Gerlad the Conqueror
New Member
I retired as a Master ASE Line Technician many years ago. I worked in dealerships (Honda, Acura, Mazda, Toyota and Chevrolet), independent shops (various brand varieties - whatever rolled in), specialty shops (Z-cars, Honda/Acura and heavy truck). I was factory trained and certified by Mazda, Toyota and Acura. I went to diesel school and worked at some Caterpillar dealers. I also worked on heavy equipment and Harleys. If it sucked fuel and breathed, I worked or it or built it. My brother and I built custom Harleys in the late 80's into the early 90's in our own shop.
I was a senior adjuster for a major extended service warranty company. (we sponsored huge names in Nascar, NHRA etc. Ron Epler, Joe Gibbs Racing) I met many of our NHRA and Nascar heroes in track suites and hospitality tents as well as in person in the pits.
Then - I got into IT and IT Security in early 2000's. I worked at MindSpring/Earthlink ISP, a few MSP's, IBM Internet Security, Citi Bank, Mastec. Recently, I was the InfoSec Engineer at a major truck accessory online retailer. I returned to automotive with an IT twist.
I have had many projects over the years. I have had all kinds of rides from Muscle cars to Trucks and Harleys. My first truck was a A100 Dodge cab over van. My next truck was a 1977 square body fleetside longbed that I dropped 4/6 with an axle flip and a 9 inch Ford with factory discs (Lincoln Mark III). It had Monte Carlo swivel buckets and an Olds Vista Cruiser rear bumper. My next truck was a 1953 5 window that was placed on a shortened 1972 K-20 frame. In the 90's, I built a 1988 Phantom Dually (2-4 drop, Lund rear fenders, phantom grille, air bags, flow master, underdrive pulleys, Alcoa wheels and 15x18 Mickey Thompsons)
Now - I got the bug to get back to my projects - My 2000 RCSB. I got it for my kids to drive when they were in High School and for me to haul stuff when I needed to. Now its mine all mine... lol
I dropped it 2/4 with spindles and a hanger-shackle kit. I also installed a BellTech C-notch and load carry shocks to tow. I have a 5.3 LM7 that I need to swap in. I need to have my spare 4L60E rebuilt with some beefy internals. I am also reworking the rear suspension to convert to coils and air shocks. I could bag it but I don't want to get caught on the side of the road with bad bags or failed compressor. (getting too old for that now) I just want something different with a smooth ride that doesn't need for me to spend $800-1000 for coilovers and still have to spend another $1000 on a four link etc. I figure with a little welding, I can get the coils and a 3 link with a wishbone for $700 total, including air shocks for towing. I have a few other ideas that I need to spend my money and welding skills on. I am going to do a driver's suicide door, passenger lambo door, swing out tailgate, a tilt bed, tilt forward hood, and a tilt forward front end.
I have attached a dream board view lol. I know its not everyone's cup of tea, but I think rolling up in a sleeper clean looking cateye that transforms into a wild custom would be fun to suprise people with.
I was a senior adjuster for a major extended service warranty company. (we sponsored huge names in Nascar, NHRA etc. Ron Epler, Joe Gibbs Racing) I met many of our NHRA and Nascar heroes in track suites and hospitality tents as well as in person in the pits.
Then - I got into IT and IT Security in early 2000's. I worked at MindSpring/Earthlink ISP, a few MSP's, IBM Internet Security, Citi Bank, Mastec. Recently, I was the InfoSec Engineer at a major truck accessory online retailer. I returned to automotive with an IT twist.
I have had many projects over the years. I have had all kinds of rides from Muscle cars to Trucks and Harleys. My first truck was a A100 Dodge cab over van. My next truck was a 1977 square body fleetside longbed that I dropped 4/6 with an axle flip and a 9 inch Ford with factory discs (Lincoln Mark III). It had Monte Carlo swivel buckets and an Olds Vista Cruiser rear bumper. My next truck was a 1953 5 window that was placed on a shortened 1972 K-20 frame. In the 90's, I built a 1988 Phantom Dually (2-4 drop, Lund rear fenders, phantom grille, air bags, flow master, underdrive pulleys, Alcoa wheels and 15x18 Mickey Thompsons)
Now - I got the bug to get back to my projects - My 2000 RCSB. I got it for my kids to drive when they were in High School and for me to haul stuff when I needed to. Now its mine all mine... lol
I dropped it 2/4 with spindles and a hanger-shackle kit. I also installed a BellTech C-notch and load carry shocks to tow. I have a 5.3 LM7 that I need to swap in. I need to have my spare 4L60E rebuilt with some beefy internals. I am also reworking the rear suspension to convert to coils and air shocks. I could bag it but I don't want to get caught on the side of the road with bad bags or failed compressor. (getting too old for that now) I just want something different with a smooth ride that doesn't need for me to spend $800-1000 for coilovers and still have to spend another $1000 on a four link etc. I figure with a little welding, I can get the coils and a 3 link with a wishbone for $700 total, including air shocks for towing. I have a few other ideas that I need to spend my money and welding skills on. I am going to do a driver's suicide door, passenger lambo door, swing out tailgate, a tilt bed, tilt forward hood, and a tilt forward front end.
I have attached a dream board view lol. I know its not everyone's cup of tea, but I think rolling up in a sleeper clean looking cateye that transforms into a wild custom would be fun to suprise people with.
