Yet another LONG build thread

[BCGPER]

Last

Cost thus far has jumped to $7700. Started buying some of the audio parts and since I didn't want to cut the dash, I had to pay top dollar for a few items.

 

[Thursty]

Lookin SWEET!

 

[BCGPER]

Since things are a bit slow here today, I figured I'd bring this back to life. Making progress, but slow going this time of year. She does have some nice tunes now (hey, you gotta have priorities).

I did fix one of the things that always bugged me about Blazers. For some reason, I just always found this look unfinished. I think the Chevy engineers gave up and said, let's just stick the stupid thing here and call it good.

 

[BCGPER]

So, I decided to change that look a bit.

Oh, and sorry Tacoma. That IS a F*** part. As much as I hate that, it just fit right. Well, 30 hours later anyway. I can see why everyone just leaves the stupid filler neck hanging out the side.

 

[rholbrook]

No, much better to do it this way. I put a saddle tank and a blazer tank in my 72 Chev Short Bed 4X4 and put the gas tank doors (Audi) on the same side like the old Fords were. It was much better looking.

 

[Bart]

Well worth the time and effort. Completely changes the look and cleans it up nicely.

 

[BCGPER]

Well, I haven't done a thing on this in quite a while, but things have changed a bit. It looks like I may have to use this as my daily commuter for a short period, so I'm back under the beast. Spent the entire day unbolting the body off the frame. I've done way more 72 trucks then any man should have to, and thought I knew everything about them. Damn, was I wrong!

Body mounting bolts are welded to the tub of Blazers, unlike the trucks. Whoda thought! So, I stripped the interior and carpet so I could simply lift the bolts out to replace the rubbah. Wrong! Since all the bolts are welded into place, the entire body has to be lifted about 6" to install the new eurethane mounts.

Sorry no photo updates, but it does look plenty funny sitting on 6" wooden blocks sitting above the frame. Looks like a hillbilly lift kit. The new body mounts will go in tomorrow, as well as the new poly gas tank. Of course I need to install the mandatory UHP approved mudflaps, then she should be street worthy after the inspection and emission junk.

Speaking of........

Lewis, windshield for a 72 Blazer? I REALLY hate to put new glass in it, only to remove it in a couple months, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do I guess.

 

[Corban_White]

Why is the glass comming out in a couple of months?

 

[BCGPER]

To do a "quality" paint job.

This one really doesn't show any signs, but 72's are notorious for rust under the windshield weatherstrip. Also, to get the top of the dash area looking right, you need the windshield out to get your spray gun in there properly.

Why is the glass comming out in a couple of months?

 

[Corban_White]

Got it. Comming out and then going right back in.

 

[Bart]

Daily commuter? Does this mean the Jeep is going, or will Beckie be driving it?

 

[BCGPER]

It'll probably be Beckie driving it, since her commute is shorter. That all depends on when I sell the F-250 though. I may just keep it till the new truck arrives, then have two trucks untill I sell it.

 

[Deweyxj]

Metalic Pea! I love it!!

:greg:My first 4X4 was a 71, Metallic Pea, Chev Blazer! Back then I thought that was the very worst color you could put on a vehicle!!:-\


Now I see 68 -72 PU's(not any Blazers yet) that have been resto/lightly buiilt & painted that color and I cant help but love 'em:greg:!


I can't wait to see this one finished!!

I'm glad to see your OCD isn't going to waste!

 

[Tacoma]

any updates? I love this truck. Even if it does have an effing Ford filler door.

 

[BCGPER]

Nah, nothing new to speak of.....

I did cover the entire interior area with some redneck Ho-Depot sound deadener (AKA, duct insulation). Wow, what a difference! Been commuting in it when the weather permits. I have filled the gas tank a few times, and that lone Ford part works sweet! I was a little worried, but it will fill with the pump nozzle locked in the high flow mode, and still turn off without gas spewing out the filler neck. I don't really want to take it out in the snow because of the unprotected sheet metal, not to mention no 4X4 at the moment. 4.56 in the rear and 3.73 up front would make for a bad situation if I were to turn the hubs.

