Looking for comments on an idea

[JJorgensen52]

I've always wanted a 1st gen Blazer, but I want something 100% reliable and well mannered on the road. I've been toying with the idea of doing a late model chassis swap into the old body style, but was at a loss as to how to compensate for the difference in wheelbase. Cut down the chassis, or extend the body?

The image is to scale, so I've added the 16" needed to the wheelbase ahead of the rear wheel. Oddly enough, an '09 Silverado has almost the same overhang on the chassis as the old blazers do.

Original:


Lengthened:


(and yes, the pics came from ebay). Tell me what you think.

[OARNGESI]

Actually looks decent why not cut down the burb BUT I LIKE THE STOCK LENGTH BLAZERS BETTER SO CUT THE FRAME OR SWAP EVERYTHING TO YOUR FRAME

[vtblazer]

May as well get a truck and throw a top on the bed, it would look about the same as the 2nd pic in the end.

What's the wheelbase your shooting for?

Where do your skills lie?
Are you a body-man, glass worker, welder?
All the above?

It would be fairly simple to lengthen the body by just adding/grafting a truck bed onto the 'B' pillar & floor area of the blazer tub but the hard top would be the issue there.
Might make it look 'station wagon-ish' IMO going that route.

Shortening the frame would be very doable too but then your changing the ride characteristics of the later model chassis and the ride your looking to achieve.

How about a third option?
Build the truck your hoping for from an existing 1st gen.

[JJorgensen52]

VTBlazer -
The stock wheelbase on the newer chassis is 120", according to information I've seen the stock blazer is 104" (correct me if I'm wrong).

As for skill level... I think I would be more comfortable with chassis work, but I can do sheet metal fabrication and I do my own prep/paint work. The glassing involved with the top doesn't daunt me, either, although It seems it would be easiest to just mate two tops together, vice extending one.

Part of the reason I'd had the idea in the first place, was keeping all the newer mechanical components for driveability/comfort, but also for serviceability. To that end, I thought of lengthening the body just to avoid changing any of the parts on the late model chassis for interchange purposes.

That said, I drive a new gen Silverado now (technically an 07 due to the build date, but it's an 08 model). I've crawled under the truck, checked and double checked everything, and it would be relatively simple to section 16" out from under the cab right ahead of the spring perches (because, essentially, all the extra length is in the cab). Shortening fuel lines, exhaust, drivetrain, etc would all follow suit without too much issue. I do not believe that it would hugely effect the ride quality, since the biggest improvement in the new trucks is the coilover front end. MAJOR improvement over anything I've driven before. That and the chassis stiffness certainly wouldn't hurt.

Given that it will be a while before I actually do this (I have 2 other projects to get rid of first), I've just been toying with ideas back and forth. I do agree that it might look station wagon-ish.

*prepares to don flame suit*

[bama51]

If you wanna drive it topless, I like the shortened frame. If you want it to seal up good (from water and wind noise), I would shorten a suburban to fit your frame. Just my opinion.

[JJorgensen52]

Originally Posted by bama51

If you wanna drive it topless, I like the shortened frame. If you want it to seal up good (from water and wind noise), I would shorten a suburban to fit your frame. Just my opinion.

Should have mentioned, want a blazer for the topless abilities.

[Chevyman63]

I would think shortening the frame would be a lot less work and I really don't like the longer version of the Blazer. Just my $.02.

[LUV2XCLR8]

I say hack the chassis, but that's just my $.02

[Yukon Jack]

I don't care for the extended body version - chop that frame if you do it, would surely be way less work.

[Jtrux]

I say just swap in a modern drivetrain into a 1st gen, it will take about 1/1000th of the time and money and did I mention time.

[DANTES JIMMY]

I have pondered this for some time and i think it is a fantastic idea and really wish you would do it
i work at a chevy dealership
and i researched a little bit
2008 MODEL YEAR
1/2 ton sb silverado or sierra
wb 119"
3/4 ton lb silv or sierra
wb133"
trailblazer 4x4 with a 5.3 v8 or a 6.0(ss)
wb113"
i can look up any of this stuff for you real quickly if you need any other specs on gm products just let me know
ie: Track width,overhang....
The 07 classic wb numbers are the same
i would think shortening the frame would be a cakewalk compared to extending the body

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by Chevyman63

I would think shortening the frame would be a lot less work and I really don't like the longer version of the Blazer. Just my $.02.

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

I say hack the chassis, but that's just my $.02

x2 Cutting down the chassis would be far less involved and cheaper than extending the body.

[Blazer1970]

Nice, but the top will still leak in the rain.

[pumpkin]

My vote would have to be to make the stock frame and suspension work. The newer ifs trucks, to me don't drive much better than my lifted,on 35's 72 Blazer. The ifs suspension also has a lot more maintenance required, and more parts that will and do wear out. In theory it sounds like a cool idea, but as a mechanic of 30 years, the more I work on the newer **** that all the manufacturers are building, the more I want to stay with my old stuff. In my family, the daily drivers are 72 C20 2WD, 72 Blazer 4X4, 81 Grand Prix, and my wife drives a 97 Yukon 4X4. I have tuned the steering and suspension in the older ones, and prefer driving them much more, and the older ones are cheeper to keep the front ends in good shape, and the tires wear and last better.

[fun in dirt]

Originally Posted by Blazer1970

Nice, but the top will still leak in the rain.

I'll second that!!!