Jeep Trailblazer SS

[gottattooz]

Getting prepped for primer and paint. I've got to get some lacquer thinner to clean the paint guns and some surface prep, but it's getting close!

-Josh

[gottattooz]

I ordered a chrome paint pen from krylon to paint in the details on the grille that i was playing around with using pinstripe tape.

-Josh

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice, it's coming along.

[KShortell]

Shine on!

[Ol Blue K20]

It looks a lot better all one color!

[biketopia]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

It looks a lot better all one color!

sooo much better!!! Can't wait to see it in color, the wheels are a little bit growing on me with it being in primer now.

[gottattooz]

Originally Posted by biketopia

sooo much better!!! Can't wait to see it in color, the wheels are a little bit growing on me with it being in primer now.

I'm not keeping the wheels. I have my eye on a set of 17x8.5 9 spoke wheels. I want more sidewall and a more vintage look. I'm waiting on a jig I ordered to change the bolt pattern from 6x5 to 6x5.5. Then I'll steal the wheels and tires from my dad's Chevy Colorado to see what back spacing/offset i need before i pull the trigger on wheels

-Josh

[Southcity]

Those look fairly similar to the original AMC/Jeep Wagoner turbine style wheels


Another option- steelies with a nice set of Jeep dogdish caps:

[gottattooz]

Originally Posted by Southcity

Those look fairly similar to the original AMC/Jeep Wagoner turbine style wheels
Attachment 2077518

Another option- steelies with a nice set of Jeep dogdish caps:
Attachment 2077519

The issue is clearing the brakes. I wanted 5 slot mags, but the only 17s I found are 17x10, but only come in 8 lug. The steel wheels are more expensive in 17 inch. And i gave the hub caps to the guy who bought the rolling chassis, so I'd have to find those again. But nothing happens until it happens, so we'll see when that time comes.

-Josh

[67ChevyRedneck]

Well that escalated quickly!

It actually looks pretty darn good in flat white.

[Palf70Step]

Excellent!!!! Great color combo.

[Madkidd007]

Looks like garbage, you should have stayed with more of a powder blue.

[gottattooz]

Originally Posted by Madkidd007

Looks like garbage, you should have stayed with more of a powder blue.

We'll paint your Lincoln powder blue. Then I'll put pink and purple flames on it for you.

-Josh

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by gottattooz

We'll paint your Lincoln powder blue. Then I'll put pink and purple flames on it for you.

-Josh

That’s what the factory color was. Ah hahahha

[gottattooz]

I scuffed the clear coat and assembled the tailgate trim, all the driver's side trim, door handles, door lock and new left front marker lens with new gaskets for the locks and handles. The scuffed clear over the blue makes it look anodized. I'm getting really excited to see it all put back together.

-Josh

[gottattooz]

I pulled it outside before work to see it in natural light. I love it.

-Josh

[Ol Blue K20]

I like it...a lot

[regan wilson]

When you started this project I was thinking it would never work out. Man did you prove me wrong. That thing is cool as hell. I know it's going to be a fun ride too. My daughter was test driving a TB SS one time and that thing would scoot.

[gottattooz]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

When you started this project I was thinking it would never work out. Man did you prove me wrong. That thing is cool as hell. I know it's going to be a fun ride too. My daughter was test driving a TB SS one time and that thing would scoot.

You and I had the same thought process. I watch a lot of car building shows. Even when i was starting the the build, i was like "there's no way this will work". But mathematically all the dimensions were within an inch, except the wheel base on the trailblazer is 3 inches longer. If it did work out, i was sure it'd look like cobbled up garbage, which I'm used to driving, so the expectation was already pretty low. But my mindset throughout the build was "so what? If it works, great. If not, big deal. At least You'll learn something." There are no rules with this. I was sure I'd probably upset some Jeep and tbss purists. It's not a rare Jeep. There's no celebrity back story. And it's not their time or money.

One of my best friends in Florida is an awesome mechanic and painter. I worked with him on weekends, mostly to just hang out, but also to learn new things. I was like a sponge, soaking up knowledge and sharpening my skills. One thing he always taught me was "don't be afraid to break things. Things break, **** happens." I'm surprised i don't have that written on the wall i the shop somewhere. That kept playing over and over in my head before i cut the floor out of the jeep. It was a huge step and i was honestly tired of holding a tape measure, playing the "what if" game in my head..

The trailblazer ss IS fast. If i launch it from a dead stop, the traction control light flashes, and you can feel the front tires chirping. Madkidd can confirm. We took it over to his dad's house and i got on it a few times. He's got a 2wd Saab version with a 6.0 swap. It does really nice donuts.

-Josh

[Southcity]

Excellent job on the paint!! The two tone scheme with side strip and white on the hood really fits the vehicle. Glad to hear you are re-thinking the wheels and excited to see what you end up with to complete the look.

[gottattooz]

Here's what the jig looks like. You bolt it onto the existing pattern, drill the pilot hole, rotate the jig clockwise and drill the new stud location and another pilot hole. It was just under $250.00, but i didn't have to remove the axles and hubs and stories to bring to a machine shop to have them done.

-Josh

[67ChevyRedneck]

Woah, that came out awesome. I am definitely biased.... I love anything blue/white.

[biketopia]

looks freaking slick!!

[Ol Blue K20]

Looks great, I love it.

[gottattooz]

I tried wet sanding the passenger side with 1200. When it dried, it looked worse, so i scuffed it all back down with the grey pad. I've still got the bumpers to go an then I'll work on mounting the roof rack.

-Josh