Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

Any new updates on the 9 ball?

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

I'm running a skinnier 34 on two trucks right now. They handle nice, look big, but still turn real effortlessly. The Super Duty trucks come factory with skinnier 34s, seems to be a good compromise.

Why did you need the vacuum pump? Cam?

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

I have not attempted to make the vent windows. I keep hoping I will trip across a set I can use instead. lol. I got the speedo rebuilt and spun it back to zero. it is still not accurate but at least it is pretty close now. 4mph off according to the gps on my phone. close enough. We have a 23' Mako and the blazer pulls it like there is nothing back there! We wee doing 70mph and it was dead smooth!

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

I'm glad to hear you say that. I've never liked the way Blazers tow, but it's been so long since I tried I was thinking of giving it a try again with our boat. It's a 19' CC so maybe it'll be OK. I've gotta go through the brakes and replace the steering box first though.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

I just replaced my steering box and it did help! Lots of the same reman ones out there but Napa has a slightly better one (from reviews). I put it in and it's really helped!

I also replaced the lower bushings at the bottom of the column. That also helped. And on top of it, an added benefit.....my shifting detents on the gearshifter is tighter now. Bonus!!:metal:

And finally, I did go inside the column and replace the two bearings. Not nearly as fun but and "maybe" made the steering better. That's a little harder to tell though.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

Next time I visit junkyard, I'll see if I can grab them for you.

Are you doing the electric speedo or cable?

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

you are too kind jeff funny I was logging on to get a recommendation on a good steering box. the reman one we put in has some slack in it I was looking for a new one. I logged on to do a search and saw your reply here on my own thread! LOL. pretty funny.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

I have a steering column guy we been using for years so I had him rebuild mine and the horn keeps beeping now, but it only seems to do it when I am in a parking lot and people are there thinking I am beeping at them! lol. I pulled the fuse and was thinking maybe replace the steering wheel and the collar. in the meantime I just rev the engine when someone is in front of me that needs to move!

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

I been watching the junkyard too. I had the stock speedo rebuilt and it is still a couple mph off but close enough for me not to spend any more money getting it exact. the odo works and the trip odo now works as well.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

A few things for you to think about.

Steering box, either Napa or Redhead (being more expensive). I have the Napa on the blazer and the Redhead on my 2500 Yukon XL. Both are good so far.

Horn honking. Because I've done the steering column a few times now, I also got the extra horn honking. Found out that on re-assembly, a part or two were not in properly. After redoing it, problem went away. If your gutsy, you can get into it.

If it was an electric speedo, "easier fix" but cable....you're then playing with different speedo gears to get it right. A few MPH is probably as close as you're going to get. Just annoying really on OCD.

My electrical is spot on and pretty cool! Fully adjustable with the DRAC.

Nice to hear from you! My wife will head your way next month to get some warmth....she needs it!

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

bought the Napa box and it was totally wrong one so not wanting to mess around with the clowns at the Nappa store I ordered the red top and now the truck is 10 times better. this box seems to give me the same tight ratio I had before but it is really stiff now. crazy the difference the way it tracks now. That red top is way beefier than the stock box for sure. thanks for the recommendation we had never heard of them before now

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

red top installed

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

from the side

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

Great, glad to hear it worked out! I was also thinking about getting the Redhead but when I brought it old box into Napa, I didn't have a receipt....very old. I think the PO bought it from Napa but I was going by memory. The guy played on his computer and then said, "found one" and exchanged it for a new one, free of charge. So worth putting on a new one for free! :)

It could be better, I'm sure but worth getting a new refresh. And my 16 yr old daughter is driving it now so need to have it as tight as I can! She's still learning.....

Glad to see you got rid of the rag joint steering. I'm sure that added to the tightness too.

What did you pay for the Redhead?

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

towed the donzi today. they are pretty close in age

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

Sweet. How'd the braking go with the boat in tow? Any pushing?

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OK, what is up with these Donzi's?!? I've never heard of them but over on, of all places, CK5, a guy just bought one in IL and is trying to ship to CA. Really cool looking boats! I guess I need to spend more time on boats.

Yours looks very fun!

Here is the one in IL....454 engine.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

weirdest thing has been happening this week, sometimes the headlights and the radio have no power going to them! sometimes they will work and sometimes not. I noticed that they can be on as long as I am driving then I can cut the motor off and jump back in and restart the engine and they are both off again. sometimes I will start off and the headlights and radio are not working but they will just become energized with power and work fine until I cut the engine off and turn it back on and they will be off again with no power. seems crazy to me too! we are scratching our heads of course! lol

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

it is sick with the 502 in it! Boat goes way faster than I choose to go, feels like unlimited power for what the boat can deal with but I have seen one with twin turbos do over 100mph! Mine must be pushing 80. it tows fine behind the blazer but we also have no hills here so it is pretty easy going.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

few new upgrades to the blazer. I have been wanting to build a hoist for the hardtop from the first week I got the truck and I finally came up with something that is working so far so good. We were emptying out a rental property of ours and found an old medical bed. Im not sure where the inspiration came from but I immediately thought of the 2 struts used to raise and lower the head and foot of the bed sticking down upside down coming through the ceiling of my garage with a harness to hold the top up. It came with an electric remote control and with some tweaking here and there we came up with this set up made from alum tube.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

changed out the steering wheel and the turn signal stalk. Still need to hook up the cruise.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

Like the softtop. Is there a lot of bolted down hardware to make it stick?

Also, like the hoist. Did the same thing in my garage but had clamps on each side window and two in the back....

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

uses existing bolts. very simple design. it is nice and tight.

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

Where did you get it and brand name?

Re: thinking about getting this in the morning
 

they are right up the road from you in Denver!

https://www.softopper.com