Boostingaz
Well-known member
Congrats!!! Think of all the activities time you will have
You're 3 ahead of me, my oldest is 9 years away and then spread down to my youngest is 16 years away
. I've got ages 9, 7, 5, 2.5.
Above 1200 Sq/FT Aces High Speed Shop's New Home - 36x40x14
- Thread starter OutlawDrifter
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
Congrats!!! Think of all the activities time you will have
You're 3 ahead of me, my oldest is 9 years away and then spread down to my youngest is 16 years away
. I've got ages 9, 7, 5, 2.5.
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Congrats!!! Think of all the activities time you will have
Right?!
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Thanks!
jbmatth
Well-known member
That is a really cool graduation present and well done on the leather wrapped leather, is a steering wheel next in your future?
JB
JB
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
I've actually been looking at kits for my Z28, it's starting to look pretty warn after years of use.
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Put the Suburban to work on Friday night. Youngest son and I were headed up North with the Z28 when the alternator quit. Luckily enough it did it before we got on the interstate, missed my nephew's 30 birthday party, and now have some work to do on the car. Battery was probably on its way out and I should have replaced it this spring. Unknown age on the alternator as it was part of the Fbody spaced FEAD I purchased for the LS swap 12+ years ago. Wife brought the trailer, tools, and a new battery (She really is the best). Installed new battery, started the car, had 14.4v for about 3 minutes and then the alternator gave up again and would not charge.
The Suburban did it's job without protest, the big block just idled along and pretended like the car and trailer weren't back there.
The Suburban did it's job without protest, the big block just idled along and pretended like the car and trailer weren't back there.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Put the Suburban to work on Friday night. Youngest son and I were headed up North with the Z28 when the alternator quit. Luckily enough it did it before we got on the interstate, missed my nephew's 30 birthday party, and now have some work to do on the car. Battery was probably on its way out and I should have replaced it this spring. Unknown age on the alternator as it was part of the Fbody spaced FEAD I purchased for the LS swap 12+ years ago. Wife brought the trailer, tools, and a new battery (She really is the best). Installed new battery, started the car, had 14.4v for about 3 minutes and then the alternator gave up again and would not charge.
The Suburban did it's job without protest, the big block just idled along and pretended like the car and trailer weren't back there.
That is a cool looking picture right there Marc, even though the car is under duress.
I really need to get a car hauler trailer fabricated one of these days. With an aging fleet I know I'll need one probably sooner rather than later.
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Thanks, Mike! Definitely not a picture I wanted to snap
It could have been much worse...trying to load that car on the side of the interstate would be a nightmare! There is no way I could lower this car, it was a chore to get it on the trailer in the parking lot, had to try a couple of different areas and throw some cribbing under the jack and in front of the ramps to get it loaded up.
XJSuperman
Well-known member
Hey, you must be the guy that won Finnegan's giveaway car! 
Sorry bout the alternator buddy. Happens to all of us at some point. My last one was 4hrs from my destination and 6hrs from home.
Sorry bout the alternator buddy. Happens to all of us at some point. My last one was 4hrs from my destination and 6hrs from home.
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Hey, you must be the guy that won Finnegan's giveaway car!
Sorry bout the alternator buddy. Happens to all of us at some point. My last one was 4hrs from my destination and 6hrs from home.
Haha, I laughed out loud in my office at that...now everyone is staring at me like I'm crazy
FInnegan's car ain't got **** on mine
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks, Mike! Definitely not a picture I wanted to snap
It could have been much worse...trying to load that car on the side of the interstate would be a nightmare! There is no way I could lower this car, it was a chore to get it on the trailer in the parking lot, had to try a couple of different areas and throw some cribbing under the jack and in front of the ramps to get it loaded up.
I know the feeling Marc. When we had our enclosed race trailer, loading the race car/street rod was a chore. Even with the trailer's 4' beaver tail it wasn't enough and needed additional distance to soften the breakover. The only way I found was to raise the coach's air suspension in the rear which raised the tongue height about 5-6 inches, then I had a ramp extension that I made that folded out another 3' on either side of the ramp. There was barely enough room to put a piece of paper under the chassis of the car when winching it into the trailer. It required a lot of area to load and unload the car.
jbmatth
Well-known member
I can give you one company I will never use again...I'm still upset by that outcome.
Glad you were able to get rescued easy enough I've been a little nervous not having a trailer since I had to sell mine last year.
I've seen what it takes to load other peoples Vipers onto trailers and I sure hope I never have to experience that, but it is a Dodge so I'm sure my days are numbered.
