Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Good progress. Will be following along.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Great job you have going here, I know its alot of work I am also replacing the rocker panel and patching the floor on my 71. I never knew how much work it would be till I just dug into it, but its much worth it when your finished. I cant wait to be done with that end of the project tomorrow. I never dug into something so deep like this but it actually was simple just time consuming.

again Great job your doing here. You will be enjoying it when your finished thats for sure. :chevy:

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

There seems to be several of these rebuilds going on at the same time - always nice to see them being saved from the crusher.

Keep up the good work!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Thanks everyone! :metal:

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Sweet build. Looks like I may be picking one of these up this weekend.....:D

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Thanks Hart Rod! I don't post much on your burb build however I have been keeping up with it regularly. If you do a 2wd blazer half as good as that burb it is going to be SWEET!!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

[QUOTE=1956cameo;3829288]After getting the hat channel into place I went ahead and got the outer floor section tacked into place. With this in place I now have something to line all of the outer rocker panels and kick panels to.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3324.jpg

Cameo, how do you like those clamps. Been thinking of buying a set...worth the money?

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

I bought a set at harbor freight since I started doing my stuff - they work OK and do provide some assistance...

They are like $5 or $6 for 8 or 10 of them (at HF) - way cheaper than the other places I looked at. I can get a part number off them when I get home tonight if that helps.

If you can get to the back of the panel you are welding - they can be helpful - several of the areas I have tackled I didn't have clear access to the back of the panel to use them...

Found the part number [44751] - http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=44751

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Thanks for the offer, but I live about 15 minutes from a HF. Way cheaper then Eastwood's

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

jaros44sr, They work pretty good; but only if you have alot of room to on both sides of the panels you welding together. I really only use them if I am flushing up panels that I cant get any vice grips onto. One thing they helped with in the pictures you saw was forcing the panels to get flush with each other. If I didn't use them I definately would have had to hammer the repro panel to get it to go flush with the contour of the original floor. I hardly ever use them but when I do it makes the job alot easier. If you can pick some up cheap they are definately worth grabbing.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Northern tool sells them also, harbor freight is banned in my household and family.

I agree with what has been said about them.

They can be a couple extra sets of hands at times.
since they don't lock down the steel like the self tappers and clecos it give a small amount of room for minor fit up while holding in place.

I have used smaller round stock instead of the small square and bent it around a small corner or squared edge as well as a longer piece to hold a larger area straight.

Worth the 10 bucks or whatever I paid for them.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

I got more progress done on the blazer this week. I was hoping to get alot knocked out but now I am working in areas that are very rusty and in cramped areas. I only got about a third of what I thought I would done; oh well at least I made some progress. Of course I thought the only patch panels that I had left to buy was the drivers side rocker box, but I have now discovered I also need to buy a few obscure blazer only panels that should help to take another couple of hundred bucks out of the blazer fund!


I started right where I left off with the kick panel. Since it was already cut out and ready to go in I was able to knock it out quickly. The kick panel with the patch still missing. Sorry for the blurry pic.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3432.jpg


A view of the kick panel patch tacked in with the still missing door pillar patch.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3435.jpg


Interior shot of the repaired outer floor and kick panel. (Note still some rot in the toe board that will be repaired)
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3436.jpg


After getting the kick panel into place I went ahead and attatched the lower door pillar patch. Since I had already fit it the last time I was out this task also went quickly. I still have the front two bolt holes to drill, but will do that when I take the last of the rocker box off.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3438.jpg

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

The next area I wanted to focus on was the rear door / rocker box area. This is looking like it will be the area where most of the metal work will be done.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3439.jpg


I cut out part of the quarter panel section to give me access to the inner area of the door. Of course it is pretty much gone.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3441.jpg


After I got the rotten quarter panel support out and the rotten rocker box reinforcement plate out this is what I had left to work with. I was warned by lks dcvn that the rocker box reinforcement plate was a bear to get out. Let me tell you he was not kidding!
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3450.jpg


In order to get the rocker box reinforcement plate off you have to open up the pillar area behind the door. For some reason GM designed it to where two of the bolts are completely hidden inside.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3447.jpg

