Firewall - Heater and misc. openings [Archive]

RSB3

07-13-2010, 01:25 PM

Ok it has been a while but alot has been happening. Married, possible job relocation, and a baby due in a couple of weeks. Everyone is telling me time won't be there once the kid comes...anyway

Question on the firewall and existing heater, have most of you removed it completely and closed the opening in the firewall?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

straightaxle

07-13-2010, 03:34 PM

Since this is a class 3 racing site, I would have to say yes to your question. No racers out there that I am aware of have a heater, and the holes have been covered. Even though Leavitt has a stock dash, I am pretty sure his heater is gone. There are some (or at least 1) with air conditioners.

chupakabras

07-13-2010, 03:35 PM

yes to all, ha, i mean, just close that opening in the firewall, and yes, time will be there, not easy but there's always a way for everything, ha, right,. good luck,.

RSB3

07-13-2010, 04:49 PM

Thanks! I will find time and close up those holes and post some pics.
About time I did but I have a long way to go seeing some of the very nice fab work on this site. New to welding so this will give me some burn time.

Thanks!

Blanco

07-13-2010, 09:06 PM

What did I start?
I get married & a bunch of you seem to be following my lead. LOL!
Good luck to all of you in your relationships both in love & racing... :)

vistaracing1

07-14-2010, 10:05 AM

dont you have those whisper brand impacts and grinders that allow you to work at all hours? - good luck > kids are the best (i should know i am one!)

RSB3

07-14-2010, 12:25 PM

dont you have those whisper brand impacts and grinders that allow you to work at all hours? - good luck > kids are the best (i should know i am one!)

impacts? grinders? you mean open ended wrenches and sandpaper? :D

looking forward to the kid, wife is about to pop! boy due 7/25
I just bought all the materials to make my welder extension cord (30') yesterday so I can go anywhere in the shop

RSB3

07-20-2010, 05:31 PM

Ok here are some pics of one patch area. note this is my first stitch job

RSB3

07-21-2010, 07:59 PM

Here is a question for you Blazer guys, can I eliminate some of the steel beneath the floor boards and be ok. I don't want to remove all of it if I don't have too but I am cutting away the areas that aren't needed before I start trying to layout a cage. See attached pictures of the area in question, this is of the passenger side looking forward from the rear wheel wheel.
Also a pic of the new fiberglass hood from the wife on my B-day :D
Thanks,
Bob

retroblazer

07-22-2010, 05:54 AM

Anthing rusty should go. If you are building it to race, the thread about "trailer queen" is a good guide. If you are building a multi purpose truck, I think Rick and Eric at UWeld have a bronco that might be closer to your thoughts.

RSB3

01-03-2011, 01:36 PM

Ok I am getting serious about buying a tube bender, I am looking at the Model 32 by JD squared. The question I have is in the rules it states the radius must be 3 times the tube diameter, so 6". Is the 6" to the interior face of the tube, not the centerline? the have a 7.5" and a 6.5" die, I am assuming I go with the 7.5" die to allow for a 6.5" radius (interior face of tube to center of radius)

Has anyone out there had experience with this setup?

http://www.jd2.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=7

I have also seen many different ways to bring the tubing into the frame, Ron had a hoop to the frame, some have placed it on a perch, some have bent the tubing at an angle into the frame so the B hoop is continuous all the way to the frame, any recommendations, comments?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

straightaxle

01-04-2011, 08:16 AM

The radius is typically measured to the centerline of the tube. Any bender you can buy will not make a bend that is too small for the rule.

As far as terminations at the frame, there is no "best" way. Everyone has a reason for using what they do. It might be the materials on hand or trying to minimize the tube used, etc. We used urethane bushings at the frame connections which has made the truck last a long time, but the cage has cracked at other locations even though they had gussets. The bushings also add to the cost and fabrication required. No matter how hard you analyze and engineer, you will realize there was a better way that you could have done it a few races later. Build the cage as tight to the exterior of the sheetmetal as you can to give you adequate room inside for helmets and arms. Also realize that the cage itself is only a minor part of the time required to build the truck, it is all the OTHER items that attach to the cage that take endless hours to fabricate.

