tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Finally after 4 years of owning my Blazer I'm getting around to work on it. It is in pretty great shape to start but I've been wanting to do a full frame off to get everything done at one time the way I want it. I brought this 2 owner up to Canada from Arizona and it is desert dry.
She doesn't have a lot of options but is a super solid truck and still has some of the factory goodies like leveling mats and carpet strips all in very good shape. Besides the full rebuild I am making a few mods to suit me.
Plans are:
Stroke the motor
Change to a NV4500 5 spd manual tranny
Drop it down to a 2" lift with 33" tires
Upgrade the brakes

Here is what it looks like to start

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps0172c88e.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps2eb6ca71.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps050019fa.jpg

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Is that number on the front cross member a factory mark?
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps42dbf046.jpg

It has the transfer and tank skids
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...psf5d6d0b4.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps975f1c9b.jpg

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Last time I drove her before she headed under the knife for tear down.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps43f9c1c2.jpg

I think it will be quite a while before it looks all together like this again.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Started to soda blast to see if it really is as solid as I think
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps2635d588.jpg

An old fender bender here but no rust
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps4d8d1d0f.jpg

Good and solid underneath
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps02cc5803.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps2897cf0c.jpg

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Finished soda blasting. Very happy that there wasn't really any surprises.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...psf8e04ff8.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps72a94ac2.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...pse53fc42b.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...psc0841c99.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps87b436de.jpg

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Lots of little dents and bumps to work but overall metal work required is fairly minimal. These items I already knew about.

Had an external spare tire carrier at one time. The holes weren't repaired very well so these certainly need redone on both sides.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...pse8012583.jpg

The passenger side has a couple of small holes. I figure it was from water sitting from a leaky roof. Fortunate these will be small patches. Everything around it is still solid.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps7d6d618d.jpg

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

The rolling chassis. Going to get working on this once the new springs arrive which is going to be a few weeks. I want to fit up everything with the new springs and new transmission (nv4500). Set the tub on and make sure everything will work ok. Then I will strip bare and get it powder coated.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps19ba8d80.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps8fb1dfca.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps44c190eb.jpg

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Sweet Blazer, ...That is a nice original survivor you have. Clean tub no options is better than the other way around. What are your plans for the interior?

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Doesn't get much nicer than that!!

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Interior. I may boxliner the inside or not, haven't decided. Seats need redone. The rear cover for sure, not sure about the foam yet. Fronts will do new foam and replace those LMC covers the PO put on with a set from Truckseats forum member. Radio and speaker back to stock (thankfully the dash isn't cut). I haven't decided 100% on the gauges yet whether to restore or use some updated package. Had vintage air at one time over the years so I have to weld and shave the dash where the vents were. Same with the speaker holes in the doors. Most of the body work is filling screw holes, etc. For the most part it should just be refurbish what I have.

Thanks I had always thought it was very solid but sometimes you never know 100% for sure till you get that paint off. The only thing I didn't know about was the rh rear box side repair but I've since got the mud out and it was just a dent. There isn't any rust. Looks like it was done many years ago. The guy I bought it from only had the truck for 3 years and bought it from the estate of the original owner. I don't think he know about it either. All the other issues he pointed out to me when I first looked at it. I'll get it pulled and smoothed a lot better now.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

I have not heard of box liner, is that a spray in bed liner like Rhino liner or U-Pol Raptor? I used tint-able U-Pol Raptor as undercoat on mine.( turned out nice)..

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

I just rolled all the brand names in to one category and called them box liner but yes some sort of spray in. Most popular ones in my area are either Linex or Rhino but the are many out there. The underside is so clean I may just paint it with a high wear 2 part paint like an Imron and then only spray the underside of front and rear Inner Fenders with something like Rhino. Undecided about the inside floor of the tub yet.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Wow Greta find! I'm looking for another blazer too. Lucky for me I won't have to worry too much about shipping costs. Lol.
Look ink forward to more updates!

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Subscribed:metal:

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Subscribed! Just finishing up my 71, it will be interesting to watch your process/progress. Good Luck!

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

That is a super nice starting point. I wish I could find something like that.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Late to the party but subscribed! Any updates?

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Everyone, sorry no updated pictures posted lately. Body is being worked on as far as all the little bumps and dents but it has been a slow process. Body work is not my thing so I am getting it done at a shop and of course like all projects it takes 4x longer than originally planned. I ordered a set of custom 2" lift Alcan springs and they had a 7 week lead time because of how backed up they were so that put a hold on the Chassis work. I finally got them this week so hope to fit up the modified driveline and set the tub on to confirm measurements over the next 2 weeks. I'll get some more pictures posted up real soon. Thanks for checking in. Jeff.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

So got a few things done over the past week. Bolted up the NV4500 tranny and round pattern NP205 to the stock engine so I could do a fit up and check it with the tub set on for any clearance issues. In the end I am keeping the stock tranny/transfer position and it pushes the engine x-member ahead 1-7/8". Gave me great clearance everywhere. Going to drill the new Engine x-member holes now and weld in the originals 4wd location ones. Also fab a custom tranny mount to fit the higher mounting point on the NV4500. At final build up, I have a no hole tranny cover out of a BB 2wd truck that I will cut a new Shifter hole for and custom bend a shifter as a last item.
Next major steps are a complete strip down of the frame for powder coating as well as full rebuild / refurbish on the Tranny, Transfer and Axles.
A few fitting pictures of the driveline. Maybe boring but some necessary steps.

