70 Blazer Frame Off

[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.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks. I have enjoyed it off, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that when it goes on it'll stay there.

Just as an FYI...most of my weatherstripping came from Precision, but the single wall quarter glass WS is a little harder to come by...Precision only carries double wall. I got mine through Truck Shop, but it came from Steele. I would have ordered it directly from them, as I had gotten one or two bits of rubber from them previously, but they did not have it listed on their website. TruckShop was the only listing I found. I was glad to see Steele was the manufacturer...it gave me a little more confidence in it's longevity/performance.

[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.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks Tom.

[DeadheadNM]

Just a plug for Brad's build on the current truck of the month contest: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=674464

Make sure to vote. Good luck!

[IronCanine]

Thanks Pete...that's very nice.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Just a plug for Brad's build on the current truck of the month contest: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=674464

Make sure to vote. Good luck!

My vote is in and this is a very inspirational build for any one who is doing the same regardless of on a blazer or pick up or suburban. Brad has done a fabulous job and Pete has always been a major inspiration to anyone doing a build.

Good Luck Brad,

Take care,
Tom

[DeadheadNM]

Kind words Tom - thank you!

[IronCanine]

Thanks Tom.

[IronCanine]

The R89 topper I got is a bit bigger than my battery. I've seen this complaint elsewhere. It looks like I need a group 78.

Edit: I was just looking at this picture and it was funny to me. A ton of effort to reproduce a limited run factory decal exactly, an obviously aftermarket VintageAir compressor and a battery mask. This build is a bit schizophrenic.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

The R89 topper I got is a bit bigger than my battery. I've seen this complaint elsewhere. It looks like I need a group 78.

Edit: I was just looking at this picture and it was funny to me. A ton of effort to reproduce a limited run factory decal exactly, an obviously aftermarket VintageAir compressor and a battery mask. This build is a bit schizophrenic.

Just think Brad, if you had factory air, that awesome valve cover decal would be a lot harder to see . Besides, you should be comforted knowing that when you turn the VintageAir on, it will actually work.

I am not a huge fan of the factory AC systems our trucks. They are cumbersome and a paint to work on and keep working. Very expensive as well.

Looking good and good luck with the battery mask.

Take care,
Tom

[smbrouss70]

Congrats on winning Truck of the Month! Your Blazer is gorgeous and well-deserving of the honor.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Congrats on winning Truck of the Month! Your Blazer is gorgeous and well-deserving of the honor.

Thanks Steven...I really appreciate that. Yours was equally deserving, it was a tight vote for a reason.

[Advanced Design]

Congratulations, wish I would have had two votes...both Blazers so nice!

[IronCanine]

Rain, rain and more rain here. The break in the weather was just enough this morning for the roads to completely dry. So I was able to take the Blazer over to Eric's to get the top on. Of course it wasn't just a drop it on and bolt it down situation, but the truck sure likes things better with the top on. Gaps and door action are very nice. The lip extension Eric added to the top at the door glass made dialing in the glass fit very easy. Minor shimming and it seals up great...better than it ever did during pre-fitment. Since rain started again shortly after we got her in the shop, she's trapped till dry-out. But we got the window felt/rubber in and almost finished the front seat belts. One more trip to the hardware store needed. Hopefully I can get her home tomorrow and get some nice outside pics.

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

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

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).

.

Brad, I'm just getting caught up on this thread. Very interesting item here. Is this the decal that goes on the Lh Rear wheel well. If so and they work out print a few extra maybe ... I don't think you would have any trouble selling them. I'll get first in line.
Cheers. Jeff.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by tjsblazer

Brad, I'm just getting caught up on this thread. Very interesting item here. Is this the decal that goes on the Lh Rear wheel well. If so and they work out print a few extra maybe ... I don't think you would have any trouble selling them. I'll get first in line.
Cheers. Jeff.

That's the one Jeff. We're working on it. I didn't want to make a big deal of it because there have been previous attempts that kind of fizzled out. We got the engine 8:350 decal done for a lot less than I've already got in the Jacking Instructions decal and I had much less in the way of quality images(I would have had nothing if not for the efforts of Steve Hafner) on that one and we had to create the font from scratch. I thought this new decal would be easier because 1)it's just B&W 2) I've got great images to copy 3)It's a generic type set/font...but the illustration is proving to be a challenge for the graphic artist. I don't see any reason to do it unless we get it right, but I'm pretty sure they're already fairly frustrated. But we'll get it done...it can't be harder than the ball joints, or the brake lines, or the fuel line, or the side panels or anything else on this truck....but don't worry, we'll definitely print some extras.