Has anyone gotten with Founders Performance about the bolt issue? Is it too small? Too big? Are you supposed to use their bolts or anything? I'd hate to be in the middle of the install and find out I don't have the correct bolt. I HATE having to run up to a hardware store while in the middle of a project like that. LOL

Awesome job on the rear end, black. I'll have to seriously consider taking everything apart on my rear axle and painting it. Looks soooo much better when it is painted. Any special paint you used? What did you use to clean off the rust before painting?

I'm also curious as to the type of headlights you got and what they look like. I've never really been a fan of the stock headlights on the 98-02's. I actually liked the quad lights from the 93-97 era better. So, I'm sort of looking at other options for my 02.

Oh wait...after writing all that, I just realized you have a 93, right? Dang it...so my headlight question is moot. But I'd still like to see them. LOL

 

I didnt contact Founders, I believe they sell a bolt kit optionally, I purchased them for the control arms and didnt think about the panhard bar. The factory bolt is actually two sizes and the portion closer to the head is larger than the hole in the misalignment spacer. You could probably drill the one out to match, I just didnt want to mess with it...

I purchased 88-98' C/K truck headlights and will be installing those in place of the sealed beam crap. I did the same mod on my 95' and loved it.

 

Oh damn...that looks cool as hell! :-D Much of a modification to install the C/K lights? Or was it pretty much bolt on?

Thanks for the info. Maybe whenever I finally order the kit, I'll just add the bolts to it so I don't have to worry about it. I was going to get their kit that came with the lower panhard bar and both lower rear control arms, but upon looking at my video I took for my build blog, I found out the former owner already put red tubular lower control arms on. Not that I'm complaining, saves me money. LOL

 

Agreed, I really like how they look being all one piece/smooth. You have to cut down the bracket and retaining bolts on the actual headlights. Then you have to cut out the stock headlight mounting points/bracket on each side and it's best to cut the bumper so the headlights can be as low as possible for hood clearance.

I think a quick email/phone call would probably remedy the situation with the hardware, glad you don't need lowers, every bit of savings helps!

 

Z28_Demon,

I didnt answer your question on the paint/procedure, sorry about that... So I used a plastic cup brush in my die grinder to remove most of the surface rust/crap, followed up with a wire wheel in the drill for anything I couldnt get too or needed additional attention. I then wiped everything clean with brake cleaner, used rust converting primer and satin black paint. I need to sand a few spots that I got runs in, but its not too bad.

 

I am almost finished with the cat back exhaust system, I have everything in place and tightened down up to the tips. I decided to leave them loose for now, I need to pull the bumper cover for paint and they block two of the fasteners. Ha Ha

 

Ordered the PowerStop front brake kit, which is slotted/drilled rotors and ceramic pads to match the rear. I will just paint the OE calipers and brackets for now to also match the rear. I plan on going to C5/6 front brakes after I can afford to upgrade the wheels.

 

No worries. I was just curious. Sounds like how I'm eventually going to do mine, so I appreciate the tip and info. I'll finally get to use my air compressor for something other than blowing up tires. LOL!!!!

Keep up the great work. Love seeing the progress.

 

I understand, I used the same procedure for the driveshaft as well since its steel, worked out well. Ha Ha, good to actually use the compressor here and there!

Will do, hoping to get it road worthy in the next month or so.

 

I finished up the rear of the car and put it back on all fours, I am trying to get the remote start/alarm/keyless entry finished up so I can put the rest of the interior back together. My glass guy has the new windshield, just waiting for him to come over for the install. Then I will swap out the front brakes and start the body work.

 

 

Alarm setup going in, so many wires! Ha Ha

 

Also bit the bullet and ordered a new torque arm, the original one is beat up and they are a piece of crap anyway... LMAO

 

Not much progress this weekend, it was very hot, I had other projects I needed to do and it was nice to take a bit of a break. I did manage to make a few of the connections for the alarm, working on the door lock wiring curretnly, The front brake components arrived as well, so I need to get that completed so I can flush/bleed the brakes.

 

Nice...love all the wires, so much fun, isn't it? LOL

It's been too darn hot and humid out for me to go crawling around on the asphalt to work on mine. :-( So, I'm living vicariously through you and your build right now. LOL It sooooo sucks not having a garage!!!!! Anyway, keep up the great work.

Question, do you have TCS (Traction Control) on your car? Reason I ask is you mentioned about bleeding the front brakes. I read on one other post somewhere on here that people either can't or have an extremely hard time bleeding brakes if the car has TCS installed from the factory. Someone said you had to take it to the dealer to get the brakes bled. That seems odd to me, but I thought I'd ask you since you are going to bleeding them soon. That's my only hold up right now of taking my calipers off and painting them along with pulling my rear axle and cleaning it up and painting it. If I can bleed the brakes, then I'm not doing it.

 

Fun is not the word, the power door lock wires are the worst thing so far though...

That does suck, Im sorry man! I am fortunate to have a garage and I pulled out the portable swamp cooler to at least move some air around. I also have a ceiling fan in teh middle of my garage that helps a little bit.

I do not have TCS, just the 3 channel ABS system. I believe that they are referring to the ABS pump, you usually need a scan tool to activate the pump. My understanding is that would be only if you allow the ABS block to get air in it though. I guess I'll find out!

 

Yes, I feel like an idiot. I don't know why I was thinking TCS instead of ABS. I didn't think it sounded right in my head, but went with it anyway. LOL Someone else corrected me on another post I put out specifically about the bleeding of the brakes with the ABS (even though I said TCS there too).

Well, let me know if you find out. I don't have any type of scan tool and when I had my Tahoe and had to do work on it, everyone mentioned for me to get a Tech II scan tool. Ya, it is like a grand. Uhhh...no. So, I know some scan tools only read codes, but some can actually set stuff. So, I'm curious as to what you use if you have to. The other person told me to bleed the brakes like normal to try and get the best pedal you can, take it for a small drive, brake hard a few times to activate the ABS and then bleed the brakes again. Repeat until you get a firm pedal. I'd rather do it with the scan tool...sounds way easier. LOL!

 

It's cool, I knew what you meant. The big boy scan tools are very nice to have, but my car is OBDI, so probably not much use anyway... I have heard that the "cheat" is basically what you said, bleed as well as you can, then take it to a dirt road and get the ABS to kick in, but I was told to bleed it on the spot and repeat until teh brakes felt good.

I did notice last night that there are bleed screws on teh top of the ABS block, so I assume that it can bled manually. I honestly plan on deleting the ABS after I get my Colorado title, it doesnt work that great and Id really like to clean up the engine bay anyway.

 

Sorry for the lack of updates, Ive been working on lanscaping in the backyard... I did get a new windshield finally though!

 

Now what are you going to do? No wind blowing in your hair as you drive without a windshield. LOL!