-
Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
I know it's been a while, but I figured I'd post this one. It was a fun build for one of my regular customers.
In the past I've done his '15 Navigator, his '15 MB S550 and now the Chevelle he just bought. Hopefully,
next will be his '13 Bentley Continental GT Speed...we're already talking about it.
Also, this is my first forum post with my new Macbook Pro. lol
Let's get to it.
The car is a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. Original Blue/blue interior big block car, but it currently has a 502 Ram Jet crate motor in it,
backed up by a 4L80E, electronic 4 speed auto w/ overdrive. 10 Bolt rear end. It came in with manual windows, locks and trunk.
The original HVAC system was mostly missing, with only the fan and floor working.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/937/4...1e080b0f_z.jpgIMG_20180728_145425016 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
It had no audio in it. It did have a set of Autometer gauges in a plastic dash overlay that had some fitment issues.
The opening around the left side dash vent was too tight to allow the up/down adjustment lever to move freely, and the opening around
the wiper switch would let the wiper switch go into Hi. Also, whatever genius put it in, epoxied some silver painted aluminum trim pieces over the screws
that allow you to remove the dash. Sigh.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1813/...a69eec4b_z.jpgIMG_20180628_151519159_HDR by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
Here I've marked where I want to cut the wiper switch opening...
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1833/...d0669c3d_z.jpgIMG_20180628_151500946 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
I made a jig similar to what you'd use for pressed grills, and a piece of 1/16" Kydex to reform the openings for the dash went and wiper switch.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1793/...dddcde67_z.jpgIMG_20180721_101103624 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/860/4...6d6dae80_z.jpgIMG_20180721_102644147 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
And molded them in.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/850/4...bffa9651_z.jpgIMG_20180721_122600556_HDR by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
Followed by SEM Texture coat and flat black paint. I also had to cut out the center air vent for the upcoming Restomod Air installation.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/932/4...9882c2b6_z.jpgIMG_20180721_144705749 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/853/4...d5ced0e7_z.jpgIMG_20180721_160509820 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
When I began running wires for the Alarm/Remote Start with phone interface, I ran into a problem.
I needed to run my wires out through the firewall for the siren and hood pin switch. Someone had built
a stainless steel box that was tucked down under the Ring Bros. hood hinge on the driver's side. It was held
on with an old Chrysler door panel clip (that the hole in the firewall hole was too big for) and a 1" square of
velcro.
I needed to remove it, but it was such a tight fit, I had to unbolt the hinge to get it out.
Before:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/853/2...302ff6f4_z.jpgIMG_20180629_150107530 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/...b5c05e63_z.jpgIMG_20180629_150101283 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
So, I took it out, and it was hiding the coil. I needed to put it back in, but it fit horribly, so I made some modifications.
I notched it so the gas strut for the hood hinge wasn't rubbing on the box anymore. Then I used the piece I cut off of it to make a bracket for mounting.
I pop-riveted it on and then used a rivnut to bolt it on the firewall with a stainless Allen head screw.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1799/...aabe19bd_z.jpgIMG_20180630_085611486 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
Moving on from there, we installed power windows and locks. The power window kit came from Nurelics.com and bolted in to the factory locations.
Came with a new harness all done up with Techflex and old style chrome GM switches. But I needed to get wires from inside the car to inside the door.
And the boots they provide are small and don't look quite right to me. So I took a trip to the junkyard and grabbed some door boots off a mid-late 90's Astro van.
I also picked up the proper sized hole-saw to make the holes. But you know what? The holesaw just didn't fit in there with the door on, so...
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1833/...a73a19d7_z.jpgIMG_20180703_100727897 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/858/4...d2ae7493_z.jpgIMG_20180703_100733744 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
I like these because they're round and have a decent amount of room, in case we do something later.
While I was at the junkyard, I grabbed the lock switches and pigtails from an '86 Cutlass 4 door (mainly for the pigtails and retainer clips) and ordered new switches from Amazon. Oops, didn't any pics of the final product. Had to place the window switches to cover the holes left by the window cranks, and put the lock switches toward the top front of the door. Looked factory when I was done.
