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Dabomb's 1985 Jimmy - Rust Repair/Floor Replacement/Upgrades: TPI Swap

It has been started.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3506963#post3506963

Just had about 8" of snow dumped on us overnight last night and this morning. So Trans Am won't be able to move an inch until it melts away. Looking at some cold temps this week. -10 before wind chill for the low on Thursday. That's some of the coldest I think I have seen my whole life....definitely not going to want to be out in the garage with that going on outside.
 
Props to you doing all that work. Finding a decent body in the rust belt is tough. Exactly why I grabbed a solid rust free tub last year. I've repaired way too many rust buckets.
 
Props to you doing all that work. Finding a decent body in the rust belt is tough. Exactly why I grabbed a solid rust free tub last year. I've repaired way too many rust buckets.

Thanks! :thumb: Yeah, I would've liked to find a good tub. But if you ever find a rust free or close to it K5 around here you're going to be putting down the $$$. Figured I would try and do my best with what I had.
 
Thanks! :thumb: Yeah, I would've liked to find a good tub. But if you ever find a rust free or close to it K5 around here you're going to be putting down the $$$. Figured I would try and do my best with what I had.


Yah I snagged this from ohio last year for 400.
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Only surface rust no holes or patches. Everything is solid.
 
There was a free k5 on here over in Washington State. Would've been around $2000 to get it to me though. Couldn't come up with the cash unfortunately. It was rust free.

That looks like a heck of a deal you got there!
 
Found a soft top for sale semi locally. Made by specialty top company. Which isn't open anymore and I haven't been able to find a lot of info on them. Guy wants $550 for it. Black, tinted windows, new uninstalled condition...

So what's the story on these? Good/Bad? Last a while? Leaks? Think it is worth it? I really don't NEED to buy it or spend that $$$.....but I've wanted a soft top since day 1. And I never see them for sale locally. I've only been looking since 2008...maybe came across one, maybe two, other ones in that time.

Sent me these tiny pictures.

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Unless they were a really good top. I wouldn't for that much.


Pretty sure you can get a softopper for like $850 that is BRAND new (not been sitting in a garage for who knows how long) and I know those are quality.


Get him down a few more hundred Id say.
 
Unless they were a really good top. I wouldn't for that much.


Pretty sure you can get a softopper for like $850 that is BRAND new (not been sitting in a garage for who knows how long) and I know those are quality.


Get him down a few more hundred Id say.

I most likely wouldn't bite unless he went down on the price. Thinking a solid $400-$450. That's half the price of new, might be worth it then. This is all assuming that it is a quality top.
 
I paid $250 for a pretty mint one from a member yr's ago.. that was a smoking deal.. but I wouldn't go over $400 for a used one...



they are a real nice top, Fastrack I'm assuming... not a perfect design, but pretty cool.. in some ways I like it better than the newer softtopper....

couple things I don't like, that I'm gonna have modded by my canvas guy are...



the corners in the back don't have the "J" hook plastic clips in em to hook under the tailgate...



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and also, that back window doesn't zip out.. only 3 sides and you can roll it up.. whereas the side windows totally come out...




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what I like better about it over the softopper is it's not quite as "boxey" up on top, and I definitely like the side windows better.. the softoppers are , once again , kinda boxey IMO..


I also love the trac design down the side (bolts right to the top rail) , as opposed to anything with snaps drilled into the qrter...
 
Wow, I must have missed that in your build that you had one of them. Or I just forgot.:doah:

I'm not entirely bought with the look of it...but it's one of those things I guess. Don't really like the look of softtoppers either. Now the Skyler pick up looking one:saweet: That thing is sexy. But makes the truck pretty useless. And are impossible to find anymore. Sooooo I guess if I really want one I'm going to have to suck it up for it looking weird with it up. I would take it off during the winter and put the top back on.

I asked the guy if he would hold it for me but told him if someone comes along with his asking price that I wouldn't be mad if he sold it. He said he would. Maybe in a month or so I will get back ahold of him and shoot him an offer if he still has it. Start lower then $400 and not pay a penny more then $400.
 
Possible change of plans...

Well guys, there might be a change of plans....truck might be staying in the garage after all.

Here's my situation....I graduate this May with an Associates in drafting. I've been working at a Civil Engineering Firm for 7+ years now. Working summers through high school and then year round in college working around school hours. I've been doing more and more drafting each year instead of the original intent of my hiring which was basically archiving (scanning) our old prints onto the server. They've been in business since the 60's so there is/was a lot to do.

