bracing up the body ?????? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1tonblaze · 06-02-2008, 09:06 PM

Well i am getting ready to take the hard top off my blazer for body work . the floor pans and rocker boxes are m.i.a thanks to being a plow truck in pa for along time . I dont want the body to fold up when i take it off . what has been some ways every one has done this ?

pound41 · 06-03-2008, 07:19 AM

Don't take the top off. Brace the door opening to help with the cowl when you cut out the kick panel etc. Get your floors, boxes etc done first then take the top off and do other body work

Big J · 06-03-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pound41

Don't take the top off. Brace the door opening to help with the cowl when you cut out the kick panel etc. Get your floors, boxes etc done first then take the top off and do other body work

Thats the way I did it. Take a look through my build thread. I didn't take the top off until I was done with the boxes and floors. I didn't need to brace the doors though. Do one side at a time too. It'll help keep things in check.

DANTES JIMMY · 06-03-2008, 06:02 PM

i didnt have to get that deep into mine but after looking through some of the other threads i agree
dont even loosen the top before making all the rocker box and floor repairs
maybe even make sure it hasnt allready "sagged" now
i didnt take the top off to cut out and repair my rocker panels and door jamb area just in case
it would be tuff or near improbable to realign with top off
i think

1tonblaze · 06-03-2008, 06:55 PM

thats the issuse i have another blazer that is being sold well the hard top needs to go with that truck that is being sold .

Malibu 496 · 06-03-2008, 10:58 PM

What if the body is already sagging with the top on?
What is the best way to get it straight without damaging anything else?

Thanks Josh

1tonblaze · 06-03-2008, 11:16 PM

mine was already saging and the doors where all hard to close i put the new body mounts in and it took care of all that . i had the top on when i did all this .

**jaros44sr** · 06-04-2008, 05:00 AM

Can't ya just leave it on the frame and do all your repairs, use your doors as the gauge to check your work. Mark your hinges on the A post, and remount your doors to the A post every time(take out all the guts of the door)

Make your frame and body level and take lots of measurements as referance. As J said "do one side at a time"

Mine was as bad as yours, must be something with Pa. trucks

Just my .02 cents

Chevyman63 · 06-04-2008, 07:20 AM

I agree, my top is long gone and I have to do a firewall swap so my plan is to use the doors and build a brace or bracing with turnbuckles for adjustment. Hopefully it will work...we'll see.

1tonblaze · 06-04-2008, 07:54 PM

yeah that was what i was hopeing for just use the doors to hold everything together i have access to another hard top to use just the one that is on the truck needs to go with the one i am selling .

1tonblaze · 06-13-2008, 05:58 PM

anyone got anymore ideas ?????

hellrazrblade · 08-11-2008, 07:48 PM

ttt - I'm looking at pulling the top off of mine pretty much permanently - would it help to put in a new set of body mounts first? It looks like the body lift was just stacked on top of the old mounts.

1tonblaze · 08-11-2008, 10:20 PM

I did all my body mounts with the top on and it held everything together pretty good . i still havent taken the hard top off of mine been to busy with the motor and drive train stuff to even worry about body work .

vtblazer · 08-12-2008, 07:30 AM

Having the top on is the preferred way but not the only way to achieve good results.

I used a gutted out truck door, that way I was sure the wing window strut would be correct and not bent out of shape like a blazer door can easily be.

START WITH GOOD HINGES!!

Mount the door and set the gap with to the windshield frame.

From there it's all about door opening measurements and the higher/lower orientation of the firewall to the bed floor.

An over simplified explanation but it should get you started.

If your gap at the windshield frame is good but your body lines with the quarter panel are low (door looks to be sagging) shim under the firewall...etc.

70rs/ss · 08-12-2008, 01:38 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=241695&page=3

This guy is an artist with metal, and his body bracing is spectacular. Do you need to do this, NO, but if you want to do it and have the best results, with the least amount of head scratching, this is the way I'd do it. For that matter, when my 2wd gets done I too will do it this way!!

