Blazer Bed Floor Replacement

[Chad22873]

So I finished cutting out the bed floor today. Jaros asked for pics so I took a few today and have some of my rocker work from a few weeks ago but they are on my phone and I will post them later. The PO worked hard on this truck to cover up all the rust he could. I found that half the floor was rusted out and fiberglassed over. If you look you can see a silver vinyl strip that runs along the bottom of the body panels. Guess what it was covering? The bumpers that he put on this thing were gigantic. Took me 4 hours to get them off. As you can see from these bed pics the inner flanges are toast. The only cross sill that's any good is the one I left and it's just ok. My question for you guys is do you think I can pull it out without adding any temporary support? I am going to try to put a new floor in and not take the sides off. This blazer is a 70, was built in St Louis, was originally yellow and has a 4 spd manual. The motor you see is the only thing that's not original. It's a 327. Thought I would mention all that considering this is my first time to post pics.

[Chad22873]

More of the same

[Chad22873]

Flanges

[Chad22873]

Engine

[Chad22873]

Rust

[Chad22873]

Nice holes someone cut

[Chad22873]

The second picture above that's upside down and I have no idea why...has the cross sill in that I was referring too.

[Chad22873]

I hope when I pull the glass out I don't find a bunch of rust.

[Chad22873]

Somebody did some professional welding.

[Chad22873]

More work

[Chad22873]

Anyone have an idea of what to do with this? The hood is in great shape outside of this.

[Chad22873]

I will post better pics later.

[Chad22873]

More pics.
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[Chad22873]

Having a hard time posting more than one pic at a time and getting them to load right side up.
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[Chad22873]

One more
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[jaros44sr]

Nice. Just take some measurements diagonally, should give you a reference. Now is a good time to replace cross members, and get the bed squared up. LMK, if you need a sheet metal shop. Nice work on the rocker, bed side

You may not find that front cross member, but I bought one for a pickup, and just modified it for a blazer. Just the two bump UPS for the mount

[raggedjim]

Chad, I would look for a different hood. The 69-72 hoods are plentiful and usually you can find one in good shape pretty cheap. I've actually scrapped good ones because I couldn't give them away!

As far as the rust, well, we've all been there. Take your time and do the best you can. Looks like you are making good progress.

Good luck, Rg

[Chad22873]

Thanks for the compliment. The outer rocker in that pic was actually just sitting on there and not lined up. My boy wanted a pic that day. I need to take one of it all finished. My wife is trying to get me to go back with a metal floor. I can buy the whole floor with all the cross members attached from GMC Pauls for $800. It would be easy to square up if I did it that way. Not sure I can get it tucked into the B pillars and the front floor lip over the step up plate at the same time with the bedsides still on. The rest of it would be pretty easy considering I am going to cut all my flanges off. I could stick the floor in and then weld the new flanges in and be done with it. Still trying to decide what to do. Wood would be easy to do with the bedsides still on it.

[Chad22873]

I figured I would just get a new hood or find a good used one. I dont mind cutting rust out and fixing it but having it in the place that it is on this hood is going to make it pretty tough to fix. Its sad really because the hood is in excellent shape other than right there.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Chad22873

Thanks for the compliment. The outer rocker in that pic was actually just sitting on there and not lined up. My boy wanted a pic that day. I need to take one of it all finished. My wife is trying to get me to go back with a metal floor. I can buy the whole floor with all the cross members attached from GMC Pauls for $800. It would be easy to square up if I did it that way. Not sure I can get it tucked into the B pillars and the front floor lip over the step up plate at the same time with the bedsides still on. The rest of it would be pretty easy considering I am going to cut all my flanges off. I could stick the floor in and then weld the new flanges in and be done with it. Still trying to decide what to do. Wood would be easy to do with the bedsides still on it.

It's not hard to tuck it into the 'b' pillars, I can send you a template. What I can't deal with is your wife, that's on you. I will tell you in forty some years of marriage, every time I go up against my wife's wishes I look like a BOOB. I don't know her reasons, but a stock jimmy or blazer will bring a higher return on your investment....JMHO

[Chad22873]

All that stuff about the wife sounds like the voice of wisdom. Lol. I have finally decided to go back with a metal floor. It comes with all the cross sills attached so as long as I get the rear part of the bedsides supported, I am going to pull that rear sill out and stick the floor in...get it bolted back up in the rear and then weld my new inner bedside flanges in and bolt them down. I am like you jaros, pics, templates or anything are always helpful.

[1rippen6]

I have this if interested

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645569

[Chad22873]

How long is it from the rear to where the wheelhouse bolts on? My main interest is the bottom flange and up to about 3 inches above it.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Chad22873

All that stuff about the wife sounds like the voice of wisdom. Lol. I have finally decided to go back with a metal floor. It comes with all the cross sills attached so as long as I get the rear part of the bedsides supported, I am going to pull that rear sill out and stick the floor in...get it bolted back up in the rear and then weld my new inner bedside flanges in and bolt them down. I am like you jaros, pics, templates or anything are always helpful.

Yeah Chad, it is sound advice, nothing rings truer if it comes from the heart. My relationship with my wife IS something special, she makes me see the other side of this cranky ol' white guy

Good luck with your floor, and post up pics, so we can all see how its done

[1rippen6]

Originally Posted by Chad22873

How long is it from the rear to where the wheelhouse bolts on? My main interest is the bottom flange and up to about 3 inches above it.

36 inches it is out of a long bed