Blue Ribbon 4x4 Build Thread

Yeah, that guy did you dirty lol. You need maybe a 3/16” thick washer for that. A few of us were discussing that geometry the other day and it doesn’t take much to extend the bumps for a moderate lift.

Everything else OK with the exception of the bump stops?

 

Dang I wish I was in that conversation. Would’ve saved me a trip! Everything else is great. Had a road closure near home and had to take a couple crappy dirt roads. Everything sounds quiet again.

 

Out and about in Jenner, Ca. A much needed vacation. Pretty sweet little town.

 

A much needed wash. Before my vacation I was pressed for time, so I took the truck to a wash before the trip up north. It hasn’t been to a wash in years, I always do it myself. After dropping it off, I was in the store looking through the window at the workers. The first stop was a couple buckets with long handle “soft” brushes. After I finished crying I took her home, and on the way, hit a road closure and had to drive a few miles in the dirt (Hooray). The truck had a ton of hairline scratches in all directions. So today I washed her up like normal with Chemical Guys Snow Foam, and used a fine clay mitt with the same soap as lubricant. It worked fantastic, I used the same diluted Uber SiO2 rinseless wash I always use as a dry-aid, and the finish is silky smooth again. I’ll reapply the ceramic 3-in-1 wax in a bit. Next time I’ll polish after the clay mitt then wax.
No more gas station washes for me.

 

Ordered up the Super Bumps, and tried removing the front bump stops in the rear. I used penetrating oil, and the driver’s side came off, but the passenger side just twisted right off the extension. Soft metal, I suppose. So I’ll drill it out and try an Ez out. If I can’t get that to bite and remove from the thread locker, I can always drill a bigger hole, weld a new nut in there and install the super bump.

 

Well it took most of the day yesterday to try and get the broken stud out of the bump stop mount. I broke two EZ outs, and when I welded a bolt to the stud, I actually broke the bolt and had to cut it off. So I ended up drilling it out.
Today I matched a 10mm x 1.25 pitch nut to the bump stop threads and welded the nut to a 10mm x 30mm washer, popped it inside the mount and welded the washer to the mount from underneath. Voila, back in business for when the Super Bumps arrive.

 

Did a little shopping for an upcoming project.

 

Super Bumps!!!! Woo! Hot damn I’m so happy to get these. Having my suspension work properly is such a relief. My old bump stops have been popping and clunking. These should alleviate all of that crap.

 

Super Bumps installed. Glad I got all that work done on the mount. Easy install.

 

What kind of prep did you do for the wheels? They look badass by the way

 

Thanks! I sanded them with 220 grit to scuff them up. Then used self etching primer, sanded again, then base coat, then 2K clear.

 

The best color! Looks great. What are the tail lights? Any issues with them? I just ordered new headlights and fogs. Thinking maybe I should change the tail lights too. Reverse lights that actually light something up would be nice but seem like a pain in the ass.

 

Thanks!! Absolutely the best color! I got these tails from ebay a few years ago, but they’ve gained popularity and pretty much can be found anywhere. No issues at all, really. I opened these up, tinted the led bar and color matched the bezels. While they were open, I frenched a chase light in the reflector spot. They use the stock reverse light, so I put a couple LEDs in there. For even more reverse light, I put a couple pods in the bumper and tapped into the reverse light lead in the trailer hookup. The light is crazy bright. I off-road a lot, and at night, these light up everything.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2014-2...ts-Brake-Lamps-Black-Left-Right-/362638518270

 

@W27 just realize that Geno uses nothing stock. He customizes and improves everything he uses!

 

Thanks! I see. You really put a ton of work into your truck. So much detail in the little things. The separate reverse lights seem to be the only way to get real light back there.

I did a lot of work on my truck when I got it 8 years ago. Haven’t made any upgrades in a while. I planned on getting the 2022 which was delayed. Now it seems like there’s some bugs that need to be worked out with them. My truck has been excellent, so I’m going to start some new projects to make it just the way I want and try to make it feel new again. Your dedication and attention to detail is inspiring.