06-02-2008, 09:06 PM	#1
1tonblaze Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carroll County Maryland , Posts: 828	bracing up the body ?????? Well i am getting ready to take the hard top off my blazer for body work . the floor pans and rocker boxes are m.i.a thanks to being a plow truck in pa for along time . I dont want the body to fold up when i take it off . what has been some ways every one has done this ? __________________ 1970 k/5 blazer--> money pit - 14bolt dana 44 350 sm465/205 36 14.50 16 tires 1972 nova plane jane 6 clyinder might sell might keep dont know 2004 chevy s-10 crewcab zr5 sold 1985 c20 chevy long bed , beater , on its way to a better place in pa from what the dmv told me 2010 kia forte koup 2.4 sx -over the river and threw the woods to the total lot it went . 1999 k1500 suburban 350 vortec 4l60e leather land yacht .

06-03-2008, 07:19 AM	#2
pound41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,268	Re: braceing up the body ?????? Don't take the top off. Brace the door opening to help with the cowl when you cut out the kick panel etc. Get your floors, boxes etc done first then take the top off and do other body work

06-03-2008, 06:02 PM	#4
DANTES JIMMY Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PENDLETON,INDIANA Posts: 271	Re: braceing up the body ?????? i didnt have to get that deep into mine but after looking through some of the other threads i agree dont even loosen the top before making all the rocker box and floor repairs maybe even make sure it hasnt allready "sagged" now i didnt take the top off to cut out and repair my rocker panels and door jamb area just in case it would be tuff or near improbable to realign with top off i think

06-03-2008, 06:55 PM	#5
1tonblaze Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carroll County Maryland , Posts: 828	Re: braceing up the body ?????? thats the issuse i have another blazer that is being sold well the hard top needs to go with that truck that is being sold . __________________ 1970 k/5 blazer--> money pit - 14bolt dana 44 350 sm465/205 36 14.50 16 tires 1972 nova plane jane 6 clyinder might sell might keep dont know 2004 chevy s-10 crewcab zr5 sold 1985 c20 chevy long bed , beater , on its way to a better place in pa from what the dmv told me 2010 kia forte koup 2.4 sx -over the river and threw the woods to the total lot it went . 1999 k1500 suburban 350 vortec 4l60e leather land yacht .

06-03-2008, 10:58 PM	#6
Malibu 496 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 159	Re: braceing up the body ?????? What if the body is already sagging with the top on? What is the best way to get it straight without damaging anything else? Thanks Josh __________________ 1970 blazer, street/strip project 1963 ford fairlane sports coupe 50,000 original miles

06-03-2008, 11:16 PM	#7
1tonblaze Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carroll County Maryland , Posts: 828	Re: braceing up the body ?????? mine was already saging and the doors where all hard to close i put the new body mounts in and it took care of all that . i had the top on when i did all this . __________________ 1970 k/5 blazer--> money pit - 14bolt dana 44 350 sm465/205 36 14.50 16 tires 1972 nova plane jane 6 clyinder might sell might keep dont know 2004 chevy s-10 crewcab zr5 sold 1985 c20 chevy long bed , beater , on its way to a better place in pa from what the dmv told me 2010 kia forte koup 2.4 sx -over the river and threw the woods to the total lot it went . 1999 k1500 suburban 350 vortec 4l60e leather land yacht .

06-04-2008, 05:00 AM	#8
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,766	Re: braceing up the body ?????? Can't ya just leave it on the frame and do all your repairs, use your doors as the gauge to check your work. Mark your hinges on the A post, and remount your doors to the A post every time(take out all the guts of the door) Make your frame and body level and take lots of measurements as referance. As J said "do one side at a time" Mine was as bad as yours, must be something with Pa. trucks Just my .02 cents __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim Last edited by jaros44sr; 06-04-2008 at 05:06 AM.