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

There was some rot on the vertical piece of flooring so I figured this would be the best time to patch that since everything that would be in my way is now gone.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3451.jpg


A view of the vertical part of the floor with the rotten section removed.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3452.jpg


Since it was flat it only took a few minutes to cut out, make a patch, and tack it in.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3454.jpg


I know someone will say that so and so sells them for about $8 each but I could not find anyone that sells the blazer quarter panel support section that goes behind the rear door panels; so I spent a little time making one from scratch.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3455.jpg


I had a little trial and error making it but I got it in and it appears it is going to fit just like the original piece.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3458.jpg

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

I know it doesn't look like much but that is two solid days worth of work! I have ordered about $400 dollars worth of patches that I am hoping will be in by next week so I can continue making progress. I also have one more thing to show everyone.

On the 60-66 section of the forum alot of the guys were talking about making electrolysis tanks to get rust off of old parts. My dad thought he would give it a try and make an electrolysis tank of his own. He had done some hood hinges with good results so I let him do one of my rocker box end caps.

Here is the electrolysis tank. I am not completely sure how it works but it uses some sort of cleaning soda and an electrical current provided by a battery charger to draw the rust off of the part placed in it. Don't worry it does NOT electrify the water causing a shock hazard.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3446.jpg


Here is the rocker box end cap when I took it off of the blazer.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3445.jpg


The final product after sitting in the tank overnight. While it does not look like it was just stamped it is a whole lot better than it was and the best part I didn't have to do anything. Since this is pretty effective and cheap to do I will most likely do this to alot of my small rusty parts.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_3456.jpg


Thats it for now. Hopefully my patch panels will come in on time and I will have another update for everyone next week.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

great progress.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Wow - very familiar territory - :lol:

I opted to just grind the threads down to the floor on those bolts on the torsion box/b pillar area instead of opening up that area [see pix] - really stupid design if you ask me - even if they would have welded nuts to the floor and then ran the bolts up from the bottom - it would have been better [at least from a restoration perspective].

I spent a LOT of time on my back with a 4 1/2" angle grinder and cut off wheel [I don't have my compressor hooked up yet to use a smaller cut off wheel] to get those damn bolts cleaned up so I could fit the repro piece flush to the floor.

I figured I would be the one to tell you...If the patch panels that you made were easy enough for the B Pillar Support- then I think you did OK - Wes at Classic Hearbeat makes them - but they are spendy since they are handmade. If they were $8 - I would buy a set for sure.

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/cata...ar%20Patch.htm

I still haven't decided if I will just make my own yet...

Even if the pictures don't show it - I know how much time goes into this stuff now. I think I was naive before and thought - I can knock this out pretty quick. Rust repair/replacement is a very time consuming process and I have run into several 'hurdles' [rusted bolts, extra rust, part trimming, part mockup, final trimming, tack welding, finish welding, grinding, etc.] - all this stuff adds up to long days, tired legs and aching backs.

Keep up the good work!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

that part came out nice...great progress.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

my67chevytruck, Thanks!

VA72C10, Thanks!

lks dcvn, I will be extremely happy when the metal work in this area is over! Everything in this area is hard to reach and it so rusty you cant tell what you are looking at half the time.

Well its good to see someone sells that part I made; but for that price I am sure glad I made my own. It took me about 2 hours to make with a little trial and error. I strongly encourage you to attempt to make your own. It wasn't very complex. I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought the rocker box reinforcement plates and the blazer rear floor supports. I was going to patch mine or make my own but I didn't have enough good metal to save them or to make a pattern for a homemade patch from. Thanks for all the input and tips you keep helping me with!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Awsome!! I don't know many with the intestinal fortitude required to not only take on and start a project like this but to also see it even to this point of fab work....When you're drivin this sucker and someone says "nice Blazer", you should well be proud.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

My truck is starting to leak in this area, after looking at your picutres I am convinces it is coming form this place under the cowel. The problem is I am not sure how to fix it. I want to stop the leak to save the door jams and the side wall before it gets bad, but I don't want to disasemble the entire sidewall like this.

