1973 Blazer Build/Resto... Input please!

[Keyblazer]

What's with this front axle truss?

Keep or toss?

[68Timber]

I like your plan, it'll be nice to see another one saved. And Welcome!

[Keyblazer]

Thanks Bruiser!

I am wondering if I should have posted this in the "Builds" section of the Forum?
Please advise anyone?

Just been assessing the Blazer and building my list of parts and stuff the last few days.

I have not pulled the rear carpets yet, but from below it looks ok, so my body panel list is just front floors so far. The Doors look good enough to keep, just a couple of small patches, and fill those extra mirror holes.

Also in the process of going thru my boxes of stashed C/K parts!
Here is a few things I have... some I forgot about!

Power Tailgate from a 90 Suburban... will that fit?

A complete 454 motor from a 1990 Suburban, with everything... Complete TBI system, inc ECU and harness, accessories, AC, brackets... Motor is good but needs a rebuild really.



TH400 HD(cast on the case?), but 2wd... and a HD rebuild kit for it.
New 4 core 454 radiator, 7 blade fan etc.
In addition, I have 2 pairs of heads... one is the sought after "781's and the others are #346236... not sure if they are good.
These are the 781's.





Set of long tube headers for the 454..

[Keyblazer]

I guess I am trying to figure out my drivetrain direction...

The current 350/350 combo seems ok... but I have not checked it thoroughly yet.

Does stuffing a 454 with a TBI in there make sense?
What about the TH400... is it just a rear housing change to make it a 4x4, and will the 205 mount up ok?

I also have a Rotisserie/Body cart I built some years back for another project... Maybe I should consider going all the way!

Sadly, my Suburban is no longer with us...

[72shorbox]

The axle truss looks like a "Go Rhino" product. keep it if you like it. If not you should not have any trouble selling it, a lot of people are collecting these accessories from the 70-80's.

[Keyblazer]

Good info.

Digging in my storage produce some more options.

Pair of tri leg mirrors from my Suburban.



And some Smittybilt Tube Bumpers... some surface rust, but nothing that cant be fixed!
Dang, but they are heavy!

[68Timber]

The Burb rear gate will not fit, they are specific to each model. And I'm pretty sure it's not much to convert the TH400 for 4x4 use, except for the TH400 to NP205 adapter. You'd think they'd be common, but you never know since the offroad crowd loves the combo. As for TBI 454, big block and fuel injection are no doubt desirable upgrades, but I don't know how much you can get out of that combo.