My Ty-clone build thread...

[Mad Dog Tannen]

I thought I would start a thread to document my progress on my 1987 S10 Blazer Ty-clone. I bought it a few months ago and am building it up to normal operating condition. I am a aircraft mechanic by trade, so I can get a little anal about some things and you may even see some safety wire.

So far I have build a new A2A intercooler system. Installed pulley delete, underdrive pulleys, electric fan conversion, fuel regulator, etc.

This is not my DD, so I have plans to make it a nice little hot rod. It had some pretty shotty mods when I bought it, but also a few things I really liked, like the 5-speed manual. I have been collecting parts sense my shoulder surgery 3 months ago...

So this week I have been tearing the front end down to replace all of the joints that have gone bad, and treat all of the rust I can get to. I have moog...upper a arm, lower a-arm, tie rod ands and sleeves. Also a F41 steering box, jeep lower steering shaft new CV joints and hubs. And yes all of those things are bad! This car had the sloppiest steering that I have ever experienced. I hope to have the front end done by monday but that depends when my axles/hubs arrive.

 

[Ty#365]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

Lookin good. I like the dark tint.

 

[neildemo]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

Nice. You came to the right place for support.

 

[92TyLA]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

:tup::tup::tup:

 

[cat-vi]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

I'll follow this thread for sure, dirty hands but still no battle wounds, wan't be for long, way to go.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

I'll follow this thread for sure, dirty hands but still no battle wounds, wan't be for long, way to go.

lol my knuckles are destroyed right now

 

[Redneckcustoms13]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

Very nice. Ill be following your thread. Keep up the good work.:tup:

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

^ Thanks all of you.

Today I did a wire wheeling of the frame and other stuff... I still have more to go before painting. I also painted the calipers red, bought new rotors and pads. It looks like I am going to have to take out the PS pump also because the previous owner stripped the hell out of the PS hose and it needs to be replaced. I'm still waiting on parts so I'm in no rush.
And the pics...

After a lot of cleaning and wire wheel...

Before and after...

My Camaro SS brake calipers...

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

Todays update.

I did a lot more steel prushing of mostly grease grime mixed with dirt (from blown cv and joint seals). I ended up having to pull the PS pump because the hoses were stripped and old. Pulled the steering box and lower steering shaft. And I finally got a little painting done.

Let me know what you think of the silver. It is just the first coat. I have black also That I can cover it up with. Also keep in mind that I am just painting the stuff that is easy to access because of whats removed. The rest will get painted later on...

PS pump removed...

I partially completed wire wheel polish...

My hero...

 

[drabadue]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

Looks pretty good man. Idk about the silver frame. I painted the underside of my floor boards grey on my mustang and that turned out well. Frame wise though, I'd personally stick to black.

 

[scottyblazinlow]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

i say black :2cents:

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

I'm a little ticked off today because the brand new Jeep steering shaft that I ordered came in today the telescoping shaft was completely seized. After and hour or so of trying every trick in the book. Including trying to break it free with a hydraulic press. I called to send it back. The customer service lady said, " they solder it before shipping, all you need to do is heat it up and tap it with a hammer". lol...that is the first thing I did. So I am going to send it back for another one, and so I am delayed once again!

Otherwise it was raining so I didn't do anything else on it. I hope yall are havin a good day.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

I did a little bit of painting because there was a break in the rain. I also got my damned Jeep steering shaft to separate (finally)!

I actually took others advice for once and painted my frame black. In chrono order...

Prepped...

First coat...

Final coat...

And some reused and painted parts...

And my favorite new addition. I smoked the headlights and turn signals in the front. Those clear lenses had no place with such a dark paintjob!...

Before...

After (disregard the lack of front wheels)...

 

[drabadue]

Looks much better with the black. Blends in.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Yesterday and today I installed the PS pump, hoses and F41 steering box. And all of the front suspension including new Bilstein shocks. The only thing I wasn't able to install was the sway bar. It does not seem to fit correctly. So I may have to drill some new holes in the lower a-arms. I also got new rotors and pads for the brakes. I bled the steering and took it for a spin around the block. I really love the new steering box and everything is nice and tight (except the body roll). So I am very pleased with the results. Next thing I need to do is get it aligned. And the new shocks seem to have raised the front end up quite a bit so I am going to adjust the torsion bars all the way down and raise the back up a bit to match.

And the pics...

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

Today I got the sway bar installed (pain in my ass!).

And I adjusted the torsion bars all the way down.

I may have to get new keys to get the height that I want. How can I adjust the camber past factory limitations? It seems that I will have a positive camber issue if I go any lower.

 

[bonesdmz]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

You just need to put your truck on the flat surface with wheels on, and the sway bar will fit in right away :tup:

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Thanks bones. I guess I did just need weight on wheels. It sure was a pain. One of the holes was not threaded correctly so I had to re tap it. That took me about 2 hours. I have never had so many problems with such a simple piece.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

So today I removed the 1" lowering blocks so the car no longer looks like it's doing a wheelie. Here it is waiting to get the front end aligned...

 

[scottyblazinlow]

Re: My Ty-clone build thread...

looking good :tup: