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-   -   Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=626978)

sierragrande71 06-07-2014 06:27 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
O I c, and makes sense. I'm building a '69 blazer into a 2wd and was wondering what those wheels would like on it and now I knw! Might have to find some replacement wheels for the gmc, lol!

sierragrande71 06-07-2014 06:28 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Are your wheels 17inch?

smbrouss70 06-07-2014 06:29 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
You could just get another set. :lol: I wish they made them in a 18" size too. That would have been perfect for what I wanted.

smbrouss70 06-07-2014 06:30 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Yeah, they are 17x8 Front, 17x9 Rear, with 255/50-17 and 275/50-17 tires respectively.

sierragrande71 06-07-2014 06:50 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Yea I hear u on the bigger size. I actually do have another set but there 15x10's and 6lug and there also powder coated black there going on my other '71 4by blazer.

sierragrande71 06-07-2014 06:53 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
1 Attachment(s)
Attachment 1263367 here's what they look like.

smbrouss70 06-07-2014 06:55 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
2 Blazers?!:metal: My wife said one had to go when I brought this one home. :lol:

sierragrande71 06-07-2014 07:04 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Yea my wife wasn't to thrilled when I dragged my current one home especially in the state that it's in!

smbrouss70 06-20-2014 03:00 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Finally, all of the parts are in, the Blazer is loaded up with the parts, I'm about to make a 100 mile drive in it to my dad's house so that we can lower it in the A/C. It's way too hot to work outside here.

The stages of loading it for it's trek to get lowered. Yep, no matter what, it is still a truck! I think I lowered the rear by 2 or 3 inches just putting parts in it. :D

Stage 1
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0_11_35_52.jpg

Stage 2
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0_11_46_52.jpg

Stage 3
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0_13_32_20.jpg

darkhorse970 06-20-2014 03:22 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Cool! Wish I could be there to help.

smbrouss70 06-23-2014 12:14 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Ran into a problem driving to my Dad's house on Friday. As soon as I got on the interstate it started coughing and sputtering. I pulled over and found that I wasn't getting fuel to the carb again. I had my wife tow me to the next exit to get it off of the Interstate while I ran home to get my truck and trailer. After I finally got to my Dad's house it was getting dark so we unpacked a few parts and decided to get after it early the next morning.

Two of my buddies came over to help yesterday. It went slower than I was hoping, but fighting to take 44 year old parts apart sometimes is a pain. We got most of the front end done. Still need to finish greasing the new components and double check tightness and cotter pins and install the sway bar and brackets. I wanted to get the front on the ground so that my volunteers had something to see before they went home, so we threw on the front wheels and tires and dropped it down. I LIKE IT! The front end should be very tight now as every bushing, ball-joint, tie-rod, etc. is new. The components that were removed were worse off than I thought they would be, even though it felt pretty tight while driving it.

It will camp out at my Dad's house until I can get back to it as I ran out of time to get it all done. At least I have some progress made though.

These are the only pics that I am willing to share right now.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...1_18_47_55.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...1_18_57_02.jpg

Tom Vogel 06-23-2014 09:28 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Those wheels and tires are sweet!

Hart_Rod 06-23-2014 09:41 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Looks great!

62 short step 06-23-2014 03:44 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Those thumbs look familiar! Lol!

LUV2XCLR8 06-25-2014 02:05 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Awesome!

bk04z66 06-25-2014 03:54 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Very cool k5

smbrouss70 06-25-2014 07:32 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Thanks guys! I can't wait to get home and be able to finish it up.

smbrouss70 07-07-2014 09:18 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Well, after 3 weekends of running to my Dad's house to work on the Blazer, it is finally lowered with the new wheels. EVERYTHING underneath it is new, including bearings in the differential (it had shims falling out when I swapped axles from the worn out bearings). It rides, drives, and stops better than a brand new 1970 Blazer. I couldn't be happier! :metal: Here's a few pics for y'all.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_22_12.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_22_24.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_22_38.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_22_56.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_23_12.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...09_24_26-3.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/DSCN0645.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/DSCN0646.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/DSCN0647.jpg

Tom Vogel 07-07-2014 09:48 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Very nice. You gotta be happy.

Hart_Rod 07-07-2014 09:56 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Looks great!

smbrouss70 07-07-2014 09:59 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
I've been wanting a lowered 2wd first-gen Blazer since I was 13 or 14 years old. I'm now 40 so this is literally a dream come true!

LUV2XCLR8 07-07-2014 03:33 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Congrats Buddy :metal:

fxdxharley 07-08-2014 03:25 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
congrats man. she looks great at that ride height and sporting her new shoes.

C10_ustacould 07-15-2014 01:57 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Lookin' GOOD bro!!

smbrouss70 07-16-2014 11:46 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Thanks Guys! I was able to cruise it around a little this past weekend and I'm starting to like the granny 4-speed. I may just leave it. I guess I will have to see how bad it is when I am stuck in traffic at CTC this year before I decide which way I will go.

LUV2XCLR8 07-16-2014 03:55 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
If it was mine I wouldn't change anything else, but it ain't. :lol:

smbrouss70 07-16-2014 03:57 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
The interior needs work and I found that it needs a C-notch with my big ass in there. Kevin is going to fix the only bit of rust in the driver's rocker and knock out a dent on the passenger's door. Then a full polish and new trim and call it good!

