Build One-?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vtblazer · 06-15-2004, 07:24 AM

Got a situation here...I want a swb 4x4 fleet but their apparently very hard to come by

So...what if I wanted to 'build' one?
I've found a ton of 2wd's for sale for reasonable $$ and I already have a 4x4 blazer that's complete but torn down to just parts. Can I make one?
Would I have enough/all the parts needed to make a 2wd into a 4x4?
Is this a

approach? Is it worth the effort?
If the answer is to find a swb 4x4 frame, then I'm basically back to
square one

trying to find one of those.

Stryker67 · 06-15-2004, 09:05 AM

Go for it. If you can find a good short bed body. I think you should be able to use the Blazer parts and also use the Blazer frame as a template for locating the necessary hardware. The alternative would be to find a '73 and up 4X4 chassis and make the older body fit to it. I made the mistake of selling an original 72 4X4 eight years ago. Been kicking myself ever since.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 06-15-2004, 09:11 AM

You can use the blazer frame but it will turn out to be a real short bed because of the wheel base difference's.... You can use a newer frame as mudder 67 did and it turned out to be a real show stopper..

highboy_04 · 06-15-2004, 05:17 PM

get a 2 wheel drive truck and use all the parts off the 4wd blazer to make the truck 4wd and then take all the 2wd stuff and make the blazer 2wd.

OhioDan · 06-15-2004, 05:50 PM

You could always do what this guy on EBay did?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=5348

Put a 2WD body on a 4WD chassis. Check it out.

Bram · 06-15-2004, 05:53 PM

Here is one for sale.

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...tos__ID/102911

Hutch · 06-15-2004, 06:58 PM

vtblazer
There are quite a few clean original 4x4 short fleets around for sale.
As you stated they are a desireable item, especially the high optioned ones.
I think that the problem is the amount of money you want to spend.
I have checked in to quite a few of these and find a clean original or a nicely restored one is going to run you about the same as what you will have in one that has been built.

I would say the value for a nicely optioned 4x4 short fleet truck is between 8 to 12 grand.

LUV2XCLR8 · 06-15-2004, 07:56 PM

HERE ARE A FEW VT,

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...tos__ID/103059

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...tos__ID/202811

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...utos__ID/70319

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...tos__ID/205615

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...utos__ID/26300

vtblazer · 06-15-2004, 08:00 PM

Hutch, your 100% right, a 12 or 15 grand outlay right now isn't in the trucking cards but I'm keeping my eyes on the one's between 8 and 10

The only reason I'm thinking 'build' is that I already have a 4x4 blazer sitting there collecting dust.
One other minor issue is distance...I'm hoping to find something without the need for major body work, so that screams 'go west'.
I'm just trying to exhaust all possibillities open to me. Buy vs. build.
On the down side

I just missed an awesome one in NY, only 200 miles from me

LUV2XCLR8 · 06-15-2004, 10:05 PM

STILL LOOKIN,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...482233908&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...481895512&rd=1

:p

vtblazer · 06-15-2004, 10:16 PM

WOW, nice trucks

but still holding out for a swb

OhioDan · 06-18-2004, 04:24 PM

VTBlazer,

Check this out. Might be just what you're hunting for?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...2482385068&rd=1

Truck Hippy · 06-18-2004, 05:35 PM

Vt, To me the cheapest way to go is to build one with a blazer frame. I think you have to add 11" to the frame to have the correct WB. The only problem with that is you don't have the correct numbers. To alot of people, including me, this is no problem but if you have to sale it this might hurt it. Wes.

vtblazer · 06-18-2004, 05:56 PM

TruckHippy, good idea.
That was my reasoning as well...lengthening the blazer frame to fit makes the most sense to me too. Least amount of work it would seem also.
Got a couple of good hits on factory swb 4x4's...looking into those.

Thanks everybody for the input.

1970blazin · 06-18-2004, 07:28 PM

Montana:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...482481716&rd=1

06-15-2004, 07:24 AM	#1
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Build One-?? Got a situation here...I want a swb 4x4 fleet but their apparently very hard to come by So...what if I wanted to 'build' one? I've found a ton of 2wd's for sale for reasonable $$ and I already have a 4x4 blazer that's complete but torn down to just parts. Can I make one? Would I have enough/all the parts needed to make a 2wd into a 4x4? Is this a approach? Is it worth the effort? If the answer is to find a swb 4x4 frame, then I'm basically back to square one trying to find one of those.