Anyways, so I graduate this May and I am hoping I get hired full time here (basically already work full time) and get a raise since I am only making minimum wage. If that happens I am saying goodbye to my night job at Fazolis. I'm beginning to hate it there. I get pissed of almost every shift and I just am tired of it. It was never meant as a permanent job so its time to leave.

Problem to doing that even though I might get a raise/more hours at the good job is I like the extra money I get from working the two jobs. :rolleyes: SO I say all of that to say....

I might be mowing yards on the side this summer. And to do that I need a dependable vehicle that can haul around the equipment and possible trash/junk/limbs that I will be removing. A quick look at the fleet of vehicles I have and it leaves the Jimmy as the only good vehicle for that. Yeah the Taurus has a hitch on it and has done fine pulling the jet ski around but it just isn't the best vehicle for the job. The Jimmy is!

So quick list of things that need done to make the Jimmy dependable/drivable again.

1: Seam seal/bed line floor

2: Put it back together from floor project. (I.E. doors/top/bumper/interior)

3: Go TPI!

4: Fix problem with leaking between transfer case and transmission.

5: Find new seats for front. Prefer 20/40/20 seats out of newer truck.


Kind've a serious problem since the two bottom threads of the tail housing on the transmission are stripped. And the top passenger corner at one time broke off.....:eek1: Its "fixed" so to speak but the stripped threads are causing it to leak between there. I'm in process of buying a TPI harness from a member on here. :whistle: The quarter panels might also be waiting to be started next winter.

The car will be on afterburner until the above happens I think. I'm pretty convinced in doing this. The way I have it in my head is I can do one yard a night after I get off work at 4pm which leaves me with about 4 hours daylight in the summer. 5 yards a week at a minimum of $30 a yard puts me at making more every two weeks then I currently do at Fazolis after taxes. And that's cash in pocket from the mowing. I have the ability to do it. I'm in good shape physically, have helped my friend many times mowing yards, and I have most the equipment to do it already.

So there is my almost lobby/situation room worthy kinda techie update.

P.S. Anyone know of a TBI fuel tank/pickup for sale at a good price? :haha:
 
In my 78 2wd blazer I have a TPI and am running a stock TBI tank with a stock TBI pump and pickup. It is adequate for my 305.
 
In my 78 2wd blazer I have a TPI and am running a stock TBI tank with a stock TBI pump and pickup. It is adequate for my 305.

That's the plan for me, to find a TBI pump/pickup with a TBI tank. RockAuto sells the tank/sending unit/pump/straps as a kit for around $200. That's not terrible for all new stuff. If I could find myself a used tank I would save even more however. Doubtful I find one locally though.
 
A new tank really isn't terribly expensive, and are a lot less hassle.

Martin
 
A new tank really isn't terribly expensive, and are a lot less hassle.

Martin

I will most likely end up going with a new tank. Currently looking around for prices.

I found a one time used sending unit with TBI pump on ebay that I have on the way. Got it for $50 shipped. It looked brand new and comes with box. Figure I can turn around and sell the TBI pump for a little bit to recoup some cost on it. :thumb:
 
Used wiring harness is on its way for the TPI. I will be converting it to use as a standalone harness. I will also convert it to be used with the same EBL Flash ECM that is in my car currently. The new sending unit is on the way as well. I will be ordering my fuel tank sometime in the next week hopefully.

Once all of that comes in I need to start actually working on the truck to prepare it for all of this. It has been so cold that I haven't even had the strive to go out and work on it the past couple weeks.

I need to pull out the ECM that is in the truck currently from the ESC that was originally on it. Along with the harness from that. Then I can start cleaning up the wires that will be staying. Once all of that's done the intake needs to be removed and the TPI lower intake manifold can be installed to start doing the fuel rail and associated fuel lines leading to the hard lines on the frame. I also need to look at my VSS that I hope is on the back of my speedometer. I can't remember if that box was there or not. It "should" be there.
 
I have most of the parts to do this to my 1990 Blazer except an ECM. The main thing I am lacking is ambition.....

Martin
 
Ambition can be one elusive bitch sometimes. She teases you and starts to get that ball rolling then she leaves you high and dry while she moves on to flirt with someone else.
 

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