The NuRelics kit works well, but the instructions were vague. I spent about 6 hours on the driver's door, before I realized I didn't need to remove (or spend hours adjusting) the glass. The rest of the car took about 2.5 hrs. I initially used DEI heavy duty actuators for the locks. However, on my day off someone moved the car and didn't notice
that one of the lock switches was stuck in the up position and burned out both actuators. I work with idiots. Replaced them with Omega R&D DS2.1 actuators, since we had special ordered the DEI ones in.
I also added a power trunk release from Original Parts Group.
Only minor trimming of the trunk lid was required. Rustoleum Regal Red was an almost perfect match to the paint on the car,
so I used it to paint over anywhere I had to cut metal.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/854/4...1e10f007_z.jpgIMG_20180719_193022925_HDR by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
So, now the car has Power windows, power locks, power trunk, alarm, remote start, 2-stage unlock, and I added a retained accessory power circuit for the radio.
Almost like a modern car.
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Now on to the fun part...speakers.
The front got Focal KRX3 3 way components. Absolutely gorgeous speakers. I made custom plates for the dash speakers to hold the 3"/tweeter.
They bolt in with brackets I made from 16ga steel that bolt to the factory front bolt holes and one of the dash mounting bolts on the sides.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1840/...11ce77e0_z.jpgIMG_20180709_115918669 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/942/2...cafdf4ac_z.jpgIMG_20180709_120206921 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
I ended up mounting the 3" under the plate so I didn't have to worry about it hitting the dash, and I finished it in spray on bedliner.
I added some foam around the mid to help seal it to the bottom of the stock dash.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/...64ba686c_z.jpgIMG_20180719_192958743_HDR by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
Originally, I was going to do the A/C Install, and I contacted Restomod Air while doing research. I asked Gary over there if me putting speakers in the
fresh air intake (passenger side kick panel area) would interfere with the A/C. He said no. Vintage Air's kit runs A/C lines right through that spot.
Meanwhile, the customer talked to the place he bought the car from and they said they could do it, and I felt that would be a good idea since I had a guy quit and was short staffed at this point. I emailed him all the stuff he'd need, so hopefully they don't screw it up. I'm wondering how much stuff I'm going to have to fix after they're done.
But anyway, the midbasses went into the kick panel area. I would have preferred to use plastic for the mounting plates, but we didn't have any, it's a PITA to get my boss to get me any and it's a nice weather driver anyway, so I went with wood and bedliner. It works for Bing. lol. I also used Kydex to make splash guards for the speakers as well.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/929/2...b49ec767_z.jpgIMG_20180629_152242397 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1773/...dbde1b55_z.jpgIMG_20180702_134558502 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1798/...f9785721_z.jpgIMG_20180717_185624712 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1837/...85865755_z.jpgIMG_20180719_121618531_HDR by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
And since the stock kicks would have looked silly (since they didn't match) I made new ones. With pressed grills. And chrome trim. And sexiness. lol
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/936/4...ab19fc72_z.jpgIMG_20180706_143001943 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1832/...e07212f4_z.jpgIMG_20180706_163812585 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1799/...ae94b22a_z.jpgIMG_20180706_151934590_HDR by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
more...
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
For the rear speakers we did Focal KRX2 2 way components. The car already had a flat, black vinyl covered rear deck in it, so I made some grilles to compliment the fronts that simply attach to it.
I had to cut metal for the speakers to fit, and for no other reason that it had 6x9's stock, that's what I cut the hole to. It also gave me a little room to play with if need be.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/932/4...68a13014_z.jpgIMG_20180712_134844289_HDR by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/933/2...03f453a9_z.jpgIMG_20180712_135037729 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1773/...b9453322_z.jpgIMG_20180714_160708119 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/...27636b1c_z.jpgIMG_20180720_102139366_TOP by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1778/...eaeb5242_z.jpgIMG_20180728_145757372 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/848/4...5527f90a_z.jpgIMG_20180724_180132025 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
And then came the sub box...