06-04-2008, 07:20 AM	#9
Chevyman63 Can't wait to retire!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corunna, MI Posts: 1,575	Re: braceing up the body ?????? I agree, my top is long gone and I have to do a firewall swap so my plan is to use the doors and build a brace or bracing with turnbuckles for adjustment. Hopefully it will work...we'll see. __________________ 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

06-04-2008, 07:54 PM	#10
1tonblaze Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carroll County Maryland , Posts: 828	Re: braceing up the body ?????? yeah that was what i was hopeing for just use the doors to hold everything together i have access to another hard top to use just the one that is on the truck needs to go with the one i am selling . __________________ 1970 k/5 blazer--> money pit - 14bolt dana 44 350 sm465/205 36 14.50 16 tires 1972 nova plane jane 6 clyinder might sell might keep dont know 2004 chevy s-10 crewcab zr5 sold 1985 c20 chevy long bed , beater , on its way to a better place in pa from what the dmv told me 2010 kia forte koup 2.4 sx -over the river and threw the woods to the total lot it went . 1999 k1500 suburban 350 vortec 4l60e leather land yacht .

06-13-2008, 05:58 PM	#11
1tonblaze Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carroll County Maryland , Posts: 828	Re: bracing up the body ?????? anyone got anymore ideas ????? __________________ 1970 k/5 blazer--> money pit - 14bolt dana 44 350 sm465/205 36 14.50 16 tires 1972 nova plane jane 6 clyinder might sell might keep dont know 2004 chevy s-10 crewcab zr5 sold 1985 c20 chevy long bed , beater , on its way to a better place in pa from what the dmv told me 2010 kia forte koup 2.4 sx -over the river and threw the woods to the total lot it went . 1999 k1500 suburban 350 vortec 4l60e leather land yacht .

08-11-2008, 07:48 PM	#12
hellrazrblade Purple People Eater Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 53	Re: bracing up the body ?????? ttt - I'm looking at pulling the top off of mine pretty much permanently - would it help to put in a new set of body mounts first? It looks like the body lift was just stacked on top of the old mounts. __________________ 1971 K5 Blazer 396ci/TH400/NP205/Dana 44/GM 12 Bolt/38" TSLs 2004 Chevy 1500 4X2 X-Cab 327ci

08-11-2008, 10:20 PM	#13
1tonblaze Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carroll County Maryland , Posts: 828	Re: bracing up the body ?????? I did all my body mounts with the top on and it held everything together pretty good . i still havent taken the hard top off of mine been to busy with the motor and drive train stuff to even worry about body work . __________________ 1970 k/5 blazer--> money pit - 14bolt dana 44 350 sm465/205 36 14.50 16 tires 1972 nova plane jane 6 clyinder might sell might keep dont know 2004 chevy s-10 crewcab zr5 sold 1985 c20 chevy long bed , beater , on its way to a better place in pa from what the dmv told me 2010 kia forte koup 2.4 sx -over the river and threw the woods to the total lot it went . 1999 k1500 suburban 350 vortec 4l60e leather land yacht .

08-12-2008, 07:30 AM	#14
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Re: bracing up the body ?????? Having the top on is the preferred way but not the only way to achieve good results. I used a gutted out truck door, that way I was sure the wing window strut would be correct and not bent out of shape like a blazer door can easily be. START WITH GOOD HINGES!! Mount the door and set the gap with to the windshield frame. From there it's all about door opening measurements and the higher/lower orientation of the firewall to the bed floor. An over simplified explanation but it should get you started. If your gap at the windshield frame is good but your body lines with the quarter panel are low (door looks to be sagging) shim under the firewall...etc. Attached Images

08-12-2008, 01:38 PM	#15
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: bracing up the body ?????? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=241695&page=3 This guy is an artist with metal, and his body bracing is spectacular. Do you need to do this, NO, but if you want to do it and have the best results, with the least amount of head scratching, this is the way I'd do it. For that matter, when my 2wd gets done I too will do it this way!!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.