What comes first...body work or drivetrain? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blizz · 08-18-2008, 12:59 PM

I know some people want to get their Blazers running at any cost even though their tubs could use some work...and some want the body squared away before the drivetrain is done. I personally want to get my floors, doors and fenders done before I start working on the engine. What say the good people of the board?

**raggedjim** · 08-18-2008, 01:23 PM

If you drive it a lot I'd say get it running good. But if you have time for it to sit (and sit, and sit...) do the body work first.

Tha ones I did the engine first always seemed to get sold before I ever got the body straight. The one's I started on the body first seem to take forever...

Rg

AJs72K5 · 08-18-2008, 02:20 PM

If it's not running now, take your time and get the bodywork done. You'll end up having to pull some of the drivetrain out anyway. No sense in doing it twice.

Big J · 08-18-2008, 02:43 PM

If your going all out do any wrenching first. If you can build a tub dolley or have a extra rolling frame layin' around that'd work too. My thought is why risk damaging nice new paint when dropping a motor in or having to cut this or hammer on that. I have a extra rolling chassis, its working great to do the body work. Just my .02...

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-18-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big J

I have a extra rolling chassis, its working great to do the body work. Just my .02...

You need to preach this harder Brother and maybe my roller
will find a new home sometime this fall. (Go J!, Go J!, Go J!)

69TowRig · 08-18-2008, 05:34 PM

For me, all the "mechanicals" are easy to work on so I have been getting my truck to "driver" status up to this point. Now I am at the crossroads of serious bodywork or serious drivertrain work.

I am choosing to wait on the drivetrain (even though my 307 is over-tired) because I want the body to be worthy of a nice drivetrain. If I do the drivertrain work it will end up rotting out the body even more before I get to fixing it all.

Critter · 08-18-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big J

If your going all out do any wrenching first. If you can build a tub dolley or have a extra rolling frame layin' around that'd work too. My thought is why risk damaging nice new paint when dropping a motor in or having to cut this or hammer on that. I have a extra rolling chassis, its working great to do the body work. Just my .02...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69TowRig

For me, all the "mechanicals" are easy to work on so I have been getting my truck to "driver" status up to this point. Now I am at the crossroads of serious bodywork or serious drivertrain work.

My opinion falls somewhere inline with the two quotes above. In a perfect world I would do them simultaneously and assemble everything at once but that takes a lot of workspace and money all at once.

MrBeast · 08-18-2008, 08:52 PM

I always do drive train first. Expecially if I am modifying the heck out of something.

Also if the worst happens it is much easier to sell a ugly truck that runs good than a pretty truck that doesn't run.

Blizz · 08-18-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big J

If your going all out do any wrenching first. If you can build a tub dolley or have a extra rolling frame layin' around that'd work too. My thought is why risk damaging nice new paint when dropping a motor in or having to cut this or hammer on that. I have a extra rolling chassis, its working great to do the body work. Just my .02...

I'm not planning to go all the way with the body first. I'm talking about getting the floor sections replaced, the kick pans and rockers, then replacing both fenders and the doors and fixing any serious dents. I know it's never going to be a show truck so that's not what I'm after, I just want it looking good. Once I'm done with all of that, before paint, I'm gonna proceed with the drivetrain. The ultimate goal is to make it as reliable as possible. So I'm thinking I'll probably take this engine apart, so I know what I have, rebuild it and use it until I can get a 350 EFI vortec, like my Tahoe.

FlatBrokeRacing · 08-18-2008, 09:09 PM

Driveline, then brakes/rims&tires, Paint and body last

Make it safe to drive, then make it look good last.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-18-2008, 11:27 PM

Before you tear down the motor lets check the compression on the cylinders. If the are all the same, we'll look into the carb. I would'nt yank everything yet. Let's see what's what. As far as the bodywork, just do the floor and drive it for a while. Paint it in the spring. Get all the bugs out of it in the summer and fall. Later bro.

haus · 08-19-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlatBrokeRacing

Driveline, then brakes/rims&tires, Paint and body last

Make it safe to drive, then make it look good last.

i agree with flatbroke. i have no problem driving something that isn't pretty as it could be, but i couldn't stand looking at a beautiful truck that i can't drive - it would just eat at me. besides, by the time i had that much effort into the body, i'd be scared to drive it for fear of rocks or parking lots.

vtblazer · 08-19-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blizz

I'm not planning to go all the way with the body first. I'm talking about getting the floor sections replaced, the kick pans and rockers, then replacing both fenders and the doors and fixing any serious dents.

Even what your talking about is a lot of work and many times the "might as well" disease kicks in and all the sudden it's three years since you've driven your favorite ride.

Since your asking for advise/opinion's, mine would be bite off only as much as your can handle, both monetarily and skill wise.

**raggedjim** · 08-19-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blizz

I'm not planning to go all the way with the body first. I'm talking about getting the floor sections replaced, the kick pans and rockers, then replacing both fenders and the doors and fixing any serious dents.