Mine is slightly lower than stock and I only have ~2.75" under the air dam that is 13" in front of the tire. Ouch JB
My bachelor party was at The Smoky Mountain Rod Run in Sevierville, TN. Sunday morning as I was standing outside my hotel room, I watched a guy loading a Viper he had just bought onto an open deck car hauler. He got the front up and it was going ok until he gave it a bit of throttle and shot a ramp out and car dropped onto the drivers side ground effects. Lots of smashing and cursing coming from the parking lot on that one.I can give you one company I will never use again...I'm still upset by that outcome.
Glad you were able to get rescued easy enough I've been a little nervous not having a trailer since I had to sell mine last year.
I've seen what it takes to load other peoples Vipers onto trailers and I sure hope I never have to experience that, but it is a Dodge so I'm sure my days are numbered.
JB
I missed an opportunity on one. A PA I worked with was selling his at the beginning of covid for 75k. Fully built twin turbo with every bolt on imaginable and a complete extra engine etc. Car was immaculate and probably worth double by now. At the time 75k seemed like a lot and it was out of my price range, but what a value co.pared to some of the cars I see at the price point 5 years later.
jbmatth
Well-known member
If you are ever in the Wichita area I'm sure we can arrange something.
I was most surprised at how much it wonders/darts around, I have 295 tires up front and 345's out back, lots of tread to pull everywhere on uneven pavement.JB
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Well, update time.
Son #1 graduated for real. Had some family in town including my best friend who is basically a blood brother. Made 7.5lbs of carne asada with an old Mexico recipe my dad received 35 years ago. Skirt steak is expensive!
We got the Z28 fixed with a new Powermaster 165amp alternator. Threw on a new belt as well for good measure.
Had a good afternoon of shooting, best friend had son #2 shooting his "B-Team" 10/22 (looks like Hannibal's Mini-14 from the A-Team) and his space gun Henry Axe.
One of my local buddies came up with 3 fireproof file cabinets and set one aside for me. So I've got that moved into the shop and have been cleaning off some shelves and moving some things around.
Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend, take some time to remember why we have our freedoms! God bless those who gave everything!
Son #1 graduated for real. Had some family in town including my best friend who is basically a blood brother. Made 7.5lbs of carne asada with an old Mexico recipe my dad received 35 years ago. Skirt steak is expensive!
We got the Z28 fixed with a new Powermaster 165amp alternator. Threw on a new belt as well for good measure.
Had a good afternoon of shooting, best friend had son #2 shooting his "B-Team" 10/22 (looks like Hannibal's Mini-14 from the A-Team) and his space gun Henry Axe.
One of my local buddies came up with 3 fireproof file cabinets and set one aside for me. So I've got that moved into the shop and have been cleaning off some shelves and moving some things around.
Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend, take some time to remember why we have our freedoms! God bless those who gave everything!
madison069
Well-known member
Special occasions calls for skirt steaks! I’ve been using cheaper cuts and cutting them thin to get a skirt effect. Not the same but I can’t afford buying as often as I would like!!
I dig that Henry axe!
I dig that Henry axe!
82355
Well-known member
Do you have any interest in removing the factory steering wheel on that Z28, and replacing it with an '82-'89 steering wheel?
Martin
Martin
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Martin, I've considered it in the past, or even doing a 3rd gen T/A 3 spoke with a custom Camaro center cap.
Nostalgia for this wheel has kept it in place, but you just never know.
The airbag light has been on in this car since I bought it 25 years ago, so I'm guessing it doesn't work.
82355
Well-known member
Yeah, the steering wheel was the thing I disliked the most about my 1990 IROC, but it grew on me. I just had a kid redo an '82-'83 Z28 steering wheel for me, and he did an outstanding job. Going to put it in an '89 RS I ended up with to replace the Grant in it right now.
Martin
Martin
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Definitely look better than the Grant. Post some pics of the recovered wheel if you get a chance!
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Upgraded the taillights on the Suburban this weekend. It's the only lens that was still OEM. They are scuffed and in need of a serious polish, which I will do at some point. The replacements are the least euro/ricey/alteza I could find that use a real bulb, and they also get rid of the circuit boards that tend to go out in these light housings.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Those look good Marc, very similar to the appearance of the GMT800 taillights.
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Thanks Mike!
In other news I've been on the fence about upgrading toolboxes(for one last time
yeah right, I've said this before).Initially was going to put together some Husky stuff in white and I'd really like to do a white set in the US General 3, but I don't like their bottom cabinet drawer layout, nor the fact I would have to buy the chrome/stainless kit for the trim. Enter Masterforce from Menards into the chat...turns out, they are built by the same company that builds the Montezuma boxes. Last few times I've been to Menards, I spent some time with the 72" box, and I think I'm going to end up going that route with a the top/bottom combo and adding a side locker. This will take the place of my 52" Husky combo that is overfull. This isn't a dire need, but will definitely get some other areas of the shop cleaned up as well.