 

Awesome! I think modding the interior has made the most “feel” in making my truck feel newer. Were you planning on getting the 2022 Blueprint color? I haven’t seen that color in person.

 

I wasn’t sure on a color. I had to have the BRM when it first came out. The 2022 is still growing on me. It’s the inside I liked best. Interior mods would probably make it feel most refreshed. The big ones would be the Katzkin seats and a large screen head unit. Both are pricey mods. I don’t have your level of patience or skill lol. Can I ask how much your seats set you back? I looked into it years ago. I saw guys on the forum get them installed pretty reasonable. The local upholstery places I checked wanted double here (NYC)

 

Ah gotcha. My wife chose the BRM. I actually was apprehensive because I knew it would be a bear to keep clean in the desert where I live.
The Katzkins installed came out to $1400. I’m right outside of Los Angeles. I didn’t get the heaters or coolers in them. I’m okay without them, but I think the shop we went to wanted another $300 to install them. They wouldn’t do any of the wiring, just put the heater pads in. I’m unsure how pricing is elsewhere, we just went somewhere reputable.

 

I was obsessed with that blue. Had a supercharged Vette to match that was my money pit. I was surprised what a pain this color truck is to keep clean. It’s almost as bad as black. That’s a great deal on the seats, I’ll have to call around again. When I was interested before I was getting quotes of around 4k.

 

4k, holy crap!! That’s insane! There a few threads here on people that did it themselves. There’s a YouTube also on it. But I just didn’t want to do it. That corvette is killer!!! Hope you find a more reasonable shop. If you ask Katzkin, they will have a list of installers that they trust. You may want to start there.

 

I installed mine myself. I did the back set in a few hours one day and the front in a few hours the next. I really just depends on your DIY appetite, but I didn’t think it was too bad.

 

Every time I get on this site it’s expensive lol I’ll try the katzkin site and see what I come up with. I watched videos in the past of people doing the seats themselves. Doable but looked very frustrating.

 

I hear ya. Same reason I didn’t wanna do it.

 

Smog checks here in California suck. So these turn downs gotta go. My smog check will come next year, but I don’t wanna be forced to do it in a pinch. I cut these off when the truck wasn’t raised in the rear, and I was hitting the tips on the trails. All I did really was prep them for welding back on. I figured if I post my progress here, it will force me to finish up the job quickly. I’ll have to clean up the pipes underneath, tack the tips in place, and remove the pipes so I can weld them on a bench.

 

How would a dumped exhaust affect emissions? Oh, Commiefornia, you so crazy.

 

Agreed. I think it may have to do with the test probe being easily inserted into the tailpipe? Who knows. Smog is a big deal here, if they test and fail on a modification, you get flagged. And the next smog guy can refuse to test.

 

Haven't had one done in New Germany, excuse me, New "Jersey," yet but previously, in New Yorkistan, dangit, "New York," they would just look and if your "check engine" / "MIL" light wasn't illuminated, you were good on the emissions portion.

And just wanted to say that this thread has been really enjoyable to keep tabs on since I joined the forum. Really interesting to see what a motivated individual can do with some skills and imagination. I was inspired to paint my engine cover after seeing the pics of yours. Most of the other stuff isn't in the cards just yet, but some great ideas. I'd never even seen a swing case until this thread. Pretty neat all around. Thank you for taking the time to put it all up.

 

Hey, thanks, Dave!! Crazy freakin emissions.

 

Project stupid smog check complete. Tacked up the ends of the TRD exhaust that were chopped off, and pulled them off the truck in order to get the best results of which I’m capable.
Welding thin exhaust pipe was difficult at first for me. I blew through the damn seam a couple times before I adjusted the settings and took a different approach. Once welded, I sprayed black with high heat paint and put back up. To get the pipes equal on both sides, I kept the bolts loose to the mufflers, and put jack stands under the tips, then tightened the bolts.
The slightly deeper sound is back. Before I first cut them off, I messaged Keith Carty to see what the sound would be like, he thought it would be quieter, and he was right. Now that they’re back together, it’s probably a matter of time before I sell the TRD duals and get a 10” BAM.