72 CST Blazer resto problems. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

superflydude · 01-18-2007, 04:35 PM

Here is a K5 I've been askin my friend about for a few years. He bough it in 1983 and drove it for a long time. He has been doin little stuff to it but passed it on to me now if I can fix her up. Plus free is a great price. I want to make it a really clean K5 maybe take it to some shows but still be able to roll around in it. Total tear down. I have some questions on it though. I got it running for a little bit, but should I get it driving before I tear it down to repaint and re do everything? I don't want to put brake lines on it and stuff if I'm just going to tear it down. The brakes or wheels are locking up bad cause it was a serious chore getting it on the flat bet and in my barn. Any suggestions? Also what do I do with the pitted pieces like door handles? Re-chrome, powder coat black, buy new? And unfortunately a tree fell on it and I think knocked the rear quarters out of whack cause the tail gate doesn't close now. There is a gap on each side. What should I do with that? And do you think its possible to fix the cover? I'd appreciate any help.

superflydude · 01-18-2007, 04:37 PM

How does it look for a fixer upper?

BUDDY · 01-18-2007, 05:19 PM

It doesn't look too bad, but you definitely have a LOT of rust going on there. If it were me, and it's not, I'd slice & dice it, 52" springs up front, 56 or longer & shackle flip in the rear, 14-bolt rear, 8-lug the d44, cut some more for the 40's & put in a full family cage.

Oh wait, that IS what my plan is for my truck.

Get it running & drive the piss out of it.

BTW, unless you or somebody you know is REALLY good with fiberglass, the top looks like a lost cause. Maybe you could chop it up & make a half-cab out of it or something.

Good luck & welcome,
Buddy

70rs/ss · 01-18-2007, 05:36 PM

Pull the tires and wheels off then look at the drums, they are probably rusted to the drums, or the rubber brake hoses have swelled and are holding pressure on the brakes. Man free is still going to be expensive!! Come to AZ I have a nice rust free K5, and you could drive it home and never see the road under your feet!! Not really trying to sell, but $5k would drive away from me, my point is this you will spend an @$$ load of cash fixing that one up with all that rust, maybe you'll be money ahead to spend more now and save some later!

bouncytruck · 01-18-2007, 05:44 PM

Pull the brakes apart and see if there is rust causing them to stick. Get it running and drive it for a few months to determine your plan. While you're doing that, start collecting the repop parts you're going to need (like the door handles, etc). Then tear it down and start the restoration. Get those rocker boxes replaced before you pull the top and/or the body off the frame. It looks like you live in (or the truck spent a lot of it life in) the salt belt, so you're gonna want to give everything the once over.

davesamnesia · 01-18-2007, 07:59 PM

Looks like you're gonna have your hands full for a while. You need to decide if ya want to drive it or restore it. If you're gonna drive it for now, re-do the brakes and figure out what you want to do. If you are gonna restore it take a look at some of the work fellow board members have done. jaros44 has done some really nice work and shows what he has gone through in his project. GQ is a nice one also along with hundreds of others. A total resto for show is EXPENSIVE and time consuming. I am NOT trying to talk you out of it but be fully aware of what you are getting into. I have over 7 grand in mine. It's not done, but close. I got mine at the same price you got yours for, and it is a daily driver. Labor hours are countless but they are what makes it worth while. The board members here are a priceless wealth of knowledge and are due a tremendous amount of respect. As far as chrome, almost everything is available as aftermarket. Your top...look for another one, they are out there. Bed sides sprung, measure distance front of box area to rear and compare. If they are sprung, look at all attachment points for broken bolts or welds. It can be fixed! bouncytruck is dead on as far as rockerboxes. If you do remove top to rework body, measure and support prior to cutting and removing.
And definitely NICE SCORE!!

RED72blazer · 01-18-2007, 09:05 PM

top's toast but the hatch is salvagable...

ClassicJimmy · 01-18-2007, 10:56 PM

No doubt a nice score for the price.

You definitly came to the right place for advice. This site rocks! The members rock! I'm sure glad I found it!Tons of repop parts availible & if your willing to put in the wrench time - it's only a matter of time before you got a sweet ride you can drive & be proud of. (That's my plan) If you decide to find a new top - I'd like to be the first to offer to take the hatch off your hands!

Just trying to help!