Blacked Out 08-08-2014 11:12 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Great looking truck and I'm glad to see progress. I'm looking to do a ECE 4/6 drop as well and wondered what you think of the ride quality compared to stock? Also, the driveway is sloped in most of the photos, so I can't tell if the 4/6 drop leveled the truck or put the rear raked lower than the front. I've read that the Blazers drop an extra inch or two in the rear when lowered due to the extra weight.

smbrouss70 08-09-2014 10:14 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Thanks for the compliment!

The ride quality is a little better and more comfortable than when it was stock height. I also replaced every wear item while I was lowering it and added a sway bar to the front so it is definitely more "confidence inspiring" now while driving. The extra weight in the back does bring it down a little lower in the rear than trucks that I have put the same kit on, which is why I have a c-notch waiting to go in after I get it back from my painter. It does still have just a little rake to it on flat ground (front lower). My Blazer is right at 14 5/8" to 14 3/4" at all 4 wheels from the center of the hub to the highest part of the wheel opening, which with the front wheel opening going higher up into the body than the rear gives it just enough of a "hot rod" rake to it.

Here is a photo of it on the trailer getting ready to go in for an alignment which is a little better at showing the actual rake, especially when you look at the trim compared to the side rail of the trailer. It is strapped down in the pic, but the suspension is free to move so that is the actual rake or very close to it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/DSCN0650.jpg

Splash4195 08-10-2014 11:11 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Nice Blazer!!!

sierragrande71 08-11-2014 01:33 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Man, smbrouss70 I love your blazer!

smbrouss70 08-11-2014 08:05 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Thanks guys!

It is at my painter's shop right now. I went to visit it this weekend, I'll post some pictures later today.

smbrouss70 08-11-2014 11:38 AM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Well, I needed to see the Blazer while it was all torn apart, so I drove to Natchitoches Saturday so that Kevin & I could go play with the Blazer. We finished getting it torn apart.

Kevin & I were able to pull the right front fender, left door, and remove the driver's rocker panel, as well as replaced the bushings under the core support. I was extremely nervous about what we might find behind that rocker panel, but we were both relieved to find that most of the rot was stuff that we could see without removing anything, so I was ecstatic that everything looked better than I had imagined it would.

Here's a few pics for y'all. Nobody has seen this rust unless you have seen the Blazer in person because I never wanted to take pictures of the bad stuff.

Kevin will do a full polish after he color-matches the NOS rocker that is going on, then I have ALL new trim and emblems to put on. I should have enough time after I get it back to change out most of the weatherstripping, re-cover the seats, and make sure it is reliable before Cruisin' the Coast in October. Once Kevin is done working his magic, the only rust left on the whole thing will be in the middle of the bed floor which I can graft in new sections on my own since it will be hidden by carpet or a rubber mat anyway. :lol:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_43_11.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_43_23.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_43_34.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_43_49.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_43_54.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_44_18.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_44_33.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_44_41.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_45_01.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_16_45_20.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_18_30_08.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_18_30_12.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_18_30_16.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_18_30_43.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_18_30_54.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_18_31_01.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...9_18_31_15.jpg

sierragrande71 08-11-2014 01:15 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Wow that thing is clean!

smbrouss70 08-26-2014 06:23 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Got a little update today from the body shop! Looks like the original paint is polishing up nicely. I should get it back this weekend with all new trim on it, but it will be raining all weekend, so it might be a while before I can get some good pics up.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_13_08_35.jpg

smbrouss70 08-27-2014 12:11 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Another update from the body shop. New trim is going on! I can't wait to pick it up and bring it home!!!!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...09_41_36-1.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...7_09_41_36.jpg

smbrouss70 09-30-2014 07:26 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
I can't believe it's been over a month since I have updated this thread. I have gotten it back from the body shop. The driver's rocker has been replaced and color matched. Original mirror arms (that were in the glovebox) have been put back on and the holes from the big ugly mirrors have been filled with small screws that were color matched. I used a stainless panel plug to fill the aftermarket antenna hole in the cowl so as not to disturb the original paint. It has all new trim everywhere and has been polished to perfection (Thanks again Kevin!), but still need to clean up and repaint the grille. The entire cooling system, clutch, u-joints have all been replaced as well as servicing the 4-speed transmission just to make sure I don't have any problems while at Cruisin' the Coast. Speaking of CTC, Friday I will drive the Blazer to work and will leave directly from there to head North to Natchitoches for the Return to the 50's car show. Sunday we will caravan from Natchitoches to Mississippi for CTC! If you see me or the Blazer while we are out & about, come introduce yourself as I would love to meet y'all.

Here are a few pics of it's current state. The round mirrors are what I ended up with, the rectangular mirrors were cheap and vibrated bad while driving.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_35_07.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_35_04.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_35_00.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_25_05.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...6_09_24_52.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...1_19_18_53.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0_16_35_02.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0_17_18_54.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...1_19_18_28.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...1_19_18_15.jpg

darkhorse970 09-30-2014 08:03 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
I love it!

Hart_Rod 09-30-2014 08:20 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
Nice job!

smbrouss70 09-30-2014 08:23 PM

Re: Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint
 
I was hoping to get the seats recovered before CTC, but that isn't going to happen.. Oh well, it's rolling just like it is! :lol:


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