1972 4x4 Blazer Build Vortec 350/4L60E

[wcelliot]

Finally getting rolling on my 1972 build. Making a daily driver/trip car to replace my now-tiring 1996 "Impala SS wagon" and possibly even displace my '95 Sububan K2500 for light duty towing.

Started out with a very rusty (though Ziebarted when new) but very complete and original Blazer from PA with a 350/305/NP205.

Knew the body was beyond economical salvation, so lucked into a beautifully solid tub (which had been blasted but left unprotected in AZ, so has some nice surface rust that I'll have to blast off).

At the same time I wanted a modern drivetrain so I picked up a terminally rusty one-owner, low miles, full service records (brand new trans) 1998 K1500 350/4L60E which I drove home in MD from NY at 70mph without a hitch.

My initial plan was to shortened the 1998 frame and mount the AZ shell to it (keeping the modern ABS, steering, IFS, etc), but every GM guy I mentioned this to informed me what a bad plan that was... and when I discovered:

1. The PA Blazer frame was nearly perfect
2. The 1998 frame needed rust repair
3. I could use a 1990 Suburban transfer case to use my 4L60E trans with the solid front axle

I decided instead to build on the PA frame.... though I do plan to use the 1998 wiring harness and as much of the power equipment as I can transplant over...

[wcelliot]

My first question concerns the top and roll bar... what do I have? It doesn't look quite like other double walled tops I've seen and I've never seen a roll bar like this... BUT the inner part of the top appears factory molded to fit around where the roll bar attaches at the windscreen header.

Is this factory/rare/desirable? (I had planned on no cage and keeping the top off most of the time in favor of a soft top). But if I have something really unusual I may keep it...

thanks!

[dirish]

And.......

[tjsblazer]

To me it looks like the roll bar uses the hard tops bracket location and mimics what they do at the same time. Kind of a neat set up.

[bL.A.zer90045]

yeah thats a cool bar!!! i may have to fab one of these with one of my extra full tops im gonna chop for a "half cab"and fab in a 70 burban hatch onto