Jtrux · 01-18-2007, 11:11 PM

I would definitely drive it for awhile and the reason I say that is because once you start to tear into it, it could be a very long time before you ever drive it again. You might decide once you drive it that you'll want to do a "rolling restoration", where you fix thing as you go but not so much that it stays undriveable for a long period of time. For instance; get the brakes situated, give her a thorough tune up replacing all fluids, belts, hoses and maybe a carb rebuild and just drive it. Start replacing the other things as you go but try and keep it up and running if you can.

Just my two cents.

69TowRig · 01-18-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jtrux

I would definitely drive it for awhile and the reason I say that is because once you start to tear into it, it could be a very long time before you ever drive it again. You might decide once you drive it that you'll want to do a "rolling restoration", where you fix thing as you go but not so much that it stays undriveable for a long period of time.

I'm doing just that, a "rolling" restification of my K5. If it stays down too long I get discouraged, my inspiration to keep going usually comes when I fix something and take it for a drive.

red71cheyenne · 01-19-2007, 12:53 AM

Welcome to the board and I think most of the guys have already answered your questions. Looks like a pretty sweet ride for the NY area as far as rust goes. I'd fix it as I could and drive it til it died! Your top is all done, but the hatch will fetch a pretty penny. Good luck and keep us updated as to your progress.

krue · 01-19-2007, 01:35 AM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-19-2007, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davesamnesia

GQ is a nice one also along with hundreds of others.

1st - Thanks for the props, even though the PO did most of it

2nd -

From West TN

And

Between 2 owners mine has around $35K in it, and not done yet,
I would reconsider the SHOW aspect of it unless you have ALOT
of money laying around, just drive it and enjoy it, that's my $.02

Huck · 01-19-2007, 09:08 AM

Blazers are great fun but tougher to restore then trucks for a lot of reasons. The top is toast but there are more tops out there then blazers---I've got 3 extra's --take your pick--$150. each!!he,he,he~~. Brakes on blazers are a pita---I would do a total replacement of everything as piece meal just doesn't cut it. Rust zone creates another whole mess of issues---if the frame has rust damage and the windshield frame above the visors has holes---I would cut and run as the restore will cost more then the final result will ever realize. Huck

superflydude · 01-19-2007, 01:05 PM

Thanks for all the help I'll put off the tires and ake some pics. As for the body there is no rust I can see.

70rs/ss · 01-19-2007, 01:48 PM

I am guessing the PO mudded it up and the black paint is covering. The botoom is gone so with that kinda rust there I would almost bet my left shoe there is more and the body will get it. the windshield frame, the floors, the fenders, the rear quarters in front and behind the rear tires. If you can live with it, drive (after you get it road worthy). Save your money and come out west to buy your show resto candidate, cause I've never seen a rocker box (or lack of )like that out here!

Chevyman63 · 01-19-2007, 03:32 PM

from Michigan!

You have definately come to the right place. Enjoy!

**Yukon Jack** · 01-19-2007, 03:37 PM

Welcome to the board. I see the tire carrier sitting inside the K5. If all the hardware is there, it has some value so keep it. Did it come with the passenger seat and rear seat?

Can't beat free - the underneath shots do make me wonder how much rust might be hiding under the paint. The exterior shots make it look to be in pretty good shape.

I definitely agree you should try to get it road worthy and then enjoy it for a while. I drug my K5 home just about 3 years ago. It has set for alot of the time, but I am finally very close to being able to drive it.

Keep us posted on what you do to the K5.

Chris27 · 01-19-2007, 03:44 PM

Rocker boxes? You mean these trucks are supposed to have rocker boxes?

I'd go with the rolling resto, wait a minute, I am going with the rolling resto! Looks good, lots of potential.

superflydude · 01-19-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

Welcome to the board. I see the tire carrier sitting inside the K5. If all the hardware is there, it has some value so keep it. Did it come with the passenger seat and rear seat?

Can't beat free - the underneath shots do make me wonder how much rust might be hiding under the paint. The exterior shots make it look to be in pretty good shape.

I definitely agree you should try to get it road worthy and then enjoy it for a while. I drug my K5 home just about 3 years ago. It has set for alot of the time, but I am finally very close to being able to drive it.

Keep us posted on what you do to the K5.

Yes it came with the passenger and rear seat. Has a 4 barell carb on it but he gave me a new intake for it so i can save gas with a 2 barel carb on it.

**jaros44sr** · 01-19-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris27

Rocker boxes? You mean these trucks are supposed to have rocker boxes?

Do you have a part number for them rocker boxes? or aleast a pic of one J/K

Good luck, and get your booster shot every 5 years, yore gonna need it.

