Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vtblazer · 08-30-2009, 07:23 AM

Just replaced my blazers quarter panels with SWB bedsides but did it a little different than swapping everything over.

I re-used the original blazer inner bedside and the outer skin from a SWB pickup bedside.

Went this route for a couple reason's.
1) With the cage I couldn't access any of the body bolts
2) Wasn't able to access the wheel well housing bolts either due to a different mod.
3) Decided it was easier to keep the 'b' pillar intact.

Started here with some very rough bedsides:

Cut off the outer and was pleased to find a nice straight inner:

The SWB bedside I used:

Here's the difference between the two:

Kept enough of the original bedrail tops to retain the hard top bolt holes.
(I highly recommend it)

Stitching in where the stake pocket was:

The long slice:

Test fit:

vtblazer · 08-30-2009, 07:23 AM

So after the successful test fit, I left it there and went onto the drivers side.

To add to the complexity of it all, this side had a flush mount gas door to deal with:

2nd big slice:

Skipping ahead to placing the panel:

Lower 'b' pillar:

Self taps are your friend:

Rear tail light area:

Welded up:

Lower:

Quick prime cause weather was very high humidity at the time:

vtblazer · 08-30-2009, 07:24 AM

Gas door rough in:

Prep before prime:

Gas door tucked in:

Metal etch:

Epoxy primer:

First time out doors:

Looks okay to me:

The reason for doing this was an agreement made with the buyer, he wanted straight quarters, so we worked the deal to suit.

Here's the blazer as delivered to it's new owner:

I think doing the skin version is a valid alternative to changing out the entire quarter, especially since the two pieces are so different to begin with.

Keeping the 'b' pillar in place and utilizing the existing bolt holes for the hard top mount saved a lot of work too.

Question's/Comments...?

70k52wd · 08-30-2009, 08:42 AM

For somebody like myself that knows nothing about sheet metal replacement, you made it look easy. Seems like a logical way to go about it. Great job!

Big J · 08-30-2009, 08:36 AM

Great work Kurt! This thread should be added to the Index thread list. Very nice How To.

Mordachai · 08-30-2009, 10:16 AM

Kurt, great write up. really shows what's need to put SWB sides on a blazer. def good candidate for FAQ/index...

BigRed Beast · 08-30-2009, 12:16 PM

Sorry...I gotta ask...what mirrors do yo have on there? That's exactly what i want...

vtblazer · 08-30-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRed Beast

Sorry...I gotta ask...what mirrors do yo have on there? That's exactly what i want...

No idea, installed by the P/O

AJs72K5 · 08-30-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtblazer

No idea, installed by the P/O

They look like early to mid-80s GM truck mirrors.

Great write-up. Between you and Greg, it's like deja vu.

vtblazer · 08-31-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJs72K5

Great write-up. Between you and Greg, it's like deja vu.

What...? Deja two?

Thanks, thought it might be of interest to the blazer guys, not something you dig into everyday.

Thealien · 08-31-2009, 08:22 PM

Just wondering on how much time start to finish on each side?

ChevyFan24 · 08-31-2009, 10:51 PM

Looks good. Nice work on around the fuel door.

vtblazer · 09-01-2009, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thealien

Just wondering on how much time start to finish on each side?

Guesstimating around 20/30 hours total.

2nd side went a fair amount quicker than the first once the learning curve took effect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevyFan24

Looks good. Nice work on around the fuel door.

Thank you for noticing, it added a lot of extra time to the drivers side for sure.

Getting it right a 2nd time had me nervous.

TonyJohnson · 09-01-2009, 10:58 AM

Do you do anything to that inner piece before welding on the skin? Is that color we see in the pics just dirt or surface rust? I was just wondering if there's a prep stage that not pictured...

Thanks, Tony

vtblazer · 09-01-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJohnson

Do you do anything to that inner piece before welding on the skin? Is that color we see in the pics just dirt or surface rust? I was just wondering if there's a prep stage that not pictured...

