Updated 4/6/08 Project "Tranformer" almost complete!

[juanblzer]

The method to the madness:
I want a truck that looks like a truck. I also want a truck that I can beat the crap out of and not care too much about. I also want to have as little sheet metal as possible.

The solution. Removable bodypanels utilizing dzus fasteners and Autofab hoodpins. Also removable: the substructure that holds on the fiberglass panels.

This facilitates crawling without the worry of body panels... and way less negative attention from la policia




How it will kind of look... This is a 2wd race truck with the same fiberglass I will have on my truck. Check out those a-arms!

Trailer products race fiberglass mocked up on my blazer...

Without body panels (with sheetmetal hood)

still to come:
Soon...inner panels (using sheet ABS plastic instead of aluminum) to keep debris from coming in to the passenger area or waterbottles coming out.
In May...triple bypass King shocks with revalving for the coilovers at the same time
winch
bfg 39 inch Baja projects off of a race truck for a street set of tires
rear disk brakes
emergency brake

yesterday on the before and after getting it on the trailer.

Finally mounted... and on the driveway ready for final trimming...

 

[VikingWarlord]

It's going to be sick Juan !

 

[chevy wrangler]

dude that is awesome!!

 

[reddog64]

Holy light bar batman...

Other than that, looks sweet!

 

[Blue85]

Vehicle mode looks pretty good. I can't wait to see it in robot mode!

 

[WikedLizard]

Subscribed!!!

 

[Jason4x4]

lookin good, now with that fibergalss you won't get anymore DWH's, so you don't need that trailer anymore...

 

[FWP]

Without body panels (with sheetmetal hood)

still to come:
Soon...inner panels (using sheet ABS plastic instead of aluminum) to keep debris from coming in to the passenger area or waterbottles coming out.
In May...triple bypass King shocks with revalving for the coilovers at the same time
winch
bfg 39 inch Baja projects off of a race truck for a street set of tires
rear disk brakes
emergency brake

Awesome dude, Gotta love Escalator- try it in the pissin down rain- been there done that- I think in the same hole

Come up and visit when it get's too hot down there- you can help me with my buggy build and have a few beers.

 

[supersize75k5]

sweeeeeet

 

[RockinChevy]

Looks killer, Juan! Can't wait to see it complete.

Any reason why you chose triple bypass over the remote reservoir design?

 

[juanblzer]

i can fit triple bypasses in the rear easily and they are about 1300 for the set.
oh, and they are very progressive for going fast. My coilovers will basically become coil carriers and most of the valving will be in the bypasses (some valving will remain in the coilovers). I am also sticking with king for the bypasses. When I order them I will send in my coilovers for valving at the same time.

 

[juanblzer]

two new pics on first post

 

[Brocky]

I love it and have a few questions for you. Do you have a link for the panels? Cost? Needs lots of pics too. Is there a front end, grill headlight assembly that would fit the body now? Could the factory hardtop still be mounted on there? All else fails I could get a soft top made to fit it tho. I am very curious, I like the idea of being able to look like a newer rig and when ya takes it offroad you can remove the panels and not beat it up. Keep us updated.

 

[juanblzer]

I bought all of my 'glass from trailer products. They are located in Hemet, California. http://www.off-roadfiberglass.com/ (these guys had a one piece front end. I wanted that to make removal and install easier)

Remember:
there are two grades to fiberglass:
race weight (imperfections, not the best gel coat, will melt in a small fire, will break away in most wrecks) This is what i run because its the cheapest

and
the other kind
more expensive, sometimes can come in bolt on form, heavy gel coat, some only need light prep for paint


other companies that sell chevy glass and various update kits.
www.autofab.com
www.perrysfabnfiber.com (
www.glassworksunlimited.com (the most expensive but highest quality)

 

[Brocky]

Thxs man. I am liking the looks of the Mcneil kit. I dont know how the woman will feel about it, but hey she wants me to get a newer truck. Best of both worlds with that kit. Where I have a 78 some companies only make it for the next style 80 or 81 up. But I dunno I like the new truck look. Thxs for the links and keep up the good work.

 

[juanblzer]

just remember:
most of the kits require some pretty extensive fab work to mount the glass. Dzus can be easy to work with but you will have to have a bender to make some kind of sub structure to mount that glass. For the hood I'd use autofab hood pins.

The glassworks unlimited kit is pretty good. The fenders and such pretty much bolt on but I think you need to modify a newer core support for the blazer to have the glass all line up.

 

[Brocky]

Ya I witnessed my buddy putting glass panels on a 4 runner. What a nightmere lining it all up. Also I noticed they use the hood hinges from the firewall. I have the fender mounted hinges. This may have to be addressed. Hmmm, I have email mcneils with a few questions I wanted answered so, until they get back to me I will not make any calls on it. The woman likes it, my buddies like my old 78 front end. I like both. I'll let you know if I decide to go with it. Thxs for the info and keep up the good work on your rig.

 

[mtnman]

Looks killer, Juan! Can't wait to see it complete.

Any reason why you chose triple bypass over the remote reservoir design?

GO FAST - GO FAST - GO FASTFAST IS GOOOOOOD - I NEED BYPASS SHOCKS SO I CAN REALLY GO FAST INSTEAD OF THE PRETEND FAST I CAN DO NOW. btw Juan - looks sweet

 

[juanblzer]

more pics on page 1

 

[juanblzer]

now I just have to "fiberglass in" the headlight and grill combo from trailerproducts... oh wait... I have to buy it first.