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
So, the customer had a Kicker L7 12" Q series in his Navigator, and really liked it. I didn't have room for a pair of 12's, so we did a pair of 10's.
Initially, we planned to do ported, but didn't have room, so we went sealed. The sub box/amp rack and temporary anyway. He bought the car and brought it to us the next day. I was worried he wouldn't like it, but I was wrong. He loved it. Couldn't believe the output. The other installer was in the bathroom like 40 feet away and said he could feel it when we fired it up. lol.
The customer really wants to drive it. lol It's going to get revamped in spring.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1792/...e454f059_z.jpgIMG_20180710_200107497 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/...a68a253c_z.jpgIMG_20180711_165529467 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1794/...7989fd64_z.jpgIMG_20180710_181103278 by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
The stack fab notches are to clear the rear deck speakers.
We fired the box into the cabin, to reduce the trunk lid rattling. Customer didn't want deadener on the trunk lid.
Nothing too crazy, but it really does sound good. I'm not usually a Kicker L7 fan, either.
Then there's the amp rack...
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
The amp rack is a simple affair. It holds the passive crossovers for the 2 sets of Focal speakers, as well as the Arc Audio 2300SE and 4200SE amps that power the system.
Interior is sprayed with bedliner. I took measurements for a trim panel, that I may try to build if I get some free time. He'll probably stop by for the Woodward Dream Cruise since our store is right on Woodward. If he's going to show it off, I'll put that on. I'll probably use some of the magnets I got from Joey@12vtools that hold all the speaker grills on.
The box has 4 1/4"-20 threaded inserts in the back of it that the amp rack bolts to. The amp rack also has threaded inserts in it that let me run bolts through the trunk hinge support into the amp rack so none of it can move.
All the speaker wire is 12ga OFC copper, RCA's are Stinger, IIRC.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1791/...6174a166_z.jpgIMG_20180728_145722242_HDR by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
I was actually really impressed. The car sounded great. Customer loved it.
That's really all that matters.
Jay
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Wow! That is excellent work as always!!!
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Excellent work as usual Jay.
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
That looks great! Bet it's fun having that level of equipment in such beast of American muscle.
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JayinMI
So, the customer had a Kicker L7 12" Q series in his Navigator, and really liked it. I didn't have room for a pair of 12's, so we did a pair of 10's.
Initially, we planned to do ported, but didn't have room, so we went sealed with delta power tools 40-694. The sub box/amp rack and temporary anyway. He bought the car and brought it to us the next day. I was worried he wouldn't like it, but I was wrong. He loved it. Couldn't believe the output. The other installer was in the bathroom like 40 feet away and said he could feel it when we fired it up. lol.
The customer really wants to drive it. lol It's going to get revamped in spring.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1792/...e454f059_z.jpgIMG_20180710_200107497 by
Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/...a68a253c_z.jpgIMG_20180711_165529467 by
Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1794/...7989fd64_z.jpgIMG_20180710_181103278 by
Jay McGraw, on Flickr
The stack fab notches are to clear the rear deck speakers.
We fired the box into the cabin, to reduce the trunk lid rattling. Customer didn't want deadener on the trunk lid.
Nothing too crazy, but it really does sound good. I'm not usually a Kicker L7 fan, either.
Then there's the amp rack...
wooden speaker boxes are better for quality sound I believe.
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Not sure about that. . . but, if you`ve ever seen a Chris-Craft with teak from bowsprit to transom, you know aluminum or fiberglass are just another option!
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
So, I guess I can update this one. He brought the car in around May of '19 to have me trim the trunk. He REALLY wanted to upgrade to 12's.
My plan had been to build a new box for the L7 Q series 12's, and then lay the amp rack I had previously built on the floor. But it didn't fit, so I had to redo everything.
