85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

I tried to remove the metal clamp from the rubber line but it didnt want to cooperate so I decided to use nylon line clamps to keep it positioned properly instead. Once I check for binding issues I will align and tighten everything. I was pleased with the outcome so I called it a night and went in to watch Michael Phelps make history.

[aggie91]

I like the lines, they look like they fit well.

Michael Phelps is a beast! I stayed up to watch too. I cannot believe how much he has done at this Olympics at his age.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

I like the lines, they look like they fit well.

The first kit they sent had lines that were 14" long. They weren't even close, and didn't have the right fittings. In defense of Summit, the data base was wrong. The line kit I used has 22" lines. They fit just fine with maybe a little extra.

[Jaysonb]

I like the wire loom you are using. Just for reference, what size loom did you use for the tail light harness?

[N2TRUX]

Friday night and I have a date with a pretty southern lady named "Scarlett". My intentions were to install the brake lines on the drivers side. Everything was going as planned while I removed the components on the outside of the frame.

When I moved to the inside of the frame to take the bulkhead fitting off the plan changed. I know power the steering box is leaking, and I plan to address that once I get under the hood.

What I discovered was the inside rails were coated deep in an oily grunge that I couldn't work around.The fuel pump had been replaced but it was seeping at the lines so that side was filthy too.

[N2TRUX]

I dug out my arsenal of grunge removers, slipped on a pair of gloves and spent the evening jamming to some 90s rock.
Time ticked by as I worked my way through layers of oil, fuel, a red Georgia Clay with wire brushes followed by ScotchBrite. Once everything was clean I made a pass with sand paper on all the areas that had rust. After that a final wipe with solvent and inspection before calling it done.

Time to watch some volleyball.

[Desert1957]

I commend your patience, That type of time spent prepping sucks, but worth it in the end. Nice job.

Desert

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

I commend your patience, That type of time spent prepping sucks, but worth it in the end. Nice job.Desert

I actually find it therapeutic. I spend my day solving problems and dealing with work related issues. This allows me to clear my mind and see the results of my efforts quickly.
That's why I do it in small sections. I set an achievable goal, then work hard to accomplish that goal before I take on another task. I make it a point to allow time to clean up before I leave the shop. That gives me a sense of accomplishment to dwell on at night, and a clean work space to start fresh on my next task.

[Palf70Step]

Nice work Ken!

[N2TRUX]

Chris came over early and we jumped right in. If you look a close at the front cross brace on the passenger side you can see it has a bend. I wanted to straighten it out but didn't want to drill the rivets to remove it. I ran several plans through my head, and finally decided to use a chain hoist.
I used my 16 Sierra reciever as an anchor point and pulled it out a bit. Unfortunately we couldn't get it completely straight yet since the truck is still on jack stands.
With that behind us we focused on cleaning more grunge and dirt off. We decided our cut off point for now was the crossmember. With it stripped clean we masked and painted everything.

[N2TRUX]

We gave everything a final wipe of solvent and blasted it down with multiple coats of satin black. It was time to let it cure and take a lunch break.

[N2TRUX]

After lunch the paint had not cured enough to allow for masking so we couldn't paint the steering linkage yet.
Instead we mocked up the sway bar. This truck didn't come with one from the factory. My experience has been that adding a bar really improves the handling. I picked one up a while back and prepped it for install with fresh paint and new bushings.
The holes for the clamps are already in the A arms but not in the frame. Since the truck is lowered we don't need the factory clamp stands so we mounted it directly to the frame.
Time to watch Michael Phelps make history..again

[N2TRUX]

Another weekend gone in a blurr. Today Chris got here early again so we got a lot of details wrapped up.
We unmasked everything we painted last night and it looked great. We mounted the sway bar and synched it tight. As you can see we mounted it directly to the frame rather than using the factory clamp stands.

Chris got on routing the drivers side brake line while I double checked all our work. I installed cotter pins and greased all the fitting, then wiped everything clean.

[N2TRUX]

With the front suspension wrapped up, we moved on to other things that needed to be done. Chris grabbed the fender liners and started prepping them.
We noted that the tires had been rubbing at some point. We believe that may be why the spacers were added.
Until we know for sure we opted to use the Dupli-color undercoat. Once we determine if the tires are still rubbing and resolve any clearance issues we will recoat with the rubberized coating we used in the rear wheel wells.

[N2TRUX]

While Chris prepped the wheel well tubs, I focused on the rear shocks. I sanded and painted them to match the rest of the suspension. The bolts were way to long so I cut them down to fit correctly.

We discovered a problem when I set the shocks in place and secured them on top. With out the weight of the bed we couldn't compress the suspension enough to get the bottom bolts in.
Even with two big ol boys sitting on the frame we didn't have enough ballast so I got creative. Those boxes hold 40# of candy each.

[N2TRUX]

With the rear suspension finished Chris wanted Scarlett to look like a truck again. It was time to put her shoes back on. They hadn't been cleaned in a while, so we got them looking fresh again. We scrubbed the backside with Scotch Brite and washed them with a soft brustle brush. We will Polish the front side later, but for now they look much better.

[mcbassin]

Awesome work as always Ken! Keep the pictures coming!

[Low Elco]

Nice stuff!

[original-71]

perfection as always

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome work as always Ken! Keep the pictures coming!

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Nice stuff!

Originally Posted by original-71

perfection as always

Thanks guys. Your kind words keep me motivated.

Originally Posted by Jaysonb

I like the wire loom you are using. Just for reference, what size loom did you use for the tail light harness?

I used the 3/8" and some 1/4" on the small runs.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I started painting the fender liners. Unfortunately it was extremely humid from all the rain. The paint wanted to blush, so I put the liner in front of a fan and moved on.

I was organizing parts when I ran across the bolts for the fender liners. I realized they had nor been cleaned up, so i took on the task of getting them ready for the upcoming install. I blasted them clean in my bead blasting cabinet, then soaked them in solvent. Once they dried, I gave them several very thin coats of black paint. The liners will look so much better with clean matching bolts to hold them in place.

[N2TRUX]

I got an early start today so I would have more shop time. When I got home FedEx had a few boxes for me. My replacement mirrors had arrived. Actually only one came in so I decided to get it installed before dinner.
The old mirrors are dull and dinged so this was a great update at a very reasonable price. As expected, the bolts were mismatched and the bottom one was missing.

I found a set of correct bolts and gave them a quick paint job. I aligned everything and snugged it in place. A quick wipe down and I'm off to dinner.

[N2TRUX]

After dinner I finished up a project that Chris started this weekend. He sanded and prepped the front fender liners and gave them a couple of coats of Duplicolor under coating. They were set aside to cure.
I finish prepped the top side and sprayed them satin black. Due to excessive humidity they blushed a bit and one side had some reaction to old paint. I wet sanded the affected areas and hit them with Scotch Brite before a final coat. This time I left them to dry with a fan blowing. Problem solved and it's time to go watch some volleyball.

[Gus350]

Those fenders and mirrors turned out great truck looks killer.

[rip2174]

very nice and clean.