blazer body work help

[briank]

I am tackling the pass side rocker (inner and outer), kick panel, floor support etc and have got the front portion of the body figured out and have moved to the rear. My front lower bed side is solid but I need to replace the rear pillar, b pillar and rocker box reinforcement. Question is, how can I get the b pillar out without damage to the lower front bedside? I have removed the rocker box reinforcement out but couldnt see up inside good enough to see the rear of the b pillar. Thanks

[turp mcspray]

I don't think you can get at the B pillar, without removing part of the bedside. Most of the time, they both need replacing.

[briank]

I hope I can figure something out as I am certainly not cutting the bed side. Looking at the LMC catalog the b pillar shows three holes as if it looks like it bolts in. Ill have to explore some more....boy a lift sure would help!

[john]

There are some pics in this thread that show the B pillar that might help.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=270838

[briank]

John, thanks a lot for that link. Shows the inners of the b pillar section. Looks like ill have to carefully cut off my b pillar at the bottom and patch it. Im certainly not gonna cut the original paint bed side to get to it. I guess ill have to fab the bottom portion as I dont want to pay 120+ for a new one when all I need is the tip.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by briank

John, thanks a lot for that link. Shows the inners of the b pillar section. Looks like ill have to carefully cut off my b pillar at the bottom and patch it. Im certainly not gonna cut the original paint bed side to get to it. I guess ill have to fab the bottom portion as I dont want to pay 120+ for a new one when all I need is the tip.

X2^ on the links......! I'm right in the middle of repair on mine too.

I'm really not too worried about how a fabbed patch will look because it will all be hidden anyway.

Both my bedsides are gonna come off too.

Here's mine driver's side:

[Rocketman72]

The 3rd photo shows the rust has extended into the flange of the outer bedside. Yes, it could be patched but I would cut out a section of the front lower bedside and replace it with a patch panel. This would give you access to the lower b pillar without issue.

I had to both sides on mine and it really wasn't a big deal.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Rocketman72

The 3rd photo shows the rust has extended into the flange of the outer bedside. Yes, it could be patched but I would cut out a section of the front lower bedside and replace it with a patch panel. This would give you access to the lower b pillar without issue.

I had to both sides on mine and it really wasn't a big deal.

Didn't want to hijack this thread, and won't post anymore on it after this, but I intend to remove and replace both bedsides anyway. They are a lot worse elsewhere than this picture shows.

[briank]

One more question. Is there a piece of flat steel just behind the rear pillar (not the b pillar). The piece seems to extend or be a part of the floor drop off.

[briank]

I figured it out. I explored today cutting a bit more out and saw that the piece I was asking about has bolt holes that the front of the reinforcement plates bolts to. Glad I was able where the piece ends so I made a pattern. I also made a tip for the b pillar as Im not paying $180 for one when I just need the tip, and more importantly I wont have to touch the bedside.

[dutchmanz]

Hey Brian...lets see some pics of what you are doing. I don't want to cut my bedside down the road either. I probably will anyway since I have the rusty spot on the pass side.

[briank]

Ill try to post but I only use my phone and they tend to rotate. Anyways I was able to access the b pillar by removing the tire and rocker box end cap (few broken bolts to deal with later.) I had already removed the rocker panel and rwr pillar but Ill show a pic of what I was dealing with.

[briank]

Heres a before pic

[briank]

Here are pics of it cleaned up (rust cut out), lowe b pillar tip I fabbed up and a shot of it installed with some self etching primer. Still a ways to go but with the tire removed I was able to separate the b pillar tip from the bedside with no damage to the bedside.

[briank]

Phone will only allow a couple at a time. Heres the b pillar tip installed and primed. Not finoshed but a lot better.

[briank]

First pic is normal and the others rotated, anyone no why?

[dutchmanz]

Not sure why the pics rotated unless you took them with the phone rotated. That's looks like something I'll have to try this winter. Nice work!

My kids are loving the seat too. The full black interior looks much better to me too, Thanks again.

[briank]

Thanks, still more grinding to do but Im happy , especially since I just started welding. Ill get plenty of praxtice as I have a drivers side to do when pass. side is done and a couple patches on the bed floor. Should be ready when the times comes for a full resto on my 72. Glad you like and can use the seat.