![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Well, I figure it is time for me to put this in some sort of build thread, even though at the moment it is made up more of destruction than building.
A little history…I had been looking for a 1st gen Blazer off and on starting around 2001. I got serious a couple years ago and picked this one up in August of 2006. I knew it had some issues but I also knew it had a lot of the options I wanted. I.E. tilt, A/C, 350/TH350, etc. After I bought it I realized it was a Highlander package as well. For the last couple of years I have been gathering parts, casually fixing things, and getting it road worthy. Tuned up the engine, rebuilt the tranny, rebuilt the front axle/spring bushings, new rear suspension. Blah, Blah, Blah. This winter it finally became fully street legal…just in time for me to get serious about restoring it. I have most of the big parts gathered up like a full set of virtually spotless OEM sheet metal to bolt on (except for a driver door that I am currently looking for), along with a new rear axle and some newer style GM seats from a 2001 truck. The rest of the parts like, grill parts, pretty much all of the interior pieces, and all the seals/gaskets and so on will be purchased as I go. The first pic is where she was sitting back in 2006. The others were taken after I had done some work.
__________________
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 Last edited by Critter; 02-25-2009 at 12:36 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
As far as my goals for this thing, I plan on taking the resto-mod approach. I want the body to look basically stock as far as trim, bumpers, and a solid color paint scheme (still haven’t figured out which color that will be), the interior will be stockish with modern updates here and there. Under the hood things such as wiring and plumbing will be cleaned up and improved as needed and the original 350 will be rebuilt and mildly upgraded. I would like for it to eventually be nice enough for me to take to local car shows and club gatherings, along with weekend drives to the river, beach, etc. I don’t plan to run it up and down the rocks or anything but at the same time I’m going to drive it where I want and ENJOY it.
I also think I need to add that I have owned and worked on a number of old Chevy trucks, but this is my first attempt at a “frame off” rebuild, so I’m sure it will be slow and painful for everyone. ![]()
__________________
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 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 762
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Gotta love Texas. In Nebraska it is extremely difficult to find something in that good of shape. Everything has been rotting forever here. Good find, I really like the wheels.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
I started pulling the front clip off a few weeks ago and then the doors. This week I got going on the rockers. Here are a few pics of you typical rust. I had a fairly decent idea of how bad it was being that I could see most of it through the holes. Time to order some patch panels…site venders here I come. I plan to totally fix the drivers side before I move to the passenger. Plus I got a couple little spots to fix on the firewall, but they are on flat surfaces and should be fairly easy to patch.
__________________
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 Last edited by Critter; 02-25-2009 at 04:50 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Finally got the drivers rocker off. YEAH! As I figured, I will need inner and outer rockers, the outer floor strip, kick panel, front cab corner, and lower front bedside area.
__________________
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 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
...and a couple more for the heck of it.
__________________
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 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
here they are
__________________
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 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
The PO had done some previous body work and a respectable looking paint job, probably around 15 years ago. Of course he had to use the stereotypical slab of bondo in at least one place. The part of the tub between the drivers door and rear wheel is by far the worst part. I couldn’t resist taking out some frustration on this slab of bondo. I was curious if it was hiding a huge dent or Swiss cheese rust, or both.
Turns out there were a couple of rust pin holes but mostly it was a huge dent. At one point there was probably 3/8 inches of bondo. The bondo finally tapered off around the top of the wheel arch like I thought it would (I had the magnet over it quite a bit)
__________________
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 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
I'm a poor spectator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 2,287
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
The race is on, my passenger rocker came off tonight too.
![]()
__________________
2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig ![]() 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! ![]() 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! ![]() 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central Coast California
Posts: 1,026
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
What's it called when you use your own name in the title for your build thread?
__________________
1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold ![]() 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold ![]() 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! ![]() 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold ![]() ![]() ![]() 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold ![]() 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) ![]() 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263 ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
I'm a poor spectator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 2,287
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Quote:
Technically speaking, Critter is the name of his blazer, he's a wierdo.
__________________
2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig ![]() 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! ![]() 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! ![]() 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!! |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: LaSalle Mi
Posts: 504
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
If you don't mind me going off topic and asking, what is the highlander option?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Quote:
For your inner rocker replacement, look into the part Tri-Pro sells for trucks, you get alot more to work with than the blazer version. The full length truck part includes the lower 'A' pillar holes and a fair amount of floor area too, it'll give you more option's to work with. Pic of the part I'm talking about: ![]() Here's a decent thread to look over, it addresses where your heading... ![]() http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=249323 Enjoy... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 4,339
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Watching this one...I will have a comparable fix on a 72 4x4 Blazer when it shows up in a few weeks from Columbus, Ohio after a trade for my 72 C/20...
Good Luck with your build - as overwhelming as it will be - the end result will justify the stress of doing it... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 | |
I'm a poor spectator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 2,287
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Quote:
__________________
2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig ![]() 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! ![]() 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! ![]() 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!! |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Wide n'Low
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: La Center, WA
Posts: 1,511
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Looks about the same as my project50th, I am going to keep an eye on this one. Good luck with your plans, it sounds pretty good!
Drew
__________________
Trippin Hazard.. 67 swb, Gold Member.. 68 Suburban Air Force Retired |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA
Posts: 12,684
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Will be a fun project to watch - sounds like you have a good plan. The color looks alot like the color on my K5.
__________________
1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Meridian, Idaho
Posts: 316
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Cool rig!
I love those wheels....anyone know where you could get them in 8 on 6.5?
__________________
71 ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: chattanooga, tn.
Posts: 104
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
I too will be watching closely as I will be doing the same to mine this spring and summer. I will have to replace bottom boxes also. nice project truck keep at it you'll get it done. at least that is what i will be telling myself during mine to try to keep a little sanity.
Are you supporting the pillars with anything while you do the work or is the boxes doing their job still?
__________________
BE NICE IT PAYS IN THE END. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 | |||||
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
![]() Quote:
![]()
__________________
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 Last edited by Critter; 02-17-2010 at 01:54 PM. |
|||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Angleton, TX
Posts: 2,219
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
This should be an interesting build to watch. I cant wait to see more.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Rolla Mo.
Posts: 667
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Those rockers look similar to what I had to work with, hope you have better luck! I'll be watching
__________________
"85" Monte Carlo SS "71" K5 (SOLD) "64" Chevelle 1930 Chevy two door rat |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Quote:
At a minimum, do something to maintain the door opening. ![]() Your going to be getting into the front pillar and once you break it loose, you'll be amazed at how much the firewall is going to move. Fair warning though, build the brace so it's 'convenient' to work around. ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 | |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
Quote:
![]()
__________________
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 |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: chattanooga, tn.
Posts: 104
|
Re: The Great Critter Revival ‘09
forgive me please, but, I too will be doing the same thing to mine.
I was going to plan on the top holding everything. With top on and doors off do you still need a brace while doing bodysupports coming to A pillar and B pillar and while doing A pillars and boxes?
__________________
BE NICE IT PAYS IN THE END. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|