71 Blazer "Finishing Touches"

[VA72C10]

I named this blazer "Finishing Touches" because the majority of the hard work has been finished. I found this on my local Craigslist. Went because it was a good price and my original plan was to use the tub and convert it to 2wd. However, after seeing the truck in person and realizing it was almost finished, I decided to buy it and finish it up. Going to hopefully get it done soon and enjoy it this summer. Then, we'll see if I get any offers to sell it so I can get some funds back to get back on my 67 Resto-mod pickup.

First of all, I'd like to thank the PO (Previous Owner) Normally most people come on here complaining about PO's. This Blazer, however, was built right. I really didn't look it over as well as I should because I was afraid of missing out on the deal. Kept thinking someone else would show up with cash and steal it from me.

As I've started working on it I keep finding nice detailing and quality parts. For example, a complete ARP stud kit for the engine. rustproofed and painted inside the cowl vent area and the vent covers were taken apart, new seals installed, and re-riveted. Powdercoated door striker plates, under dash courtesy lights and glovebox light added, firewall insulation and factory style cardboard cover installed, wiring neatly installed and wrapped with loom to protect it. Frame was sandblasted and sprayed with POR15, suspension was detailed and all new suspension components. Transfer case with new seals and painted, transmission had a $800 rebuild and was painted, motor had 1700 invested in it and painted/detailed, new heater core and blower motor and detailed boxes inside and out. All new body bushings,bolts/hoses/belts. New brake assembly, new power steering gearbox, pump and hoses, etc.etc.etc.

I just got through tearing down a truck and starting a frame off, detailing a frame and installing all new suspension so I can appreciate all the hard work that went into this.

There are a few things I will fix that he didn't do to my satisfaction. The front rotors are questionable while the rest of the brakes are all new...those will be replaced. He put new hood hinges on that aren't fitting well so I'm taking my nicest set of used ones and will be switching them out. There are four spots on the body that need addressing. (that's right only four! ) They were repairs done by the previous owner with metal patches but not up to the quality of the rest of the blazer. These will be removed and new metal welded in. Hardly any more dings on the entire body other than right at the taillights that will be easy enough to get to.

So some light metal work, body work, paint, and then final assembly is all that's left.

Here are the pictures I took the day I went to look at it.

[VA72C10]

The underside is as nice as the top...

[VA72C10]

Here's the areas I need to work on...started taking them down to bare metal...only one area he had bondo and just for dents...no rust inside or out...





Here's the original gate that needs a little work on one spot on the inside but no dents. I'm going to use the shaved repop for my other project's planned custom tailgate...

[Musclerodz]

that twin shock would scare the crap out of me. begging for failure.

looks like he was on the home stretch, why did the guy bail?

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

that twin shock would scare the crap out of me. begging for failure.

looks like he was on the home stretch, why did the guy bail?

His family lost interest in it and so did he.

I'm definitely not a 4WD suspension guy so I'll look into other options for the dual shock...

[VA72C10]

Here's some of the other detail shots I took of it.

[sourkraut]

looks nice and clean, good snag!

[SATownChevy]

wow, that is clean. looks like a very easy project that will bring in some big bucks once it is all done.

good score dude

[FRENCHBLUE72]

What can you tell me about that heater defrost hose mine need to be replaced agian and the aftermarket one I bought last time really suck... Very nice score on your part I wish my blazer was that far along..

[70k52wd]

Subscribed

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

What can you tell me about that heater defrost hose mine need to be replaced agian and the aftermarket one I bought last time really suck... Very nice score on your part I wish my blazer was that far along..

I looked through the receipts and didn't find that. I'm going to ask the guy a few other questions when i go to pick up some armrests he'd ordered that just came in and i'll see if he remembers where he got it.

He did most of the suspension work in 2006 and the engine/tranny late last year and I think the body work did him in with lining everything up.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Damn nice score looks like he got most of everything done on it and did a decent job of it. Looks super clean from here. Can't wait to see it when you get it all done man!

[VA72C10]

Thanks everyone. I know I scored on this one. It is as clean as it looks in the pictures. Charlie can attest to that. A little sanding, some weatherstrip (have almost all of it already) a finished interior, and it's cruising time

[oldblue1968chevy]

wow gonna be sweet! Wheres the top?? I like that color is it factory?

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

wow gonna be sweet! Wheres the top?? I like that color is it factory?

Thanks. The top is on it now and the hatch is at my house. It is a factory color. I'm going to confirm it, but according to the PO, he redid the factory color it came with originally.

[Musclerodz]

just need to put that second shock in double shear somehow.

looks like the po was definitely trying to do things right, nice score

[70k52wd]

Yea guys this is a real score for Jonathan. If I were to guess, I would estimate that Jon paid about 35cents on the dollar for this truck.
I don't understand why the po would get so close to complete, only to bail.
If I would have seen the ad first, this would be my thread.
I'll say it again. Great buy. I also think that when completed, it will be hard for you to want to sell.

[big_al_71]

That is a great looking project..another guy that went into the statistics of restoring project that did not get finished category...Glad to see you have it and knowing that it will be finished....

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

Yea guys this is a real score for Jonathan. If I were to guess, I would estimate that Jon paid about 35cents on the dollar for this truck.
I don't understand why the po would get so close to complete, only to bail.
If I would have seen the ad first, this would be my thread.
I'll say it again. Great buy. I also think that when completed, it will be hard for you to want to sell.

Me....find it hard to sell something....

Originally Posted by big_al_71

That is a great looking project..another guy that went into the statistics of restoring project that did not get finished category...Glad to see you have it and knowing that it will be finished....

Yep, I don't know whether to take it to the guy's house to show him it finished...whether he'd be proud with how nice it came out or sick with himself for getting rid of it so close to the finish line.

[70k52wd]

Yea but money comes and go's. A blazer in that shape for the $ you spend would be hard to duplicate. 

[VA72C10]

yeah, it'll have to be a REALLY good offer that will let me afford to do my truck the way I want it AND have another "toy" for me to sell it.
Honestly though, I enjoy learning about the truck, planning out a gameplan, and working on the truck more than I enjoy sitting at a show all day showing it off...I think I'd be happier constantly working on projects, completing them, and selling them than having one sitting in my garage....

...look at your blazer...it was a show truck and you still tore into it to make it better. It's just fun wrenching on these things

[70k52wd]

Yea the tinker around part is the fun part. What I do not like is calling, driving taking all the time invoved only to find junk. I'm just sayin

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

Yea the tinker around part is the fun part. What I do not like is calling, driving taking all the time invoved only to find junk. I'm just sayin

You know where to come for the good stuff....my garage

I do know exactly what you mean...most of the time deals like this are too good to be true.....was looking at a SWB stepside that the guy said on craigslist he wanted to get it off his friends land and was going to sell it "super cheap" emailed him to get his number, a few pictures and a price. Pictures were decent but could tell it was a newer paint job over rust (rockers gone, cab corners, front fender cups, etc..engine wasn't running due to "dead battery" he'd "try" to jump when I got there and the tranny wasn't shifting right.....but it was only the linkage of course....but he didn't have the time to fix it....

He "only" wanted 5000 for it. When I said I was looking at nicer running trucks for half that he said he wouldn't sell it for less than 4K....
maybe he had that much in it....but I'll take my blazer rather than a non-running rusty truck

[VA72C10]

Jason at Pop's Chop Shop started on the little bit of metal work left...tackled the worst area first....the offending area....


The backside....see how the PO drilled holes to pull a dent out....


And the new sheetmetal formed and welded in

[72BlckButy]

'bout time!

Subscribed...