American Revolution 2nd time around 2wd Blazer

[Rokcrln]

American Revolution

Well what I heard was that this 70 2wd Blazer was build in the early 80's and I guess things were done a bit different back then.
For what ever reason they torched off the truck arm suspension and welded on leafs. Yes they took an original 2wd and converted it to leaf!

So it was brought up to me by another board member because it is ready for a second time around. It will be getting a fully rebuilt chassie including but not limited to new steering, fully bagged suspension, ART's fully loaded control system, ECE's complete rear suspension, new rear floor section, all new body mounts, removal of the rear roll pan and replaced with a new chrome bumper and one or two other things.

I started by taking it for a test drive before tearing it down to see what kind of shape it was in. I must say this Blazer is nicer than alot of finished builds we see on this board and will only get better over the next month or two. It has a stronge V-8 (size unknown to me) with a newer serpintene belt set up, 700r4, PS, PB, CC, very cold A/C, nice smooth PW's, newer interior, 20" wheels (I think).

It drove nice but the brakes were soft and the steering was abit worn out. Also the ride was under par but all that is about to change.






Missing or torched out body mounts from the leaf spring hanger install. Some are just rusted out but 5 were missing all together.



Torched off panard bar mount!

Missing shock mount area!


Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

More missing shock mount metal. I will rebuild the mounting flange then use ECE's shock relocator kit.


The old new suspension and boy who ever welded on this thing did not know how to weld so they just did alot of it! I don't know if they were trying to go for that molded in look but most of the welds were done with 6-7 passes and still did not have proper penitration.




Start of removal.




A bit better after alot of plasma and grinding.



Same weld treatment on the spring pads.



Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

Once a few mods are done it will sit 2" lower at dump and this will give the proper inflation psi for the ride height.


Found what looks like a fracture in the driveline yoke!


Good thing the tank was comming out because who ever built this just had the filler hose over the old fill tube on the tank with out a clamp and yes it was a very loose fit. I am surprized it did not spill when filling right onto the exhaust.




Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

For what ever reason they cut out the rear floor right above the gas tank and I found a bit of rust on the rear edge of the bed. But I guess it was a good thing I have been holding onto a blazer rear section for about a year now!




Here is just a mock up of the front suspension. The dumped shot would go lower if we did some mods to the inner fender wells. Right now it is bumped against the wheel well and would not roll.



This is the before shot!


Kevin
LFD inc.

[toomanytoyz]

You would never have Guessed what a Hack job was Hiding under that Body, Gonna be Real Nice when Done up Proper.............

Congrats on another Killer Build for us to Follow along with.............

Rick

[72cheyennesuper20]

Nice Blazer. Nice build. Can't wait too see the finished product.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by toomanytoyz

You would never have Guessed what a Hack job was Hiding under that Body, Gonna be Real Nice when Done up Proper.............

Congrats on another Killer Build for us to Follow along with.............

Rick

Yes but I would rather fix hack welding and fab work than rust any day. Because rust has to get fixed then the build starts. This blazer the build can just start so you are already ahead of the game. Sure if it had rust he might have got it for about 2K less but spent over that just to get it were it is now so I think he is at a good place to start with this one.
It also look like I might be doing body work and paint this winter for him but we have not gone over any details yet for this.

I think all these blazers I have been working on the last few months has my 2wd blazer mad at me I have been selling parts off her and I am sure that does not help.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[67_C-30]

Cool Blazer, but 1988 called and wants his paint scheme back!!

[lolife99]

I'm subscribing to this one!

[72BlckButy]

Holy schnikes!!!!! This will get interesting....

[Rokcrln]

Well we ordered up all the new steering parts today along with a set of Sanderson headers for a bit more ground clearance. Also on the list was a full boundy mount kit with all new hardware and a 2" lowering block kit for the rear. I will need to make the upper panard bar mount since they do not seem to make new ones. Parts should be here for this weekends build.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[franky69c10]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I'm subscribing to this one!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Sweet another blazer gets rebuilt..

[jugernot]

Do you need a hand on Saturday? I'm free.

[Rokcrln]

Just an update on the project. I did not have the camera yesterday but we (jugernot and my self) got the front end rebuilt and all new steering parts put in. We de-greased all the parts before slapping on a coat of semi gloss black just to clean it up a bit. We also pulled the rear seat to get ready for the floor fix.

Then today I got the front rotors turned, bearings packed, new seals and everything for the front end ready to go back together. I also started working on the air ride controls and getting them mounted and all the wires routed. I used 14ga SS for the mounting plates. I mounted the computer and all the wire looms to a plate that mounts right behind the pass side door post and in side the speaker box. Then I mounted the control valves under the pass side in the rocker box. This gives access to the valve for running air lines and tucking any extra wire loom in the rocker box out of the way. It also gives some protection to the valve from road grime and anything that might kick up.

I also started mounting the ride height sensors at the wheels. The front ones I made mounting tabs so they would clear the steering and sway bar during suspension travel. I also drilled the pass side spring cup for the two front air lines to come thru after I sleve them in rubber hose.












Kevin
LFD Inc.

[68 short step]

another great project.....
once those rods are added to the height sesnors its not gonna interfer with the tie rods is it, im sure you already planned for that, tho...looks like more fun for you,,,!!!

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by 68 short step

another great project.....
once those rods are added to the height sesnors its not gonna interfer with the tie rods is it, im sure you already planned for that, tho...looks like more fun for you,,,!!!

How they are now yes they would. Once I get the ride heigth set I wil pull the arms off the sensors and brake them back so the rods run in front of the tie rod and conect next to the sway bar mount. Good eye!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[BACKYARD88]

looking good, I wanna see some more

[SkylineNXS]

Are those switched mounted near the suspension components limit switches for the bags or what? just wonderin, very nice job once again, great work...

BRAD

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by SkylineNXS

Are those switched mounted near the suspension components limit switches for the bags or what? just wonderin, very nice job once again, great work...

BRAD

No they are height sensors that tell the computer were the wheel is in location to the chassie. It will change air psi to keep the vehical that a pre determained height even if you add more people or a loaded trailer. Their are 3 settings you can program into the computer and the default one is for when you start the vehical so it is always set corectly for your allignment.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[SkylineNXS]

Ah, thats what i was thinkin 2nd, lol. Thats cool. How much does a full kit like that cost anyway? Not meanin to highjack or nothin...Once again great job, with all ur projects...

BRAD

[68,69 K20]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

Cool Blazer, but 1988 called and wants his paint scheme back!!

My thoughts exactly

Cool project, can't wait to see how it turns out

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by SkylineNXS

Ah, thats what i was thinkin 2nd, lol. Thats cool. How much does a full kit like that cost anyway? Not meanin to highjack or nothin...Once again great job, with all ur projects...

BRAD

Go to Air Rides web site and you can find all the good stuff but it is not cheap but quality never is!
I will be using this same kit on a few of my personal vehicals, my 70 2wd Blazer, 51 ford F1 and my wifes 63 GMC SWB fleet side.

Their will not be any work on this blazer this week end as my wife just left me for her mom's for the week end for a girls time out. They are going down to Monteray (SP?) for Mothers day and that leaves me and my son to play for the weekend. So no progress untill next weekend

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[ChevyDude]

I am sure this build will be awesome. Good luck Kevin, I will be watching the progress! I know you really don't need any "luck"...just time and money and you'll have another FINE truck done!

[Palf70Step]

AS always Kevin the build start looks great and I can't wait to see the end results.