I'm also on the fence about picking up some 8-lug Ford 16x7 aluminum Alcoas for the Suburban. Found a set for cheap, and I'd like to strip the clearcoat and sand/polish them...they work with my factory center caps...hmmm.
SilverJimmy
Well-known member
Those Ford factory Alcoas are amazing wheels! When they were new I’d could get a takeoff set from the local tire shops for around $100.00! Somebody would buy a new F250 and run right over and get aftermarket wheels installed and then complain about tire balance problems! A buddy had a 1990 F350 CrewCab 4x4 that always had a tire vibration. Before I traded in my 96 F250 we swapped my Alcoas for his cast aluminum wheels and he never had a vibration again!
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Sterling, you can still buy them new from Alcoa at $299/wheel, but I'm not willing to spend that!
They are a very light and very strong wheel for sure. I'm between that and the PY0s that I took off of the Suburban for the 17s that are on there now. I like that the Ford Alcoa is 16x7 with a more aggressive offset vs the 16x6.5 of the PYO.
madison069
Well-known member
I hear ya on the toolbox upgrade. I’m leaning toward getting this setup.Thanks Mike!
In other news I've been on the fence about upgrading toolboxes(for one last time
Initially was going to put together some Husky stuff in white and I'd really like to do a white set in the US General 3, but I don't like their bottom cabinet drawer layout, nor the fact I would have to buy the chrome/stainless kit for the trim. Enter Masterforce from Menards into the chat...turns out, they are built by the same company that builds the Montezuma boxes. Last few times I've been to Menards, I spent some time with the 72" box, and I think I'm going to end up going that route with a the top/bottom combo and adding a side locker. This will take the place of my 52" Husky combo that is overfull. This isn't a dire need, but will definitely get some other areas of the shop cleaned up as well.
I'm also on the fence about picking up some 8-lug Ford 16x7 aluminum Alcoas for the Suburban. Found a set for cheap, and I'd like to strip the clearcoat and sand/polish them...they work with my factory center caps...hmmm.
He sales them often for $2,500, but I wanted to wait til the Texas barn is done and I can just put it in the new garage instead of moving them after being loaded up with tools. I might have to just go ahead and buy it now and just cover it up in the middle of the Texas barn.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Marc, is this the wheel you are referring to?
I've always loved this wheel and center cap combination where the lugs are hidden, even if they were from a Ford.
I've always loved this wheel and center cap combination where the lugs are hidden, even if they were from a Ford.
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Marc, is this the wheel you are referring to?
I've always loved this wheel and center cap combination where the lugs are hidden, even if they were from a Ford.
Mike, that is the one...I'll be running the factory GMT400 center caps however.
Tail lights look good!
I think those Alcoas will fit the burban nicely!
You wont regret a tool box upgrade! My box has a similar setup to the us general, the 2 bottom drawers hold some of my larger power tools and add ons. It took some time to figure out how to use them, but it's stuff I kept in a cabinet prior. I actually wish the bottom drawer was deeper so it could hold a circular saw.
I think those Alcoas will fit the burban nicely!
You wont regret a tool box upgrade! My box has a similar setup to the us general, the 2 bottom drawers hold some of my larger power tools and add ons. It took some time to figure out how to use them, but it's stuff I kept in a cabinet prior. I actually wish the bottom drawer was deeper so it could hold a circular saw.
82355
Well-known member
I have not installed it yet.
He also restored the spokes, and added a 3d printer back piece.
Long story, but I do have an identical restored ‘84-‘89 Z28 wheel.
Martin
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Thanks!
Just need to decide how much effort I want to put in them...also means new tires @ the 16" diameter.
In regards to the box, I've been due for a while, just didn't want the added expense.
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
I have not installed it yet.
He also restored the spokes, and added a 3d printer back piece.
Long story, but I do have an identical restored ‘84-‘89 Z28 wheel.
Martin
Martin, looks like they did a great job! Thanks for sharing.
Thats what my f250 needs!Marc, is this the wheel you are referring to?
I've always loved this wheel and center cap combination where the lugs are hidden, even if they were from a Ford.
SilverJimmy
Well-known member
What are PYO wheels?
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
I believe your pickup has the later 8x170 bolt pattern instead of the 8x6.5 that these wheels are drilled on. They do make a later version that doesn't have as much of a "lip" in the 8x170.
OP
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
These are what is referred to as the PYO...even though that RPO code has covered many other wheels.
SilverJimmy
Well-known member
I have a set of those too! I want to put them on my 1965 C-20 long bed but the offset is not right. Anybody have a spacer recommendation that won’t kill me or anybody in oncoming traffic?