1972 Blazer CST Frame off Project in NC

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by UGAK5

Hey Mike - - I feel honored you read my post - I have learned TONS from yours.

As I said originally, I bought this project off a guy and the whole front clip, engine accessories, brackets, windshield, trim and interior was already removed. He labeled things - but poorly, so I feel like your photos are going to be life savers for me. Its always hard to put it back together - even harder when you didn't take it apart!

Thanks for making reference quality pics!

Chris

Hey Chris, Glad to hear you're finding my build thread useful. When you start tackling the brake and fuel lines, hit me up and I'll send you a link to a folder in my dropbox account. I annotated which line is what before & after.

Keep all your original trim, especially the windshield trim if you have it. Board member deadheadNm gave me this advice and I'm thankful he did.

I have over 2K photos and I'm still second guessing myself where things go.

Keep up the progress!

[IronCanine]

On board. Go Dawgs.

[UGAK5]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

On board. Go Dawgs.

Sic 'em...woof woof woof!

(Sorry, habit)

[UGAK5]

And now for some pics post sand blasting......

Looks like the PO, seamed the bedside panel at the wheel well. The blaster told me he took about 200 pounds of bondo off! I know he was exaggerating, but there was LOTS on there. I despise shoddy workmanship. Glad to now know what I have, and don't have. I see body panel purchases in my future.....

[UGAK5]

Ok, so the fun keeps coming! I went by yesterday and picked up my blazer from the sand blaster and took it over to my body guys shop - - ALOT more rot than I had hoped for, but hey, it comes with the territory.

Looks like I will be buying 2 new doors, 2 wheel wells, 2 bedside/quarters and an entire new floor. I know I can salvage some of whats there, but labor will cost more than replacement parts. There is plenty of salvageable rot that we can spend repair labor on.

Here are the pics:

[UGAK5]

More pics - - look at this one horrible weld! It looks like they tried to fill in a dent with a weld?!?!?

[raggedjim]

Good clean place to start. The first blazer I bought (eBay) I almost cried when I finally realized how bad it was, MUCH worse than yours.

Good luck, Rg

[UGAK5]

Thanks Roger - I appreciate the reassurances. My body guy said he'd seen way worse too - just surprised me that there is not ONE PIECE of OEM steel that doesn't have rot somewhere.....

[1972CST]

Nice project, good to see another local K5 guy!

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by UGAK5

More pics - - look at this one horrible weld! It looks like they tried to fill in a dent with a weld?!?!?

SOme guys see this and think of how nice yours is. There are a LOT worse out there.


As for the ORD custom leafs. I just ordered a set. I will post pics when i do the install.
Also, as for your front crossmember, i used the 73-74 crossmember from ORD and just made some adjustments. Nice little piece.

How much did the sand blasting cost you?

[UGAK5]

Originally Posted by 1972CST

Nice project, good to see another local K5 guy!

Hopefully you will see me on the roads around Charlotte before the year 2020!

[UGAK5]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

How much did the sand blasting cost you?

Thanks for the encouragement!

Sandblasting was $800 for the tub, tailgate and hood. I was originally expecting $600, but there were PILES of bondo on the rear quarters and the hood was media blasted to prevent heat warping, so that added time which added cost.

The same blaster has done my wheels and frame, and will do my axles next week - and the prices have gotten better as I do more.

[UGAK5]

So, here's an update post:

I found a classic truck parts supply business 40 miles from my house - a curse and a blessing! Great guy, good parts - just too easy to go there and buy stuff.

My last trip there was a new bedfloor, both rear quarters, wheel wells and a fuel tank. Yes, that's right, I am trashing the entire rear section of the blazer and starting over. After blasting, it was obvious that the rear quarters were shot, and the bedfloor was like swiss cheese - so even though the bedfloor is a pricey part, it will be cheaper than the labor I was going to have to put into it.

Pics below, and a pic of the freshly blasted frame as we were prepping it for paint. I opted for paint over powdercoat as I know I will scratch and ding it here and there and wanted the ability to repair it as I did.

Also, in the last pic is the crossmember that separates the cab floorpan from the rear bedfloor. Its teh piece that comes up 90 degrees from the floor and forms the 'riser' that the bedfloor folds over and welds to. Does anyone know the name of that part or better, have any leads on a replacement? I am screwed without it!

[jaros44sr]

I think I saw the bed to cab support from wes at ?, cant remember his company name. Some one on here will know it...classic?

[UGAK5]

So thats the name? Bed to Cab support?

Thanks!

[UGAK5]

Also, here are a few more progress pics!

ORD came through with the leaf springs.

I also tackled the Transfer Case......I got it apart, now we will see if I can get it back together.

Also have the axles stripped down and getting them ready to prime, paint and rebuild. Same plan with the tranny.....I found a guy who has been in business 43 years and knows a TH350 inside and out - - used to build tractor pull trucks.

[1972CST]

Great progress! Which local classic parts suppliers are you using?

Those springs look like they will be far superior than factory (many thin leaves rather than few thick leaves). Would you mind sharing the specs? price?

[Tynee]

Interesting build.

[UGAK5]

Originally Posted by 1972CST

Great progress! Which local classic parts suppliers are you using?

Those springs look like they will be far superior than factory (many thin leaves rather than few thick leaves). Would you mind sharing the specs? price?

Not sure the forum rules on mentioning a retailer by name - so someone tell me if I am breaking a rule. I found Dave's Truck Parts just outside Newton/Hickory NC area - great guy and close enough to drive over to from Charlotte.

The springs are 2.5" lift. I only want to run 33s and was really looking for more ride quality than height, and the guys at ORD were great at listening to me and helping devise the right solution. Just over $1400.

[Lieferson]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

I think I saw the bed to cab support from wes at ?, cant remember his company name. Some one on here will know it...classic?

Wes at Classic Heartbeat in Olympia WA

[UGAK5]

You guys are awesome! Thanks

[tjsblazer]

I got my springs through ORD also with a similar lift amount. I will say when it came time to install the Rears there was a bit of pre-load required similar to a coil pack. Took a couple of red-neck tricks to get them in. In the end they nailed the stance but I don't have mine back together yet to see what the ride is like.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Lieferson

Wes at Classic Heartbeat in Olympia WA

thanks, I've got CRAFT

[UGAK5]

Lol. Can you use that CRAFT to get that part off national back order? Supplier says 30 to 60 days........ You need patience to restore a rare classic. I'm dead in the water until it shows up.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by UGAK5

Lol. Can you use that CRAFT to get that part off national back order? Supplier says 30 to 60 days........ You need patience to restore a rare classic. I'm dead in the water until it shows up.

no, but IIRC, it was just a flat piece of steel. you can make it. you can use your old part as a template

just remember to make it longer, as it extends into the 'B' post

Or you could degrease and paint parts for the next 30 to 60 days

PATIENCE? I've been at it for 15 years lol