http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/monstergarage/episode/season3/episode_45.html July 26, 2004 EDT Episode Guide/Car Specs expand Slide ShowSee pictures of Jesse and the Pikes Peak Hill Climber. Episode 45: Pikes Peak Hill Climber Ain't no mountain high enough for Jesse not even Colorado's Pikes Peak, 14,110 feet of purple mountain majesty. And what better way to test the chops of this 1988 Chevy Blazer than the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb: 12.5 miles of hills, corners, dirt and gravel, not to mention narrow roads with 2,000-foot dropoffs with nary a guardrail in sight. So now, click through our pictures of the Pikes Peak Hill Climber, or just check out its specs below. Then see what Randy Ruyle had to say about his experience on the build. THE DESIGNERS * Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers, Long Beach, Calif. * Patrick Janicke, concept designer, Los Angeles, Calif. * Larry Ragland, race-car driver, Cave Creek, Ariz. * Randy Ruyle, director of compe***ion, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Cascade, Colo. THE BUILDERS * Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers, Long Beach, Calif. * Mike Cook, special projects director, West Coast Choppers, Wilmington, Calif. * Doug Evans, fabricator/mechanic, San Marcos, Texas * Sarah Grenier, mechanical engineer, Manchester, N.H. * Rhys Millen, race-car driver, Huntington Beach, Calif. * Randy Ruyle, director of compe***ion, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Cascade, Colo. SPECS Make: Chevy Model: Blazer Year: 1988 Height: 66 inches Width: 80 inches Length: 178 inches Ground Clearance: 3.5 inches Weight: 3,800 pounds Painter: Pete "Hot Dog" Finlin, West Coast Choppers, Long Beach, Calif. Special Welds: The team did welding work on the climber's roll cage, front clip, rear axle and suspension mounts, engine mounts, steering system, brake pedals, fuel and water cells, and radiator core support. Additional Acquired or Machined Parts: Includes the engine, supercharger, transmission, front end, rear end, drive shaft, wheels, tires, steering quickener, steering wheel, seats, belts, fuel cells, radiator and mister. Body Modifications: The team cut air scoops for the rear brakes into both sides of the vehicle, lowered it 10 inches, shaved the wheel wells, and added fibergl*** front fenders and hood. Biggest Challenge: The biggest challenge the team faced was mounting the Ford front end onto the Chevy truck, which needed to be aligned and calibrated correctly so that it was straight and level.
Vvery cool Doug. I have to admit that was one,if not the best Monster Garage I have seen. the run up the hill looks like an awesome ride. I noticed it seemed to Humble old Jesse somewhat.
Good work. More than a few would like to have the chance to do what you have done. And a bunch of new tool's!
Enjoyed that one tonight, seemed like you guys 'gelled' together really well...none of the usual MG *****in & moaning, just got down & did what was needed. And seeing Jessie's hands shaking at the end of the run was cool....thats one drive I would love to do in something suitable..... Dave
It was there. and it only cost us 200.00 dollars plus it's a lot lighter than a chevy truck front end. And I am proud to be ****-ugly, at least my car looks good! see ya'll at the drags.
What make Ford was that front end out of and how much of a step was it? I missed that part of it but caught everything else. Those rear Goodyears looked pretty cool what is the name of those tires? Turned out pretty cool I always liked those 2wd Blazers esp the ones with a full removable roofs.
It was a 99 or so Ranger front clip, and they said on the phone that it would cost 'em "a couple hundred bucks", but when it was delivered they said "$400"...so who knows? Using an S10 clip at least woulda simplified Jesse's Header Nightmare...and I'm sure it wouldn't have cost any MORE...probably LESS! But still...cool episode...although a weird vehicle to start with for what they had in mind...but that's part of the show's creed! I've always dug the dudes and machines that do that Pike's Peak Hill Climb race...watch it anytime it's on TV! Would LOVE to run that course one day myself...but deffinately not in a BLAZER!!! (I'd build a tricked out Cleveland powered 52-54 Mercury set up for that run! ) Pretty cool...congrats, Doug!
Hey Doug, I am jealous, really, even if the show has gotten kinda ****ey with some of the phoney **** and that dumb-*** announcer really grates me. I'd still jump at the chance to be on there, the builders are the best part.
Congrats, that episode is #2 only to the "Grandaddies of Customs" build on that wicked Cheby. Always fun watching people get the opportunity to do something like that, even on the shows they had ta build sumpin silly. But watchin that run up the Peak was super cool.
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