The Blazer has a cool flushed mount gas cap. The cap itself is from a motorcycle gas tank. To remove the cap you apply a small amount of pressure on the cap surface and rotate counter clock-wise, it pops off easily for fueling.
Author: admin
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Tucked 22’s
The front wheels are Race Line 2 Piece rims, tires are 245/30R22 – otherwise knows as “Rubber Bands”.
Wheels: Raceline Outlaw Series – 260 Bandit
https://racelinewheels.com/collections/outlaw-series/products/bandit
These set of custom wheels do not come from the manufacturer like this. The rim needs to be chromed, then painted with urethane paint.
This is not a procedure you want to do if wheel damage occurs. The details is what makes this process challenging.
This is top shelf custom wheels. You won’t find this particular setup anywhere. The detail in building this set is obvious.
I have run 30 sidewalls in the past they are stressful as Fook to cruise in. Every pothole or uneven road crack can deliver that punishing blow to the rim and it’s game over.
I’ve had my share of mishaps with that tire size. My plan is to remove the 30’s and install the 35 series. My experience with the added ground to lip clearance allows you ride over most of the road hazards.
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Tucked 24’s
The rear tires are 275/30R24. I call these “rubber bands”. I’ve had nothing but trouble running side walls at 30.
Wheels: Raceline Outlaw Series – 260 Bandit
Website: https://racelinewheels.com/collections/outlaw-series/products/bandit
For more details in making a wheel like this see the write up on the 22” wheel post.
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Blazer – AI
Posters of the Blazer, created by AI.
I must say using AI to create these posters is a lot of fun. There is absolutely no graphics skill required. This post will continue to grow as I come up with new images.
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Welcome to Roadster Style
This blog was born in Maui March 2026.
Since my latest cool rides kick are these topless, no roof, Roadster Style trucks I decided to make a blog.
I find having a blog provides a method of keeping all the maintenance and work performed on the vehicles I have. I have made so many blogs I can’t even provide a close estimate on the count.
My first experience with a topless vehicles go back many years. I’ve had a 66 SS Impala ragtop, a couple Mercedes, Porsche and a couple Corvette’s.
I’m definitely not new to the topless game. Even though most of the time these vehicles tops were down they still had the capability to convert back to roof coverage.
In the case of Roadster Style rides are always topless with no ability to cover up by design. This means these are fair weather riding toys, someone would say not long distance vehicles either if you’re riding to areas with unpredictable weather conditions.
For our intentions, these are going to work out great. We plan on installing our HydroDrop 2 Wireless Air Ride System.
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Blazer is here!
Finally completed the deal and the Blazer is in the Manetarium ready for mods. I will go through everything before taking it out for a show. I need to know what is currently on the Blazer, what part and manufacturing companies used for this build.
I need to find the part that supports the gear shifter lever. It currently has a bolt holding the arm in but not at the correct angle and locked in place. The speedometer gauge will need to be adjusted. It is currently off in position.
The first thing will be getting all four wheels off the ground so I can check the underside. Also, to have a clear view of the air ride suspension hardware.
I noticed that the there are 3 fuses on the passenger side fender well.
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Roadster Blazer
I’ve been working on a trade deal for this Roadster Style Blazer. I started conversation with the seller on February 2, 2026. Last week Thursday we closed the deal.
General Information:
Custom 1983 Roadster, Blazer. Ridetech air suspension disc brakes, new interior new paint and body work custom Raceline Outlaw Series: 260 Bandit wheels, wheels are chromed and painted. 24 inch wheels in the rear 22 inch wheels in the front. 5.7 TBI crate engine with about 40000 miles, 700 R4 transmission. Has a 1956 Chevy, 3100 dash with vintage steering wheel, windshield chopped 3 inches in the front with custom glass, custom gas cap.
Screenshot I’ve been looking for something different, more towards the custom side but not a car. It had to be a truck, either a Chevrolet or GMC.
Screenshot This Blazer has gone through a lot of bodywork hours. It is completely shaved all the way around. The doors and tailgate have been welded together and everything is shaved. All the mounting point for a shell has been welded closed and smoothen out.
Screenshot One of the best ways to describe this truck would be it reminds me of a boat, whether good or bad. You have to enter by the rear end using the bumper as a footstep.
I found that the bucket seats are set low. When you sit inside it’s like you’re sitting in a jacuzzi.
On top of my list will be installing HydroDrop II and having a center console made so I add a stereo deck, mid and tweeters.
