'99 Blazer Facelift

[protrash64]

Hey there....Im popping over from the 60-66 area. I have decided to do a facelft on my Blazer and post a few pics as I go. I noticed that most on here seem to be DD's for everybody and mine is the same.

Bought in '01 it now has 97k on the clock and still runs well. Its had the usual S-10 stuff. Radiator blew out, intake gaskets, a few batteries, and an alternator. The worst stuff is always caused by others, in my case. Its been broken into twice and the first time was by the worst theives on the planet. After completely mangling the door w/ a screw driver, they tried to hammer out the lock. After being unsucessful, they finally just broke the window to steal a 90$ broken radio. Thanx butt-munches for the 1000 bucks in damage. I fixed the inside and someone decided they needed that stereo also.

Fast forward to 2 years later. Im finally fixing it after having leftover stuff from my '97 and wanting to upgrade this thing as I think it will be around for awhile. Its getting the door fixed, lowered 2/3 and some new wheels and tires. Everthing is Craigslist specials!!! Welcome to the new economy.

Anyway, heres what we are dealing with and I will update as it goes.

[protrash64]

Oh yeah, my first update. The donor door is all power...just pulled the handle and got it re-keyed for 20 bucks. I will have to get at the body work here pretty soon.

[Damien]

That sucks! You might be better off leaving the door unlocked and run a stock stereo. This is why i don't want to tint the windows in my T/A. Then they can see there is nothing inside worth stealing.

[protrash64]

I hear ya....where I used to work we left the trucks all unlocked cuz the owner didnt want the windows broken to find there is nothing inside.

My first update.......just got in from a spin around the hood with my new(used) Bell tech coils. Pounced on them for 40 bones off C.L. I spent the afternoon changing over to the new coils and they ride nicely. They are your stnd 2" drop. I measured and only lost 1.5". I hope they will settle out some more; whats your experience? It poses a dilema as I have 2 and 3" blocks for the rear. I was planning on using the 3" blocks to make the truck level at the wheel well.....30" in both front and rear. But I only lost 1.5" off the front. I think my old S10 settled a bit more after the initial install. I guess we'll see in the morning.

Oh yeah....the speakers had already been upgraded so this is getting a new stereo. I have Kenwood 6x9 in the rear and Fosgate 5+1/4 separates in the doors. The truck already had tweeters in the dash and I left them in...with the Pioneer it rocked!! Had a great sound stage. I'm planning on building a 14g security box for the stereo to mount below the dash. It will lock and require a sawzall or cutting torch to steal the head unit.

I'll post some pics tomorrow when I get the rear done.

[protrash64]

Ok, my 2" lowering springs only dropped 1.5". Back in the day, on my 97 S10, everything I put on dropped more than advertised. So today I used my 2" rear blocks so as not to get too low in the rear. Lower than the front anyway.


Took for a spin down to Carls Jr for a burger and it rode fine. I am a little disappointed that its not a little lower; I refuse to use 3" coils in front... too much negative camber.

Also noticed that I have some type of unserviceable front bearings. I had heard that GM changed the design in '99. What do people do if they want to use lowering spindles? Convert to earlier year?

Heres pic........more when I get something else done.

[protrash64]

Pulled out the handle yesterday and heres what I was dealing with; stretched and twisted metal. I beat on it for awhile and put in my replacement handle. Its not what I would call 'bodywork' but at least I have a functioning door handle for the first time in 2+years.

I'll pull it apart to fix it correctly at another time.

[protrash64]

Got the front windows tinted.....had privacy glass in the back from the factory. Just wanted it to match and be a little darker.

[protrash64]

Well, it looks like nobody gets on this section of the board. Oh well, heres my update.

I mentioned building a stereo security box and I have started building it. I have most of the parts made and need to start welding them together. But here it is so far. The two major pieces, the cover and the face. I have them bent up and then you can see how this will all come together. I still have to make the piece that will enclose this whole assembly and lock down thru the front horizontal piece in front of the radio hole.

[bdydrp97s10]

i like that radio safe

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by bdydrp97s10

i like that radio safe

Thanx.pretty sad, but Im tired of giving them away. The time I put into this will save me $$$ if it ever has to do its job. The $$$$$$ have added up quite a bit already.