Is there a rubber seal I can replace to stop the damage? I don't have much damage right now, I think just stopping the water from getting in will be enough.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

IMHO I believe the cowl and vents inside the cab are a big problem with these trucks, The cowl alone gathers tons of water through time down along the doors and posts all due to the fact these trucks have the vents, If this area was reworked to get rid of those vents and close off the cowl none of these trucks would have these problems as much as they do. also think about all the other crap that gets piled up under the cowl and in the vents through time.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

PHAT TONY, Thanks! It is definately easy to give up on a project that needs as much resurrecting as this one. Getting support and encouragement from members of the forum definately helps.

nonamecharlie, I wish I could help you with a simpler solution than what I have done but I don't know of any other solutions that aeren't simply temporary fixes. Maybe someone else on here can give you some suggestions.

Jeffs70, I definately agree with what you say. The whold cowl section is simply a moisture trap.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

OK, Thanks for the information. I guess I will just try and cover it when parked in the rain, and repair the minor rust issues in the cab now. Out here in California it never gets all that bad.

It does look like there isn't much way to stop it, I don't think water is supposed to drip in the cab from under the dash, so there must be some seal up there to prevent that (I get water droplets on the e-brake pedel and the carpet underneath)
On the passanger side it gets drips on the top right corner of the carpet. The carpet gets pretty wet when it rains good.

Cameo - If this is a design problem, won't this just happen again to you blazer in another 20 years of weather? Maybe you should seal it off like Jeffs70 suggested.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

nonamecharlie I would do some checking around the windshield to make sure thats not the leaking problem. could be something as simple as that seal came away from the metal. but also could be something worse under that window too like rusted through. also check around your doors to make sure there isnt any leaks or vent window alone. if the seals in the doors aren't good it will happen too. with the wind blowing and rain it can push that rain up into the doors/windows if not sealed properly

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

It's not that it is a bad design, but more so owner neglect! If you keep the crap out, nothing will block the drainage holes. If you take these things apart you will see that there is alot of unpainted metal inside. The system is designed to allow water to flow on thru. It should have a screen over the area in front of the windshield

JMHO, but I like the idea of the air flowing through the cab, and the vent windows are tops in my book for the amount of air flowing thru

Please don't take this as agrumentative, but just my opinion

And to answer nonamecharlie's question, yes it will probably happen again in 20 years...but I won't be around to deal with it.lol

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

These trucks are designed around leaking windshields; if you look at the dash top @ w/shield corners you'll see a drain hole on each side(l&r) for water to drain and drip from the areas you mentioned as it comes past the seal.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Thanks Everyone for the good comments, I will check into those things. Hopfully its not rusted through anywhere, but I don't think so, the problem is very small right now, no where near the severity of Cameo's project!

Cameo - What you are doing is amazing by the way, I am sure most owners would have "left it for dead" long ago, koodoes to you. That whole truck looks long gone, but you are slowly bringing it back to life, and from the looks of things it will look like a california orriginal when you are done (rust free).

I am a little curious, how does the Frame look? It it salvageable or are you going to have to replace/repair it too? What about all the mounting brackets and stuff like that under the hood and along the bottom?

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

So I been installing these windshields all wrong for the past 25 years your telling me? I am supposted to let them leak? lmao geesh that makes my job alot easier since windshields is what I do for a living, Why would they in their right minds build them for leaks, Yes they build them incase there is a leak to prevent standing water, but that dont mean to go ahead and allow it to leak any farther if you know its leaking. those drain holes along the windshield are to just prevent standing water on the dash. those drain holes still allow water to drain on the floor board and in the rockers this can cause more rust this way if there is a windshield leak or leak at all infact. I guess some people dont mind a leak here and there then. but IMHO why would they have a windshield and windows with seals to keep the water out if it was ok to have it come inside the truck. if people didnt mind having water drain inside their trucks/cars then I am in heaven with my job and can just slap in any window/Windshield and not care if it leaks? lmao. I am also not trying to cause a fight here I am just a bit of a joker so dont take this all wrong.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Go back and read your previous post before you go on a rant about my post!
I've owned 2 trucks with factory glass and 3 others with new glass and they ALL leaked!
Let's return this thread to it's owner.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Well I had alot of stuff going on this week but was able to get a days worth of work in on Wednesday. Unfortuntately I have not had time to upload pics for an update. I will do that on Monday to show the latest progress.

