GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Sharpie in hand, time to trace the patch panel out.



While all this was going on, Security cat had decided to get comfy, on the job.



First welding job was to do then30mm upright for the side kick panel, they rust out in the bottom corner and you need to replace that steel too.

Easier to weld in some metal, than another fold, if your steel is not that wide.



Technically the outside, and awaiting weld through primer before it all gets welded in.



Inside



And in place.



I will probably only cut the floor and weld this in by next weekend.

Unless I get time, which is unlikely as it’s another week from a dark place.

Later.




[quote author="@shielsy68" source="/post/2452958/thread" timestamp="1539042120"][img src="http://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/shielsy68/b6b28177be48.jpg"]

i was bought a pair

[/quote]

[Grizz1963]

Some more ideas spinning around in my head.

Found this case last week Friday, thrown out on a sidewalk.

Yes, I don't know either but knew its potential purpose even before I bought the Blazer.





Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what its to become?

And at the opposite end of the spectrum, a pic sent to me by Disasterbus.

I do like it.

But not £100 k much.





Tail lights.........

Lexus style........

Just so bad.



Changes underfoot here too.

Bedtime.

[Grizz1963]

Well, funny how stuff works .

I was looking for a pair of original tail lights for the Blazer to replace the not so sexy anymore, Lexus style units fitted.

And then next thing I know, I am chatting to a guy called Martin, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire.....

He has this: 1975 Chevrolet Blazer. http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...evrolet-blazer

Which currently looks like this.....





Looks a bit like my floor.



Panels





But a lot more pain.

Life has got in the way over the last few years for Martin too.



Stepping back.....

It looks challenging.

But it will all get fixed, when it gets fixed.





In the mean time he has this to keep him busy.






Some may see it as a mountain too high, but I see this as motivation.

My Blazer seems to be in a better place.

[Grizz1963]

So last night I had an hour after getting home from work.

Primed the first patch panel and proceeded.



Then moved the truck so I could work on both sides.



Proceeded to cut.

No going back now.



And then we had opened a can of worms, or maybe not.



Despite what it looks like, 2/3 of this section has strong steel in it, and a large hammer and sharp screwdriver could destroy the structure more.



From the underside there are chalk marks, I missed them when inspecting the truck.

Not that it would have stopped me.



Conversely, the passenger side looked perfectly fine








At this point, the truck is still not as bad as expected and this rust is a day job

A couple more odd shaped patch panels, and we will be in business.

I am still,happy with my purchase

[Grizz1963]

Call it a confession if you want.

It’s more about recording stuff as the truck is right now.

I know many people will recoil in terror, but many (I do hope) will say, it’s not that bad at all.

I guess we all have different perceptions and opinions on the same things......

I bought it because I saw enough value in the sum of its parts and a fun car that will cripple you financially on fuel costs alone, were it a daily.

However, this is not a daily.

It’s a toy.


The fenders are available as replacement reproduction items, not cheap, but probably cheaper than patching up what is there.

So unless I find the cheapest of the cheap, in a set of ex-desert or dry state fenders to just bolt on, it is not even going to happen, till these do self destruct.

For now they are just fine.











The hood has rust in all the same places they rust, currently expertly covered in a very thick layer of filler, and Dulux home enamel paint, or something.



I had my friend Joy around last night and before showing her the truck, told her she best make all the right noises of approval or else there was no dinner for her.

She made all the right noises.

Next....!!

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@westbay" source="/post/2453528/thread" timestamp="1539244193"]You have a welder, you have the right approach and you have friends in America (for spares) ... Now what's the problem ! ...[/quote]

Thank you mate.

Agreed.

I think that for a 40 year old truck this is still very much a “good one”

Not sure why it lasted this long, but thankful regardless

At least less of a mess than this one.





Looking at various options to polish this turd

These graphics are the ones I seem to be drawn to.

Over the hood or over tbe roof.

Ideally not a colour change from the white it has now.

Of course its just toughts right now.

Starting with plain white on Smoothies.



Randomly different.



This style really works for me.









Of course I love this.









Really Really like everything about this van.










Lastly this.

Subtle. But maybe too subtle.

[Grizz1963]

Thanks to @littlepixel we have a quick photoshop of the truck.

Not entirely the way I want it, but lovely nonetheless.

Its as close as I could get to it right now with minimal cash spent.

Remember this is not a project.




I will certainly look at other colour combos too.

I have a hankering for brown wheels and some autumnal graphics on the white or a beige background.

Lets see what transpires.


Another one of those questions I do like to ask, in order to maximise my own responses and actions.

The sum of us all, is a lot cleverer than one of us.

So, yesterday evening I had the front end up on my low Snap-On 3 ton (I think) jack and saw the different looks available.

I was measuring up the front suspension for @PaulY as he said he may have something that could fit the front end, to replace the parts in there at the moment.

Pics to follow.

So the question was posed by a lawyer friend in St Louis, Missouri, yes the truck has eyes on it all over the globe it seems.
“Are you leaving it that low? “

I need to get it a lot more driveable, despite it actually being good as it is.

What height then?


Off-roader



School run



Gangsta




While crawling around under the truck, I noted the transmission was a TH400 as mentioned by the seller, seems that is a good thing.




So, on to the suspension, or what is needing the attention.

Amazing engineering tool an oxyacetylene torch can be.


Drivers side.





Passengers side.





Shocking shocks all round.






This needs to be addressed.

Soonish.