"Elwood" the 77_remix

[N2TRUX]

I mocked up the swaybar and measured for center. I snugged the bolts down and marked the bottom brackets. These will be welded on later. The lower swaybar bracket is the only part of the 4 link kit that's not bolt on .

[N2TRUX]

Saturday morning I moved closer to getting Elwood back on the ground. Chris had stripped and painted the gas tank. It was time to get it installed.

I removed the filter and pump to prep the inner frame for paint. I painted the pump cast iron and added more satin black to the frame

[N2TRUX]

While the frame dried I added sound deadner to the support straps on the gas tank. It makes a great replacement for the factory insulation.

[N2TRUX]

After the frame rails cured I concentrated on the fuel lines. When Roger did the Ramjet install he used Parker push-lok fittings and hose. It's great stuff, but it's meant to stay on once installed. It requires surgery to remove it, so I replaced all of the fuel lines.

Once the layout was determined I cut the hose to length and added fuel injection style hose clamps for added security.

Note that loose wire you see is a ground wire. I decided to run it to a different location.

[N2TRUX]

Christmas eve was productive for me. We aren't hosting the family this year so I spent my day in the shop.

With The fuel system done I moved over to the air supply side. The RideTech Big Red valves will stay but the frame needed painting and lines rerouted to accommodate the changes.

[N2TRUX]

When Roger at RPL Customs installed the system years ago, he made this cool plate to mount the valves one. All it needed was a clean up and fresh paint.

With the valves out of the way, I prepped and painted the frame. While it was curing I worked on the Big Red valves. All that was needed was a good cleaning before I updated the pressure fittings.

[Rickysnickers]

What kind of paint are you using for the frame and other parts? On a side note, there's a '74 stepside I have been watching. I'm thinking about selling my '57 and my Toyota and buying it. I won't have to smog it and I'll still have a hot rod.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

What kind of paint are you using for the frame and other parts?

I use Krylon satin black on all my parts. Its durable, affordable, and easy to touch up.

[STOCKISH]

Looking great man. I like it a lot

[st1]

Really nice. I love that you are explaining as you go. I never seen that heat shield before. Thanks for sharing and awesome work.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by st1

Really nice. I love that you are explaining as you go. I never seen that heat shield before. Thanks for sharing and awesome work.

Originally Posted by STOCKISH

Looking great man. I like it a lot

Thanks guys.

[N2TRUX]

While waiting on paint to dry I worked on the gas tank shield. I tried cleaning it up, but it was too scuffed to leave raw. I decided a light coat of undercoating would give it enough texture to cover the scratches in the plastic. I followed that up with a satin black. Its amazing how the texture changes the color. Both the tank and the guard are painted the same color.

[N2TRUX]

With the tank shield done, I moved back to the RideTech Big Red valves. Part of the updates will be replacing the Ride Pro E3 system with the new Ride Pro X air management.

I will document the entire Ride Pro X installation once I move inside the cab. For now I wanted to replace the E3 pressure sensors with the new Ride Pro X sensors. I unscrewed the old sensors and bagged them up. I cleaned the threads with a brass brush and installed the new sensors.

[gringoloco]

Looking good as always.

I had a thought when I was looking at your calipers: custom ELWOOD logos in the WILWOOD font would be super trick, but subtle enough that most wouldn’t notice

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Looking good as always.

I had a thought when I was looking at your calipers: custom ELWOOD logos in the WILWOOD font would be super trick, but subtle enough that most wouldn’t notice

Its a good thought, but Wilwood might not appreciate that since they are a sponsor.

I will find a way to get "Elwood" on the truck somewhere.

[N2TRUX]

The valves were mounted in place tucked up on the side of the frame. I cleared all of the wiring away and concentrated on the air lines first. The supply line from the tanks needed to be replaced so it was first. Once it was safely routed I adjusted the remaining lines and secured them.

[N2TRUX]

Unfortunately you cant always run the air line exactly like you want since its rather rigid. I had to go around a body mount to get to the rear of the truck. I was concerned that this location might come close to the exhaust so I created a heat shield. I found a bracket that I had saved and cut it down to fit in front of the body mount. The air line tucks behind it and its now protected from exhaust heat.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Unfortunately you cant always run the air line exactly like you want since its rather rigid. I had to go around a body mount to get to the rear of the truck. I was concerned that this location might come close to the exhaust so I created a heat shield. I found a bracket that I had saved and cut it down to fit in front of the body mount. The air line tucks behind it and its now protected from exhaust heat.

Ken have you ever used these Parker elbows? They make sharp turns really easy. I think I found these on Amazon.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Ken have you ever used these Parker elbows? They make sharp turns really easy. I think I found these on Amazon.

Keith, thats what I am using on the air tanks. I plan to switch them on the valve block as well. I just need a functioning system for now.

[N2TRUX]

Ironically the fittings I needed to clean up the output lines on the Big Red valve block came in. Of course there wasnt enough room to switch them with the block mounted, so I had to pull it off again.

The ports are 3/8" NPT so the fittings are pretty thick. I removed the old straight fittings and replaced them with 90 degree 3/8" npt x 3/8 ptf elbows. This allowed me to cut about 6" off of the 3/8" air line and tuck it in much tighter.

[gringoloco]

Much mo betta! What are you using to protect the lines where they pass through the framerails?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Much mo betta! What are you using to protect the lines where they pass through the framerails?

I slide a piece of fuel hose over the air line on individual lines. Where those are clustered together I have a rubber boot.

[N2TRUX]

Wiring, wiring, and more wiring. Yesterday Chris came over and we sorted out the wiring. I had planed to wait till I got in the cab to pull the Ride Pro E3 system. Unfortunately it was in my way and we decided it was time for it to go.

[N2TRUX]

With the E3 system clear we looked at where to mount the Ride Pro X processor. It will go inside a custom enclosure under the seat. Till we get inside the cab that will have to wait.

For now we ran the compressor turn on wires and pressure sensor line to the rear. That was combined with two power wires and tail light wiring in one loom.

[N2TRUX]

Chris and I analized how to terminate all the wires necessary to run the Viaair compressors. I hated having a big cluster of connectors, so we opted for a terminal strip.
I ran to the local electronics warehouse and grabbed a 4 junction 60 amp strip. I had hoped to get one that was weather proof, but they didn't have any.