Thanks Greg. It wasn't too bad. I'm sure with you're bank, you wouldn't have even noticed :D

Yeah it was a nice haul. Too bad the tools are going to sit for a while until I get to use them. Oh well, they will be there waiting for me. How's the Camaro coming along? Have you had a chance to get out to the shop lately?

I made some decent progress on getting the rear seats mounted. It may not seem like much, but it's been time consuming and they are alot closer to being mounted. Well one side anyways. Yes it's been a major PITA, but for some reason I've found it quite enjoyable. I've actually been able to use some of my new tools.

On a side note before I post the pics, for those that are using the new Photobucket and don't like the fact that they took away the easy links, if you go into your settings there is a box you can check off to get the easy links back. I just found it this morning. Now it's like the old one where you can just click on the IMG link and not have to go into each photo to get it.

Onto the updates:

I found my leather was getting quite dirty, so I decided to take it off the seats. It came off very easily. As shown before, the bottom is held on with plastic clips that snap over the round bar. Once all the clips are off, the leather is held on with velcro

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps4220a74a.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps9f72e7d7.jpg

First thing I did was add some sheet metal to where the back of the seat will rest. This will give it some more support

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps92c84a44.jpg

Next I realized that when the seat was sitting on the floor, there was a large part of it that had no support underneath it at all. This is due to the way the floor is. You can see under the left side of the skeleton that most of it is sitting in the air

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb976da4b.jpg

With this, I decided to make the floor more level. I built a new section to raise the floor out of 16 gauge sheet metal. I also found out that an Ingersol Rand air sheer is not designed to cut 16 gauge.....gotta buy a new one now :mad:

Here's the new section

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps4c43e32c.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps9404dcb5.jpg

This pic gives a good idea as to what I was talking about with the floor being unlevel

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd0747601.jpg

I also added a brace in the center of the new section

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps95156aff.jpg

It sits on the floor a lot better now. I've also had to modify a few sections of the skeleton to make it sit better. I didn't take pics of all the modifications as it would be different from car to car.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd79400e7.jpg

I decided to use round bar to make front mounts instead of the sheetmetal ones that I had made. I will add some rear support bars to these later.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse4292486.jpg

At the rear of the seat, I'm going to weld some bolts onto the floor and they will slide into the two pieces on the outside. The middle piece slides into the upper part of the seat. With these pieces, you'll just have to hook the front of the seats into the mounts, slide the rear of the seat over the bolts and tighten it down.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0687531f.jpg

Here's with the rear part of the seat in place. You can see how much I need to cut the rear section down to make it fit better. Sits way too high

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps7101ae8d.jpg

Wow Mike you have been busy. The car is coming along nicely and I love the rendering of the car it looks amazing!

Thanks Steve. How's yours coming along. Noticed you haven't updated in a while.

Have some updates. I've still been working on the rear seats.

I finished up the floor on the driver's side. Once that was done, I put the two skeletons in place to see how they fit.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps98d6559d.jpg

Once they were in place, I decided that I would need to cut them down. I decided to take 4" out of the back. I cut one frame down and here you can see the difference in height between the two

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd1e5c44f.jpg

I started by putting the frame onto the work bench.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0cbe667b.jpg

There were a few areas that needed to be cut out for it to sit flat

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psa90e7290.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0dd84635.jpg

Once those sections were cut, I marked the frame where I was going to take the 4" section from. I decided to take it from the center as it was nice and straight

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psbd37bbe2.jpg

Before I cut the frame, I put it back into the foam and marked the foam where I would need to cut it

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps531f21e5.jpg

Then I cut the frame and I was left with two sections

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse6cab3d8.jpg

I then welded the two sections back together and added some more round bar for strength

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse2ed4a30.jpg

Then I started on the foam. I ran the lines around the foam as to where I needed to cut

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps422aaf7f.jpg

Using a few exacto knife blades, I cut the section out. You will find that cutting foam with an exacto knife, the blades dull very quickly

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps72ca6da9.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps4f7dc34e.jpg

Using some upholstery glue, I glued the two pieces together

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse30d6c73.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psabd55bf1.jpg

I then decided to move the velcro strip where the seat covers fit in the center. I started by marking the section 4" down from where it used to be

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse9825be2.jpg

I then used an exacto knife to cut out the section. Once it was cut out, I glued the foam I just cut out into old spot and glued the velco into the new cut out strip. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to take the leather covers into an upholstery shop, but it looks like I will have to get them to make some modifications. I might move the velcro strip a bit up, but have decided yet.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd97e4f27.jpg

Once I got both sides done, I put them in to see how they fit. I like!!!!