Can't beat FREE, more money for parts, check out the classified, anything you need will be on it at one time or another.

Thanks for the props, Dave. Hit a snag this week and have been on the same pc. of metal all week. Hope the boys are safe your in our prayers! J.

BTW, welcome aboard from Philly!!!

01-18-2007, 04:35 PM	#1
superflydude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brewster NY Posts: 29	72 CST Blazer resto problems. Here is a K5 I've been askin my friend about for a few years. He bough it in 1983 and drove it for a long time. He has been doin little stuff to it but passed it on to me now if I can fix her up. Plus free is a great price. I want to make it a really clean K5 maybe take it to some shows but still be able to roll around in it. Total tear down. I have some questions on it though. I got it running for a little bit, but should I get it driving before I tear it down to repaint and re do everything? I don't want to put brake lines on it and stuff if I'm just going to tear it down. The brakes or wheels are locking up bad cause it was a serious chore getting it on the flat bet and in my barn. Any suggestions? Also what do I do with the pitted pieces like door handles? Re-chrome, powder coat black, buy new? And unfortunately a tree fell on it and I think knocked the rear quarters out of whack cause the tail gate doesn't close now. There is a gap on each side. What should I do with that? And do you think its possible to fix the cover? I'd appreciate any help. Attached Images

01-18-2007, 04:37 PM	#2
superflydude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brewster NY Posts: 29	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. How does it look for a fixer upper? Attached Images

01-18-2007, 05:19 PM	#3
BUDDY Global warming is a myth Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 208	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. It doesn't look too bad, but you definitely have a LOT of rust going on there. If it were me, and it's not, I'd slice & dice it, 52" springs up front, 56 or longer & shackle flip in the rear, 14-bolt rear, 8-lug the d44, cut some more for the 40's & put in a full family cage. Oh wait, that IS what my plan is for my truck. Get it running & drive the piss out of it. BTW, unless you or somebody you know is REALLY good with fiberglass, the top looks like a lost cause. Maybe you could chop it up & make a half-cab out of it or something. Good luck & welcome, Buddy __________________ Henderson, NV 1972 K5 - Lifelong project - Needs Time, Place, Help & Parts!! 1990 K5 with 37's 2003 Discovery SE7 - Wife's

01-18-2007, 05:36 PM	#4
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Pull the tires and wheels off then look at the drums, they are probably rusted to the drums, or the rubber brake hoses have swelled and are holding pressure on the brakes. Man free is still going to be expensive!! Come to AZ I have a nice rust free K5, and you could drive it home and never see the road under your feet!! Not really trying to sell, but $5k would drive away from me, my point is this you will spend an @$$ load of cash fixing that one up with all that rust, maybe you'll be money ahead to spend more now and save some later! Last edited by 70rs/ss; 01-18-2007 at 05:36 PM.

01-18-2007, 05:44 PM	#5
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Pull the brakes apart and see if there is rust causing them to stick. Get it running and drive it for a few months to determine your plan. While you're doing that, start collecting the repop parts you're going to need (like the door handles, etc). Then tear it down and start the restoration. Get those rocker boxes replaced before you pull the top and/or the body off the frame. It looks like you live in (or the truck spent a lot of it life in) the salt belt, so you're gonna want to give everything the once over. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

01-18-2007, 07:59 PM	#6
davesamnesia Active Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Marshall, Mi. Posts: 197	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Looks like you're gonna have your hands full for a while. You need to decide if ya want to drive it or restore it. If you're gonna drive it for now, re-do the brakes and figure out what you want to do. If you are gonna restore it take a look at some of the work fellow board members have done. jaros44 has done some really nice work and shows what he has gone through in his project. GQ is a nice one also along with hundreds of others. A total resto for show is EXPENSIVE and time consuming. I am NOT trying to talk you out of it but be fully aware of what you are getting into. I have over 7 grand in mine. It's not done, but close. I got mine at the same price you got yours for, and it is a daily driver. Labor hours are countless but they are what makes it worth while. The board members here are a priceless wealth of knowledge and are due a tremendous amount of respect. As far as chrome, almost everything is available as aftermarket. Your top...look for another one, they are out there. Bed sides sprung, measure distance front of box area to rear and compare. If they are sprung, look at all attachment points for broken bolts or welds. It can be fixed! bouncytruck is dead on as far as rockerboxes. If you do remove top to rework body, measure and support prior to cutting and removing. And definitely NICE SCORE!! __________________ 70 K5 350/350 Air Dave

01-18-2007, 09:05 PM	#7
RED72blazer urban fourwheelin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,007	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. top's toast but the hatch is salvagable... __________________ 1972 K5 Blazer with Cummins 4BT, NV4500 swap in the parts gathering stage.

