Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

jaros44sr, You have a good point. I will go thru my camera and see if there are any old pictures I can post. The good news is I should be 100% done with metal work by the end of the day tomorrow!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Agreed with the pictures of the metal work. Love watching the updates

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Great Job! Joining in to see how this thing turns out!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

I agree, even though we've seen metal work, everytime I see another one come along with this much work it motivates me.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

We all just like to see that somebody out there is actually getting something done.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

:agree:

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Keep the pictures coming. Everybody likes to see your updates.I have enjoyed watching your blazer come back to life!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

:fb:

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Its good to see someone using metal to repair rust.. Most people smear bondo or glass over it lol. Then it always comes through slowly.
Good job.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Thanks for all of the support everyone! I feel bad that I didn't keep up with my posts. I went back thru my camera but there weren't any old pictures worth posting.


I took this week off of work so I could get as much work done as possible before turkey day. My dad and I finished up all of the metal work. The work primarily consisted of minor tasks like grinding down welds and welding up pinholes. We were also able to patch the rear quarter panels using donor patches from old front fenders. I also made some homemade fiberglass top retainers that go on the underside of the bed panels. Unfortunately there are no pictures of this progress.

Here are some before shots of the rotten lower quarter panels. Sorry about not having during and after pics but they are repaired now.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00132.jpg
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00133.jpg


At the end of the day yesterday I took this picture. I thought it was interesting that there are 6 different colors on the body in this shot. What was the original color of this blazer again?
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00317.jpg

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

So today we pushed the blazer outside and sandblasted all of the paint off of the body. Here are some pictures of her in a hodgepodge of colors for one last time.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00322.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00320.jpg


It took about 600 pounds of sand and about 5 hours but here she is in her naked form. The body filler you see in the pictures was put on by me. I kind of jumped the gun on the body work.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00324.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00325.jpg


http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00328.jpg

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Find anymore holes after all that blasting?

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

nice progress!!!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Here is a photo I have been waiting to take for a long time. Everything you see on the ground is rotten metal that was removed from the body of this blazer!
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00332.jpg

I knew that a lot of metal had bee removed but I was surprised to that the pile was as big as it was.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00333.jpg


It took about 100 cut off wheels to remove all of these panels and the donor patches that replaced them.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00330.jpg


We finished priming the body with self etch primer just as the sun was setting. It was exciting to see the blazer finally get into primer, but I can't wait to get it back into blue paint.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00340.jpg


http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00339.jpg



It was a hectic four days but I made it to where I was hoping to by this time of the week. Now it's time to relax, spend time with the family, eat some turkey, and watch some football!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Ridnhi, Thanks!

hgs_notes, There were a few pinholes that showed up so there will be a little bit more welding and grinding in my future. Fortunately the pinholes that opened up were at a minimum. Most of them appeared on the doors, although a couple appeared on the windshield frame as well.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

That looks incredible. Definitely admire your determination. That pile is incredible!!! Looks like 1/2 of the truck was rust...

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Unreal. Congratulations. Kind of like Nukes Swiss Cheese Camaro build. Almost more weld than base metal there.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

That is awesome!!!

Amazing work!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Keep the pics coming, I have been considering blue for my blazer lately, can't wait to see what you come up with.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Thanks for the comments everyone! Im hoping to post pictures of more progress within the next couple of weeks.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

It looks like you've made a lot of progress since I last checked in. GREAT JOB! Keep it up, you'll have it in color in no time.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

What a pile of scrap!!! I hope it make Cab Scrapers take a second look at what they have! Things will not get better, donor cabs will get rustier as time passes! Thank you for taking the lead and showing all of us that it can be done.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Great work - I'm not there yet, but close...

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Stealthy69, Thanks! I will definately keep at it.

