1972 Build thread.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by 7D2N

Just checking to see if you have wore the tires out yet. The paint is awesome, are you worried about the paint chipping at the rocker area when it's finished and your driving it.

7D2N

Thanks for checking in.

I wish! I plan on pushing hard this weekend, hope to start it the first week of June.
Thanks for the kinds words! The paint has a lot of orange peel, but other than that, it is my favorite color.

Rockers, yes, I am concerned. I plan on doing some sort of clear plastic protector from the woodgrain trim down once I get it on.

I did get the brakes wrapped up, and I had a bad sub that had to be switched out along with some other wiring tidying. Small wins!

I'll do a proper update early next week.
I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

[jerry moss]

that is beautiful, love the color too.

[7D2N]

It's been pretty quiet here how's the Jimmy coming along.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by 7D2N

It's been pretty quiet here how's the Jimmy coming along.

Yes it has. I haven't touched it since July 24. Very sad. Our family was looking to move out of Wa state, but we ultimately decided to stay and remodel the house. The fun part was the addition of a new garage. I haven't gotten organized yet, but I should be shortly.

Thanks for checking in on me!

On top of the remodel are two kids in multiple sports, a new driver & more work travel.

I need to take a week off or more & wrap it up this spring.

[Spf79]

Couple more pics.

I have to get the interior panels upholstered.
Wrap up wet sanding
Add the exterior trim
Add a ground buss under the dash
Install the front clip
Exhaust
Start it & work the bugs out.

So close.

[7D2N]

Your truck is one of my favorites it's amazing and perfect workshop for more projects.

[DeadheadNM]

Good progress. Congrats on the garage space too - that’ll be nice.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by 7D2N

Your truck is one of my favorites it's amazing and perfect workshop for more projects.

Thank you, I'm flattered.
I'm very excited about the new space. Trying to figure out a better work bench/cabinet set up has been a process. Not a bad problem to have though.

It is so much work. I really enjoy the process, but it is crazy how fast the time goes. I thought I would be driving it a few years ago. It is almost embarrassing when I tell people I'm still working on it. Lol.

The larger of the two is 6'4" and will be driving in March. Long sigh.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Good progress. Congrats on the garage space too - that’ll be nice.

Thank you! I get to spread out a little bit. Very excited.

[dec010974]

Hello to Spf79 and to others following along. I'm unclear on the interior seats, front and rear. What vehicle are the front and rear seats from, 1995- 1999 Chevy truck?

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by dec010974

Hello to Spf79 and to others following along. I'm unclear on the interior seats, front and rear. What vehicle are the front and rear seats from, 1995- 1999 Chevy truck?

Yes sir.

I am placing the year of the two front seats off of their wiring and switches. 95-99 chevy truck. When I had them upholstered, I added aftermarket heat from summit. I used a step bit to waller out the square hole for the stock heat switch so that it would except the aftermarket heat switch that was round. The rear seat is original 1st gen Blazer according to the fella I purchased it from. I added the same aftermarket heat to the rear with the switches located in the back of the center console... left middle and right heating elements in the back seat.

[Spf79]

The front buckets were difficult to upholster for the guy I used, but you get what you pay for. I'm happy with how they turned out, they are not perfect... hopefully they hold up to me sliding out rather than stepping out since it is lifted.

The mounts were out of Jegs, just their simple race car bucket seat mounts. Three hole adjustable. I was able to use the two front factory holes, and then I used nut inserts for the rear two.

[Spf79]

Bottom of the bucket seat.
And the bench seat heat buttons on the back of the center console.

[dec010974]

Hello to all. @Spf79 thanks for sharing this information. The seats, interior and the truck look awesome.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by dec010974

Hello to all. @Spf79 thanks for sharing this information. The seats, interior and the truck look awesome.

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[Spf79]

Update...

I had a lifelong friend take pity on me and offer to help me finish my project. I was dying trying to make time to work on it.

In July of this year, it was a year since I last worked on it. On July 8th I transported it to my buddy's house, and he dragged me across the finish line.

I am getting exhaust tomorrow!!

Highlights as we moved along.

Headers did not work. Never buy cheap stainless headers from China.
I ended up with a full-length set of headers. Hooker, I think.

My alternator was bad... lol. sitting longer than it should have.

The front lift springs that came with the blazer were for a square body truck.
Dirty trick.

The engine cross member was rubbing the oversize oil pan. We altered the cross member. Sad face.

The cross member for the transfer case had to be dropped one inch because the body was sitting on top of the 205-transfer case. When I took it apart, the Blazer had a Rockwell transfer case in it. I think the support is different. Lesson learned.

The transfer case drop caused the motor to be too close to the firewall at an odd angle, so we dropped the motor down an inch as well...??? It all works now, but something I did wasn't right. I used body mounts from Wes, so I feel that was the only correct part I had.

I somehow managed to install the rear leaf springs backward. fixed. I feel dumb. I still think they should be marked. lol.

Transmission, apparently if you let a th350 sit without oil in it for a few years the clutches will degrade from moisture if you live in a wet climate. I have a new tranny again. Super fun.

Aftermarket core support and inner fenders, never again. Everything fit like poop. Hood is still funky; I will play with it this winter.

I installed the wrong studs in the front hubs, not sure how. There was the correct part number from Dorman on the receipt. Almost lost the left front. I had to buy a new wheel, and the tire shop came really close to tearing the bead on my M/T Baja Claw tires that have been discontinued. I thought I was going to hold that kid underwater in the dunk tank. We made it though.

Things happen for a reason; I installed the inner wheel bearings tighter than they should have been.

Fuel tank sending unit was bad. New out of the box.

Temp sending unit was bad. New out of the box. From Classic Instruments.

I used electric marine grade breakers instead of large fuses. I apparently did not understand that I was using them in the wrong application. I had to replace all of them.

Holley 670 Avenger carb was giving me trouble; I am borrowing a buddy's carb while I have mine being gone through.

I am brain dead. When I installed the flywheel, I overlooked that there was a dowel pin missing in the crank. I wasn’t even thinking about it. I thought it was a one-off bolt pattern on the fly wheel. This is a 383 stroker, so the fly wheel was not matched up to the harmonic balancer. Fixed when the tranny came out. long sigh.

[Spf79]

More pics.

I still need to get the inner rear panels covered.

I think I am going to remake a set, and try to figure out a bed rail cap system that will work with them.

ill update again soon, maybe a video after I get exhaust.

[7D2N]

It looks awesome thanks for the update.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by 7D2N

It looks awesome thanks for the update.

Thanks buddy!

[kehstr]

How is the progress going? any further updates after the exhaust?

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by kehstr

How is the progress going? any further updates after the exhaust?

Yes sir - just getting some miles on it when I can - the exhaust came out great!
I went old school 2 chamber flowmaster, standard 40 series. Very happy...

lol, honestly, a little louder than I remeber as a kid. Still happy.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by Spf79

Yes sir - just getting some miles on it when I can - the exhaust came out great!
I went old school 2 chamber flowmaster, standard 40 series. Very happy...

lol, honestly, a little louder than I remeber as a kid. Still happy.

Here is a pic of the exhaust going in. 3" from the header all the way out, true dual exhaust.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by Spf79

Here is a pic of the exhaust going in. 3" from the header all the way out, true dual exhaust.

Couple more pics.

Had to change up the battery hold downs, and I am currently messing with the stereo.

Happy to have it home.

You like the front license plate, this way the orange peel in the paint is funny rather than sad. lol.

[notsolo]

Worth the wait, 10 out of 10. IMO.