Black Hills blazer build

[turp mcspray]

I was hoping to paint 2 weekends ago. After 11 hours of sanding, and cleaning, I realized it wasn't going to happen. It was 60 degrees, so I rolled it outside to power wash it. Sanding all of the inside stuff really sucks!

[turp mcspray]

After washing it off, I reinstalled the B-pillar supports, and rocker box end caps.

[turp mcspray]

After some final scuffing in nooks and crannies, about 3 hours worth of seam sealing, and some masking, I'm just about ready for some sealer.

[turp mcspray]

Just a few more before paint pics.

[turp mcspray]

And finally some sealer, and color.

[turp mcspray]

I ran out of color. Luckily I know the owner of the paint store well enough, that I was able to call him, and have him mix me up some more paint on a saturday night.

[turp mcspray]

I ended up doing the last two coats of color, and the clear on sunday. Feels really good to see some color!!

[Tom Vogel]

Looking really good!

[fxdxharley]

I see you really like the red 2wd you did and stuck with the same color for yours. looks great! im sure most of use would line up at your door for a blazer make over. lol!!

[turp mcspray]

Actually, this one is 524 Hugger Orange, which I just love on these trucks! It's hard to tell in the booth pics. Sometime this week, I'll get a pic with some sun on it.
Thanks for the compliments, I'm getting really excited now!

[turp mcspray]

Here are a few pics in the sun.

[PHAT TONY]

7 months from now......don't scratch it in the bush!

[notsolo]

Already out-doing yourself on this 1 Scott, Hugger Orange looks Awesome, Whats the interior color?

[SONOSADSACK]

Turp - thanks for this one. I have been looking at buying a prefab twin stick kit but this looks like something I may be able to handle. What size rod ends did you use?

[turp mcspray]

Interior will be Black and Orange Houndstooth.
Another 12 hour day on saturday, and still not back on the chassis! Seems like there is always WAY more little stuff to do that takes forever.
I had the trans case soda blasted, for the rebuild. It still has some dirty looking stains that I decided I couldn't live with. What I found to work really well is to take some aluminum looking paint, and over reduce it. Then I brush it on, working it into the pores. I take a rag and wipe off the excess while it is still wet. It leaves a nice raw look, without looking painted. I also bought a nice looking pan from Summit. Says "made in USA" in the casting, which was a pleasant surprise. I bought a product called "sharkhyde" awhile back. It is used mainly in the marine industry to coat bare aluminum etc., to keep from oxydizing. I sprayed the trans case and pan with it. It is supposed to work really well on any bare metal surface.

[turp mcspray]

Couple shots of the firewall. Also sprayed the top of the dash, before removing it from the rotiserie.

[turp mcspray]

I came in today after church. Got the trans installed, and a bunch of misc. stuff. About ready to drop the body back on.

[turp mcspray]

The body is back on the chassis. Seemed like this day would never come! Looks kind of goofy with the little tires on it.
Sono...I will have to look. I also used some bronze bushings, where the sticks ride on the pivot bolt. It is really a pretty simple set up to make. I thought using 2 original sticks, looked better than the aftermarket ones you can buy.
Thanks again everyone for looking!

[SONOSADSACK]

It’s been awhile. Anything new here?

[turp mcspray]

Not much. I need to hang the doors, and get the body shimmed, and bolted to the chassis. I've been too busy with work to get anything done. I've been selling a few more parts lately, so hopefully I can get the engine to the machine shop soon.
Thank for asking!

[Tom Vogel]

If you are like me, it's you have money but no time, or you got time but no money! Lol...looking good, it'll happen eventually... At least that's what I keep telling myself. After a few years and even more bucks, there comes a time when there's no turning back, right?
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[turp mcspray]

I keep telling myself it will happen. But it's not happening fast enough. On the 4th of July, it will be 5 years since I tore it apart. YIKES!!!

[Tom Vogel]

Nine years so far for me... But it's actually getting close..LOL
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[turp mcspray]

jaros, I will get back to you with some info today!

[turp mcspray]

jaros, I used some 3/4" black pipe for the shift rail collars. It is a slightly loose fit. They are about 1 1/8" long. Then I used some 1/4" flat stock, cut to fit inside the pipe, as well as inside the shift rail slots. This is what gives it a nice snug fit. Looks like the tabs for the rod ends to bolt to are 3/16" by 1" wide. This is all stuff that happened to be in my metal stock pile.
I believe the main bolt is 1/2" by 4" long. I took my bolt and a shifter to Whisler Bearing, (they have a large selection of bronze bushings) and the measured both and found a bushing that was very close to matching both. I ran a drill bit through the bushing to open it up slightly, and sanded on the bolt for the final fit. The bushing is 1" long, which isn't as wide as the shifter hole. It was that or use two shorter bushings. Hope this and the pics make sense.