01-18-2007, 10:56 PM	#8
ClassicJimmy FNG to resto/mod world! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, Wa Posts: 196	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. No doubt a nice score for the price. You definitly came to the right place for advice. This site rocks! The members rock! I'm sure glad I found it!Tons of repop parts availible & if your willing to put in the wrench time - it's only a matter of time before you got a sweet ride you can drive & be proud of. (That's my plan) If you decide to find a new top - I'd like to be the first to offer to take the hatch off your hands! Just trying to help! __________________ 71 GMC Jimmy - under construction 75 GMC K25 Sierra Grande - under deconstruction 92 Chevy K2500 ECSB - sold 04 Nissan Titan ECSB Off Road - sold & missed 13 Ford F-150 Ecoboost (work truck) - sold 16 Ford F-150 Ecoboost (work truck)

01-18-2007, 11:11 PM	#9
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. I would definitely drive it for awhile and the reason I say that is because once you start to tear into it, it could be a very long time before you ever drive it again. You might decide once you drive it that you'll want to do a "rolling restoration", where you fix thing as you go but not so much that it stays undriveable for a long period of time. For instance; get the brakes situated, give her a thorough tune up replacing all fluids, belts, hoses and maybe a carb rebuild and just drive it. Start replacing the other things as you go but try and keep it up and running if you can. Just my two cents. __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

01-19-2007, 12:53 AM	#11
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Welcome to the board and I think most of the guys have already answered your questions. Looks like a pretty sweet ride for the NY area as far as rust goes. I'd fix it as I could and drive it til it died! Your top is all done, but the hatch will fetch a pretty penny. Good luck and keep us updated as to your progress. __________________ 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

01-19-2007, 01:35 AM	#12
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

01-19-2007, 09:08 AM	#14
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Blazers are great fun but tougher to restore then trucks for a lot of reasons. The top is toast but there are more tops out there then blazers---I've got 3 extra's --take your pick--$150. each!!he,he,he~~. Brakes on blazers are a pita---I would do a total replacement of everything as piece meal just doesn't cut it. Rust zone creates another whole mess of issues---if the frame has rust damage and the windshield frame above the visors has holes---I would cut and run as the restore will cost more then the final result will ever realize. Huck

01-19-2007, 01:05 PM	#15
superflydude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brewster NY Posts: 29	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Thanks for all the help I'll put off the tires and ake some pics. As for the body there is no rust I can see.

01-19-2007, 01:48 PM	#16
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. I am guessing the PO mudded it up and the black paint is covering. The botoom is gone so with that kinda rust there I would almost bet my left shoe there is more and the body will get it. the windshield frame, the floors, the fenders, the rear quarters in front and behind the rear tires. If you can live with it, drive (after you get it road worthy). Save your money and come out west to buy your show resto candidate, cause I've never seen a rocker box (or lack of )like that out here!

01-19-2007, 03:32 PM	#17
Chevyman63 Can't wait to retire!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corunna, MI Posts: 1,575	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. from Michigan! You have definately come to the right place. Enjoy! __________________ 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09



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01-19-2007, 03:37 PM	#18
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Welcome to the board. I see the tire carrier sitting inside the K5. If all the hardware is there, it has some value so keep it. Did it come with the passenger seat and rear seat? Can't beat free - the underneath shots do make me wonder how much rust might be hiding under the paint. The exterior shots make it look to be in pretty good shape. I definitely agree you should try to get it road worthy and then enjoy it for a while. I drug my K5 home just about 3 years ago. It has set for alot of the time, but I am finally very close to being able to drive it. Keep us posted on what you do to the K5. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-19-2007, 03:44 PM	#19
Chris27 Blazerless Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 274	Re: 72 CST Blazer resto problems. Rocker boxes? You mean these trucks are supposed to have rocker boxes? I'd go with the rolling resto, wait a minute, I am going with the rolling resto! Looks good, lots of potential. __________________ 72' K5 Blazer 4x4 350TBI/700R4/NP205 3/4 ton diffs. Daily driver. SOLD 69' Beaumont 388/700R4 11.70@116 77' Bronco, Wife's mall cruiser/poser 4x4. Capable but too pretty to go offroad.

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