"Elwood" the 77_remix

[PunishedC10]

I’ll admit I was skeptical of the wood grain at first. The truck was super clean before and doesn’t look like the same truck. But it turned out really well! Wish I could have made it to GoodGuys. One of the few I missed. Planning on going to the one in the fall?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by PunishedC10

I’ll admit I was skeptical of the wood grain at first. The truck was super clean before and doesn’t look like the same truck. But it turned out really well! Wish I could have made it to GoodGuys. One of the few I missed. Planning on going to the one in the fall?

You weren't alone. I have had so many people that had the same sentiments. The renderings didn't truly capture the vision I had. So much so, that I started to questions myself. Fortunately I stayed the course, and I'm pleased with the results.

I will be at the C10 Nationals in the Ride Tech booth. Then C10s in the Park in the American Racing booth. In the Fall i will be at the Goodguys Lonestar Nationals

[PunishedC10]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

You weren't alone. I have had so many people that had the same sentiments. The renderings didn't truly capture the vision I had. So much so, that I started to questions myself. Fortunately I stayed the course, and I'm pleased with the results.

I will be at the C10 Nationals in the Ride Tech booth. Then C10s in the Park in the American Racing booth. In the Fall i will be at the Goodguys Lonestar Nationals

Hopefully I can catch one of those and see it in person!

[jkk]

Looks Badass .................nice job

[mcbassin]

Very nice work Ken! Looks great!

[rustytruck50]

Awesome!!!!!

[UKNOWME]

This one is perfect!

[N2TRUX]

Under hood updates coming soon.

[smpoulin01]

Looks great Ken.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Under hood updates coming soon.

Plans?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Plans?

I committed to do a Restomod Air install last year. Its long overdue, so I'm working on that now.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I committed to do a Restomod Air install last year. Its long overdue, so I'm working on that now.

On Elwood? I followed the A/C compressor bracketry + compressor polishing during underhood cleanup (just reread it and caught where you mentioned the compressor needs replacing) and I noticed the new controls installed in one of the interior shots. It's fun flipping back a few pages, I avidly followed the updates as you were posting them, I'd already forgotten little details.

Back on the post about the leaking heater core and passenger footwell cleanup, the bare metal shot, what step is that? Is that just before rust mort or after? If it is before what process was used to clean the rust to that point?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

....
Back on the post about the leaking heater core and passenger footwell cleanup, the bare metal shot, what step is that? Is that just before rust mort or after? If it is before what process was used to clean the rust to that point?

I appreciate your following, and the kind words. On minor rust repair, I use a Scotch Brite wheel to clean the area till I see clean raw metal. Once cleaned, i apply a couple of coats of Rust-Mort. It neutralizes any residual rust that might be missed. The Rust-Mort drys quickly, and I follow that with a coat of sealer primer to give the topcoat something to adhere to. I top coat several layers with a matching paint color.

Once the color coats are done, I let them dry thoroughly. I added a layer of Membrane by Restomod Air to reduce the noise and add a layer of thermal protection.

[LT7A]

Ken, the truck looks fantastic. You and Chris did a great job! I'm just catching up after a hiatus, so it's fun to see all of the action shots. Interesting that people weren't sure about the wood grain. There's an old shot of your truck I've seen where a reflection makes it look like it's already got the wood grain installed. Plus growing up my family had two Suburbans of that era where the mid panel was wood grain. Because of that I had no problem picturing what your truck would look like and it really looks good. I look forward to see what comes next.

[LT7A]

Plus, I got to say that the one-year-only ochre inside stripe on the trim is what seals the deal. The black, the stainless, the ochre, then the wood... It does it just right.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Ken, the truck looks fantastic. You and Chris did a great job! I'm just catching up after a hiatus, so it's fun to see all of the action shots. Interesting that people weren't sure about the wood grain. There's an old shot of your truck I've seen where a reflection makes it look like it's already got the wood grain installed. Plus growing up my family had two Suburbans of that era where the mid panel was wood grain. Because of that I had no problem picturing what your truck would look like and it really looks good. I look forward to see what comes next. Plus, I got to say that the one-year-only ochre inside stripe on the trim is what seals the deal. The black, the stainless, the ochre, then the wood... It does it just right.

Your are spot on. I had seen several version of my rendering by Joseph Durant. He really liked the woodgrain version and did a dozen or so. I agree that the ochre trim color really completes the package.

[N2TRUX]

Chris and I have been diligently working on the Restomod Air Haymaker II Climate Control System install. It is not a direct fit kit, since custom doesnt come in a box. We are working with Mike and Gary at RestoMod and Mike Losh at Slosh Tubz to create a kit that doesnt require an excessive amount of modification.

Follow along as I document our progress.

[rustytruck50]

Cool....literally!

[N2TRUX]

When the decision was made to update Elwood, I talked with Mike Losh from Slosh Tubz about using the 73-87 smooth Mild Tubz . I expressed my desire to shave the firewall of the factory a/c system. My concern was having to weld a panel in to complete the look. Mike said he had discussed a "bolt in" option with Mike R and Gary at Restomod Air.

I contacted Mike R and we shared thought about how to achieve his idea of a clean firewall filler panel that could be bolted in. A plan was formulated and Elwood would be the test truck.

Our goal was create a panel that would cover the passenger side firewall where the factory air (or heat) components were located. We wanted a panel that gave you the options of being installed with small bolts, glued with panel bond, or welded. The panel would include bead rolls to compliment the fender filler panels from Slosh Tubz.

The plan was to have a display made for all to see at C10s in the Park last year. Unfortunately deadlines came and went and the task was not accomplished by the intended debut of Elwood at the Lonestar Throwdown this year.

I'll not try to make any excuses, simply state that sometimes life gets in the way of good intentions. Regardless, I will honor my commitment and get this task accomplished. Thanks to Mike R and Gary at Restomod Air, for their patience. Thanks to Mike Losh with Slosh Tubz for always being there when I need him.

Follow along as Chris and I document the install.

[N2TRUX]

Layout is always critical to accomplish quality results. I had some initial ideas of how I wanted this install to flow, but the configuration of the Haymaker II unit dictated a different course. The unit needs to set almost level with a tiny degree of tilt to allow for proper drainage. We positioned it as high under the dash as possible, and as for toward the center as space allowed.

[N2TRUX]

This position lead us to the obvious choice for an exit point for the supply lines. We opted to use the RestoMod Air "Slimline" bulkhead. They offer a huge selection of styles, shapes, and colors of the bulkheads. We wanted the least amount of surface exposed so this was an obvious choice.

[N2TRUX]

The location of the bulkhead was dictated by position of the Haymaker and our desire to utilize one of the existing holes. Beyond a clean install, our objective is to maintain structural integrity.

[N2TRUX]

With the Haymaker location determined, holes drilled, and interior lines routed, we moved on to the control panel. Restomad Air makes a direct fit control panel that makes this segment of the install simple. It takes more effort to remove the factory controls and cables than to bolt this unit in place. Once installed it looks right at home in our original dash.

[N2TRUX]

Now that we had the system mocked up we pulled everything back out. I needed to create a pattern for the filler panel that Mike Losh would make. It will have raised panels to clear the obstructions on the firewall, and a recessed area for the bulkhead.

I put the temporary panel back in place once again to ensure the holes all lined up. It came off after some adjustments and a template was laid out. The shape was cut and holes were marked and opened up.

[mcbassin]

Looking good Ken!