new to the site- introduction and my chevy

[bbeyer]

New here, new to chevys too. I always messed around with dodge pickups and ramchargers.
But I just got this 82 shortbox, 36" fun country's, 30k miles on the 350, auto trans, regeared axles.. Unknown amount of lift.. I think its 4" susp/2" body.

I got it because the previous owner didn't want to spend the time or money fixing the rust. Its got bad rot in the roof of the cab.
The plan might be to turn it into a beach truck, cage it, cut the top off, and put a bikini canvas roof on it, with neoprene seat covers on blazer seats.

Has anyone done this, and what do the mid 70's blazers look like where the windshield frame is cut? I know lmc sells the cap off parts that those blazers used.
I'm trying to post pics but perhaps I need to make more posts before I can attach images?

[bbeyer]

Pic

[bbeyer]

Pics of rusty roof

[cadillac_al]

Dude, I live in rust country and I ain't never seen a roof rusted like that. It must have gotten full of leaves in there and never used for a few years; weird. Welcome to the board. I'm sure you will find some helpful info here from some of the old timers.

[dfrank]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

Dude, I live in rust country and I ain't never seen a roof rusted like that. It must have gotten full of leaves in there and never used for a few years; weird. Welcome to the board. I'm sure you will find some helpful info here from some of the old timers.

Same here. I have seen some bad rust up here in PA, but never on a roof like that!

[motornut]

Welcome ,looks like some work there.
It will need some reinforcement if your going "blazer" on it,(here) if you modify/move belts it needs reinspection.
I have seen it rusty there before on cars,I'd say could be salty road spray.
but the front of the roof may have leaked,from the visor,
pooled to the side if truck was parked/tilted?

[whiskeydented]

Nice looking truck. I would just find another cab for that.

[walkerb]

Ocean salt possibly? That rust is unlike what l have seen before. Crazy

[walkerb]

Or that visor caused it

[midnight rambler]

Cut the roof off weld a donor on.

[bbeyer]

Yes we are on long island. I helped put this truck together back around 1998, my buddies dad had a body shop and this truck started out brown, he bought new bedsides and painted the truck but I think he missed some important prepping steps because the paint peeled in some spots, etc.. Also the guy he sold it to in the early 2000's drove it through the salt water a few times (not that that would affect the roof)
I like the topless idea, since the truck body is already whooped, I can just whack the top off and make it a beach cruiser that I can fit my kids in.. ( the law doesn't really like people throwing kids in the back of a pickup anymore) if I had seats bolted in with seatbelts and a cage, it would be safe and pretty cool too... Until it rains, but whatever. And if I ever find a clean cab, I can always change my mind and put the pickup back to original

[bbeyer]

....and plus, I'm not spending any time welding s donor roof onto this cab, the rocker/lower door will area is all rotted out on the p/s too

[bbeyer]

I don't see where it would need reinforcement, as long as I don't remove the bed front and cab wall. Obviously the seat belt points should be plated for strength

[motornut]

Originally Posted by bbeyer

I don't see where it would need reinforcement, as long as I don't remove the bed front and cab wall. Obviously the seat belt points should be plated for strength

I was thinking reinforcement for the cab,if it's that soft(rockers and roof) it will flex

[cadillac_al]

If the rest of the truck was solid it would be a good excuse to chop the top. I haven't seen a chopped square for a very long time. If it's a cancer buggy then I would try to enjoy a couple mud bog competitions for some fun.

[bbeyer]

We don't have "mud bogs" here. The rest of the truck is pretty much "OK" besides rotted out sections by the tailgate hinges on the passenger side.. The front clip is all OK, etc.

I'm just trying to make something cool for the short term to use this summer, then sell it maybe

[tucsonjwt]

My standard comment - buy a rust free desert southwest truck and have it shipped to you for $800-$900. Take your good parts and put it in the donor truck, sell leftover parts off rust truck, scrap the rest.

[rusty76]

Still good looking truck.

[bbeyer]

Ordered a K5 blazer interior roll bar from these guys http://www.offroadltd.com/Chevy%20Custom.htm

I didnt get the full cage, but just the K5 roll bar, plus hes sending me an additional cross brace to weld in , as far back as I can .. to mainly provide a place to fasten a rag top.

Ordered a few rust repair panels from LMC truck too, so the roof is gonna be chopped. Only issue with that is, in some spots, the rust goes right up to the windshield seal. Looks like Im gonna have to remove the glass and make up some new pieces to be welded into the top of the window frame.. either that or find a donor cab and I can simply graft the top section onto this cab.

this isnt going to be anywhere near show quality.. I just want a cool summer rig thats safe

My tailgate post on the right side is all rusted away, too. Has anyone dealt with changing one? looks like some spot welds to cut, not a big deal.. just time

[bbeyer]

Build pics.

[bbeyer]

More pics

[UKNOWME]

Looks cool! Are you chopping the doors too?

[bbeyer]

I capped the chopped areas, after completely rebuilding the area above the windshield which was totally rotted away...
Blazer seats and hard to find bucket seats rails for a pickup went in, I have wetsuit style covers coming as we speak, and I need to mount the rear seat still, get front seat belts, and have a bikini roof made

[bbeyer]

For paint I used rattle can stuff that I ordered to match the paint code (viper red). I'm happy with how well it matched. I've wet sanded but not buffed/polished it yet

[bbeyer]

More pics.
I got to do my first rocker repair too