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HydroDrop Remote Mount
Having 3D printers makes it really convenient to come up with an idea and implement it quickly,
I needed a way to mount the wireless remote onto the dashboard for convenience and use. I removed the passenger air bag key section and installed the HDV2 mount
Just like that a solution to my needs was created.
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HydroDrop V2 Installation
This is the primary reason I got the Sonoma Minitruck. To be able to install a HydroDrop Version II.
I had attempted to install HDV2 two weeks before the final install. I was having issues when trying to remotely operate the valves. When I pressed the remote the response was not what I expected.
When I did the 2nd installation I removed the passenger seat so I could trace and visually see where all the wires went and how it interfaced with the GC350 quick valves. This is when I discovered that the 7 button wired controller did not connect directly to the valves. There was an interface control module in between the hand held wired remote and the valves.
This aftermarket AVS module was hidden below the seat under the carpet. I didn’t see this when I attempted the first installation.
As far as I can tell this module acted as a relay adding protection to the handheld button controller. The input to this module did not receive a standard +12VDC signal to activate the output. When HDV2 sent a signal the module did not recognize it and provided an incorrect response. Simple.
I replaced the old air ride control module with the HDV2 and remote. I also added an AVS handheld 7-button controller for manual use and to demonstrate you can still use a wired controller with the wireless controller.
What a difference in functionality and appearance.
I did more cleanup using another “wrap” for the wires. The previous type looked old, this one is more modern and functional.
The circuit breaker for the air ride compressors seemed to have failed at one point, I replaced it.
I grabbed carpet material from my favorite place at Morgan Fabrics located in Stockton CA. They have a large selection of just about every type of material you need.
I carpeted the rear area where the subwoofers and HDV2 is located. The material is marine grade but the equipment is not. I better not get caught in the rain.
It is safe to say that I am the only Minitruck controlling its suspension using HydroDrop II. On the otherhand, Minitruck Bed Dancers are using HDV2. One of them is using the HydroDrop II model. The rest are using HydroDrop Version 1.
You can check out more videos on HDV2 at our website www.tx2rxHydroDrop.com
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MiniTruck Bumpin’
The Sony Stereo that came with the car is a decent head unit for what intend to use it for. The 4 mid-sized speakers are not stock, they have been replaced at some point in the trucks life.
What is lacking is the bass tone. I decided to go with the largest tuned box I could fit behind the seat. This itself is a challenge due to the reinforcement metal that was used to brace the cab rear section. A “triangle” metal brace and plate was fabricated in the center to add structure strength and eliminate sheet metal flex. There is also a 1/2″ tubes used to frame the upper part of the cab box.
I selected two 12″ Pioneer shallow box subwoofers. These allowed me to use all of the seat adjustable leg room range. The sub box is tuned for these particular model subwoofers so optimum bass response is achieved.
I don’t know if it is because the open top environment but this setup is one of the hardest and clean hitting bass response rides I’ve ever built. Having all the Dynamat installed helps too, you don’t hear any cheap ass vibrations that a ghetto ride will make.
I added an inline fuse to protect the amplifier. The +12VDC source this fuse is protecting will also be used to provide voltage to HydroDrop V2 Base Station (Wireless Air Ride Controller).
An variable base controller knob will be added for volume control. This will take the place of using a flat blade screw driver to set the gain of the subwoofer signal.
Here is a detailed specification hardware list for historical purposes:
Head Unit:
Sony
Subwoofer:
TS-5WX30C
Pioneer TS-SWX3002 – 12″ Preloaded Subwoofer Enclosure
12″ TS-SW3002S4 subwoofer
5/8″ medium density fiberboard construction covered with black carpet
4-ohm impedance
power handling: 400 watts nominal (1500 watts peak power)
frequency response: 20-125 Hz
sensitivity: 93 dB
dimensions: 20-1/2″W x 13-7/8″H x 6-3/8″D
Woofer Size (inches) 12
Speakers Per Box —
Woofer Material Mica-injected IMPP
Enclosure Type Sealed
Color Black
Pieces in System 1
Width (inches) 20-5/8
Height (inches) 6-3/8
Depth (inches) 13-7/8
Connector Type Spring post
Frequency Response 20-315 Hz
Power Handling (Watts RMS) 400
Power Handling (Watts Peak) 1500
Sensitivity 92 dB
Impedance 4 ohms
Subwoofer Amplifier:
Pioneer GM-D9701
Subwoofer Remote Controller:
Xtenzi Bass Volume Knob Control Bass Remote XTBR23