Shake Down Cruise
 

About five months after getting my shell back, and I year and a half since I sent the shell to body and paint, the 69 went for its first shake down ride of about 15 miles. I had an upper radiator clamp weeping a little, needed to add some PS fluid, and I needed to install a stiffer throttle return spring. It ran good, rode like a Blazer rides, and stopped well. I'll readjust the shoes now, look things over underneath and check bolts for tightness. I used an aluminized heart throb exhaust with their turbo mufflers. Sounds okay but I would have preferred 40 series as they are not as deep as I like. Few more adjustments and tweaks and it will be ready to roll.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

That thing is awesome! Congrats on getting the shake down out of the way with, what it sounds like, only some minor adjustments to be made.

I have used the same exhaust and I too thought the same of the exhaust note after cruising them for a bit. That's an easy swap down the road though.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Congrats. It looks great and ready just in time for warm weather. Enjoy!

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Thanks much to you both.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Post more pics when possible please

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Here are a few more.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Looks fantastic . I used the heartthrob exhaust on my '72 and really like it. I used thrush welded mufflers which are a knockoff of the flowmasters.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Looks great, congratulations on good shake down run...

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Thanks Dale.

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Wow,, beautiful! Just in time to enjoy the weather.
Looking forward to seeing more!

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Beautiful build Rick.

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Now that my friend looks great, love the attention to detail. jmo I like white wheels but hey roll with it brother! You should be very proud!
Love that Blue...….
Enjoy

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Thanks much Richard, dirish, and Big Orange.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

This is what I started with. Truck came from Wyoming to Western New York about 20 years ago. ) Had not ever been registered (titled) in New York State for 19 years until I did so. Sat waiting to be restored but the previous owner never got around to it. It was rode hard and put away wet in its previous lives. Tub and floors solid.Rockers, lower rear patch panels, dash cut fixed new doors, fenders, 1 new inner fender, one original, Arizona hood (original hood was very solid but had a good deal of splotchy surface rust). Windshield frame was super solid. Stripped it out the rest of the way, put all new body mounts in it and sent it to my friend, the body and paint man, for his magic. Got it back just before Christmas 2018.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Few more photos

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too late now for me -> but where did you find // how did you make the utility buckets with the scroll pattern?

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

New sport bucket seat covers added to with matching vinyl by the upholstery shop.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Job well done. Two thumbs up. Enjoy!

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Looking better all the time. Was that the original cover on the rear seat? If not , where did you find that? ....Thanks , Mike

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Mike,
I believe that it is the original cover on the back seat. It came with the Blazer and is decent shape - but not perfect. It will get little use so I thought I'd save it. Eventually, I'll have the upholstery shop make up a new one that will match the fronts. Rick

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Thanks . That's the same pattern/material in my K5 except mine is blue. I was hoping to find some blue to replace my front covers 'cause my rear is still good as well.

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

Have you tried SMS, cause that looks like a utility pattern, that's where I bought mine, but in full width. Careful the bottom seat is a differant pattern in the embossing

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

I am going to send for a sample from them . Thanks!

Re: Shake Down Cruise
 

they are slow on the customer service area, but worth the wait