70 Blazer Frame Off

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

What material did Eric use to extend the lip? Fiberglass? Curious to see how this shakes out, seems like a good way to go.

Short strand fiberglass. We had several conversations over the preceding months about how to attack the top from a materials standpoint. I was leaning toward SMC specific stuff. Eric was more open minded and philosophic. I think he got a kick out of the fact that when stripping the top he found a factory fiberglass repair. And honestly the top does match the truck in the sense that it appears to be a Friday afternoon hodge podge. It looked pretty doggone good with the factory finish, but underneath the wood bracing was variable, different parts of the SMC don't seem to match in color or texture, and it had a fiberglass repair...all par for the course. Regardless, with any luck it'll all just end up a good story about a nice top.

[IronCanine]

What a drive this morning. Out before 7am, cool and clear. Took her to the alignment shop (we hadn't missed it by much with a tape measure)...then a nice shake down. She started the morning with 11 miles and now sits in the garage with 40...and she looks too good in there. I think I gotta paint my garage now.

PS Those guys at the alignment shop sure were nice to let me hover. They didn't even give me friction when I (uh-hmm) suggested that I should drive it up and down off the lift.

[hemi43]

I'm jealous that you're driving yours already, and I'm just starting my restoration. Hoping to have it out this time next year.Nice job !!

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by hemi43

I'm jealous that you're driving yours already, and I'm just starting my restoration. Hoping to have it out this time next year.Nice job !!

I'm sure you will. It looks like you've really got a great truck to start with...and Thanks!

[tristan]

Just to add another perspective on our factory hardtops, mine has also required significant work (and therefore $$$) to straighten out. Some of this was undoubtedly due to 44 years of wear and tear but other aspects of the defects have me scratching my head. I had a lot of voids and missing edges along the edge of the top that look like factory defects to me, but perhaps I judge too harshly. All I can tell you is that I have written some fairly large checks for fiberglass repair over the past few months. Of course, none of these things was visible before the top came off the truck for the first time and more was revealed once all of the top weatherstripping was removed.

IC, your truck stands alone in its icy, glittering perfection. Best in breed as the English and dog fanciers would say.

[IronCanine]

First off Tristan...thanks so much for the kind words...and the pics. I don't know exactly the process for making these tops, but I envision a couple of guys slathering wood and resin into a mold as fast as they can go...a messy and non exacting process. A couple of our brackets were thrown in there about as crooked as they could go...I also don't think they did a textured finish just because it looked good or they already felt like they were making a boat anyway, so why not. That splatter-shot hides a lot.

[IronCanine]

You know how I love those factory grease pencil marks. Well, she's got a little more to give. These were on the interior hatch top, just below the factory finish....maybe "54"?

[IronCanine]

The top and hatch are almost ready for texture and paint...maybe in the next couple of days.

[IronCanine]

...

[tune_1]

Just read through your thread. Great work and thanks for all of the pictures. Great inspiration.

Dwight

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by tune_1

Just read through your thread. Great work and thanks for all of the pictures. Great inspiration.

Dwight

Thanks Dwight

[IronCanine]

Super humbled today by the TOTM nomination, thanks Pete. Hadn't taken the time to take any good outside pics since we were still working...but considering the nom, I snapped a couple this afternoon after work. The wipers aren't on yet because Eric wants to buff the cowl some more.

[IronCanine]

...

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Looks amazing! Keep up with the photos and info about the fiberglass top as I will be going through this process.

I can't wait to get mine on the road

[smbrouss70]

Very nice! I really need to refurbish my top.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Very nice! I really need to refurbish my top.

Thanks Steven. I often wonder if this single wall with all our fitment fiddling fits better or worse than the original double wall did from the factory.

[smbrouss70]

I can tell you from experience, that the double wall tops don't fit any better. I bought it without a top, and since I put it on, I've only taken it off twice. I really have to push and tweak it to get it to line up again. Now that it has new weatherstripping and "sort-of" seals up, I may not take it off again.

[IronCanine]

Top's finished.

[IronCanine]

...few more.

[IronCanine]

If the weather works out, we'll try to get the top on this weekend. I'm glad that we're so close to the end...but I gotta admit, I was sad to see Eric's next project parked in front of the shop today (the pictured red matching numbers Bel Air). More than finishing the top, that signaled the impending end to this build.

Of course there are some minor odds and ends to handle like window felts, tailgate weatherstrip, and seat belts. I'll post on that as well as some completed "after" pics for this thread. Hopefully, all will get done before her first show on July 4th.

[Chulisohombre]

That tops going to look nice. I need that treatment for mine. I am in the same boat as you. Since I am replacing all the weather strip and all that I'm thinking I'm just going to leave mine on for awhile. Off is fun but a pain to get on and off sometimes.

[DeadheadNM]

Amazing work!

Dare I ask...is the build done?

[Chulisohombre]

Windshield I got from precision. Worked out well. Installer said it was perfect. I'll be using them for my needs in the future.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Amazing work!

Dare I ask...is the build done?

Thanks Pete. We're c-c-c-close. Here's the punch list, all of which should happen before next weekend:

1) Top on
2) Seat belts in
3) Window felts/rubber (I've been putting this off because the passenger side has to be fitted. The clips don't hit out exactly with the new door skin.)
4) Tailgate weatherstrip
5) Windshield wipers (easiest of the bunch)
6)...and I've got to find a lug wrench, finish painting the tire tools, and get the spare tire tools decal done (which I was gonna keep low-key till it got done, but we're on the second revision right now so hopefully it's not too far away).

I'll call it done without #6. Even though I kind of don't want it to end, the minute I get 1-5 done I'm gonna change my avatar.

[mx289]

Fantastic looking truck and congrats on being almost done.

As said before,your attention detail and documention on this thread will help many.

Stellar work.