Thanks, Tony

No but I figured if that's as bad as it got after 38 years, it'll be just fine for another 20 years at least.

The pics make it look worse than it really is, not even 'pitted' surface rust, more like a fine dust.

TonyJohnson · 09-01-2009, 12:19 PM

That's good to know. I'm getting ready to dive into mine and wasn't sure how picky I need to be. If you were using a repop bedside and could get to all the bolts, would you still do the cutout or would you try to use the entire new sheetmeta? I assume that doing it your way makes it easier to get everything aligned, but it's a lot more welding and cutting...

vtblazer · 09-01-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJohnson

That's good to know. I'm getting ready to dive into mine and wasn't sure how picky I need to be. If you were using a repop bedside and could get to all the bolts, would you still do the cutout or would you try to use the entire new sheetmeta? I assume that doing it your way makes it easier to get everything aligned, but it's a lot more welding and cutting...

True, more welding/cutting but there's a lot to do when you remove the 'b' pillar & gate mount too.

If you used the repro piece, you'd need to cut back the inner and match it up to the 'b' pillar anyway.

Maybe a combination of the two ways might be the ticket...
Leave the 'b' pillar intact, remove the rest of the old quarter, then graft the new sheet metal to the 'b' pillar retaining the stock location/alignment.

So yeah...choice # 3.

TonyJohnson · 09-01-2009, 12:33 PM

Cool. Thanks!

vtblazer · 09-01-2009, 12:56 PM

Although, remember the repro SWB bedside is going to have stake pockets in it and 'will not' have bolts holes to mount the hard top.
(if your still running one)

TonyJohnson · 09-01-2009, 01:12 PM

I need to redrill for the single-wall anyway, but the stake pockets are a little funky. Oh well, I need the welding practice anyway.

vtblazer · 09-05-2009, 06:46 PM

Bump for more to read.

red71cheyenne · 09-05-2009, 10:12 PM

Thanks VT, nice how to for those of us that may have to do it in the future. Was a lot easier than having to modify it for b pillar and tail gate.

K10Cowboyd · 09-07-2009, 02:59 PM

I noticed a message in your thread about 2 rust free body tubs for sale. Was I dreaming or is that true? Where and how much???

K10Cowboyd · 09-07-2009, 03:00 PM

Did I see 2 rust free blazer tubs for sale??????

vtblazer · 09-07-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K10Cowboyd

Did I see 2 rust free blazer tubs for sale??????

You did...

08-30-2009, 07:23 AM	#1
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Just replaced my blazers quarter panels with SWB bedsides but did it a little different than swapping everything over. I re-used the original blazer inner bedside and the outer skin from a SWB pickup bedside. Went this route for a couple reason's. 1) With the cage I couldn't access any of the body bolts 2) Wasn't able to access the wheel well housing bolts either due to a different mod. 3) Decided it was easier to keep the 'b' pillar intact. Started here with some very rough bedsides: Cut off the outer and was pleased to find a nice straight inner: The SWB bedside I used: Here's the difference between the two: Kept enough of the original bedrail tops to retain the hard top bolt holes. (I highly recommend it) Stitching in where the stake pocket was: The long slice: Test fit:

08-30-2009, 07:23 AM	#2
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides So after the successful test fit, I left it there and went onto the drivers side. To add to the complexity of it all, this side had a flush mount gas door to deal with: 2nd big slice: Skipping ahead to placing the panel: Lower 'b' pillar: Self taps are your friend: Rear tail light area: Welded up: Lower: Quick prime cause weather was very high humidity at the time: Last edited by vtblazer; 08-30-2009 at 07:38 AM.