[protrash64]

Ok, here is a series of pics for my 'radio safe'. I have it about 85% done now. I welded and cut and made noise all day.

Pics are as follows:
1. The box welded together.
2.Added some stands for the correct angle
3. Making a cover
4. Welding the cover sides on
5. The completed box and cover
6. The whole unit

[protrash64]

The completed unit..........

[Arad68]

I Like it!!!

[OARNGESI]

Coming along nicely

[protrash64]

Thanx guys........

[68C15]

where and how does it install? looks secure, I like it.

[87c10slammer]

like the radio box idea... most of the kids and neighbors know no to mess with my stuff and if any of them see someone messing with it then they call me and i would do the same for them... i dont live in the greatest neighborhood but we all have an understanding... it has proved usefull on a few occasions... but good way to keep your stuff safe... why not jsut get an 2 way alarm... then hook it up so you can hit a button and energize the doors to shock the hell out of someoe..lol

[protrash64]

Welcome to the Phoenix-metro area, guys. ....are your neighbors up all nite87c? I dont know why it happens to me!! At work, at the gym, my driveway, at Home Depot.......I dont even get really nice stereos!!! About 150 dollar Pioneers; they're my favorite.

68C15.......It will be mounted on the floor under the dash where the factory console has the rubber tray. It will use one factory mount in the middle and two bolts down thru the front 1.5" square leg. Im going to use 2 locks similar to those on a truck tool box. I will extend the harness and wrap it up thru the back of the dash to plug in at the factory location. Im planning on filling the dash hole with something and maybe painting the whole dash surround.

[screwballl]

I remember some time back elsewhere where someone built a custom box for the double DIN GM area that allowed them to push the stereo in and down making it look like the spot is empty, and then a type of spring load to bring it back up when they are in the vehicle.

[protrash64]

Sweet.......I would like to have had it in the stock location, but after staring in the hole for awhile you realize there is nothing to hook it to that is metal. Straight in is all the duct work and on the passenger sideis the airbag. Ive seen people mount them to the bottom of the console tray, but there is nothing keeping it held into place. Pure stealth......

[87c10slammer]

i work 3rd shift mostly so yeah i guess i am up all nite when im home... i dunno i usually have 6-8 cars out front of my house and when one goes tearing throw the neighbors lawn they tend to call me... i dont even know ho wthat guy started his car... i had the fuel pump relay in my house..lol ut he didnt get far and was then arrestd for trying to rip me off of the money he owed me for fixing his clunker... nothing like getting arrested fr stealing your own car..hahaha

[protrash64]

.....thats funny.

[protrash64]

Ok..update. I havent installed the radio box yet but its finished. Just needs a little more paint and then I need to make my wiring harness. I'll update it when its ready to go in the truck.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch......in an effort to try to fix up my Blazer and make it a little cooler along the way I figured I'd get some IROC wheels. Damn, hard to believe that 20years after they stopped making them people still like them. I had a hard time getting some but eventually scored. Again, found them on Craigslist, 89-90 style with about 300k worth of brake dust!!!! Wheel cleaner wouldnt touch it; broke out the brushes and then decided to refinish the machined surfaces to improve the looks a little. I still need to sand with finer grits and polish, but here they are.......along with another TOTAL Craigslist score....a set of hardly used Michelin pilots for 120 bucks....off a Mercedes.

[Arad68]

Originally Posted by protrash64

Ok..update. I havent installed the radio box yet but its finished. Just needs a little more paint and then I need to make my wiring harness. I'll update it when its ready to go in the truck.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch......in an effort to try to fix up my Blazer and make it a little cooler along the way I figured I'd get some IROC wheels. Damn, hard to believe that 20years after they stopped making them people still like them. I had a hard time getting some but eventually scored. Again, found them on Craigslist, 89-90 style with about 300k worth of brake dust!!!! Wheel cleaner wouldnt touch it; broke out the brushes and then decided to refinish the machined surfaces to improve the looks a little. I still need to sand with finer grits and polish, but here they are.......along with another TOTAL Craigslist score....a set of hardly used Michelin pilots for 120 bucks....off a Mercedes.

I got a set of those wheels!

[bird7263]

Hey Jeff, Lets see some pics of the Radio install.. I am super curious to see how this works.. You can name it something like, Super sneaker tweaker deleter.