1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto

[Already Gone]

I'm jumping on. Thanks for the link Pete lots of great info here.

[In The Ten Ring]

Those bolts do look much better!

I will have to organize my ziploc bagged bolts and bite the bullet on this one. Thanks.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks for the good words and for following along.

Since my last post the Blazer was sandblasted revealing sheet metal that really isn't in bad shape and essentially no bondo. The RH rear quarter had bondo that appeared to be an attempt at smoothing contour of the wheel opening and not related to damage repair.

The windshield frame has some tiny perforations along the gasket gutter at the top that will serve as access for a POR-15 treatment before getting welded over. Rust primarily involves the outer rockers, anterior inferior rear quarters, and the sides of the floor pan at the tail gate.

The wonky appearance of the LH B-pillar relates to a poor welding job when the rear quarter was replaced then some filler added to mask the malalignment. These spot welds have been drilled allowing the components to be mobilized and once re-welded should appear good as new.

The replacement LH rear quarter is a GM piece as evidenced by the captured nuts for use with a 1x wall top (I'm told that repro K5 quarters do not have the captured nuts for 1x wall mounting). Interestingly, the bed rail holes for a 2x wall top were not pre-drilled and only two were placed at the time of initial repair.

[DeadheadNM]

I've decided to keep base (sport) mirrors as the Blazer was originally equipped though I much prefer the DF2 camper mirrors.

[DeadheadNM]

The blaster warped my hood but compensated me for another hood I found locally that's straight and in original paint.

Am using NOS inner fenders and outer rockers. Remainder of patch pieces I've sourced from Wes @ Classic Heartbeat.

[ClassicStyle]

Looks good Pete!

Funny yours came with the small mirror and you prefer the camper.

Mine came with camper Mirrors and I'm leaving the small mirror.

Just pulled those seats I got from you apart. Should have new foams and covers In a couple weeks!

[1972 Jimmy]

Pete,
Your making great progress. Nothing alittle love can't fix.
Eric

[IronCanine]

For some reason I'm not getting email updates on this thread...seems like I've missed a lot of progress this month. Glad I stopped by. Tough luck on the hood Pete. Good thing you had a line on a replacement (you always do) and that the blaster was willing to make good. Love those Genuine GM Parts. You are first class all the way. This is going to be a show stopper. Keep it up. Can't wait for more!

[OLDYELLOW]

Great progress! I'm not getting updates either.

[1rippen6]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

For some reason I'm not getting email updates on this thread...seems like I've missed a lot of progress this month. Glad I stopped by. Tough luck on the hood Pete. Good thing you had a line on a replacement (you always do) and that the blaster was willing to make good. Love those Genuine GM Parts. You are first class all the way. This is going to be a show stopper. Keep it up. Can't wait for more!

I'm not getting email updates either actually I don't think I'm getting any updates from the forum.

[72 Super]

Originally Posted by 1rippen6

I'm not getting email updates either actually I don't think I'm getting any updates from the forum.

I get a bunch at a time but not everyday, it's almost like they build up although that doesn't make any since. Same goes for my PM notifications.

Ray

[TonyJohnson]

I'm watching...

[Arrington01]

Looking good.

[DeadheadNM]

Big thanks to you guys for following along and sorry for my lengthy delay. Hope 2017 is off to a good start for y'all!

I've got the Blazer back with Eric and the guys at Mild to Wild here in Albuquerque. They did a great job on my K20 and we had a lot of fun in the process so taking the Blazer back to them was a no-brainer.

Making progress on the sheet metal repair and there were no unpleasant surprises once the paint was blasted away. Barry did a great job re-aligning the previously replaced LH rear quarter at the B pillar so a pillar patch wasn't necessary. Fortunately, the replacement quarter was a GM piece and likely done a long while ago so the caged nuts are present for a single wall top in addition to the holes for a double wall top.

I've collected various parts, had the carb rebuilt by Sean Murphy Induction, am taking the motor to the machine shop tomorrow, and am awaiting the front seat upholstery and rear panels (rear seat cover is in-hand). The initial set of front bucket seat covers did not have the plaid aligned as per OEM and are being redone (I'm told the OEM style takes more fabric incurring more expense so not typically done).

I'll try to post more frequently. More pics available through the Mild to Wild site: http://www.mildtowildinc.com/index.c...=cat/cat72.htm

[DeadheadNM]

More...

[DeadheadNM]

More....

[DeadheadNM]

More...website only letting me post once per 5 minutes?!

[DeadheadNM]

More...

[IronCanine]

Now this is how I like to start my week. Looking great Pete. Thanks for the update. Beautiful metal work. Can't wait for more. Future TOTY in progress.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks Brad!

Loaded the motor into my gmc and delivered it to the folks at Automotive Machine Services, a local shop that's been in business here for many decades. Provided the block and heads check out, the engine will be more-or-less stock but with a roller cam/rockers and a "RV" cam (eke out some more torque).

[DeadheadNM]

Dang - I'll flip these later

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Dang - I'll flip these later

Looks awesome! I hope to be dropping off my block in another month or so. I'm excited to see your interior, I love that highlander look.

[prorat56]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Dwayne - it's a mix, I have 2x wall examples here that use both styles (one each) but the 1x wall tops here (total two) only use those affixed with screws. The hinge covers with the screws are present on both the hatch and the top ends. I like the clean look of the rubber hinge covers. Am curious what's available aftermarket as a hinge cover replacement.



Thanks Brad! I'm reminded of the sleuthing that went into determining the build month for your Blazer. Am sure enough that this K5 is a February build that I've got a blue door VIN tag from Jeff on the way. Another quirk - there is only a high note horn, the low note and pigtail are either missing or were never installed. I don't see evidence that the low note horn was ever installed and a CST should have dual horns. The high note at least works. I wonder if there if there was a big difference in quality control between St. Louis and Flint?

I removed the fuel tank, front bumper, and and the inner fenders. Thank goodness for PB blaster and an impact wrench. The front wheel studs/lug nuts differ in size left to right.

Posting misc pics of the fuel tank, fuel lines, and attachment hardware for reference. The tank is in great shape - not sure if OEM but has a stamped circle surrounding a big letter "A" on the top (hard to photograph).

Hi Pete, It looks like your going to have one awesome Blazer! and I have a question for you about your fuel filler neck hose clamps maybe you have a picture of them? mine are long gone and would like to put the right clamps back on mine. Btw my gas tank has the letter A on top also. Thanks Glenn

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks Chris and Glenn.

I couldn't easily find a fuel neck in the garage tonight but I do have this pic if it helps. The clamps are tower clamps and an OEM black zip tie secures the smaller diameter (vapor?) hose to the adjacent fuel neck. Below the floor pan, tower clamps are used as well. Good to know about the "A" - suspect OEM and will keep tabs. I'm debating whether or not to replate the tank in zinc. I'm told galvanizing is zinc plating but the crystal structure is larger.

[prorat56]

Thank you, that picture helps me a lot.