1970 Blazer Build
 

After wanting to have a Blazer for a very long time, I've lucked out and one has fallen into my lap. Pure luck I stumbled across it and the owner was willing to sell it.

This pic is from the day I looked at it. Owner and I agreed on a price and I was going to come back in a couple weeks once he cleaned up the yard and got it out. He was also going to take the top off and keep it as he has another K5.

Other then the two diff's, there isn't much left for drivetrain and running gear in this. So I'm going to make it a 2WD. I already have a K10 that rides rough and I like the 2WD look better anyways. So my quick plans are:

- 2wd conversion. Trying to get a hold of Dead End garage so I can throw trailing arm suspension in rather then keeping the leaf rear
- 5.3 / 4l60e swap
- 20" tire and wheels
- 4/6 lowering kit
- Body and paint (the part I do not look forward to)

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Last Saturday I went and picked it up. I could barely sleep the night leading up lol. I've wanted one of these for a very long time.

Its a project, but it has good bones. Needs doors replaced and front clip obviously, but will also need new bedsides. Bed will need a couple small patches, but underneath the truck is surprisingly good. From what I've read, these rocker boxes tend to go bad? These ones are intact and appear to be pretty solid.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Previous owner was keeping the top, but I lucked out again and there was a hardtop for sale on Facebook. Went and picked it up.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

And here is where I am as of Sunday.
Got the tub off and need to start stripping the frame down. Plan is to have it sandblasted in a couple weeks and get it painted as fall is getting close. That will give me all winter to get the suspension, brakes, and possibly motor & trans in place.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Nice Blazer. A tub with intact rocker boxes is a rare find.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Why get rid of the leaf springs? Just do an axle flip to get it sitting better...

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

I like the trailing arm ride better. If I keep leafs, I need to get new leafs anyways and those aren't cheap either. I'm also convering to 5 bolt and have a couple 71/72 trailing arm rear ends ready to go. And in the future if I want to go lower it will be simple.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Cool project. Congrats.

FYI...some of those 4WD parts (even the little stuff) would be of value to others. Don't scrap em. You might be surprised how much of it is 1970 only and harder to come by.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

I keep everything lol. Last week I junked a bad hood and I totally felt bad doing it lol. Nothing from this Blazer is getting tossed.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Got the donor frame stripped and the 2wd crossmember mocked up. Really nice that a couple of the holes line up between the 4x4 and 2wd frames.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Moved quick to get this sandblasted and painted before cool Temps move in up here. It's not going to be a show truck but I'm super happy how it turned out. Little tight on shop space at moment so it's gonna cure on top of another frame lol.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Nice find! That tub does look great for any that are left sitting up in canada in a field. I've seen that top in person as well and its also in great condition, nice scoop. Im definitely in to watch your build, it will be nice to see another first gen blazer on the road in alberta. Good luck with the project

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

I tried to get documentation pulled on it from Vintage Vehicle Services but it turns out it was a US sold Blazer which I guess help explains the tub's condition. I was really hoping I could get the option list, as the glovebox has a CST emblem on it but I can only make out about 1/3 of what it on the SPID. The previous owner had it for about 10 years, so someone before him must have brought it up.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Got my front crossmenber back in to mark some holes to drill. Compared placement to another C10 and those two existing holes in the 4wd frame get placement bang in on.

Trailing arm crossmeber is in as well. Two existing holes in frame get the wheel base to about 104.5, match exactly on both sides. Local guy is going to make upper coil mounts, panhard bar mount, and shock mounts for me as I can't get a kit from Deadend Garage to finish the 2wd conversion.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Se the body back on just to make sure my front and rear placement is good in the wheel wells. Both look good enough for me.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Nice work so far. Good luck, Rg

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

This thing is to starting to snowball......

I purchased a pair of new bedsides, but now looking at the bed floor I'm really leaning to changing it too. Its beat up near tailgate area, and needs some patches here and there. Bedsides are coming off regardless, so thinking I should just bite the bullet on it.

I have no good usable front end sheet metal. I'm going to be picking up a set of new fenders, so I've decided to make it a 68 Chev front end. Found a nice original 68 rad support already for the swap.

