Previous owner '68

[raggedjim]

Some wire brushing, scrubbing, and painting with black hammerite got me to this point.

[Getter-Done]

Nice Work.

Yes , Getting those front springs out without the help of the weight of the Truck is Fun.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Nice Work.

Yes , Getting those front springs out without the help of the weight of the Truck is Fun.

And highly NOT recommended. In my case I didn't have a choice.

[raggedjim]

Then I installed the cross-member. You can't really tell but I replaced the upper a-arm studs with grade 8 bolts due to damage on the stud threads. I also had to elongate the front side mounting holes to make the 85 cross-member work with the 68 frame. Other than that it went fairly easy.

December the 13th

[raggedjim]

A view from the rear with the the front cross-member installed. You'll notice I removed the small frame cross-member at the rear so I can get a blazer tank installed.

[raggedjim]

Next I threw on a new set of upper a-arms I had laying around in my storage area. These are 73-87 style. My drop spindles are also the squarebody style and I will be using the '85 ball joints, tierod ends, idler arm, steering link, and pitman arm.

[joeydurango]

Moving quick, I like it!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

Moving quick, I like it!

Thanks Joey, but not really, I started this truck on November 8, 2023 and didn't start posting until January '24 (a few of the posts have dates in silver so I can keep a record for myself.)

I've been on the board for a while but had never started any build threads so I thought what the heck, I'll do it. There will come a point when I get caught up and the posts will slow down. And for the past 3 days I've had STREPTHROAT!

[joeydurango]

Well, that's still pretty quick by some standards

I wish you were further north in Kentucky, I'd come visit and lend a hand if I got a free Saturday. My profile still says Colorado (will probably return) but I'm living an hour upriver from Louisville for a while, since this last spring. But Murray is WAY down there...

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

Well, that's still pretty quick by some standards

I wish you were further north in Kentucky, I'd come visit and lend a hand if I got a free Saturday. My profile still says Colorado (will probably return) but I'm living an hour upriver from Louisville for a while, since this last spring. But Murray is WAY down there...

I know, I'm closer to most Tennessee members than I am Kentucky members! You working there or going to college?

[joeydurango]

I'm from the Ohio River valley originally, spent the last 20 years in Colorado. Came back to spend some time with my long-lost family... but my wife is from Durango, so I think we'll be back eventually. Gotta try different things out every decade or so.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

I'm from the Ohio River valley originally, spent the last 20 years in Colorado. Came back to spend some time with my long-lost family... but my wife is from Durango, so I think we'll be back eventually. Gotta try different things out every decade or so.

You're right about that. My ex was from Colorado, I try to avoid it!

[joeydurango]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

My ex was from Colorado, I try to avoid it!

I've got one of those there too - happily, it's a BIG state

Back to trucks!

[jaros44sr]

I'm in for the build, what's the end plan?

Looks like you've got a great shop to do what ever

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

I'm in for the build, what's the end plan?

Looks like you've got a great shop to do what ever

Thanks, the shop was something I saved money for for the last 25 years and finally built now that I'm almost too old to enjoy it! I've always had a low tolerance for debt, but the truth is IF I had borrowed money to build it 25 years ago I would have it paid for by now and would have been using it for the last 25 years... It's a bitter pill to swallow!

As far as plans, I have a general idea what I'm trying to achieve but I don't really try to plan everything in advance. The guidelines are mostly a clean, lowered, dependable truck. It will not be a show truck, but hopefully someone will see it and smile. I will be using an early 350 and automatic transmission. I am trying to rebuild as much as I can, part of me having projects is so I can learn and do. I also need to use up some of the years of accumulated truck parts I have somehow acquired over the years! So, in summary, 503 green, low, 350/350.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Thanks, the shop was something I saved money for for the last 25 years and finally built now that I'm almost too old to enjoy it! I've always had a low tolerance for debt, but the truth is IF I had borrowed money to build it 25 years ago I would have it paid for by now and would have been using it for the last 25 years... It's a bitter pill to swallow!

As far as plans, I have a general idea what I'm trying to achieve but I don't really try to plan everything in advance. The guidelines are mostly a clean, lowered, dependable truck. It will not be a show truck, but hopefully someone will see it and smile. I will be using an early 350 and automatic transmission. I am trying to rebuild as much as I can, part of me having projects is so I can learn and do. I also need to use up some of the years of accumulated truck parts I have somehow acquired over the years! So, in summary, 505 green, low, 350/350.

I'm still in agreement with your plans!!! It doesn't need to be fancy!!! Folks will be thrilled with seeing your old ride, just because of what it is!!!

I have a 67 and 68, both LWB's. I plan to get the 67 going first, nothing fancy. It will have 71/72 disc brakes (68 will also, when that day comes). I'm planning on manual disc brakes on both, just like the 71 and 72's had.

[joeydurango]

Roger, do you already have a 350/350 you're going to use? I ask because I'm considering a 383/700R4 swap and would have a 350/350 combo to move out if I pull the trigger.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

Roger, do you already have a 350/350 you're going to use? I ask because I'm considering a 383/700R4 swap and would have a 350/350 combo to move out if I pull the trigger.

Well, yes, but... I'll pm you.

[raggedjim]

I had a set of lower a-arms I bought off of the board from DA68 awhile back. Bolted them on with a set of 2.5" drop spindles.

[raggedjim]

Then, because I get bored easily, I decided to remove one of the rear fenders so I could weld up some rust areas. Had to use a drill to drill out the heads of the screws. Weren't no fun at all.

[raggedjim]

Finally got it off and the rust cut out and welded up.

[jaros44sr]

Nice work on the fender, but I found it easier to over tighten till the nut snapped off

In my younger years I was laid off along with 500,000 other people and pissed at the world so I came up with idea to build my work shop, dug the foundation with pick and shovel, wheel barrow....polish backhoe

Poured foundation and .learned how to lay cinder blocks when my boiler went out in the house I had them put a zone in for my work shop, 70 degrees all the time

Been enjoying it for 50 years

Good luck on your project I'll be following

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Nice work on the fender, but I found it easier to over tighten till the nut snapped off

In my younger years I was laid off along with 500,000 other people and pissed at the world so I came up with idea to build my work shop, dug the foundation with pick and shovel, wheel barrow....polish backhoe

Poured foundation and .learned how to lay cinder blocks when my boiler went out in the house I had them put a zone in for my work shop, 70 degrees all the time

Been enjoying it for 50 years

Good luck on your project I'll be following

Thanks Jim, I've been watching your blazer build for almost as long as I've been on the site! Sorry to hear about your son.

I wish I had built my shop earlier but I don't know how much I would have really used it. Before I retired I worked quite a bit and was always on call 24/7. It was a relief to finally be able to retire, no more phone calls at 2:30 in the morning! Now the shop is my M-F 9:00-6:00.

I'll try your method on the second fender, hopefully it's easier!

[LT7A]

I'm enjoying your approach and what you're aiming for sounds cool to me. I like the plan.

[raggedjim]

Thanks LT, I spent about 3 months in Bremerton WA years ago with the Navy. That's where I first saw a 2wd Blazer (or at least noticed what it was!) Took the ferry over to Seattle a couple times.

Originally Posted by LT7A

I'm enjoying your approach and what you're aiming for sounds cool to me. I like the plan.