Meet Red, my 81 Restomod Build
- Thread starter Randyzzz
- Start date
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Looking good!
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Nothing like a few days in a beach house to renew your drained batteries. We got back Tuesday night and I got some stuff done yesterday.
First was the Lokar adjustable sector lever and upgraded 5/16 heim joints and rod. Anyone who installs this kind of shifter really needs to consider ponying up for the selector lever. It is infinitely adjustable and makes getting the shifter to work properly so much easier. Shifter works like a dream now. But I still hate the push button knob.
Next I ran the fuel lines. I drilled out the aluminum clamps and used stainless 1/4” button heads to attach the clamps to threaded holes in the frame. I used anti-seize just in case. I have another pack of clamps on order, just to be safe. Really pleased with how this came out.
And...I realized I’m at that point in the build that we all dread and eventually get to- that point where you can’t find the parts that you know you ordered. The parts- a little bag of 20 rubber insulated stainless brake line clamps. I ordered them- I got them- I put them somewhere safe- and now I can’t find them. So, I ordered more. By the way- the easiest way to lose something is to put it somewhere safe... I’m guessing that goes along with spending 20 minutes looking for the 7/16 wrench only to find it in the fridge- right where you set it when you were grabbing that cold one. Doh.
First was the Lokar adjustable sector lever and upgraded 5/16 heim joints and rod. Anyone who installs this kind of shifter really needs to consider ponying up for the selector lever. It is infinitely adjustable and makes getting the shifter to work properly so much easier. Shifter works like a dream now. But I still hate the push button knob.
Next I ran the fuel lines. I drilled out the aluminum clamps and used stainless 1/4” button heads to attach the clamps to threaded holes in the frame. I used anti-seize just in case. I have another pack of clamps on order, just to be safe. Really pleased with how this came out.
And...I realized I’m at that point in the build that we all dread and eventually get to- that point where you can’t find the parts that you know you ordered. The parts- a little bag of 20 rubber insulated stainless brake line clamps. I ordered them- I got them- I put them somewhere safe- and now I can’t find them. So, I ordered more. By the way- the easiest way to lose something is to put it somewhere safe... I’m guessing that goes along with spending 20 minutes looking for the 7/16 wrench only to find it in the fridge- right where you set it when you were grabbing that cold one. Doh.
Last edited:
93_Fummins
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Edmond
- State
- OK
Awesome work! Not sure how I missed the gas tank bit, but that's right in line with what I was looking into with a full size Bronco tank. Looks like the Blazer tank is narrower and fits like a glove!
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
The Blazer tank is awesome! I’m hoping staying with the 1 3/4” fill will solve the “Scrambler fill” issues!
It’s a full size blazer tank, holds 25 Gallons.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Today was the day to be brave. If anyone is curious, the center of balance on a Scrambler tub is the rear set of the front roll bar holes. Plus about 10lbs in the rear. Yep. Chain, engine hoist with a bit of an extension, and a tie down to keep left-right sway to a minimum. Pulled it up, pulled out the trailer, and set it on an extended/repurposed jet ski dolly. Whew! Talking about nerves...
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Here’s what I found. The sending unit uses 14x1.5 (return) and 16x1.5 (pressure) GM o-ring fittings. I converted these to 6an with fittings from Earls. The harness uses a standard 3 pole weather pack. But only two pins are used- sender and fuel pump power. Plus a separate ground wire with an eye ring. Zoom in on the pics and I’m sure you can see it all.
Very nice set up. Is the fuel sending/pump unit OEM specific to the blazer tank? Or did you spec from another source? Size of unit looks like it could fit a cj8 tank sending unit opening with minor mods...my thoughts when I get to 4.0 FI stage.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Correction- two prong weatherpack. Don’t know where I got 3 from- probably from my Copper Scrambler.
- City
- Halifax
- State
- UK
Wow! I am sat 5000 miles away, its not even mine but i am worried about damaging that paint job!.
As said before you are a braver man than me but looking forward to the end result which will be truly amazing.
As said before you are a braver man than me but looking forward to the end result which will be truly amazing.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Finished up the fuel/brake lines. Added a couple more aluminum line clamps to the fuel, including one that I turned into a single above the fuel filter. Plus I added some insulation.
On to the parking brake. I had planned on making a hand brake, but I don't want the console to be too busy. After several mock-ups, none of which I was particularly pleased with, I decided to go back to the stock foot brake. I had a hand brake on Copper, and I never really used it. After much searching I found some Ford rear cables to match the rear disc kit, and a FSJ front cable will be the right length to work with them. I'll post up Pics when they show.
On to the parking brake. I had planned on making a hand brake, but I don't want the console to be too busy. After several mock-ups, none of which I was particularly pleased with, I decided to go back to the stock foot brake. I had a hand brake on Copper, and I never really used it. After much searching I found some Ford rear cables to match the rear disc kit, and a FSJ front cable will be the right length to work with them. I'll post up Pics when they show.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
I thought the parking brake would be the next step- but I decided to tackle the transfer case shifter while I was waiting for parts. I had considered a JP cable shifter, or possibly adapting an existing stock shifter. But I ended up building my own. It was simple and about $30 of parts got it done! A piece of 1/4” angle cut and fit to the transfer case front studs, a piece of 3/8” bar for the shift lever mount, some bronze bushings with nylon washers, and misc other hardware completed the parts list. From there it was cut, weld, paint, and install. Works like a dream!
I’ll end up cutting the shifter shaft shorter, it’s 12” now and all I really need is 6”. Sleeve it with some black heat-shrink and find a better knob. One more item checked off the to-do list!
I’ll end up cutting the shifter shaft shorter, it’s 12” now and all I really need is 6”. Sleeve it with some black heat-shrink and find a better knob. One more item checked off the to-do list!
- City
- OKC
- State
- OK
Looks great! I am laughing as I went the exact same route with shifters. I bought the lokar and the JB custom fab cable shifter. I couldn't get the cable shifter to fit, so I made my own with the remnants of the S10 factory shifter. I did have to adjust the arm length on both the shifter and transfer case to get the proper travel so it would clear my console and dash.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Pretty funny the similar experiences we share. I too had a S-10 shifter that I tried both on Copper and Red. Wasn’t happy with the fit on Copper and couldn’t get it right on the pass drop T/C on Red. Ended up selling it along with the 231C a month back.