Little Body Work on the Blazer/Tub

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

Hey VT you would be surprised how quickly that 5-6 years will creep up on you. I would bolt down the entire tub tight, just like it would be when finished and then brace everything again before you start welding. Maybe a port-o-power to brace the windshield frame from the floor to the frame would work. The top also sagging without the windows in there could lead to a potential problem.

Your right, they really fly bye.

Yepper's, the very next step in the progression is bolting everything down with the body mounts prior to any more welding.
I've found a good ratchet strap pulls the firewall pretty good too.

The windows have a 'frame' of sorts around them, don't believe there's been any movement due to being removed. (I will check though)

Seeing this post again has gotten thing's all stirred up again. (jonesin' for the blazer)
Could be sooner than later now.

[DEFIANT NCC-74205]

That's Attention Deficit Disorder. I knew I would get you all sidetracked now. Hey thanks for the info and the measuring. I'm gonna start work on those body mounts this weekend. There is a ton of shims on them. More on the right than the left. It dawned on me that I had replaced the rear springs a few years ago because the right one was sagging. Some Bozo must have thought the body was crooked or something. I will post pics later. Some people just shouldn't be allowed to work on cars.

[DEFIANT NCC-74205]

Here are some pics of my 69 Blazer project I took this morning. I added arrows to point out key alignment areas and which direction they need to go. I drew a circle around the shims piled up on the body mount behind the passenger side rocker box. This is the primary reason for the piss-poor alignment of the door. I don't know what somebody was thinking. The up-down arrows show which way this will make the truck flex to obtain alignment of the door. Also this should close the gap between the windshield frame and the top. (Looks like your truck needs to flex the other way) There is a pic of what's left of my old top header panel. Just way too much damage, but I just received good news. A friend located a Blazer in a yard not too far away. Gonna try to hit it Friday morning or early next week. Lastly there are a few pics of the fresh pillars I cut out at the yard last year, they are blasted and primered. Also the nice new body mount kit and rocker I found in the yard. If you or anybody needs something at the yard, I'll keep my eyes open. Something to keep in mind when it comes to doing a job like this. Don't think of a Blazer as a truck, think of it as a convertible stuck on a truck frame.

[DEFIANT NCC-74205]

A few more pics

[makovai]

vtBlazer..... these pics rock....I love seeing a rig come together like this. keep it going and lots of pics as projects completes.

[DEFIANT NCC-74205]

Okay, one more

[DEFIANT NCC-74205]

Alright, this is it I promise.

[vtblazer]

Okay, it's official...I've been thread jacked. :hj:

Defient, you've certainly got your work cut out for you! Nice rescue.

[DEFIANT NCC-74205]

Sorry about the thread-jacking, I got carried away. Good news, went to the yard this morning and found what I needed. A straight and relatively solid windshield frame. (Will return Monday with a portable sawzaw). Started unbolting the roof, and I was able to bend the whole truck in half! The bedsides were so rusted that the roof was the only thing holding them to the truck! Well this is gonna start to get interesting. I think it's time for me to start my own thread.....

[Pop's72]

Originally Posted by DEFIANT NCC-74205

I think it's time for me to start my own thread.....

[Tynee]

Originally Posted by DEFIANT NCC-74205

Sorry about the thread-jacking, I got carried away. Now, let me continue to threadjack some more.

[72CSTC5]

WOW, some of the things you guys are putting together make me feel like a amateur. Good luck.

[1976K5CHALET]

VT...damn fine work! I watched a friend do this back in 96-97 in a tin garage in cave creek az. Many many hours of work. He was a body man and he said no matter what he did he couldn't get the door to line up with the body lines. He was thinkin that thats just the way it was back then. I wish someone would do the same deal with a 73-91 K5 since i have 6 of them and a few of the bunch need the same type of work. When we get our new house built and my shop i think i'm going to bust out the old 73-78 parts bible and look in section (16?) and look at the exploded view of the sheetmetal parts and start tearin one down.


DW

[Chevyman63]

Hey Kurt,
Any new progress on this one?

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Chevyman63

Hey Kurt,
Any new progress on this one?

Naw...nothing new.

I found and plan on accuiring a '95 burb for the drivetrain though.
Should work out great for my daughter.
I plan on swapping over the 5.7 and the 4L60 for her driving pleasure.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Lazy arse, like I can talk

[Chevyman63]

Will there be alot of customizing to make the swap, or do you think it will be pretty straight forward? Does the independent front suspension make a difference or not? Just curious.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Chevyman63

Will there be alot of customizing to make the swap, or do you think it will be pretty straight forward? Does the independent front suspension make a difference or not? Just curious.

My fault for not being clear.

Just the motor/tranny will be swapped over and might just use the front buckets and 2nd row seats as well.

[Chevyman63]

No problem....thought that would make an interesting project.

[swyfor5]

Man, your post's are awesome! Every pic helps me with my rebuild, and your advice is right on. Thank's alot for all your input! Any news on the S&W cage yet?

[LUV2XCLR8]

Holy old post Batman

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

Holy old post Batman

Yeah pops up about this time every year...

Thanks for the kind words swyfor5

[72CSTC5]

R U Done Yet?

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

R U Done Yet?

.........

Haven't even seen it since the last post, last year.

[va_tlc]

yup fine work... vt hey im pretty close to bill atheys place. give a call next time yr down this way. keep up the great work