The 4.56 choice was a little lower than what I'm really wanting, so now I'm weighing my options before I do the front axle. I can either dump the TH350 in favor of a 700R4, or go with 4.10 axle gears. I'd like to keep it rather stockish, and I really hate to toss out a brand new TH350, so I'm leaning towards regearing the axles to 4.10's. Also the rear carrier had spun a bearing at some point in it's life and I really don't like the way it went back together. I need to replace the carrier with something, so a gear change wouldn't be any extra work.

When I'm bored, I kill time finessing the body work which seems like it will go on forever, but I know will pay off big in the end. I've also been smoothing the fiberglass top which is very time consuming, but something that I feel needs to be done on every Blazer.

Future plans include.... Well, not much. My better half has been having knee problems (again/still), so we're kind of in limbo for a couple weeks waiting on a medical decision. It's looking like another knee replacement for her PDQ, so I'm not spending a dime on this thing right now. You know, gotta have priorities.

any updates? I love this truck. Even if it does have an effing Ford filler door.

 

[anderson750]

any updates? I love this truck. Even if it does have an effing Ford filler door.

I hate to say it, but Ford filler doors work great for this. I used one out of an Escort when I did this to my 72 about 10 years ago.

I wish I still had it.

 

[Tacoma]

My only gripe was that Chevy made filler doors too.

Brian, what axles are you using again? I could scroll back I guess. 4.56's will be a royal irritation on the highway, with the smallish tires you're going to run. I ran mine w/35's and a 700r4 and I was still wishing for a little more tire or a little less gear... but then, I was running up to Vernal and WY with the Blazer like that, so... around town it's fine, and on shorter trips. YMMV.

Knees trump trucks any day of the week. Hope all goes well. I'm looking at a replacement in my future, which will be here soon I'm sure.

 

[Shawn]

My better half has been having knee problems (again/still), so we're kind of in limbo for a couple weeks waiting on a medical decision. It's looking like another knee replacement for her PDQ, so I'm not spending a dime on this thing right now. You know, gotta have priorities.

That is a bummer BC, this has been going on far too long. I wish her a speedy recovery.

 

[BCGPER]

I looked at Chebby truck doors, and them sukas are huge! Well, compared to this one anyway. The S-10 Blazer door was another one that would have worked well, but I'm not sure how that round cut out would have gone with the square-ish body, and fitting the 72 filler neck into it would have been a bit harder.

The axles are still the factory 12 bolt and D44 combo. I know, you can't wheel without 60's, but I don't plan too either. I replaced the fan clutch, which really seems to have helped the gear ratio some. The clutch wasn't releasing properly, so the screaming fan made it sound like the motor was screaming (no tach yet). I think 4.10's with an LSD in back to get rid of that questionable carrier will be the way I go. The 4.56's rock in my commute, but this thing is Reno bound in August, and I really didn't want to trailer it there. I probably will though, cause a 2010 Ferd trumps a 40 year old truck anyday.

The knee news is no replacement. Weekly injections of yet another magic potion, and more wait and try to nurse it out a few more years (Note: anyone who runs long distances is retarded). Remember, knee replacements have a limited life (her first was at 15), so milk out your's as long as you can stand it. Meanwhile she can't get into the LJ without help, and can't drive it, so I'll probably get rid of the LJ soon. If that's the case, then my commuter will be another 68 Corvette (which is where this was headed anyway).

My only gripe was that Chevy made filler doors too.

Brian, what axles are you using again? I could scroll back I guess. 4.56's will be a royal irritation on the highway, with the smallish tires you're going to run. I ran mine w/35's and a 700r4 and I was still wishing for a little more tire or a little less gear... but then, I was running up to Vernal and WY with the Blazer like that, so... around town it's fine, and on shorter trips. YMMV.

Knees trump trucks any day of the week. Hope all goes well. I'm looking at a replacement in my future, which will be here soon I'm sure.

 

[BCGPER]

Ok, back on track. I've been driving this thing of and on for a few months. All system function great, even the A/C blows nice and cold now. As a favor to a friend, I pulled it out of the garage, and put it in his charity car show.