That was my plan, 3 years ago. But, in my defense, I have made some progress... 3 more years I should be done...

Rg

Blizz · 08-19-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Even what your talking about is a lot of work and many times the "might as well" disease kicks in and all the sudden it's three years since you've driven your favorite ride.

I haven't driven it up till now anyways so that's not gonna bother me all that much. I just wanna shore up the floors, doors and fenders and then get it running. I have all the parts I need for the most part and just need someone to do it and I have that lined up as well. At this point it's all about the $$.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-20-2008, 08:04 PM

Dude, if i had your truck i'd be driving it everyday. I'm close to getting mine on the road. Even as close as i am, it still kills me that i can't drive it yet. I say charge the battery, clean the plugs and tromp on it for a while. Get her on 1604 and open it up. Floor or no floor, you're on 6" of lift and 35's. The floor doesn't affect the "cool factor" anyways. JMO though. Later Bro.

Critter · 08-21-2008, 12:15 AM

Kinda hard to put "the pedal to the metal" without it, though!

BLUE THUNDER · 08-21-2008, 12:58 AM

That just means he took the governor off.

08-18-2008, 12:59 PM	#1
Blizz Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 372	What comes first...body work or drivetrain? I know some people want to get their Blazers running at any cost even though their tubs could use some work...and some want the body squared away before the drivetrain is done. I personally want to get my floors, doors and fenders done before I start working on the engine. What say the good people of the board? __________________ '72 K5 CST Blazer 4x4 in perpetual progress '96 2dr Tahoe 4x4 daily driver, Black Bear Performance tune, 285-75-16 Nitto Grapplers, Magnaflow muffler, K&N Air filter, Bilstein Shocks.........E-fan, DT Tri Y or Pacesetter LTs coming soon

08-18-2008, 01:23 PM	#2
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,476	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? If you drive it a lot I'd say get it running good. But if you have time for it to sit (and sit, and sit...) do the body work first. Tha ones I did the engine first always seemed to get sold before I ever got the body straight. The one's I started on the body first seem to take forever... Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

08-18-2008, 02:20 PM	#3
AJs72K5 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Tx Posts: 1,083	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? If it's not running now, take your time and get the bodywork done. You'll end up having to pull some of the drivetrain out anyway. No sense in doing it twice. __________________ - AJ Gray Matter Build - 1972 K5 with some stuff

08-18-2008, 02:43 PM	#4
Big J Its lookin' like a Blazer! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Gods Country, KY Posts: 1,772	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? If your going all out do any wrenching first. If you can build a tub dolley or have a extra rolling frame layin' around that'd work too. My thought is why risk damaging nice new paint when dropping a motor in or having to cut this or hammer on that. I have a extra rolling chassis, its working great to do the body work. Just my .02... __________________ BAZINGA! My Build

08-18-2008, 05:34 PM	#6
69TowRig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 894	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? For me, all the "mechanicals" are easy to work on so I have been getting my truck to "driver" status up to this point. Now I am at the crossroads of serious bodywork or serious drivertrain work. I am choosing to wait on the drivetrain (even though my 307 is over-tired) because I want the body to be worthy of a nice drivetrain. If I do the drivertrain work it will end up rotting out the body even more before I get to fixing it all. __________________ -Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals...

08-18-2008, 08:52 PM	#8
MrBeast high-Tech Red Neck Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Livingston, MT/On my boat WA/BC/AK Posts: 2,294	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? I always do drive train first. Expecially if I am modifying the heck out of something. Also if the worst happens it is much easier to sell a ugly truck that runs good than a pretty truck that doesn't run. __________________ "He used to be a pretty nice feller, now he's a welder!"

08-18-2008, 09:09 PM	#10
FlatBrokeRacing Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montgomery, Al. Posts: 289	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? Driveline, then brakes/rims&tires, Paint and body last Make it safe to drive, then make it look good last.

08-18-2008, 11:27 PM	#11
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? Before you tear down the motor lets check the compression on the cylinders. If the are all the same, we'll look into the carb. I would'nt yank everything yet. Let's see what's what. As far as the bodywork, just do the floor and drive it for a while. Paint it in the spring. Get all the bugs out of it in the summer and fall. Later bro.

08-20-2008, 08:04 PM	#16
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? Dude, if i had your truck i'd be driving it everyday. I'm close to getting mine on the road. Even as close as i am, it still kills me that i can't drive it yet. I say charge the battery, clean the plugs and tromp on it for a while. Get her on 1604 and open it up. Floor or no floor, you're on 6" of lift and 35's. The floor doesn't affect the "cool factor" anyways. JMO though. Later Bro.

08-21-2008, 12:15 AM	#17
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? Kinda hard to put "the pedal to the metal" without it, though! __________________ 72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com

08-21-2008, 12:58 AM	#18
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: What comes first...body work or drivetrain? That just means he took the governor off.



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