First, we ended up not doing the air ride like we had discussed last year. He got more appropriately sized wheels and tires so they didn't rub anymore. Sorry the pic got corrupted.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...dba51980_z.jpgUntitled by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
New box for 12's with internal bracing.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...245f5304_z.jpgUntitled by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
Each side panel has inserts that are held in place with magnets, and allow access to the batteries on the driver's side, and a storage compartment on the passenger side.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ed68d297_z.jpgUntitled by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
Back trim panel:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2f3aa683_z.jpgUntitled by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...745a55ac_z.jpgUntitled by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
Front trim panel
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...419df385_z.jpgUntitled by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
the two oval shaped pieces on the sides hide the bolts that attach it to the box, and are held on with magnets.
And the finished product:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...eb9f5bd6_z.jpgUntitled by Jay McGraw, on Flickr
Thanks for looking.
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
From an aesthetic point of view, I would have liked to stick with the 10's, but he really wanted the 12's. I did brushed aluminum strips on the sides to tie in with the Arc Audio 4200SE and 2300SE in the floor. I used acrylic on the front trim panel because a) we could light it up later if he wanted, and b) I didn't have 3/8" thick aluminum plate. lol
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
I hope I saw that car during the cruise. I was just across the street from you with two Formula SAE cars. I didn't walk over to visit because I was still on crutches. Thankfully I'm done with those bastards for now.
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Quote:
Originally Posted by
littlemissGTO
I hope I saw that car during the cruise. I was just across the street from you with two Formula SAE cars. I didn't walk over to visit because I was still on crutches. Thankfully I'm done with those bastards for now.
He picked it up the morning of the dream cruise. I was on my way to New York for the show at Apicella Autosound. It got detailed at the Jax across the street.
Jay
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Little update:
After the car left, it went to a "custom" shop for some other work, which included:
Stripping all the black vinyl off the parts I built and then wrapping the parts (badly) with a tan-ish faux-leather.
Burned out the truck release solenoid.
Burned out the trunk output of the alarm.
Lost the set screws from 3 fuse holders and tried to solder the 1/0 into them.
Installed Fesler door panels and moved the speakers to the doors (which included some other issues)
The door inside handle gets relocated with these door panels, and you couldn't open the door from inside the car.
Damaged the dash bezel by overtightening random screws in place of the originals.
Did a color change on the interior. The work was unsatisfactory.
Added a Flaming River push to start system, which they hacked in to the existing alarm install.
Still didn't add a temperature control for the radiator fan, even tho they said they did.
Pinched the Stinger 8000 series RCA's and 2 runs of speaker wires when they bolted in the new power seats.
All in all, about $4000 to fix everything they messed up.
Originally he was going to have me do the A/C install, but he chose to have (what I believe is the same place) do the install.
I specifically told him to use the Restomod Air kit because it wouldn't need to run lines through the passenger kickpanel (where I put the mid woofers). I included part numbers for EVERYTHING and emailed it to him TWICE. They clipped the corner of the kick panels I built (with what looked like tin snips) and managed to damage one of the Focal Expert 3-way mid woofers and replaced it with a Focal Kevlar mid. Sigh.
The wiring in this car is so bad, the only way I would consider fixing it would be to remove ALL of the wiring in the car and replacing the whole harness with like an American Autowire harness and reinstall everything else.
It's pretty sad.
Jay
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Now THAT must suck knowing some hack job tore your work to shreds.
Ge0
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ge0
Now THAT must suck knowing some hack job tore your work to shreds.
Ge0
It really does. I feel like someone molested my kid. There's a ton wrong with this thing, but I really don't want to touch it again, for any amount of money.
Jay
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
What was the owner's reasoning to go to this other "shop"?
Did they have previous experience with the shop and trusted them?
-
Re: Getting ready for Woodward, a '70 Chevelle build log
He wanted a push to start system installed, and he was having some electrical work done that we don't do. I recommended against the aftermarket PTS setup because I hadn't seen one yet that I would consider reliable. They probably convinced him they could do a lot of stuff better than they could. He gets screwed by just about everyone he takes his cars to but me, but I charge accordingly. So, I don't know what his motivation was exactly, but I hope he learned his lesson. But he also has gobs of money so probably not.
Jay