RSB3

01-04-2011, 01:27 PM

Could you take some pictures and post of your connections (urethane)? also the seat connections if possible? I still have not seen a clear picture of the seat connection. I have the seats (3G's) and I have seen in some partial pictures of a urethane connection at the cage to a tube that the seats sit on.
I am at the point where I need to dive in and get this Blazer on the road, I am figuring that I just need it running and meet the requirements and then revise from there. I see some prerunners on this site that I would race!
Thanks in advance!
Bob

straightaxle

01-07-2011, 12:23 PM

Here are some urethane cage mount pics. The cage goes to the mounts on the frame, no outriggers used. The mounts are bolted to the frame and theoretically could be bolted to a new frame. The mounts also need to be bolted in in case you ever need to get the bushings out. The seats are just solid mounted to the cage, no urethane should be used there. Make sure the seat and the seat belts are attached to the same structure.

flyinbronco

01-11-2011, 07:28 AM

Check out page 47 in Autofab's 2011 catalog and it may give you some ideas on urethane cage mounts.

http://www.autofab.com/catalog%202011.pdf

straightaxle

01-11-2011, 09:30 AM

Check out page 47 in Autofab's 2011 catalog and it may give you some ideas on urethane cage mounts.

http://www.autofab.com/catalog%202011.pdf

That is where those parts in the pictures above came from. If your going to go that way, well worth the $$$.

RSB3

01-13-2011, 02:12 PM

That is where those parts in the pictures above came from. If your going to go that way, well worth the $$$.

Thanks guys! Sorry I haven't responded sooner but I was traveling to CA for work. I will take a look. Thanks again!

Salttoy

01-13-2011, 05:05 PM

Thanks guys! Sorry I haven't responded sooner but I was traveling to CA for work. I will take a look. Thanks again!

Where in CA are you working?

RSB3

01-14-2011, 08:23 AM

Where in CA are you working?

The Bay Area, office in Sunnyvale, project in San Jose

retroblazer

01-14-2011, 10:05 AM

Put 95322 in your map search and come over and take some pictures in person. It's about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the Blazer from San Jose. Anytime

RSB3

01-14-2011, 07:22 PM

Put 95322 in your map search and come over and take some pictures in person. It's about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the Blazer from San Jose. Anytime

Next time I am in the Bay Area I will plan on it!!! Thanks so much! It will definitely be within the next 2-3 weeks. :D

RSB3

02-01-2011, 01:42 PM

That is where those parts in the pictures above came from. If your going to go that way, well worth the $$$.

Have you ever had a bolt fail in the bushing? I am assuming they are grade 8.
I contacted them and they could fab ones for the Blazer at $600 for 4 (cab mounts) since my fab skills are novice, I am seriously considering it. They will need the stock ones off the blazer to do.

straightaxle

02-01-2011, 10:31 PM

Have you ever had a bolt fail in the bushing? I am assuming they are grade 8.
I contacted them and they could fab ones for the Blazer at $600 for 4 (cab mounts) since my fab skills are novice, I am seriously considering it. They will need the stock ones off the blazer to do.

Have not had a bolt fail in the cage mounts and they are grade 5. The engine mounts use a similar bushing and we have had one break there. We have increased those to Grade 8 and made sure the length of the bolt put only the shoulder in both ears of the mount, and not any of the threaded portion of the bolt.

RSB3

02-12-2011, 05:05 PM

Put 95322 in your map search and come over and take some pictures in person. It's about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the Blazer from San Jose. Anytime

I would like to thank Chris for allowing me to come by and see his Blazer. The 190 mile round trip from SJ was well worth the trip to finally see a class 3 Blazer! After opening some huge barn doors which let out a large owl flying out of the dark void of the barn, we looked over the Blazer amongst the many black widows that took residence all over and inside the Blazer, still Chris was willing to talk and show me the Blazer for an hour or so.

Here are a couple of pictures I took last Tuesday.

Thanks again Chris!

Blanco

02-12-2011, 07:50 PM

I wonder what a Black Widow thinks about as it traveling through the desert at 100 MPH?

RSB3

03-07-2011, 02:35 PM

I wonder what a Black Widow thinks about as it traveling through the desert at 100 MPH?

As long as it wasn't crawling up your pant leg! Bought 1410 yokes for the 14 and 60 today along with a flange for the NP205, need to order the slip yoke eliminator next. Will have to crack the 205 and clean it up next. Bender is still on the list. Picture is of the rear axle under the Blazer, just going to fit, may need to flare the rear fenders a bit.

orbot

03-19-2011, 10:28 PM

Keep it coming, damn i wish i had a blazer...

RSB3

11-26-2011, 07:16 PM

K, update.... Been in contact with Ron Johnson and he gave some great deals on some items for the Blazer! I scored some springs, fuel cell and a front axle! Great guy and some cool stories. Spent a long day driving over 1075 miles starting at 2am (pulled over at 2:20am :eek:, no ticket though even though I was doing 11 over...) and back in Boise at 10:30pm that night, all to drive to Tacoma to see Ron's shop and many trucks, very cool!!! He has helped putting a big dent in items I needed.
Decided to go the traditional look on the Blazer and my friend and I are going to make an aluminum top to mimic the original fiberglass monster.
Have also been cleaning/cutting out the rust.
Will post pictures soon!

Oh I also bought my race air for each side...

retroblazer

11-27-2011, 10:35 AM