Ratchet's Blazer - 1970 2wd with Original paint

[smbrouss70]

Ran into a problem driving to my Dad's house on Friday. As soon as I got on the interstate it started coughing and sputtering. I pulled over and found that I wasn't getting fuel to the carb again. I had my wife tow me to the next exit to get it off of the Interstate while I ran home to get my truck and trailer. After I finally got to my Dad's house it was getting dark so we unpacked a few parts and decided to get after it early the next morning.

Two of my buddies came over to help yesterday. It went slower than I was hoping, but fighting to take 44 year old parts apart sometimes is a pain. We got most of the front end done. Still need to finish greasing the new components and double check tightness and cotter pins and install the sway bar and brackets. I wanted to get the front on the ground so that my volunteers had something to see before they went home, so we threw on the front wheels and tires and dropped it down. I LIKE IT! The front end should be very tight now as every bushing, ball-joint, tie-rod, etc. is new. The components that were removed were worse off than I thought they would be, even though it felt pretty tight while driving it.

It will camp out at my Dad's house until I can get back to it as I ran out of time to get it all done. At least I have some progress made though.

These are the only pics that I am willing to share right now.

[Tom Vogel]

Those wheels and tires are sweet!

[Hart_Rod]

Looks great!

[62 short step]

Those thumbs look familiar! Lol!

[LUV2XCLR8]

Awesome!

[bk04z66]

Very cool k5

[smbrouss70]

Thanks guys! I can't wait to get home and be able to finish it up.

[smbrouss70]

Well, after 3 weekends of running to my Dad's house to work on the Blazer, it is finally lowered with the new wheels. EVERYTHING underneath it is new, including bearings in the differential (it had shims falling out when I swapped axles from the worn out bearings). It rides, drives, and stops better than a brand new 1970 Blazer. I couldn't be happier! Here's a few pics for y'all.

[Tom Vogel]

Very nice. You gotta be happy.

[Hart_Rod]

Looks great!

[smbrouss70]

I've been wanting a lowered 2wd first-gen Blazer since I was 13 or 14 years old. I'm now 40 so this is literally a dream come true!

[LUV2XCLR8]

Congrats Buddy

[fxdxharley]

congrats man. she looks great at that ride height and sporting her new shoes.

[C10_ustacould]

Lookin' GOOD bro!!

[smbrouss70]

Thanks Guys! I was able to cruise it around a little this past weekend and I'm starting to like the granny 4-speed. I may just leave it. I guess I will have to see how bad it is when I am stuck in traffic at CTC this year before I decide which way I will go.

[LUV2XCLR8]

If it was mine I wouldn't change anything else, but it ain't.

[smbrouss70]

The interior needs work and I found that it needs a C-notch with my big ass in there. Kevin is going to fix the only bit of rust in the driver's rocker and knock out a dent on the passenger's door. Then a full polish and new trim and call it good!

[Blacked Out]

Great looking truck and I'm glad to see progress. I'm looking to do a ECE 4/6 drop as well and wondered what you think of the ride quality compared to stock? Also, the driveway is sloped in most of the photos, so I can't tell if the 4/6 drop leveled the truck or put the rear raked lower than the front. I've read that the Blazers drop an extra inch or two in the rear when lowered due to the extra weight.

[smbrouss70]

Thanks for the compliment!

The ride quality is a little better and more comfortable than when it was stock height. I also replaced every wear item while I was lowering it and added a sway bar to the front so it is definitely more "confidence inspiring" now while driving. The extra weight in the back does bring it down a little lower in the rear than trucks that I have put the same kit on, which is why I have a c-notch waiting to go in after I get it back from my painter. It does still have just a little rake to it on flat ground (front lower). My Blazer is right at 14 5/8" to 14 3/4" at all 4 wheels from the center of the hub to the highest part of the wheel opening, which with the front wheel opening going higher up into the body than the rear gives it just enough of a "hot rod" rake to it.

Here is a photo of it on the trailer getting ready to go in for an alignment which is a little better at showing the actual rake, especially when you look at the trim compared to the side rail of the trailer. It is strapped down in the pic, but the suspension is free to move so that is the actual rake or very close to it.

[Splash4195]

Nice Blazer!!!

[sierragrande71]

Man, smbrouss70 I love your blazer!

[smbrouss70]

Thanks guys!

It is at my painter's shop right now. I went to visit it this weekend, I'll post some pictures later today.

[smbrouss70]

Well, I needed to see the Blazer while it was all torn apart, so I drove to Natchitoches Saturday so that Kevin & I could go play with the Blazer. We finished getting it torn apart.

Kevin & I were able to pull the right front fender, left door, and remove the driver's rocker panel, as well as replaced the bushings under the core support. I was extremely nervous about what we might find behind that rocker panel, but we were both relieved to find that most of the rot was stuff that we could see without removing anything, so I was ecstatic that everything looked better than I had imagined it would.

Here's a few pics for y'all. Nobody has seen this rust unless you have seen the Blazer in person because I never wanted to take pictures of the bad stuff.

Kevin will do a full polish after he color-matches the NOS rocker that is going on, then I have ALL new trim and emblems to put on. I should have enough time after I get it back to change out most of the weatherstripping, re-cover the seats, and make sure it is reliable before Cruisin' the Coast in October. Once Kevin is done working his magic, the only rust left on the whole thing will be in the middle of the bed floor which I can graft in new sections on my own since it will be hidden by carpet or a rubber mat anyway.

[sierragrande71]

Wow that thing is clean!

[smbrouss70]

Got a little update today from the body shop! Looks like the original paint is polishing up nicely. I should get it back this weekend with all new trim on it, but it will be raining all weekend, so it might be a while before I can get some good pics up.