PO has me PO'd

[jaros44sr]

You could be right, that new stuff is probably metric. Nice choice on the tBi

[jaros44sr]

For those of you that dont have a blast cabinet, or you just cant hold on to small parts without blasting your glove (yeah, i know you could use pliers), apple cider vinegar does a masterful job of lifting the rust off of heavily rusted parts in about a day. If you cant wait, alittle scrubbing with a wire brush speeds it up a bit

Sorry, but i only had orange in high temp......trust me, these parts were heavily rusted
If you dont believe me, look at the pic in post 2098

Gotta wait for the wifey to run some errands so i can bake the parts in her oven


20131004_120737 by jarosaj, on Flickr

[jaros44sr]

Couple referance pics, for those that take both sides off at once. Service manual wasnt much help for pics

Still have to get my rear SS lines...


20131005_195633 by jarosaj, on Flickr


20131005_195539 by jarosaj, on Flickr

[swamp rat]

Thanks for visiting! and posting the pic's too.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Thanks for visiting! and posting the pic's too.

Your welcome. No one wants to read what i have to say, but everyone looks at the pics

Cant wait to get back to my fuel lines, brakes are boring and a PITA

[hgs_notes]

You're doing a great job on this. You are taking your time but the details you have are outstanding. I'm more of a slap it together and get it done type and try to do the best I can at that pace. I have the determination to finish but lack the patience to make it great.

Love the gold.

My paint looks completely different in the sun but in the shade or non-direct lighting it is very close to the wrap color you have picked. Go glossy with the gold. The matte look just makes it look old and faded or weathered, which I don't think you will be happy with.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

You're doing a great job on this. You are taking your time but the details you have are outstanding. I'm more of a slap it together and get it done type and try to do the best I can at that pace. I have the determination to finish but lack the patience to make it great.

Love the gold.

My paint looks completely different in the sun but in the shade or non-direct lighting it is very close to the wrap color you have picked. Go glossy with the gold. The matte look just makes it look old and faded or weathered, which I don't think you will be happy with.

Thanks, its nice to get noticed when you put so much effort and time into something, believe it or not, but when i first started, it was going to be a slap and go. But, i joined this forum, and felt these guys deserved a better effort from me....one thing led to another, and you know how that goes. Plus i landed a much better job then i previously had, so that funded my dreams

Seems like the glossy gold is winning out....btw, really enjoy your build, gave me something to read when i wasnt working on my truck. You, my friend, have a much better grasp of the kings english, and express it well

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Thanks, its nice to get noticed when you put so much effort and time into something, believe it or not, but when i first started, it was going to be a slap and go. But, i joined this forum, and felt these guys deserved a better effort from me....one thing led to another, and you know how that goes. Plus i landed a much better job then i previously had, so that funded my dreams

Seems like the glossy gold is winning out....btw, really enjoy your build, gave me something to read when i wasnt working on my truck. You, my friend, have a much better grasp of the kings english, and express it well

I do the builds for myself, and the build threads here were primarily for myself also. It's like my truck diary. It's great to share the accomplishments with people who have been there and can understand how much work goes into it or for people who are looking to get there. And it's good to share the sorrows when things don't go quite as you planned and you just need some help, an idea or a kick in the pants.

I don't deserve your best efforts. I haven't done anything to earn that. If thats where you find the motivation to do this incredible build and to take the time to share it here, then kudos to you for identifying that and using it to push onward. Whatever it takes. Finding that drive is sometimes the biggest challenge, even beyond time and money.

I may not post a lot on this or other threads, but I'm watching, admiring and learning from some talented people. If I can help or entertain others along the way I'm just giving what I get.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

I do the builds for myself, and the build threads here were primarily for myself also. It's like my truck diary. It's great to share the accomplishments with people who have been there and can understand how much work goes into it or for people who are looking to get there. And it's good to share the sorrows when things don't go quite as you planned and you just need some help, an idea or a kick in the pants.

I don't deserve your best efforts. I haven't done anything to earn that. If thats where you find the motivation to do this incredible build and to take the time to share it here, then kudos to you for identifying that and using it to push onward. Whatever it takes. Finding that drive is sometimes the biggest challenge, even beyond time and money.

I may not post a lot on this or other threads, but I'm watching, admiring and learning from some talented people. If I can help or entertain others along the way I'm just giving what I get.

You know, i have to agree. That third part of the restoration process is desire to complete a task, and that can be very hard to achieve with all the trials and tribulations life throws at us on a daily basis.

