72 jimmy build, learning experience

[lleff]

I would like to start off by saying thank you i have read through many threads on this site and learned from all of them. I also really enjoyed reading others builds so i figured i might as well start my own.

Well it all started when i found out i was going to have a little boy. I figured it was time for a more family friendly toy. My uncle had this 72 jimmy he had decided to part with that he has traded his 71 (i think) c30 rollback for a few years ago. I figured it would be the perfect family cruiser, so i asked if we could work out a deal. i ended up trading a 2000 1/2 ton chevy pickup and some cash for this jimmy that seemed to be pretty solid. On the outside anyway. I had plans to buy a lift kit and some bigger tires and just drive it. I had to address a few maintenance items such as u joints and brakes. while i was underneath i noticed it looked like some pieced were really rusted and hardly there. i quickly learned what a rocker box was and that i had none. after digging deeper i noticed all the shotty patch panel work that had been done. I was far from impressed and decided if i wanted to hall my family in this i needed to tear it apart and do everything right. This is my first attempt at anything like this i have never done any body work before this so this is quite the undertaking for me. here is my progress so far. and i apologize for my terrible grammar and punctuation.

Lucas

[lleff]

here are a few more pictures of the slow progress

[lleff]

and the last few, i am currently working on modify the truck one piece floor pan for the front, do not have any pictures of that yet

[lks dcvn]

Looks like you are making some great progress! How was removing the floor from the truck and reinstalling the bedside? I'm considering this on my project down the road instead of fixing what is there.

Keep the pictures coming!

[lleff]

Originally Posted by lks dcvn

Looks like you are making some great progress! How was removing the floor from the truck and reinstalling the bedside? I'm considering this on my project down the road instead of fixing what is there.

Keep the pictures coming!

I cut the middle of the floor out in one big section. Then attacked the sides where all the carriage bolts were so I could get at the top and bottom of them at the same time. While I was removing the floor and installing I used some 1” square tubing in a triangulated pattern welded just the lip of the bedside to hold it up. I put it in the middle of the bedside so I would be able to push the rear of the bedsides out enough to clear the new floor. I kept the frame under the truck so I would have to drop the new and old panel all the way to the floor to remove and install them. Also because the mrs think she needs to park in the garage so I’m limited for space. I hope some of that makes sense. If you need me to clarify anything or have more questions feel free to ask.

[lks dcvn]

Makes sense - nice work! Keep the pictures coming.

[GMC-YA68]

I love seeing full builds like this happen in 1, 2 or 3 car garages that all us poor folk only have...trust me, that itself will probably be the hardest/most challenging part of your build!

Congrats on the project. Take what you think your budget is and multiply by 1.5 and that will be the baseline of where you come out. Good luck.

[lleff]

well I am finally starting to get back to work on the jimmy. i have included a few pictures of what took up most of my time this summer. The little boy sure seems to enjoy it. anyway started back to work on the modifying the truck floor pan. im almost done with the exception of removing the front seat brace from the old floor and a few other items.

[cst 72 blazer]

Following cool build

[lleff]

Finished up the last of the modifications to the truck floor pan tonight, hopefully I can get it installed tomorrow

[Getter-Done]

Wow Great job on the playground set and
Also on the Blazer.
I will follow along.

[lleff]

Managed to get the floor pan mostly installed today. I had a helper who thought he should be the first to test it out. Hopefully sooner than later we can be taking rides down the road in it

[Getter-Done]

Great Job on the floor pan.
You have got the best help ever.
I still remember helping my Daddy
When I was that young.
Just got to say
Laugh out Loud / You Better Hide The Keys.

[lleff]

It has been a while but i have managed to make some progress, firewall is mostly installed, rocker boxes are in, body is back on the frame temporarily, and new bedsides are on.

[lleff]

few more pictures