Kaiser85
1/2 ton status
Jesus Christ! 4mm? Why not get thinner sheet? Like 28ga? You can make a break for it then. There's instructions all over Google. It doesn't need to be that thick
CK5
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'90 K5 - Project Betty - LS3 Swap for a DD/Offroad/Utility Build
- Thread starter cliles
- Start date
Jesus Christ! 4mm? Why not get thinner sheet? Like 28ga? You can make a break for it then. There's instructions all over Google. It doesn't need to be that thick
When I purchased it, I was even more of a noob then I am now. I went on feel (flimsy, etc). I cannot remember what gauge I picked, probably still too thick for most affordable machines, but the metal place then upgraded me to this thicker sheet for no additional charge.
might be worth farming out the bends to a local shop that has a break that could handle the material... might only be a hundy or less for a bend or 2...
cardboard template? cut the flats out, maybe use 2" masking tape at the bend areas... measure the angles, write it all on the template for em...
Kaiser85
1/2 ton status
Sheet metal is completely doable. In fact, when and if I ever pull the factory dash out of mine, that's probably the route I'll go. I've got a brushed aluminum powder I could coat it with too. Have you looked into what a DIY4X prefab dash runs? Might look into that before you go buying a TIG, or even a spool gun. Honestly, on its best days, the spool gun aluminum welds look like shat
The DIY4X dash is pretty nice, but I am going for something a little more sophisticated and versatile. Somewhere between ryoken's and DIY4X. Also I would have to modify the DIY4X dash to fit around the cage I have started on.
I am discouraged about the spool gun welds not turning out right. The final solution I came up with was selling my power mig 255, and buying a Hobart 230 with spool gun. You can buy the hobart 230 for with spool gun for a little more than I can get a spool gun and adapter kit for the 255. I am hoping I can sell the 255 and only come out $500 bucks or so behind with a brand new welder and spool gun. Not that the new thing is much of a plus, I dont think the powermig welds any different than it did off the line in the mid nineties.
Well worse case scenario, I can at least tack the pieces with the spool gun, and then take the panels to somebody to tig it up pretty. Couldnt imagine there would be much cost in that.
I am discouraged about the spool gun welds not turning out right. The final solution I came up with was selling my power mig 255, and buying a Hobart 230 with spool gun. You can buy the hobart 230 for with spool gun for a little more than I can get a spool gun and adapter kit for the 255. I am hoping I can sell the 255 and only come out $500 bucks or so behind with a brand new welder and spool gun. Not that the new thing is much of a plus, I dont think the powermig welds any different than it did off the line in the mid nineties.
Well worse case scenario, I can at least tack the pieces with the spool gun, and then take the panels to somebody to tig it up pretty. Couldnt imagine there would be much cost in that.
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Grab Handles Galore
Cranked out 9 grab handles yesterday. I got the patterned right the first time (pretty rare), and was able to assembly line the rest of them pretty quick. I bent at a 45, 45, and then notched at a 50 for a pretty tight fit.
I even bent a long one on the b-pillar support for the rear passengers.
Cranked out 9 grab handles yesterday. I got the patterned right the first time (pretty rare), and was able to assembly line the rest of them pretty quick. I bent at a 45, 45, and then notched at a 50 for a pretty tight fit.
I even bent a long one on the b-pillar support for the rear passengers.
The flaw in your plan with the grab handles.... they are flat to the roof line. Meaning, if someone was holding on to them during a roll over, their hand/fingers would be pinched between the handle and the roof. Not good considering this could lead to a hand getting stuck making extraction difficult after the fact or worse..... hand or mutiple finger removal.
I would consider repositioning some of those grab handles, maybe even eliminate the inboard ones completely so they are not sticking down becoming something to bang a head against.
The A and B pillar ones look good, just those top ones are scary.
I would consider repositioning some of those grab handles, maybe even eliminate the inboard ones completely so they are not sticking down becoming something to bang a head against.
The A and B pillar ones look good, just those top ones are scary.
Thanks for the advice. I see your point about creating a possible pinch point, but I will more than likely just leave it the way that it is. I like to have an oh-sh*t handle (even when I am driving), and highly doubt this rig will be seeing any offroad conditions where rollovers are probable.
drew4x4
1/2 ton status
order yourself a soft top right now!! you won't regret it.
I am envious of your shop 
While space and tools do come in handy, most of the things I do (like yesterday with the top) are easier done with two guys in a parking lot. The crane just lets me do things by myself/get in trouble.
Speaking of tools, you can see my homemade beer-pong float laying on the down-draft table to the right of the blazer.
Speaking of tools, you can see my homemade beer-pong float laying on the down-draft table to the right of the blazer.
Seats and Cable Shifter
Got my seats, seem pretty decent. The "custom fit" brackets arent going to work. I should have known better when corbeau said they were for an 87-97 blazer. I am working with them to see if that have something that will work, or else I will just have to make a pair for myself.
Floor was in a little worse shape than I thought. Looks like the PO had some damage near where the seats bolted on.
Seats recline to full horizontal. The lever is on the other side of the seat in this picture. I just pulled one seat out of the wrapping, and it happened to be the passenger side.
You can also notice where I busted my windshield. Had some spare chain sitting on top of the top when I was moving it over. Somehow it managed to fall off right as the top was coming over the windshield.
Got my seats, seem pretty decent. The "custom fit" brackets arent going to work. I should have known better when corbeau said they were for an 87-97 blazer. I am working with them to see if that have something that will work, or else I will just have to make a pair for myself.
Floor was in a little worse shape than I thought. Looks like the PO had some damage near where the seats bolted on.
Seats recline to full horizontal. The lever is on the other side of the seat in this picture. I just pulled one seat out of the wrapping, and it happened to be the passenger side.
You can also notice where I busted my windshield. Had some spare chain sitting on top of the top when I was moving it over. Somehow it managed to fall off right as the top was coming over the windshield.
Cable Shifter
Installed the B&M cable shifter without any issue. Obviously the plywood is just for mock up purposes. I will probably have to set it in a sump to get it a little bit lower and more comfortable.
Installed the B&M cable shifter without any issue. Obviously the plywood is just for mock up purposes. I will probably have to set it in a sump to get it a little bit lower and more comfortable.
