1972 Blazer 4WD to 2WD conversion in Texas.

[Frugalmeyer]

New carrier bearings, pinion bearings and seal, axle bearings and seals, new lines, studs, all hardware and drums. Clean and paint.

[Frugalmeyer]

gringoloco
I'll get some measurements with photos when the frame comes back from blast and paint.

[Frugalmeyer]

Inside firewall, dash and kick panels painted.

[truckster]

Nice. How did you clean up the rear axle?

[Frugalmeyer]

truckster
First I stripped off all brake parts and brake lines, scraped with scraper and screwdriver (for tight areas), pressure washed at car wash, had all seals and bearing replaced, wire wheeled and wire pointy thing (for tight areas), wipe down with lacquer thinner, primered and roughed up with scuff pad, painted with PPG black paint, installed all new brakes and brake lines.

[truckster]

I sandblasted mine, and it was a mess. Yours turned out really nice.

[Mike C]

Nice work! Was a good lucking 20 foot truck when you got it, but is a real beaut now! I've contemplated a 2x4 conversion to a Blazer over the years but decided I'd scratch that itch with the '69 short step on working on now.

My 13 year old son and I are starting to refurb a '72 Jimmy 4x4 that was wrecked HARD in the front. Could use things like springs, mounts, driveshafts, etc. Shoot me a PM if you want to talk turkey on someone taking all the 4 wheel drive parts off your hands.

[elkniks]

Originally Posted by truckster

I know this might be taken as offensive by some, but it's really not meant to be: Why? What I mean is, why take a 4 wheel drive and make it what I would consider to be less capable? I know it's a popular conversion, but being a guy who sold his 2 wheel drive trucks and saved up to buy a 4WD Blazer I always wanted, I have a hard time understanding it. I'm not knocking it, I just would like to understand the reasoning.

And by the way, your skills look to be first-rate. It looks like a great job.

I can tell you why I did mine. I bought my Blazer about 20 years ago, fixed all the rust, put on a lot of new sheet metal, went through the whole truck. Lifted it 6" and put it on 35's. Loved it and it looked sweet. It looked so sweet that there was no way that I was going to risk damaging it off road and depending on where you live there may not be much off road even available.

The older I got the lower the truck got (pulled leaves) untill it just sat in the garage on 32's and I never drove it because the ride was horrible and it just was not that fun to drive in my opinion.

Did my conversion last year and I looooove it! Handles great and no more bounce.

NOT ONE PERSON HAS CALLED IT A BRONCO SINCE I LOWERED IT! That there is reason enough.

[Frugalmeyer]

elkniks

Seaside, Ca! I was stationed at Fort Ord from 1990-1994 when it closed. Do you have a picture of your truck?

[elkniks]

I will upload some later. Not a big picture taker. I feel kinda bad for not documenting more to share on the conversion.

When Fort Ord first closed it was kind of abandoned and not locked down yet like it is today. We used to go out there and drive around and explore. We were young and dumb then, lots of ordinance still around then I'm sure!

[Frugalmeyer]

Engine is ready, will pick up when ready to install.

[Frugalmeyer]

Frame and suspension parts sand blasted and painted.

[Frugalmeyer]

Got the frame back and installing it under the truck.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by elkniks

NOT ONE PERSON HAS CALLED IT A BRONCO SINCE I LOWERED IT! That there is reason enough.

Almost thou persuadest me!

[Lieferson]

Holy tool boxes! Jealous

Truck will look pretty darn nice when you're finished! Great progress

[Big Block]

Awesome progress. Nice color.

[Frugalmeyer]

Thanks for the positive feedback.

[Truckseats]

Nice!

[Frugalmeyer]

Bolting up the front suspension and brake lines.

[Frugalmeyer]

Fabricating fuel supply and return lines, laying out fuel filter and fuel pump, testing and welding original tank fuel filler neck on LMC tank.

[Frugalmeyer]

Some parts used:
1977 C10 front cross member
1977 C10 upper and lower control arms
1977 C10 lower ball joints
1972 C10 upper ball joints
1972 C10 tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm and center link
1972 C10 rotors, drop spindles and calipers
1972 C10 tilt column
1986 C10 gearbox, power steering hoses and steering coupler

[Frugalmeyer]

Installing rear suspension.

[gringoloco]

Super clean!

[Frugalmeyer]

Installed engine checked clearances - removed motor and trimmed transmission bell housing ears, bent steel fuel lines at frame, removed stock oil pan and installed HMMWV oil pan. Black pan is stock and silver pan is HMMWV. Reinstalled engine.

[Frugalmeyer]

Installing Vintage Air A/C bracket, power steering pump and power steering lines.