Jeep Trailblazer SS

[gottattooz]

So I've started working on the roof rack design. I started with a 1 1/2 inch angle iron (bed frame railing), but it wasn't tall enough. I have to consider the height to mount the wiper motor above the windshield.

I found a 6' section of 4 inch tall i-beam at work. The end was mangled, but i only needed 4 feet. I cut the i-beam into 6 inch sections to support the factory roof rack. In order to get the aluminium rack to the edge of the i-beam, i put each one in the bench vise and beat them down one inch. My original plan was to cut off the inside top section of the beam, but then i thought i could drill a hole or two into the inner flange and use it to secure cargo straps, if i ever use the rack.

- Josh

[gottattooz]

The factory nut inserts have seen better days, so i picked up some new inserts from summit racing. I forgot that i had repaired the roof around a few of the inserts and i ended up doing more damage than good. Fortunately, the holes are easily accessible, just above the rear passenger seat, so I'll use bolts and large fender washers to secure the roof rack there.

-Josh

[gottattooz]

More design changes to the roof rack. The factory aluminum bars were starting to be more trouble than they're worth. So I went with one inch square tubing. There's a slight radius to the roof from front to back, so I've got to shorten the center 2 support beams about 1/2 inch. But it's starting to come together.

-Josh

[67ChevyRedneck]

That roof rack is turning out pretty cool!

[Ol Blue K20]

More great looking progress

[gottattooz]

I finished welding up the roof rack, except the front cross bar. That'll be determined when i figure out the wiper motor configuration.

I ordered 2 rolls of 1/4 pinstripe tape. One silver, one chrome. I striped the left side (passenger side in the pictures) in chrome and the right side in silver. I even taped the third grille bar to see what it looks like. I didn't like the third bar.

-Josh

[gottattooz]

I got up early and hit the junkyard Looking for opposed wiper arms to try something different when I came across a 1993 Mercedes 400e with a mono wiper setup. $46.00 later, here we are. It's got a cam on the arm that pushes out to reach the corners of the windshield. I bench tested it and it works great. Now to get it mounted and wired up.

-Josh

[gottattooz]

I made done brackets to mount the wiper regulator to the front cross brace of the roof rack. Found out i can only fit a 13 inch wiper blade, but it works. In super stoked about it. Now to make it permanent.

- Josh

[gottattooz]

While I'm waiting for more metal for the wiper regulator, I decided to figure out my third brake light design. I originality wanted to make a spoiler to deflect air down to keep the back window clean. I couldn't come up with a design that didn't look ridiculous,so i figured less is more. Keep it simple.

I notched a section of 1 1/2 inch angle (bed frame railing) to fit under the last roof rack cross brace. I drilled 10 holes to mount red eagle eye LED lights, each with 3 chips, so they're really bright.

I entertained the idea of putting amber LEDs on the ends to make the turn signals more visible, but I think it'll be too much.

-Josh

[Ol Blue K20]

It's coming together and looking good.

[gottattooz]

Well i finished the roof rack and the air shield to cover the wiper regulator. Now i have to remove it to weld the bottoms off the crossbars and paint it with epoxy paint. Now i can start the bodywork for the roof.

-Josh

[gottattooz]

I removed the roof rack to finish welding the underside and the corners i couldn't reach. I sanded it and painted it with epoxy gloss black paint.

I used lens tint to camouflage the third brake light LEDs. They're really really bright, so I'm also helping people behind me not go blind when i hit the brakes.

-Josh

[61_FL_Apache]

A+ on fab and creativity for the wiper and 3rd brake light... Oh yea, the roof rack is sweet too!

[gottattooz]

Sanding, sanding and even more sanding. I finally got the bodywork on the roof finished. I was hoping to primer everything over the weekend, but the rain and humidity prevented that. So i got up early today and taped everything off, masked and primered the hood and the roof. I would like to paint the roof so i can install the roof rack permanently.

-Josh

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by gottattooz

Sanding, sanding and even more sanding. I finally got the bodywork on the roof finished. I was hoping to primer everything over the weekend, but the rain and humidity prevented that. So i got up early today and taped everything off, masked and primered the hood and the roof. I would like to paint the roof so i can install the roof rack permanently.

-Josh

Humidity is an understatement don’t ya think. Assuming the tornadoes didn’t mess up anything there? Oh and yea the wagoner SS is comin along

[Ol Blue K20]

I can't wait to see it all one color! You're making some great progress.

[gottattooz]

No real progress, but i did drive 700 miles roundtrip to pick up wide track fenders and fender flares from a j10 pickup. I got excited to put them on, and was immediately discouraged by how much work it's going to be to install the rear flares. Also, the front fenders are worse than what I've got. Hopefully i can transfer the flares onto the white fenders from my parts Jeep.

-Josh

[Ol Blue K20]

Going 350 miles for parts. It sucks that they're not as good as what you thought.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Those vehicles have jumped so much in value, it's hard to find someone parting one out, or cutting it up, even if it is a little rusty.

Those are going to look soooooooooo cool.

I'm shocked they're a single piece. It seems that would make for a difficult stamping, especially on the J10 bed sides. I had always thought they were bolted on. My dad even owned a couple J10s way back in the late 80's.

[gottattooz]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Those vehicles have jumped so much in value, it's hard to find someone parting one out, or cutting it up, even if it is a little rusty.

Those are going to look soooooooooo cool.

I'm shocked they're a single piece. It seems that would make for a difficult stamping, especially on the J10 bed sides. I had always thought they were bolted on. My dad even owned a couple J10s way back in the late 80's.

The rear fender flares are actually part of the inner fenderwell. The quarter panel is cut out and formed around the flare.

Even with all the extra work I'll have to do, it was still a great deal. Repop fiberglass front fenders are $370/each from Canada, plus shipping. They make rear fiberglass flares for $270/pair plus shipping. That's almost $1000, and they still need to be prepped and body worked.

I'm mostly excited because the flares will solve my front tire clearance issues.

I also forgot to mention that i ordered a jig that i can change the bolt pattern from 6x5 to 6x5.5. It'll open up the aftermarket wheel options. I want to go to 17 inch wheels and find an old school looking wheel that will compliment the period correctness I'm shooting for.

-Josh

[ChevyRacefan]

Love the build. It is different. AWD will go like stink.
Get a Jeep G/C 5.7 Hemi engine cover just to screw with people when the hood is open.

[gottattooz]

I got off work early, so i started in on the fender flares. I just cut the flares off the quarter panels at the crease. I still don't know exactly how they're gonna be mounted, but i did repurpose the scraps from the quarter panel to patch the dog leg of the front fender.

-Josh

[gottattooz]

There's a patch of pinholes above the fender flare, indicated by the green tape showing through from the outside. I mixed up and filled in the back of the fender with all-metal. Same thing i did to the underside of the hood.

-Josh

[Ol Blue K20]

It's gonna look great!

[Madkidd007]

And then after a food break this was accomplished, LS related so it still counts