with a new welded on adapter ring and then mounted the new style motor right to the regulator. After that they cleaned and even painted it as well as replaced both rollers for me. It wasn't inexpensive by any means but it was the do it once and hopefully not worry about it again solution!

Here are a couple pics of it when I opened up the box last night..

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...m.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...h.jpg~original

Wish I would have taken a before picture but I didn't. Just imagine a nasty grimy piece that you definitely didn't want to handle without gloves on. It had broken rollers and a broken cable transmission. Now I've got this bad boy! Really looking forward to getting the harness run and wiring it up.

buffydores 05-04-2017 02:27 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipm (Post 7934032)
Now I've got this bad boy! Really looking forward to getting the harness run and wiring it up.

Definitely wire up a switch for the dash. It's like heaven.

phillipm 05-04-2017 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffydores (Post 7934188)
Definitely wire up a switch for the dash. It's like heaven.

Most definitely will be doing that! However because I don't feel like cutting a square hole in my freshly painted dash I'll be mounting a toggle underneath in the driver's side so I can easily reach it when standing outside the truck as well.
Posted via Mobile Device

phillipm 05-08-2017 02:03 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Well this is it guys! Finally drove the Blazer home over the weekend. First time since taking it to Vegas back in November. It's been a lot of work to make the necessary changes and though it doesn't look much different other than the moulding on the outside this thing is flat out awesome around town as well as on the highway now. The new CPP lower control arms couples with the new Lee Engineering built steering gear is just awesome. It handles great and the feel in the wheel is just like a new truck. Seats are amazing and sit up nice in the vehicle, plus the new Vintage Air was blowing 36* out of the vents with enough volume that you could easily feel it in the back seat with the deflectors positioned straight and angled up for best reach. I haven't begun to tackle the rear power window kit but of course when I do I will post that up.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...y.jpg~original

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...a.jpg~original

OutlawDrifter 05-08-2017 09:15 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Looks great!

wazzabie 05-09-2017 01:02 AM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
who did you have do the rear seat? that turned out great

phillipm 05-09-2017 12:21 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by wazzabie (Post 7937937)
who did you have do the rear seat? that turned out great

I had a local guy do it. He works out of his garage at night on projects for me. If you're in Phoenix and want to use him PM me and I'll share his contact info. That's for anyone in the area. He's out on the west side of town near Surprise.

phillipm 05-09-2017 12:33 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Had a weird thing happen last night. I say it's weird because before tearing it apart we had driven this to Vegas and back so really thought all was well in this department.

Yesterday I was making some changes to the transmission tune and noticed the A/C got warm, then I heard the safety switch cutting the compressor off. Hopped out there and noticed the fans we'rent on. Checked the fuse real quick and all was fine there. Reached down and moved the harness around for the fans and saw it spark and smoke some as they came on!

Got lucky that it was only a high in the 80s yesterday so I decided to unplug them and make the 25 mile drive back to our shop after work. Made it about 90% there before having to pull over and open the hood for a few minutes. After that I only had to shut it off at 1 stop light and then made it in. Which was suprising as it's like 20 stop lights along the route. Figured out that the ground wire had somehow built up a bunch of resistance and completely melted the Metri Pack 630 housing and melted the wire jacket right off of it. Ended up redoing the grounding strategy and should be good to go now.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...4.jpg~original

phillipm 05-09-2017 04:19 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
Here is what I did with the ground circuit. I pulled it back out of the harness and went straight to the chassis. We got a little out of hand with the paint stripping so I need to touch that back up, however that's just an update to how I reworked it.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...d.jpg~original

dragonball98312 05-16-2017 09:28 PM

Re: 78 2wd Blazer - LS Swap and more..
 
The trim sets it off nicely


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