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc2378c59.jpg

From behind

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc37e8cb1.jpg

Now that I had them cut down to where they fit better, I started to make the mounts for them

I welded some modified bolts onto the floor to secure the bottom section

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psfa26794e.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps005bd913.jpg

Then for the top section, I welded on some bolts that will go through the rear piece of sheet metal and I will put nuts onto the bolts from inside the trunk

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc5ccc22e.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps8e8098dc.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps439065f5.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps08af9c8d.jpg

Here you can see where the bolts come through. I think I need to get some longer bolts as once I add sound deadner, they might not be quite long enough. I will also weld a piece of flat stock or large washers on the back to add some more strength to where the bolts come though

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps422995f1.jpg

I just have a little more to do on the driver's side and both seats will be mounted. I am then going to start working on a console to go between the seats and arm rests on the sides to hide the deep tubs.

I've also spent a bit of time reorganizing the shop. I added a shelf and moved the stereo

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps72a1da59.jpg

Which allowed me more room to actually use my brake

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps7e5c672a.jpg

I also found I was hating having to unwind and them rewind up extension cords and trouble lights. So I got some new retractable stuff. I also replaced the retractable air hose with a new Flexilla set up

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps260a781b.jpg

This is so much better. Especially being right above my car.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps2fb2bd60.jpg

Got this from www.toolrage.com It's a 54 light LED.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psfb0ad46f.jpg

I also bought a new bracket to mount my Highway 22 wiring harness in the trunk. I originally bought one from Ironworks, but HPI Customs came out with one that has mounting brackets and more room for relays

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psa8c5a876.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps454b3af7.jpg

I'm going to mount it on the driver's side, but just put it here to see how it would look

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0aecd835.jpg

I also got a Highway 22 trunk mount kit from Tyler at HPI Customs

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps3d8502db.jpg

One other thing I did was swap out most of the male hose fitting on my air tools. The local tool shop had swivel fittings on for just under 5 bucks. They make a world of difference. I can actually lay my air tools down without them sounding like they have an air leak. It also probably helps that I bought a 2 foot lead hose to add to the end of my air line. It also has a swivel end on it.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps86f34878.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps1fda9d3b.jpg

I hope to get out to the shop again tomorrow and finish up the driver's rear seat and start on the console. Will post pics.

good to see you are still working on this! hope things start coming together for you!

Give a man a welder and he can make almost anything!!


Looking good Mike!

Hey Mike, thought of you the other day when I saw a used car rotisserie on CL here at the coast if you are still thinking of getting one. Car looks awesome and keep the pictures coming.

Very Nice Mike, you've been a busy guy! I think taking the height out of the backs of the seat was a good idea. Nice job.

Holy crap.. great progress!!

Thanks for all the comments guys. Unfortunately nothing to really update from yesterday. I got the drivers seat side seat mounted and made a few changes. I started on the center console, but nothing really pic worthy yet. On a good note, I found some manual seat sliders for the fronts which are pretty close to the length I needed to bolt right on. Will have to drill a couple new holes but I think they will work great.

Todd....thanks for keeping me in mind. Not really close enough yet to think about the rotisserie. Unlike last time, I want to make sure everything that's needs to be done is done before flipping it.

Got some work done on the rear console.

Started with bending some pieces of round bar

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psfa009be3.jpg

Tacked them to the car where I wanted them to be

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psa0f5fa69.jpg

After some more work, I ended up with this

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psace31b59.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps725c00da.jpg

Mocked it up in place with the seats

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps12104619.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps2afe4eb3.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0c3ec276.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps6fb24f47.jpg

Here you can see how everything will attach

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps105e6fd1.jpg

And with my other round bar creation in place

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps961b94a5.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps95a967ee.jpg

As with the front console, I plan on wrapping it with sheet metal and then wrapping the whole thing in leather or vinyl. Next up I will be working on the sides of the rear seats.

Amazing work, man...

Looks good Mike!

Keep it coming, lol....You're several steps ahead of me with what I need to do. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished result on those seats. You gave me the idea to splice in a camaro section on my Firebird to fit the Ride Tech gas cap and you happened to pick up the same set of seats; thanks for posting all this info. I had thought about cutting the foam on my rears, but it was going to be from the bottom. It never occured to me that sectioning them like you did would be an option. Great Work!!:trophy-1302:

Looking good. Great progress!! And the best thing of all...you're doing it yourself.:trophy-1302:

thats some nice fab work,looks great

The car looks really really great! Good job, keep it coming!