06-15-2004, 05:17 PM	#4
highboy_04 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: kansas Posts: 1,071	get a 2 wheel drive truck and use all the parts off the 4wd blazer to make the truck 4wd and then take all the 2wd stuff and make the blazer 2wd. __________________ '67 c10 350/th350

06-15-2004, 05:50 PM	#5
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	You could always do what this guy on EBay did? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=5348 Put a 2WD body on a 4WD chassis. Check it out. __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

06-15-2004, 05:53 PM	#6
Bram Broke Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Plains,MO Posts: 385	Here is one for sale. http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...tos__ID/102911 __________________ 72CheyenneSuper1ton4x4BigBlock

06-15-2004, 06:58 PM	#7
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	vtblazer There are quite a few clean original 4x4 short fleets around for sale. As you stated they are a desireable item, especially the high optioned ones. I think that the problem is the amount of money you want to spend. I have checked in to quite a few of these and find a clean original or a nicely restored one is going to run you about the same as what you will have in one that has been built. I would say the value for a nicely optioned 4x4 short fleet truck is between 8 to 12 grand. __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

06-15-2004, 09:05 AM	#2
Stryker67 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fayetteville, Ga. Posts: 150	Go for it. If you can find a good short bed body. I think you should be able to use the Blazer parts and also use the Blazer frame as a template for locating the necessary hardware. The alternative would be to find a '73 and up 4X4 chassis and make the older body fit to it. I made the mistake of selling an original 72 4X4 eight years ago. Been kicking myself ever since.

06-15-2004, 09:11 AM	#3
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	You can use the blazer frame but it will turn out to be a real short bed because of the wheel base difference's.... You can use a newer frame as mudder 67 did and it turned out to be a real show stopper..

06-15-2004, 07:56 PM	#8
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	HERE ARE A FEW VT, http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...tos__ID/103059 http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...tos__ID/202811 http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...utos__ID/70319 http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...tos__ID/205615 http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...utos__ID/26300 __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

06-15-2004, 08:00 PM	#9
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Swb Hutch, your 100% right, a 12 or 15 grand outlay right now isn't in the trucking cards but I'm keeping my eyes on the one's between 8 and 10 The only reason I'm thinking 'build' is that I already have a 4x4 blazer sitting there collecting dust. One other minor issue is distance...I'm hoping to find something without the need for major body work, so that screams 'go west'. I'm just trying to exhaust all possibillities open to me. Buy vs. build. On the down side I just missed an awesome one in NY, only 200 miles from me Last edited by vtblazer; 06-15-2004 at 09:14 PM.

06-15-2004, 10:05 PM	#10
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	STILL LOOKIN, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...482233908&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...481895512&rd=1 :p __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

06-15-2004, 10:16 PM	#11
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Nice WOW, nice trucks but still holding out for a swb

06-18-2004, 04:24 PM	#12
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	VTBlazer, Check this out. Might be just what you're hunting for? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...2482385068&rd=1 __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

06-18-2004, 05:35 PM	#13
Truck Hippy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hickory, NC. Posts: 776	Vt, To me the cheapest way to go is to build one with a blazer frame. I think you have to add 11" to the frame to have the correct WB. The only problem with that is you don't have the correct numbers. To alot of people, including me, this is no problem but if you have to sale it this might hurt it. Wes.

06-18-2004, 05:56 PM	#14
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	SWB 4x4 TruckHippy, good idea. That was my reasoning as well...lengthening the blazer frame to fit makes the most sense to me too. Least amount of work it would seem also. Got a couple of good hits on factory swb 4x4's...looking into those. Thanks everybody for the input.

06-18-2004, 07:28 PM	#15
1970blazin Blazerless:-( Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Olympia WA Posts: 1,612	Montana: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...482481716&rd=1 __________________ 1970blazin 1970 CST Blazer-Orig. Dark Blue-SOLD Progress Pics of Blazer for sale



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.