Also swapping out trailing arms and crossmember for these ones made by a local guy. They have a built in 2" drop.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

The long term fourcast for Alberta is a snowy winter

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

That's a good find. I'm a little more of an originality guy than your plans call for, but at least this one won't be rusting away anymore. I see you've got one of the 20s ready to go. Are you going to get others with similar patina? :lol:

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Lol, still on the lookout for three more just like it. Not holding my breath though haha

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Also scored the last remaining difficult to find pieces
. The front seats are 73 75 blazer buckets but super pumped about the rear seat I found. Super clean original cover.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

If you want to put original covers on, I sell the side skirts to convert them to 69-72

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

That is a '69-'70 rear seat, and it appears gorgeous.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

I think I had messaged you about some skirts a few months ago. The seats I had those in mind were turned out to be too far gone to repair, but I'll be in touch soon as I'll need full skirts for these ones.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

I wasn't sure of the extact year, thank you. My VIN decodes as a 70, so that's good to know.

Seat is really good, almost need to paint the truck to match the seat :lol:

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Got my new crossember and trailing arms back from powder coating and in.
Might be putting hold on the Blazer for a bit. My dad is trying to get his 69 short step put together before spring so gonna help on that for a bit.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Rear springs and shocks are in place now.

I plan on ordering my front end parts soon, really want to get that together and then I can start putting the body together. New tailgate, bed floor, bedsides, and front fenders waiting to go on. Planning on re-using the original doors which look to be pretty rust free.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

its coming along nicely

as mentioned before , i am more of originality kind of guy also
tho , i am digging the custom front bumper . . .

what is on the part(s) list of what is needed for the truck ?
besides the wheel(s) ?

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

The list is long, although I have the big items there are lots and lots of little things I'll need to buy before the end. I do have a lot of leftover stuff from building other trucks though.

Haha, that front bumper? Its gone now, it weighed a ton.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Things are finally going to get rolling on this.

Weather was good this past weekend and with fall coming I decided to primer and put raptor liner on the underside of the new bed floor before it installed.

Front crossmember and controls arms are getting picked up from the sandblaster on Friday. I had them powdercoated. Front disc brake kit and all new front end parts also arrived in the mail this week.

Rounded up my parts I had in my garage and hauled out to the shop where I'm working on the Blazer. Going to start assembly of the new bedsides, fenders, tailgate all shortly. The Suburban came in handy, it was packed right full haha.

Lots to do now.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Its the most this thing has ever resembled a Blazer in a long time today

Before taking off the bedsides and rear floor, I decided to hang some sheet metal. This thing has been blown apart so I wanted to make sure everything somewhat fits together first.

Really happy with how the hood, grille, and fenders went together. Some tweaking needed yet but pretty close

Doors need some work yet but pretty good fit. Bottom of passenger needs to move in a little bit yet but I don't have any more hinge adjustment so going to have to figure out something there.

All the new metal is Key Parts brand.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Nice build. i will be following along.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Looks great. More of a 4wd guy, but it's going to be nice!

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Thanks.


Thanks, I sure hope so.
Yeah the 4WD's are just as nice. Honestly, had this been a running project I don't think I would have done the 2wd conversion. Blank canvas on this one so figured what the heck.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Bed floor and bedsides off today.
Rocker boxes are solid throughout except just at the back where the end caps attach there is a soft spot so will be doing some repairs there.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

I couldn't help myself when some new wheel and tires came along for sale at a great price. I may run them on my 69 this summer so they just don't sit as who knows when the will be ready for the Blazer. 245/40/20 & 275/40/20.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Hello @hevy_chevy67. I am attempting to build a K5 blazer and I have started this fete with a C10 SWB frame, removed 11 inches. Can I get a few close-up pics of the frame, rear frame? I'm trying to figure out where the tub mounts go. Thanks in advance, Clark.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Yeah sure. I won't be able to until the weekend but I can grab some pics and measurements

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

Rocker box repairs are done and bed floor is bolted loosely on.

The boxes are good but had some rot right at the end. Chopped off and burnt in new pieces for the end along with new caps and sise support pieces.

Re: 1970 Blazer Build
 

@hevy_chevy67, I would also like some frame measurements also. I visited Dino’s Git Down and saw a few blazer tubs. My c10 swb frame measurements and the repop k5 tub seems to be off. Any help would be appreciated.