Looking really good Mike and feel free to start on mine once yours are done.

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Got more done on the rear consoles. Started working on the sides.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psf82efba7.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pscb9f3317.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps707400a0.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps1a61cf69.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps8b526548.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps4bfd6c54.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse7fe4d8f.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps35833f7d.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps64cab52c.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps2e008f21.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps7e81f5a1.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psbb682e5a.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps44448e82.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psca43b299.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps7d69cbf2.jpg

I still have a bit to do on both sides and then I hope to start wrapping them all with sheet metal.

I also got some seat sliders for the front seats. I really wanted to try and keep the power sliders, but at almost 3" high, it makes the seats sit way too high in the car.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse7ff6bca.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psbbf00edf.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb782ca14.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb53d1dd7.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps3b367854.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps91fb7212.jpg

I also picked up a new grinder with belt sander. I have wanted a belt sander for a while and when this unit when on sale, I got one

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps344e4355.jpg

I want to sit in your garage and drink beer while i watch you work! great stuff!

Come on over and you can even help!!

Well it's been a couple months since I've updated, so I thought I better do one. Unfortunately haven't gotten much actually done on the car. Things around the house and overtime shifts have gotten in the way. I hope to get a few productive days in though over the next few weeks as I will be on holidays for a bit.

Did get a few new sweet parts though. Thanks Matt at MCB!!

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psa414ef25.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps2dff43e2.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps4911c066.jpg

I borrowed this idea of a photo from another thread. Shows the difference in size between the stock rad and the Autorad one

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps7f03a469.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc9b711d8.jpg

Don't think I'll have to worry about this setup not keeping the car cool on the hot desert summer days

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps45211fe5.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb85675e1.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps10983c7b.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse6dee26c.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc6df0468.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps7d5d48e0.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0ec3d035.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps1675f6e3.jpg

And a Dakota Digital programmable fan controller with LED display

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd36eb57b.jpg

Very cool Mike! Interesting to see the difference between your Nova model and my F body. You have the headlight buckets in the core support. Also, they stopped selling the Maradyne controller. I like the DD you have better :thumbsup:

That is such a sweet set up! Very Nice Mike.

Thanks Ron. I think they still offer the Maradyne one. It's still listed on their product list. I just liked the idea of the LED display better.

Thanks Wayne!

Have you had a chance to mock up the driveshaft loop? Currently in the market for one myself, and was curious how this one worked out?

All I can say is looking at the AutoRad Core Support & Radiator makes me want one really really really bad.


http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps45211fe5.jpg

Unfortunately I haven't had a chance yet. I don't see an issue though. I'll just need to cut the bracket where it mounts to the trans cross member. I actually got the idea of using it from a member's car on another forum. Here's a link to his website where he has a pic of it installed: http://barman.shawwebspace.ca/pages/...iondrive_line/

I'm really happy I decided to go this route. It's a work of art. I can't decide now if I'm going to paint the support body color or leave it as is.

Time for an update. Cleaned up the shop a bit so I was able to get a better pic of the rad and rad support.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps091dc757.jpg

I've been slowing working on replacing the tail light panel.....again. When I put the first one in, I completely forgot to check the fit of the tail lights. Of course they didn't fit right and there was a huge gap. I also didn't like the way the truck aligned so here's where I'm at with that.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psbd97f02a.jpg

I got tired of working on the tail light panel, so I decided to get my front seats installed.

In a previous post, I stated that I used the existing holes in the bottom of the GTO seats to put the seat sliders. The thing I forgot to do, was to actually measure and make sure they were parallel. They weren't.

There was 1/2" difference between the top of the sliders and the bottom. So I had to drill new holes

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps33299628.jpg

And welded in the old ones

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pscc7ec347.jpg

Another thing I ended up doing was replacing the bucket seat floor brackets. I cut the stock studs off and welded bolts onto the ones that I had already installed. I did this when I thought I could use the power tracks for the seats. So I cut out the old brackets and put in news ones.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps18ab4218.jpg

I replaced all the stock studs with grade 8 bolts, but they are in the stock location. If anyone needs a set of bucket seat floor brackets, I now have an extra set that I will sell. I need to do some clean up on them to get rid of the bolts I welded on.

