1976 REPU Build
07-29-12, 12:59 PM
#1
1976 REPU Build
I have been working on this project for a number of years. Around 8 or so actually. 
The majority of the time has been on and off while collecting the needed parts and working on other projects like building the ReSpeed wide body, flipping a few first gens, another '76 REPU, an Rx3 and an Rx8.
Currently the truck is ready to go to paint. I will get a few shots of it before it leaves and post later. I have been posting updated pictures on Facebook but figured I would update here since I am at the paint mile stone.
The dis-assembly of the truck is pretty straight forward so I did not take any pictures. Once it was apart this is what I had to work with:
The majority of the time has been on and off while collecting the needed parts and working on other projects like building the ReSpeed wide body, flipping a few first gens, another '76 REPU, an Rx3 and an Rx8. Currently the truck is ready to go to paint. I will get a few shots of it before it leaves and post later. I have been posting updated pictures on Facebook but figured I would update here since I am at the paint mile stone.
The dis-assembly of the truck is pretty straight forward so I did not take any pictures. Once it was apart this is what I had to work with:
07-29-12, 01:15 PM
#2
First came the frame & suspension restoration. I cleaned the frame up and sprayed it with POR15 and then truck bed liner.
The rear end is from a GSL-SE. I cut off all the 4 link brackets and welded on leaf spring pads. The rear leaf springs were sent to a drive line shop and de-arched 2". New rear leaf spring bushings were installed. All new bushings and ball joints were used to rebuild the front suspension.
Front shocks are bilstein for a camaro. Springs are 525# with a 2" drop. Front brakes have been converted to TurboII calipers and rotors. Rear brakes will be stock GSL-SE.
The rear end is from a GSL-SE. I cut off all the 4 link brackets and welded on leaf spring pads. The rear leaf springs were sent to a drive line shop and de-arched 2". New rear leaf spring bushings were installed. All new bushings and ball joints were used to rebuild the front suspension.
Front shocks are bilstein for a camaro. Springs are 525# with a 2" drop. Front brakes have been converted to TurboII calipers and rotors. Rear brakes will be stock GSL-SE.
07-29-12, 01:30 PM
#3
Next came repairing the rotted floors and rockers. Luckily the truck I purchased came with a spare set of decent floor sections cut from another truck. I also found some NOS outer rockers on ebay. Drivers inner rocker had to be fabricated by hand.
Started by cutting out all the bad stuff.
Started by cutting out all the bad stuff.
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07-29-12, 02:05 PM
#8
Next on the agenda was to dye the white headliner and spray the inside back of the cab. This gave me a chance to make sure I liked my final color choice for the truck as well as hopefully keep over spray off the head liner while at paint.
07-29-12, 02:16 PM
#9
Behind the scenes there has been progress on the fresh wire harness. The entire harness was sent to Stephen Sheppard with a list of my wants, desires, must haves and such.
The plan is for a completely fresh harness built to today's standards. The harness will have feeds for the Megasquirt and secret audio built in. The layout will also be tidied up to eliminate a bunch of extra stuff.
Images show the original harness, a couple if shots of the all new rear section of the harness as well as the new fuse blocks that will be used.
The plan is for a completely fresh harness built to today's standards. The harness will have feeds for the Megasquirt and secret audio built in. The layout will also be tidied up to eliminate a bunch of extra stuff.
Images show the original harness, a couple if shots of the all new rear section of the harness as well as the new fuse blocks that will be used.
07-29-12, 02:27 PM
#10
Started working a bit on the drivetrain. It is a S5 6 port engine with a large street port. Manifolds, throttle body and turbo are S5 turboII parts. Front cover is GSL-SE.
The engine was rebuilt a while back so it only needed to be cleaned up and painted. decided to go a bit subtle with the paint colors, cast aluminum for the rotor housings and cast iron for the irons.
Water jetted a few block off plates as well.
The engine was rebuilt a while back so it only needed to be cleaned up and painted. decided to go a bit subtle with the paint colors, cast aluminum for the rotor housings and cast iron for the irons.
Water jetted a few block off plates as well.
12-06-12, 12:44 AM
#18
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Suspension bushings.
I am looking for myself REPU, and also I'm looking for parts. In my RX7 I have polyurethane bushings from you and doing well, so... I thought that you have found something.
Jacek
I am looking for myself REPU, and also I'm looking for parts. In my RX7 I have polyurethane bushings from you and doing well, so... I thought that you have found something.
Jacek
12-08-12, 11:22 AM
#21
https://www.rx7club.com/old-school-other-rotary-63/gauging-interest-superpro-bushings-988783/page3/
Contact Juan he can get you poly bushings for the rear leaf springs 74-77 REPU. All front suspension bushings are available thru your local auto parts. Only thing that is not available is the drag link but you can buy one brand new from a B2200 pick up and lengthen it to fit
Contact Juan he can get you poly bushings for the rear leaf springs 74-77 REPU. All front suspension bushings are available thru your local auto parts. Only thing that is not available is the drag link but you can buy one brand new from a B2200 pick up and lengthen it to fit
12-08-12, 10:36 PM
#23
nice truck , I restored one of these 2 years ago and sold it to my neighbor for 12k. If you need any parts help let me know , I have a lot of good sources .These trucks can be a pain in the *** to restore because they don't make **** for them anymore . The inner and outer weather stripping for the driver and passenger windows are still available from mazda , so buy them now while they are still available . Buy 4 outers so you get the chrome strip on the top ,the inners are bare metal .15.00 each pretty good deal . Hope that helps you .Here's a pic of my old truck
12-10-12, 05:06 PM
#24
I wish I could send all my grille stuff off for chrome like yours, just a bit out of my budget currently.
What I am looking for currently would be a decent set of headlight bezels and some tail light trim rings.
-billy