5/3/2025 – Update

Worked on the blast cabinet. Finished installing the new upgraded gun on it. I think I also have the ventilation for the attached vacuum figured out. Ran to Harbor Freight to get more glass bead media for it too. Both tomorrow and next weekend look to be nice – hope to get some misc painting done on some of the smaller parts. My Hotchkis front sway bar is on its way, but might be later in the Fall when I work on that as the painting in the warmer weather takes priority. I also have some work to do to update this blog as well, but not when it is a nice day like today! Also been playing with AI and asking a few car related questions – I have yet to stump it and is much more efficient that using Google searches – let the AI do that work and summarize it!

4/19/2025 – Update

Most all of my parts have arrived.  Still waiting on the Hotchkis front sway bar which is supposedly in powder coating now.  Should get an update on Monday.  Going to get my blast cabinet ready – need to work on the vacuum on it and then have some smaller parts to clean.  Going to try to focus on painting some of the smaller parts this summer and then when the colder weather arrives will start back on the 12-bolt rebuild and suspension parts.

4/6/2025 – Update

Went ahead and ordered the TKO 5-speed crossmember.  This will allow me to go ahead and mount my front subframe without taking it apart again to mount the crossmember.  The subframe is loosely attached to the body now.  Still have the 12-bolt to rebuild, the suspension to work on and still waiting for the front sway bar from Hotchkis.

3/30/2025 – New Parts on their way!

Spent some time in the garage taking inventory on stuff. Still need to order a few other things, but this is a start. Trying to focus on a few key items that have been difficult to source and\or low inventory as well as before the costs go up anymore as is forecasted.

These items are on their way:

Ordered a new set of dust shields to go along with my other front suspension parts. Found some Trunk Spatter paint on eBay. Eastwood no longer has any and it has been difficult to find. This isn’t a spray can, but I still have a small area to touch-up on my trunk. Also ordered a new spindle set which should work with my new Wilwood front disc brakes. Otherwise I would have to modify the existing OEM spindles.

Doug Bratton's Personal Blog