BMERDOC, I guess I am different than most people. It seems that everyone looks for the most solid project, and if it has some cool options that is a bonus. I am the other way around. My project vehicles have to have certain factory options, finding one with a solid body is a bonus. Either way you look at it eventually almost all of the project trucks will be so old almost all of us will have to start doing metal work on them, no matter what part of the country you live in.

lks dcvn, It wont take you long to catch up. It's good to see you back at it.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Wow, I just spent the last two hours reading this whole thread and all I can say is wow. I am a blazer fan myslelf and would love to see this in person. I live in Alvin and I have a 72 4x4. I wanted a 2 wheel drive but settled because I could not afford one and was too scared to do what you have been doing for the last 2 years!! I leaned more in the past two hours than in the past couple of years. Send me a pm when you have time. I am working on mine and have lots of questions.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

72blazr, It's great to hear that you enjoyed the thread! I am always excited to hear that I am able to help people out with the information that I am putting on here. I am confident you will get to see this blazer in person. What I am uncertain of is how long it will be before you get to see it. I would love to help you with any questions that you may have and even see your project as well. I will send you a PM, but feel free to post comments, questions, or even pictures here on the thread whenever you feel like doing so.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Finally got around to looking at your build, it looks like your doing a great job!!!!!
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Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

wow! holy smokes! nice work i wanted to go to bed at a decent time but i ad to finish looking at the build! nothing like a rust free blazer and a 2wd at that! you deserve it! keep it up.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Julio4, Thanks! It was good talking with you the other day. I look forward to seeing your truck come together.

67chevy1series, I am glad that you liked the thread. It has definately been alot of work but it is starting to take shape.


I spent a few days over the last week doing body work. I will post some pics when I have a little more time.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

cool ill be waitin for pics

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Subscribed...

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

67chevy1series, I hope I don't dissapoint.

bmfm64, It's good to see another subscriber.


I spent a few days doing some "rough" body work last week. It's not much to look at right now, but the body is definately taking shape. The drivers side donor door was side swiped way back in the day, it's definately going to take alot of filler to smooth back over.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00427.jpg


To make sure everything is sanding down evenly I am using a 3 foot long sanding block, and an 18 inch pneumatic sander. I started with 120 grit sandpaper and have now moved on to 180 grit sand paper. Next I will move onto 220 grit sandpaper, then 360 and so on. Once I get to the 220 grit sandpaper all of the sanding I do will be by hand.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00426.jpg



http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC00425.jpg

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Good progress. They all look 'bad' at this stage until you cover it with primer. I wouldn't bother with a 3 foot board until you were at the fine grit (320 and higher) stage. Once you are done with the 180 it's probably time to spray the primer. Use as heavy a primer as you can with at least a few coats before you start sanding again with an 18" block. Just so you know, I think my longest block was 2 foot and they body shop used 320 for the final sanding before the base coat and the results were very good on my C-10.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

I agree totally on the primer, but you want it as straight as possible before you prime it. I'd 80g it with a long board, moving up in grits as you go, prime it after the 180 sanding. It's a really tough haul trying to straighten out waves in filler work with primer.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Wow, it's come a long way. Great progress.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

hgs_notes and PHAT TONY, Thanks for the pointers! I will definately keep all of that in mind while I progress on the body work.

Big Block, Thanks!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

looks good!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Coming along, that's alot of work.

I'm a little different when it comes to grits and sanding procedures. I prefer to go as fine as 220 before primer, and do alot of blocking before primer filler. Then guide coat on top of the primer and block that with 220 again. Then I may or may not need more primer filler, depends on how it blocks. When I'm close, I'll guide coat it again, then block with 400 (not 320) because the 320 still tends to show sand scratches through the paint.

If base/clear paint, I may even block the base before I clear, depends on how the base lays down. I'll block that with 600 if need be, then clear, cut and buff. I'm a bit picky though since I paint for a living, things have to turn out pretty slick.

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

wow, incredible amount of work done so far!!! looks great!!!

Re: Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build
 

Firebird Jones, Thanks for the information. I definately agree with you about the 320 sandpaper. It always seems to leave scratch marks.

Slammed66, Thanks! I am glad you like the thread.