nonamecharlie, No problem. If you have any questions about anything please feel free to ask away! As far as the frame on my blazer goes, it is in good shape. No rust at all and no damage from accidents. I think what makes this blazers body so rough is that at one point in time someone put house carpet in it and when the PO got it he said the windows were open allowing the carpet to get wet and stay wet. It is funny I live in Texas yet most of my projects are from areas up north or out east where rust is usually more prevelant. As an example the blazer I am building on this thread is from Georgia and my 54 suburban is from Virginia and I had a blazer from Nebraska.

jaros44sr, PHAT TONY, and Jeffs70, Thanks for all giving your input about the vent topic.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

I appologise for being part of this thread going somewhat sideways. Get back to work; you aint done yet!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

I think any carpet in these things [unless out of the elements] might be the cause of a lot of the rust...

These trucks are not waterproof - maybe water resistant is a better term - once water gets to the floor and the carpet - moisture will just stay and start the rotting procedure.

As mentioned in my post - if the guy who had my truck before me would have removed the carpet - the floor would have been saved [or would have been a LOT better than it was].

If you take the necessary precautions after cleaning out the rust [POR15, Rust Bullet, Bedliner, etc.] - I think you will extend the life of the floors in these things tremendously.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

PHAT TONY, No need to apologize for anything! A fellow member asked me a question that I couldn't fully help him with so I opened the floor to fellow members to help him. You helped with your ideas on the subject. It is all good! As far as getting back to work, I will be back at it soon. Expect to see an update on this weeks work Monday evening!

lks dcvn, I definately agree with what you said. I also wanted to say that I definately plan on protecting all of the metal with some sort of rust stopping paint or coating. The only parts I am hitting now are the areas like in the cowl that I won't be able to get to when I finish metal work. The only reason why I haven't applied more than I have so far is because alot of the panels I have put in so far are just tacked in and not completely welded in yet. Once I completely weld them in and smooth out the welds ALL areas of metal will be coated.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Last wednesday (St. Patrick's Day!) I went out and got a little work done on the blazer. It was kind of a short day so this is just a minor update. The first thing that I did was bolt my new reproduction rocker box reinforcement panel into place. I did this to make sure everything will be welded into place where it will line up to the bolt holes in the rocker box reinforcement panel.

This is a shot of the reinforcement panel after bieng bolted into place.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/S4010033.jpg



The next area that needed to be put back into place was the patch panel for the rotted out rear door jamb section. I tacked that in once it appeared to be lined up properly with the quarter panel support that I made and to the floor section.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/S4010027.jpg



After doing ALOT and I mean ALOT of lining up and checking the gaps with a door hung I finally tacked the rocker into place. The gaps look great with the door closed. The only issue is that when the door that I was using was open it would rub on the very front of the rocker panel. I figured that when I hang the door that I will be using and if it also hits I will just tweak everything.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/S4010029.jpg



When I got done placing the rocker panel I had just enough time in the day to do one more small scale task. I had noticed that the rear section of the blazers floor was rotted out in an area just inside of the reproduction outer floor panel. Since that section was still on the donor cab I took the floor out of I cut it out and cut out the rotten area in the blazer. Below is a picture of the rotten area in the seat belt bolt in area of the blazer.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/S4010030.jpg



After a little lining up the donor section was tacked in and I called it a day.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/S4010035.jpg

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

good progress!!!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Congrats - it is amazing how with only 5 pix I can guesstimate your time working on your truck - :lol:

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

I was thinking the same thing, but my guesstimator is probably a little different than yours..... for me, I guess then multiply by three as it takes me three times longer than the average person to figure something out. For example: measure, cut, fit...... cut, fit...... cut, fit..... cut, fit. Damn, cut too much. Start over. :lol:

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

:confused:After disassembly of a few Blazers it is apparent that the factory used a lot of seam sealer. So my guess is when going back up with the build around the cowl area use a lot of premium sealer to make it last. Just an observation.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Thanks for the replys everyone! I am hoping to have a much larger progress report soon. Until then keep on :metal: 'n.