08-30-2009, 07:24 AM	#3
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Gas door rough in: Prep before prime: Gas door tucked in: Metal etch: Epoxy primer: First time out doors: Looks okay to me: The reason for doing this was an agreement made with the buyer, he wanted straight quarters, so we worked the deal to suit. Here's the blazer as delivered to it's new owner: I think doing the skin version is a valid alternative to changing out the entire quarter, especially since the two pieces are so different to begin with. Keeping the 'b' pillar in place and utilizing the existing bolt holes for the hard top mount saved a lot of work too. Question's/Comments...? Last edited by vtblazer; 08-30-2009 at 08:02 AM.

08-30-2009, 08:42 AM	#4
70k52wd Blaze-Air Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,117	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides For somebody like myself that knows nothing about sheet metal replacement, you made it look easy. Seems like a logical way to go about it. Great job!

08-30-2009, 08:36 AM	#5
Big J Its lookin' like a Blazer! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Gods Country, KY Posts: 1,773	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Great work Kurt! This thread should be added to the Index thread list. Very nice How To. __________________ BAZINGA! My Build

08-30-2009, 10:16 AM	#6
Mordachai Fat Fendered Fleetside Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: WPB, S. FL, USA, Earth Posts: 718	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Kurt, great write up. really shows what's need to put SWB sides on a blazer. def good candidate for FAQ/index... __________________ 71 GMC lwb 56 Big window swb 93 GMC Sonoma (dd) radiused fiberglass fender project for 67-72

08-30-2009, 12:16 PM	#7
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Sorry...I gotta ask...what mirrors do yo have on there? That's exactly what i want... __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"

08-31-2009, 08:22 PM	#11
Thealien Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pine Ridge Florida Posts: 4,125	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Just wondering on how much time start to finish on each side?

08-31-2009, 10:51 PM	#12
ChevyFan24 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 181	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Looks good. Nice work on around the fuel door. __________________ 1967 Camaro (in pieces) 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1969 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 2000 Chevrolet K2500 Crew Cab 454 1999 Chevrolet Blazer 2008 Polaris Ranger XP Orange Crush

09-01-2009, 10:58 AM	#14
TonyJohnson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cheboygan, MI Posts: 998	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Do you do anything to that inner piece before welding on the skin? Is that color we see in the pics just dirt or surface rust? I was just wondering if there's a prep stage that not pictured... Thanks, Tony __________________ Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer --

09-01-2009, 12:19 PM	#16
TonyJohnson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cheboygan, MI Posts: 998	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides That's good to know. I'm getting ready to dive into mine and wasn't sure how picky I need to be. If you were using a repop bedside and could get to all the bolts, would you still do the cutout or would you try to use the entire new sheetmeta? I assume that doing it your way makes it easier to get everything aligned, but it's a lot more welding and cutting... __________________ Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer -- Last edited by TonyJohnson; 09-01-2009 at 12:19 PM.

09-01-2009, 12:33 PM	#18
TonyJohnson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cheboygan, MI Posts: 998	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Cool. Thanks! __________________ Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer --

09-01-2009, 12:56 PM	#19
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Although, remember the repro SWB bedside is going to have stake pockets in it and 'will not' have bolts holes to mount the hard top. (if your still running one) Last edited by vtblazer; 01-17-2010 at 06:16 PM.

09-01-2009, 01:12 PM	#20
TonyJohnson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cheboygan, MI Posts: 998	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides I need to redrill for the single-wall anyway, but the stake pockets are a little funky. Oh well, I need the welding practice anyway. __________________ Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer --

09-05-2009, 06:46 PM	#21
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Bump for more to read.



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09-05-2009, 10:12 PM	#22
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Thanks VT, nice how to for those of us that may have to do it in the future. Was a lot easier than having to modify it for b pillar and tail gate. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

09-07-2009, 02:59 PM	#23
K10Cowboyd Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago.Illinois Posts: 23	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides I noticed a message in your thread about 2 rust free body tubs for sale. Was I dreaming or is that true? Where and how much???

09-07-2009, 03:00 PM	#24
K10Cowboyd Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago.Illinois Posts: 23	Re: Blazer Quarter Fix - Using SWB Bedsides Did I see 2 rust free blazer tubs for sale??????

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