What have you done to your square lately??

[Ralphs85]

True enough. I imagine that if you know what you’re doing, they’re fine but their reputation precedes them. And I never did learn about them, all the ones my dad had didn’t complain, and they were on vehicles that didn’t even get driven nearly enough.

Truth be told, it was my first q-jet rebuild. Watched a bunch of YouTube videos and got a book on rebuilding and modifying them. Went pretty smooth. The truck is all original so I'm trying to keep it that way.

 

[Snoots]

I found a set of optional factory forged wheels for my 83 GMC and I've been cleaning them up and polishing them. I've finally got them ready to go. Here's a before and after of the same wheel.

Did you use white or tripolie and a sisal buff?

 

[ChuckN]

I found a set of optional factory forged wheels for my 83 GMC and I've been cleaning them up and polishing them. I've finally got them ready to go. Here's a before and after of the same wheel.

I can only imagine that those are pretty rare. I remember seeing them on GMC advertising for the Sarge version.

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[Strick]

Got new locking hubs installed & at least have FWD. Rear shaft is too short with this 6" lift & u-joint is blown out. Gonna need to extend the rear section or do a 67" single shaft.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[89Suburban]

Got new locking hubs installed & at least have FWD. Rear shaft is too short with this 6" lift & u-joint is blown out. Gonna need to extend the rear section or do a 67" single shaft.

You must be registered for see images attach

Been there, dunnit, you got it.

 

[Arizona Ranger K5]

I can only imagine that those are pretty rare. I remember seeing them on GMC advertising for the Sarge version.

You must be registered for see images attach

I love how the semi is $40,000! Now the pickups sell for >$40,000. Blast from the past!

 

[Arizona Ranger K5]

I finally got the aux battery and isolator hooked up. Still need to get a new starter cable from the isolator, but it's working good. I'll take it to work tomorrow and see how it does. Now I can start wiring emergency lights on it.

 

[Grit dog]

Got new locking hubs installed & at least have FWD. Rear shaft is too short with this 6" lift & u-joint is blown out. Gonna need to extend the rear section or do a 67" single shaft.

You must be registered for see images attach

That front bumper would be awesome here in Seattle for left lane loafers in Priuses and Teslas!

 

[Grit dog]

No pics, but re-stuck down all the chrome trim that never stayed the first time.
I do have to say the quality of the trim is really crap-tacular.
First it’s still “curled”. So the original sticky tape didn’t and still doesn’t have much of a chance of actually sticking since the trim won’t lay flat.
And I installed it in warm weather, had the trim laying flat for days prior and used a heat gun to soften for all the bends at the fenders and back corners.
And I need to seal all the cut ends. There is already water getting behind the clear cover over the chrome. And on a truck that has only been in the rain maybe a half dozen times and only gotten a proper wash half that many times.

The new 3m super sticky stuff seems to hold a lot better but I’m sure there will be another round of re sticking by next year.

 

[82sbshortbed]

@Grit dog if that trim comes up again, try this tape. It's sticky AF! I'm not even kidding about this. I'm really impressed with the holding power. I don't think water will bother it either.





KUSUFEFI Double Sided Tape Heavy Duty, Double Stick Mounting Adhesive Tape (2 Rolls, Total 20FT), Clear Two Sided Wall Tape Strips, Removable Poster Tape for Home, Office, Car, Outdoor Use https://a.co/d/7mUeUwi

 

[ChuckN]

No pics, but re-stuck down all the chrome trim that never stayed the first time.
I do have to say the quality of the trim is really crap-tacular.
First it’s still “curled”. So the original sticky tape didn’t and still doesn’t have much of a chance of actually sticking since the trim won’t lay flat.
And I installed it in warm weather, had the trim laying flat for days prior and used a heat gun to soften for all the bends at the fenders and back corners.
And I need to seal all the cut ends. There is already water getting behind the clear cover over the chrome. And on a truck that has only been in the rain maybe a half dozen times and only gotten a proper wash half that many times.

The new 3m super sticky stuff seems to hold a lot better but I’m sure there will be another round of re sticking by next year.

Did you buy the pre-cut kit, or did you buy it in a roll? Good info on sealing the ends, I wondered if that was a gimmick. They sell a pen to seal the ends, but I wonder if sealing it with something already around the house would work?

I have my pre-cut kit waiting to go on, but needs to warm up a bit. I have mine laying flat on the ground as well and to stay warm in the house. I got mine from Route LA, since LMC was sold out. Probably the same kit in a different box.

 

[Johnny Atomic]

Did you use white or tripolie and a sisal buff?

I used a cloth wheel(s) from harbor freight on a battery drill with green rouge, followed by a wheel with white rouge, followed by a wheel with Mother's Aluminum wheel cleaner.
But first i used a 2" wire wheel on the drill to remove the oxidation, then sanded with a random orbital with 80 grit followed by 120, 220, 400, 1000, 1500, 3000 before starting with cloth polishing wheels. You can get it just about as shiny without all the sanding, but the surface isn't flat and doesn't look as mirror-like.

 

[Johnny Atomic]

I can only imagine that those are pretty rare. I remember seeing them on GMC advertising for the Sarge version.

You must be registered for see images attach

They were used on quite a few 2wd versions of Vans, Blazers and Suburbans, in the late 80's early 90's. But I was told those version aren't forged. Cast aluminum instead.

 

[Snoots]

I used a cloth wheel(s) from harbor freight on a battery drill with green rouge, followed by a wheel with white rouge, followed by a wheel with Mother's Aluminum wheel cleaner.
But first i used a 2" wire wheel on the drill to remove the oxidation, then sanded with a random orbital with 80 grit followed by 120, 220, 400, 1000, 1500, 3000 before starting with cloth polishing wheels. You can get it just about as shiny without all the sanding, but the surface isn't flat and doesn't look as mirror-like.

A lotta work but they sure look nice!

 

[Grit dog]

Did you buy the pre-cut kit, or did you buy it in a roll? Good info on sealing the ends, I wondered if that was a gimmick. They sell a pen to seal the ends, but I wonder if sealing it with something already around the house would work?

I have my pre-cut kit waiting to go on, but needs to warm up a bit. I have mine laying flat on the ground as well and to stay warm in the house. I got mine from Route LA, since LMC was sold out. Probably the same kit in a different box.

I sported for the pre-cut kit. And yes it’s worth sealing the ends. I thought about it when installing and then spaced it off.

If yours doesn’t lay flat, top to bottom, like the sticky tape only contacts on the outer edges without pressing it down, I’d consider weighting it with something and trying to flatten them out.

I’d presume a little dab of clear coat or clear nail polish or similar would be sufficient