Youve succeeded in building a very nice truck, one that your son will get to enjoy. Possibly, take up the torch and build something someday. We can only plant the seed, and hope it grows in our children.....

I dont think i could have done a paint job like that and retained what little bit of sanity i have left, way to much tedious work for me, but you pulled it, and it looks great.

Gotta get back to work

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Gotta get back to work

Yep. Too many posts without a pic.

[hgs_notes]

Or the adjuster is in backwards. Ask me how I know.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Or the adjuster is in backwards. Ask me how I know.

Nope, cant be that, the slots are even further out then that....but, i feel your pain

Wow, i finally got to post a pic...lol


20131005_195633 by jarosaj, on Flickr

[ta2ed]

Yeah, the slots in the backing plate are just for shoe inspection, the adjuster is on the outside of the drum. Props to you Jim. This is 1 nice build & thread.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by ta2ed

Yeah, the slots in the backing plate are just for shoe inspection, the adjuster is on the outside of the drum. Props to you Jim. This is 1 nice build & thread.

Thanks Frank, glad your enjoying the thread....

Ill see what i can do to improve my description of the wood bed install

Sure are alot of great builds going on over here on the blazer side, arent there....

[jaros44sr]

Hate to give you guys a response without a pic...picked up this period correct diff. cover on our classifieds, but it makes my axle look like crap. Ill have to fix that!

Having a problem with the fuel pump fitting between the cross sills, seems that ill have to rotate pump, and have the fuel lines come in from the passenger side, then loop over to the drivers side

Also, ordered up the recessed head SS bolts from totally stainless, needed longer bolts to compensate for the thickness of the cover


20131022_122130 by jarosaj, on Flickr

[Dale99]

Thats a HUGE cover!

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Dale99

Thats a HUGE cover!

YEP, its about 5" deep....oughta keep my rearend cool

[red87gmc]

what an awsome build

[swamp rat]

What does that say on the back of the cover??

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by red87gmc

what an awsome build

Originally Posted by swamp rat

What does that say on the back of the cover??

Thanks for looking red, and the compliments

I think it says rough country, or whoever makes the lift kits...ill have to check tomorrow

[ta2ed]

Bed pics Jim! Lol just kidding. Damn that thing is goin to e awesome
When you're done with it. Very inspiring, keep up the good work man.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by ta2ed

Bed pics Jim! Lol just kidding. Damn that thing is goin to e awesome
When you're done with it. Very inspiring, keep up the good work man.

OK,OK.....lol, here is the key to making the wood bed work. 1973 and up rear cross member. It has a 3/4" recess built in that accepts the bed wood, plus it has holes in place for the SS attachment rails. The cross member is bolted in with about 3-4 bolts per side, and tack welded across the top where the tailgate would go

Wheelhouses have to be modified slightly, to get the offset of the bedsides to line up again, but this is easy, just a cut in the sheetmetal and rebend in the proper location. Also, you have to slot the mounting holes, since the wood is thicker than the sheetmetal floor. Ive used fender washers and shims to spread the load of the bolts

The wood (with the wheelhouse notch cut into it) has to be flopped right to left, so the board with the extra lenght can be cut to fit. Keep the curvature of the wood up (growth ring) as this provides better protection to the elements

The only other area of concern is the 'B' post, the small piece of wood has to be routed out on the underside to give clearance for proper fit


20131023_113723 by jarosaj, on Flickr

[ta2ed]

Thanks Jim, my main concern was at the B post and the front of the bed. I have a whole kit for a pickup rear sill, cross braces and strips. I was mainly wondering how you did the front part of the bed.i didn't know if you recessed the boards or not. I appreciate the advice. I don't mean to aggravate, but the wife says I do that a lot! Lol

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by ta2ed

Thanks Jim, my main concern was at the B post and the front of the bed. I have a whole kit for a pickup rear sill, cross braces and strips. I was mainly wondering how you did the front part of the bed.i didn't know if you recessed the boards or not. I appreciate the advice. I don't mean to aggravate, but the wife says I do that a lot! Lol

No problem here.....

I sat the bed wood on top of the step up, then drilled holes in the flange. Still have to buy the little blocks of wood that go between the bed floor, seals up the space, so no exhaust enters cab

The small piece is a trial and fit affair at the 'B' post, luckily it would be cheap to replace if it was a bad fit

Show me pics of how you addressed this area, im up for any new ideas

[ta2ed]

By the way, that rear diff cover looks bad ass!