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...psdf871373.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps4cbc326e.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps85aa48e2.jpg[/IMG]

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

A few more Tranny fit pictures.

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps30a1acc0.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps4fe444b3.jpg[/IMG]

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

That truck sure didnt spend its life in Canada, did it.?

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

That thing sure looked nice before you even did anything, cant imagine whatl'll it look like when your done.

As always, good luck with your build, ill watch

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

A little engine block prep yesterday and a lot of shopping. On top of the parts in the picture also have the crank, rods and pistons. Block is off to the machine shop now.
[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...pseffd012d.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps0ad329a3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps4bed4ac4.jpg[/IMG]

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Not at all. These trucks are pretty rare up here unless they have been brought up over the past decade or so like this one. They were treated like a truck when they were bought back in the day so the rust has long eaten them away.
Most people that have them now in this area only use them in the summer months to keep the salt off them.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Just a heads-up - you may know this but if the block is decked at the machine shop you'll loose the engine code, which is nice to keep if the block is OEM.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Yes. Thanks I'm very happy people are following along and taking an interest. Best thing about this forum.
I guess I've never said before but I'm going to use a late model OE roller block with one pc rms. The engine in my Blazer isn't factory. The second owner (previous to me) did an Engine swap. He had a '72 K10 that he was swapping to a big block and he put the 350 out of it in to this Blazer. I guess it was in better shape. Original block is gone. So it is a period correct '72 truck motor in there now but not the right serial. No matter to me as I was already intending on putting in a stroker. The change to a modern 5spd and some other subtle updates is already moving away from factory correct. Its what I wanted with this build.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Any updates? Just start following this one.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Sorry no updates for a while. It was a very busy summer with the family. Any time I had was spent on my Engine build. Now that it is finishing up I can get back to the truck. I'll post some more over the next month. I just got the frame to the powder coaters over the weekend. I hope to get Assembling by the end of the month.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Been a while since I posted anything it has been slooooooowww progress. Took a lot of time ( for me anyways ) fitting the modified driveline with the NV4500 5spd and newer round pattern NP205. Then drilling new engine crossmember holes and welding in and grinding the original location as well as filling and grinding a couple of other "non-factory" holes.

Axles are getting rebuilt now with a new posi unit, gears, axles, etc, etc. Won't be done for another couple of weeks. Realistically with the holiday season coming up, I probably won't get axles hung or driveline in until January.

First pic is going to power coating, second is with it finished coating.

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...psc7c19104.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...psec616a79.jpg[/IMG]

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Good things take time!.... Happy Holidays..

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Do you mind sharing how much it cost to have the frame powder coated? I'm going to have mine done soon.

Thanks,
Mike

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Well I'm in Canada which I'm sure means it cost more but I paid $600. This was all blasting and powder coating but not just the frame and crossmembers. I also had 32 other loose parts (steering parts, spring brackets, skid plate, bumper brkts, fuel tank brkts, etc, etc). The company I used is a very reputable place. They do a lot of OE work. (such as Front knuckes for Ford pickups, Waterpump castings for CAT heavy equipment among others).

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Nice build. I hope you paint it ochre.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

That's a great deal in my opinion. I've been quoted 750 just for the frame. I do live in Silicon Valley (AKA Rip Off city)

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

I'm not even close to deciding the color. I wish I could make up my mind. I think my painter is getting tired of painting me test panels ...

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

So here is a picture of the Engine completed build. This is what took most of my time up the past several months.
Ready to drop in the frame now. Hopefully shortly after the Holidays. Full details and lots of rebuild pics in the Engine build thread in my signature.

[IMG]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...pscb2f06f6.jpg[/IMG]

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Impressive Engine build, are you still planning to go with a manual trans? If so how did you find correct spot for clutch push rod thru floor.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Great question but I'll have to get back to you.
I plan on mocking that up in January before the firewall gets painted. I am going to use a Wilwood Girling style master cylinder and fab a pushrod/heim joint. There is flat spot on the firewall where it should fit pretty much inline with the factory clutch pedal. I am going to be running Hydratech brakes so it is much slimmer than the factory vaccuum booster.
I'll take some pics after I'm done.

Are you too going to a hydraulic clutch?

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

No, I just collected the parts for the linkage.

Re: tjs 72 Blazer Build
 

Some slow progress. Just trying to get everything rebuilt and refinished so I can maybe actually bolt something back together.

Rear Axle rebuild:
Stripped bare and then acid dipped the whole housing. Welded the axle tubes to the center section. All new posi, gears, bearings, seals, and alloy axles. Changed to 1/2" wheel studs. Etch primed and then single stage Imron paint.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps2fd4cd51.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps05092300.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...psba615d5f.jpg

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps26afd699.jpg