ParB's 72 Orange Jimmy

[parb]

Hi all,

I figure I'll post my restoration of my Jimmy right here.
I found the truck on Craigslist September 2017 in Reno, NV.
A friend checked it out and told me it was a solid deal so I bought it over the phone.
It started and ran but first thing I did was taking it to a mechanic to check over the engine, drive train and transmission. All was okay which was surprising to me as the truck had seen minimum use over the last decade. Fresh fluids, spark plugs and other minor items and a new battery was installed. Tires was awful so I put on a new set of tires.

Took her out for a drive and got stranded with a broken fuel pump. Fixed that.
Also replaced the AC compressor which was broken.

Pics of the day I got her attached.

[parb]

Got new tires installed.
Pics of the major items that needs to be fixed.
Rust on rockers. Passenger door dented
Bumper and rear panel dented.
Rust on front quarter panel.

[parb]

Got the car smogged and registered. Those who know me knows what the license plate means... It's amazing to me that Washoe county in Nevada requires smog and CA does not... Ultimately this is going from Reno to mountain view in CA but I've decided to restore the truck up there.

Next week the car is going into the body shop.
I removed all interior and will send that to an upholstery shop tomorrow.
Almost no rust on the floor pan, one tiny spot with a bit of surface rust.
Sucked to be in the middle of the snow coming down and work on the truck but it had to happen...

Pics of the floor and interior.

Got the dash pad out. Took 4 hours and honestly my friend Alan did all the work. I had to work on Sunday. Was super happy that the dash wasnt cut up for the modern radio.
Need new air hoses and new glove box...
Need new rubber everywhere, especially the side windows are leaking.

[parb]

And the front pic

[parb]

The grille is pretty worn. Debating if I can clean it up myself or just replace it. Bumper is likely to have to be replaced to match the rear bumper which was bent/dinged to the point it had to be replaced. I already purchased the rear bumper so getting a new front and the grille seems like a logical next thing to do.

Need to restore the small emblems on the side. I assume people just clean up the metal and fill in paint with a fine brush? Or is there a different technique I should consider? While the truck is in the body shop in figure I will work on minor stuff just to get it done.

I decide to keep the original camper mirrors. Need to clean them up. Elbow grease and metal cleaner?

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by parb

The grille is pretty worn. Debating if I can clean it up myself or just replace it. Bumper is likely to have to be replaced to match the rear bumper which was bent/dinged to the point it had to be replaced. I already purchased the rear bumper so getting a new front and the grille seems like a logical next thing to do.

Need to restore the small emblems on the side. I assume people just clean up the metal and fill in paint with a fine brush? Or is there a different technique I should consider? While the truck is in the body shop in figure I will work on minor stuff just to get it done.

I decide to keep the original camper mirrors. Need to clean them up. Elbow grease and metal cleaner?

Posted via Mobile Device

[Tom Vogel]

Keep the original grill! It will actually fit, as compared to a repop which will not fit without a lot of work. Get it rechromed by a Good chrome shop, it will cost you, but trust me, it is the best course of action.
Posted via Mobile Device

[parb]

Thanks, i appreciate the advice! I'll do some elbow grease and a metal polish to start with, if that doesn't work then off to a replating shop it is!

[allchevy58]

Saw you had it in the driveway this morning when I went to work, what body shop did you decide on? Let me know if you need any help, I'm just down the street.

[parb]

Thanks!

I'm back in the Bay for work (using my good friends house to do a bit of the work).
The truck is at the body shop today (a gentleman called Chris from new Zealand who is right next to spraycraft). The interior is at Steve's custom auto interior to be reupholstered. Should take three weeks according to Chris. The upholstery shop has a few months to do their magic.

Wanted to get going with spraycraft in Reno for paint but had such a negative experience on Friday that I am looking elsewhere. Was there trying to drop $15k for a paintjob and the guy told me ha was too busy to talk to me!?! I tried to engage but he was just rude.

I'm considering Paramount auto body for paint. The seem knowledgeable and like they would do a good job. Thoughts on them?

I think I have found another trustworthy paintshop. Hope to finalize a plan with them in the next few weeks. Up in red Rock again on the 7th for my friend's mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary. Let's catch a cup of coffee if you're around?

[allchevy58]

Originally Posted by parb

Thank
I'm back in the Bay for work (using my good friends house to do a bit of the work).
The truck is at the body shop today (a gentleman called Chris from new Zealand who is right next to spraycraft). The interior is at Steve's custom auto interior to be reupholstered. Should take three weeks according to Chris. The upholstery shop has a few months to do their magic.

Wanted to get going with spraycraft in Reno for paint but had such a negative experience on Friday that I am looking elsewhere. Was there trying to drop $15k for a paintjob and the guy told me ha was too busy to talk to me!?! I tried to engage but he was just rude.

I'm considering Paramount auto body for paint. The seem knowledgeable and like they would do a good job. Thoughts on them?

I think I have found another trustworthy paintshop. Hope to finalize a plan with them in the next few weeks. Up in red Rock again on the 7th for my friend's mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary. Let's catch a cup of coffee if you're around?

Never heard anything bad about Paramount, people I know that have gone there for accident repairs have always been happy and the ones I’ve seen looked great. Good choice. Give me a shout when you’re back.

[Tom Vogel]

If you are in the Bay Area, you may wish to get in touch with 72K5CSTDarkOlive. He has a build on this forum and just recently went through the paint process. It might be a good idea to get his advice on a local shop for paint.
Posted via Mobile Device

[parb]

Great advice!

I have been chatting with him and I visited the shop he was using. If I can't get a good shop up in Reno then the shop in Bay area is my fallback plan. The Bay area ahop have a bit of a wait untill they can begin the work so I hope I won't have to do that.

[2wdChevyblazer]

Hey I just seen your photos..That is a really nice jimmy

[2wdChevyblazer]

original engine? Auto or stick?

[parb]

Originally Posted by 2wdChevyblazer

original engine? Auto or stick?

All original, 80,000 miles on the odometer. Auto transmission.

[SeventyOne]

Just found your build. MY Blazer is currently at the same shop in Santa Clara that 72K5CSTDarkOlive used. Great shop to work with.

[parb]

Super cool. That is my backup plan.

[lolife99]

Very cool Jimmy. Love the color!

[parb]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Very cool Jimmy. Love the color!

thanks, restoring it back to former glory. keeping it as stock as i can!

[lks dcvn]

That will look sharp when restored. Orange, white top and parchment interior...

[parb]

so my shop is telling me that im so close to the cost of doinga frame off restoration that i should consider that. the paint shop is quouting me $5k extra for putting the body on a rotisserie and powder coating the frame. i have to get the engine out and the body off the frame. i would have my mechanic take the engine and trans out and remove the body. im sure he will want another 20 hrs of labor at $80 per hour for that. lets figure an extra $10k between the mechanic and the paint shop and the extras im sure to add like brakelines etc.

what do you think, is it worth it? its right at that price point where im wondering if its really worth it... will i get an extra $10k for thw car if i sell it after ive done a frame off resto?


thoughts? opinions?

[SeventyOne]

If you're looking to recoup costs on a restoration...you're already asking the wrong questions.

If you're trying to flip this then put the least ammt into it. Just do paint and interior.

If you want to keep the thing for a long time - frame off. go for it.

[lks dcvn]

nailed it

[parb]

It's not a flip. I think you've crystalized the question well.

Thanks, it was very helpful to me. Off frame it is.