Next I made some brackets to mount the seats to the floor

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb695a706.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps592dad80.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps57bf1bdf.jpg

Reinforced them and painted them black

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psec73f170.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps8ae89ad5.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd98f5a65.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psa898a728.jpg

And they were finally in

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psbf6d4952.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse1b86ea1.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psac110c91.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps08f11ef5.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps518a030b.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps6571e22b.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd4512840.jpg

And with the seats finally in place, I had to modify the front console. I've been asked a few times why I chose to make the console out of round bar. Here's one big reason why. Very easy to change if needed.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps09122fc7.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psfe4e4eaf.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps4a20a35b.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...pse9a18adf.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps2b1558f4.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps84ab0736.jpg

I must say, it was pretty cool to sit in the driver's seat again. I think it's the first time I've done that in about 12 years.

On a side note, I'm still looking for a pair of driver's side door hinges if anyone can help me out. I really wanted to use some stock ones and rebuild them, but I might end up having to buy some Goodmark ones.

I've also been wanting to buy a mountain bike for a few years. Finally got one

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc58c8a2e.jpg

Even found room in the shop to hang it

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps5288768f.jpg

Between walking and biking, I've already lost 5 pounds over the past few weeks.

I found one in an alley and will be lubing it up to ride also. was planning on building one but free is free. :G-Dub:

Great work Mike. I have 5 bikes, and work in the industry. It's a helluva a bad (but so fun & good) hobby to have when you have yet another pastime that is also hugely time-consuming.. damn decisions...

You're getting pretty good with that welder Mike!!


Awesome!!


Bought a mountain bike last week -- full suspension -- even looked at the brand you bought but ended up with a Trek Remedy 8 15.5" frame on 26" wheels.... I'm SHORT! Okay!





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...os/file-38.jpg

This is one of my favorite builds to follow! I love seeing updates. Great job so far!

Updates?

Unfortunately no. Life has gotten in the way and haven't had an opportunity to spend any time in the shop for a while now. A few of the days that I could have gone out, it was so cold that it would have taken it a couple hours to warm up the shop so didn't bother. Hope to get out there in the next couple weeks then off to Phoenix for three weeks on a course through work.

Well it's been way too long with an update. I don't have much to update, but at least it's progress. Unfortunately the past winter I didn't get much at all done. Sucks when life gets in the way. The winter here was colder than normal and when it takes an hour to warm up the shop just to get it comfortable, it's hard to get motivated. Along with the weather and a few other things, didn't make it out to the shop much at all. I hope to try and play catch up now.

Last fall I bought a new rotisserie. I should have name this project Redo as it seems I keep redoing alot of it.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb646e9c5.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps15464a98.jpg

The end of February I got to spend three weeks in Phoenix on a work course. Being on expenses everyday is great. Also a great way to buy some parts. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it to their shop as I was in course during their business hours. New trunk hinges from Fesler

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd1780ad0.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps18583bc5.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps3646e9b4.jpg

I also decided that I was done trying to find good stock hinges to rebuild. I had no problem finding passenger side ones, but I could not find driver's side ones that were not worn out alot. So I decided to buy new ones from Classic Industries (via Hot Rods and Classics in Chilliwack, BC).

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc71caaf0.jpg

I'm still fighting trying to get the tail light panel right where I want it. Although I think I figured out one of the issues and hope to get that done soon. In the mean time, I thought I'd attack something else so I felt like I was accomplishing something.

I started putting in the DSE subframe connectors. As I normally do, I thought I would take lots of pics so I could do a detailed write up. I haven't seen too many people actually show pics of the entire process. I've seen some comments that these aren't real subframe connectors. The way I look at it is there are a lot of guys out there that know a lot more than I do, or ever will, and they are running these connectors. Their cars are handling amazing and winning so they can't be all that bad :D

First you cut out the supplied template

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psf15e0c5d.jpg

Put it in place

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0a386f62.jpg

Trace the template

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps68167f7d.jpg

Cut

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psabb5ea5f.jpg

And test fit

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps96023afe.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps5496bab7.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps97b98404.jpg

Both side mocked up

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps6021e3ce.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psa12b666d.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps815236d0.jpg

Next week I'll start welding them into place.

I also have a question regarding my motor. Do I need to put this back in place or can I just get some block offs. If I put it back, where does it hook up to.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psa4192e58.jpg