Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build

[lks dcvn]

I bought a set at harbor freight since I started doing my stuff - they work OK and do provide some assistance...

They are like $5 or $6 for 8 or 10 of them (at HF) - way cheaper than the other places I looked at. I can get a part number off them when I get home tonight if that helps.

If you can get to the back of the panel you are welding - they can be helpful - several of the areas I have tackled I didn't have clear access to the back of the panel to use them...

Found the part number [44751] - http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=44751

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by lks dcvn

I bought a set at harbor freight since I started doing my stuff - they work OK and do provide some assistance...

They are like $5 or $6 for 8 or 10 of them (at HF) - way cheaper than the other places I looked at. I can get a part number off them when I get home tonight if that helps.

If you can get to the back of the panel you are welding - they can be helpful - several of the areas I have tackled I didn't have clear access to the back of the panel to use them...

Thanks for the offer, but I live about 15 minutes from a HF. Way cheaper then Eastwood's

[1956cameo]

jaros44sr, They work pretty good; but only if you have alot of room to on both sides of the panels you welding together. I really only use them if I am flushing up panels that I cant get any vice grips onto. One thing they helped with in the pictures you saw was forcing the panels to get flush with each other. If I didn't use them I definately would have had to hammer the repro panel to get it to go flush with the contour of the original floor. I hardly ever use them but when I do it makes the job alot easier. If you can pick some up cheap they are definately worth grabbing.

[DURRTY]

Northern tool sells them also, harbor freight is banned in my household and family.

I agree with what has been said about them.

They can be a couple extra sets of hands at times.
since they don't lock down the steel like the self tappers and clecos it give a small amount of room for minor fit up while holding in place.

I have used smaller round stock instead of the small square and bent it around a small corner or squared edge as well as a longer piece to hold a larger area straight.

Worth the 10 bucks or whatever I paid for them.

[1956cameo]

I got more progress done on the blazer this week. I was hoping to get alot knocked out but now I am working in areas that are very rusty and in cramped areas. I only got about a third of what I thought I would done; oh well at least I made some progress. Of course I thought the only patch panels that I had left to buy was the drivers side rocker box, but I have now discovered I also need to buy a few obscure blazer only panels that should help to take another couple of hundred bucks out of the blazer fund!


I started right where I left off with the kick panel. Since it was already cut out and ready to go in I was able to knock it out quickly. The kick panel with the patch still missing. Sorry for the blurry pic.



A view of the kick panel patch tacked in with the still missing door pillar patch.



Interior shot of the repaired outer floor and kick panel. (Note still some rot in the toe board that will be repaired)



After getting the kick panel into place I went ahead and attatched the lower door pillar patch. Since I had already fit it the last time I was out this task also went quickly. I still have the front two bolt holes to drill, but will do that when I take the last of the rocker box off.

[1956cameo]

The next area I wanted to focus on was the rear door / rocker box area. This is looking like it will be the area where most of the metal work will be done.



I cut out part of the quarter panel section to give me access to the inner area of the door. Of course it is pretty much gone.



After I got the rotten quarter panel support out and the rotten rocker box reinforcement plate out this is what I had left to work with. I was warned by lks dcvn that the rocker box reinforcement plate was a bear to get out. Let me tell you he was not kidding!



In order to get the rocker box reinforcement plate off you have to open up the pillar area behind the door. For some reason GM designed it to where two of the bolts are completely hidden inside.

[1956cameo]

There was some rot on the vertical piece of flooring so I figured this would be the best time to patch that since everything that would be in my way is now gone.



A view of the vertical part of the floor with the rotten section removed.



Since it was flat it only took a few minutes to cut out, make a patch, and tack it in.



I know someone will say that so and so sells them for about $8 each but I could not find anyone that sells the blazer quarter panel support section that goes behind the rear door panels; so I spent a little time making one from scratch.



I had a little trial and error making it but I got it in and it appears it is going to fit just like the original piece.