1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

[phillipm]

Originally Posted by buffydores

OK Folks: Working on some new additions. I currently have the rims in for powdercoat. The painted silver was already showing some rust. No bueno.

I just ordered some Sunflower Yellow Pinstriping Vinyl in 1/4" and 3/8" sizes to change the trim from black to sunflower yellow. By the way Philip, I "am" using some of the factory pins on my trim. Brain fart there. I'm still using all the hex nut attachments.

I also ordered some 1/4" Orange HDPE to fabricate a tailgate guard to end the inevitable scratches when it's down.

I went ahead and ordered a B&M 12-Bolt Cover to increase the volume of fluid for the gears. My pinion angle is sitting at 14.5 degrees, so it was making me a hair nervous. Probably overkill.

Ordered a ARB Power Port for the back to run my ARB Cooler. Also purchased the Dorman Parts to run it as a standard Cigarette Lighter Power Port.

Finally, I'm upgrading the factory AC with a kit from Original Air.

I'll add pictures as things are installed.

Are you replacing the entire HVAC system with a new evaporator and everything? I've never used anything from Original Air and I wasn't really able to see what they have to offer other than a compressor kit.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

Are you replacing the entire HVAC system with a new evaporator and everything? I've never used anything from Original Air and I wasn't really able to see what they have to offer other than a compressor kit.

Not a bunch to it. The big weak point is the factory fin and tube condenser. This kit will come with a parallel flow condensor, a Sanden compressor + hoses and brackets. I currently have a pancake compressor, and it sucks. I'm having my AC guy pull the evaporator apart to clean that up. Might check the fan too. Seems pretty weak.

[phillipm]

Originally Posted by buffydores

Not a bunch to it. The big weak point is the factory fin and tube condenser. This kit will come with a parallel flow condensor, a Sanden compressor + hoses and brackets. I currently have a pancake compressor, and it sucks. I'm having my AC guy pull the evaporator apart to clean that up. Might check the fan too. Seems pretty weak.

Gotcha. Those are all of the same things I had going on. Barely any air flow and it was cool but not cold. Even with a parallel condenser. New Vintage Air Magnum kit blows 2x the air! It's crazy how much more it can move. Really interested to hear the outcome!

[phillipm]

That's awesome, they look killer! Question about the 16". Did you send them yours and they just rehooped them to 16's? Do you have more clearance inside, or does it not really lip up to 16" till the very edge?

I've got a set of those for my 2wd as well and was just interested in the process.

[buffydores]

Phillip: Here's the back.



Looks to be about 1-1/2" of clearance. Looks like it's actual clearance and not a lip-up. The squeeze looks to be at the face.

[phillipm]

You did have to send your wheels to them correct??

[buffydores]

They will acquire the wheels for you, but you'll have to wait for them to collect them. Our original white rims were long gone. I actually got impatient and gave them the greenlight to grab some on ebay.

[buffydores]

So here's a scary story. On Wednesday, I brought the Blazer home to do the wheel swap the next day. After parking it in the garage I went inside a bit before coming back out to discover a gas line with a pin hole jetting my hot exhaust with fuel. Could have been a disaster film. I pulled it out and hosed the exhaust. The problem was a very old rubber line between the hardlines and the inline fuel pump they added with the Ramjet a decade ago. About 6" of line. I replaced the line with a 200# fuel line and then wrapped that line with a bigger split rubber line that would direct any leaks down instead of at anything hot.

Oh and it was hailing on me when I was hosing the exhaust off with water. Hail hurts.

The Original Air Kit and the ARB Kit arrived today. I'm heading to Italy for a week, but after that, we'll get back to adding.

[phillipm]

Oh man, that was close. I like to use Gates Green Stripe for my fuel injection hose.

[buffydores]

Alright. Making a little progress.

Installed a pure sine wave inverter. It get's covered up nice with my carpet cover. The old one produced a square wave that just didn't work with anything useful.


Installed the Sanden compressor and parellel flow condensor. Big, big improvement. It's icy cold.


Replaced the factory chrome trim around the instrument bezel. This bigger stuff looks better than the original stuff. Super easy to apply.

[SilverMiner]

Please tell me more about your chrome trim solution - it looks fantastic, and I'd like to do it to mine as well.

Where or who did you get the trim from? What adhesive did you use to attach the new trim?

Originally Posted by buffydores

Replaced the factory chrome trim around the instrument bezel. This bigger stuff looks better than the original stuff. Super easy to apply.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by SilverMiner

Where or who did you get the trim from? What adhesive did you use to attach the new trim?

Behold. Comes with 3M backing: http://www.brandsport.com/trmg-m301-05.html

[SilverMiner]

Originally Posted by buffydores

Behold. Comes with 3M backing: http://www.brandsport.com/trmg-m301-05.html

That is fantastic - thanks for the response AND link!

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by buffydores

Alright. Making a little progress....
Installed the Sanden compressor and parellel flow condensor. Big, big improvement. It's icy cold.
...

Can you tell me which parallel flow condenser you used? Part Number?

I have an '84 that was upgraded to the Sanden compressor and R134a, but they used the stock condenser.

[phillipm]

Glad to hear the AC is working nicely for you!!

[buffydores]

We used a UAC CN20008 Unit. The condenser is the limiting factor. Factory unit is not efficient enough.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

Glad to hear the AC is working nicely for you!!

Thanks Phillip. I'm definitely satisfied.

[RANDY COX]

Wow super clean and a Beaut...

[phillipm]

Looks great, nice job!
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[buffydores]

Test fit the ARB Fridge Freezer in the back. Perfect fit. About an inch of clearance between the tailgate and cooler.

[buffydores]

Off with the old 39 year old trailer hitch:



On with the new freshness:

[schpeen]

Originally Posted by buffydores

Off with the old 39 year old trailer hitch:



On with the new freshness:

that is really funny today i took a ride over to my painters shop to retrieve my class II hitch that we took off when we did the bumper swap a few months ago, so finally it's in my driveway now awaiting the sander and black satin paint! LOL

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by schpeen

that is really funny today i took a ride over to my painters shop to retrieve my class II hitch that we took off when we did the bumper swap a few months ago, so finally it's in my driveway now awaiting the sander and black satin paint! LOL

I liked the options that are available with a square receiver hitch... like ball removal. And accessories are always nice to have.

[phillipm]

Serious business!!

[aggie91]

Love seeing these old pictures. Nice memories for sure.