1972 Build thread.

[Spf79]

Hi,
My name is Shon; I have been a long time lurker. I want to tell you that I love this site, the people here are some of the most generous and informative individuals I have ever come across while dabbling in this hobby. I am glad to say that this last summer I purchased a 1972 Jimmy from another forum member. This has been a long road to get here. My first vehicle was a 1974 Blazer that I sold after I graduated high school… Regret is what I have felt for 19 years. Somehow my wife had a moment of weakness and allowed this to enter our home... no going back now!!! I have begun a frame off restoration. I will take any advice I can get as I go along.
I am restoring this back to its original orange color… and that is about all that will match its original state. I plan on doing a 4” lift with 35’s, a Cheyenne trim package… saddle interior and a… 383, th350/205. So here goes!

[Spf79]

I do not know a lot about the history of the truck. I do know it is about 90% rust free, awesome!!! I was told it had been in an accident… hence the non-original front clip & frame… ground rotor, and bent spindle – lol. The positive is that it was pretty easy to take apart since it had been slapped together and then garaged for 12 years in eastern Washington. Here are some pics of the rig coming apart.

[Spf79]

I found that the motor was a 1976 van motor, 4 bolt main… score! Behind the motor was an SM420 and Rockwell T221 transfer case, year 66 on the tranny and 69 on the transfer case, weird. I just got everything sorted and taken to the powder coater, finally lol. I was able to store the tub at a buddy’s house, it is nice having friends with plenty or storage room.

[Spf79]

More powder coating!!!

[Spf79]

I got my frame back from the powder coater!!! So happy to be to the non-greasy part of the build! I’m still waiting on the axles and about 70 other pieces from the coater so I can start assembly. I’m planning on 4.11 gears and Truetrac carriers front and rear. Has anyone had good or bad experience with these types of carriers?
Question…. Is this a stock item? It looks to be a shackle stop? Also, what is this on the driver front spring perch? It looks like some sort of a guard? Looked like factory spot welds so I left it rather than cutting it off. The passenger side does not have it.

[1rippen6]

Yes that's a factory piece put I don't think the front of the frame horn should have that many holes I will have to look at mine today.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by 1rippen6

Yes that's a factory piece put I don't think the front of the frame horn should have that many holes I will have to look at mine today.

X2. Off to a great start. I'll follow along. Are you keeping the steering wheel, mirrors, and the dash pad?

[tjsblazer]

I'm in for the ride. Good to see another build starting. Friends with shops are the best!

That plate in front of the spring hanger and the bracket behind the spring shackle on the drivers side was to help prevent the front leaf spring from being driven back in to the driver in a front end collision. I guess they didn't care about the passenger.

Decent sheet metal is such a bonus on these things !

[tjsblazer]

I agree with Dwayne, someone has added a few extra holes around the factory tow hook holes in the front of the frame rails. Maybe they had added some aftermarket tow hooks at one time or ? I doubt it was a plow bracket if the body is in good shape.

[jaros44sr]

I thought I read somewhere the brackets in front of and behind the leaf springs were there in case of a spring bolt failure, allowing the truck to veer onto the berm of the road instead of on coming trffic

[tjsblazer]

Jim you could be right. I had read somewhere about the accident scenario on the Internet a number of years ago.
Everything on the Internet is true isn't it?

[Spf79]

Thank you for the explanation on the extra brackets, makes way more sense!

Yeah, the frame horns are shreaded, but I can still mount the stock bumper and brackets so I figured I would be OK leaving it. The PO have a huge front bumper mounted. It looked to be made from some steel girder material.

I traded the dash pad, steering column and some other stuff to another guy, I got a nice auto tilt and he has an original back seat for me, sorry man! The dash pad was.in great shape suprisingly except for one little crack. The steering wheel needed some TLC, but the horn button looked perfect, like it time traveled, lol.

[Spf79]

Sorry if my posting is a bit choppy, I am learning the post & reply process while on my phone.

Thank you all again for looking, I had spent a lot of time on Google Image search trying to figure those brackets out.

[Spf79]

Cleaning parts today. My hands hurt. Lol

[Spf79]

Second attempt with pics. I'm phone challenged.

[Spf79]

I picked up the rest of my powder coating today and my Off Road Design order showed up as well. It has been a good day! Almost time to order up my Tru-Track differentials and gears for my axles. After that we are on to the major assembly!

[DeadheadNM]

Making quick work! Reminds me that I need to start thinking about springs for my build.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Making quick work! Reminds me that I need to start thinking about springs for my build.

It seems like I am making some quick headway... but man, when I look at pics of finished rigs it feels like I will never get there. I love being in the accumulate mode, but i'm dying to start bolting this thing together.

[Spf79]

Just standing in the garage making motor noises... Kids and wife think I'm crazy, lol! Ordering more parts tomorrow, and hopefully I will have my new springs painted up this week. I bought TC EZ-ride springs and they showed up looking like they had been shipped with wet paint. Nothing a wire wheel on an angle grinder can't fix. I'll paint them up with a little rustoleum satin black and we will be ready for install. Not super excited about the wire wheeling since my hand is still tingling from last weekend.

I wonder how much lift the ORD heavy duty shackle kit will add to the lift springs... should be interesting. They seem quite a bit longer than the originals... but I tossed the originals so I can't compare. Cross that bridge when we get there.

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by Spf79

I wonder how much lift the ORD heavy duty shackle kit will add to the lift springs... should be interesting. They seem quite a bit longer than the originals... but I tossed the originals so I can't compare. Cross that bridge when we get there.

I think generally the difference is minimal. Doesn't the shackles just deflect further.

[Lieferson]

Nice to see fellow Washington blazer coming along, taggin along for this one!

[jaros44sr]

Not to be a smart arse, but there are better ways to clean parts. I hate the thought of those wires flying around

looks like a great build, maybe consider moving to the projects and build side?
anyway, I'll watch

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by tjsblazer

I think generally the difference is minimal. Doesn't the shackles just deflect further.

Agreed, that is what they should do. Looking at their site and reviews I assume I am good, but this wasn't an experience I had when deeling with the same type of a shackle on a jeep cj. I ended up gaining an extra inch in the front... it made a difference on the jeep, not very worried about this set up... It just suprised me how much bigger they look.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by Lieferson

Nice to see fellow Washington blazer coming along, taggin along for this one!

Thank you for jumping on board!!!

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Not to be a smart arse, but there are better ways to clean parts. I hate the thought of those wires flying around

looks like a great build, maybe consider moving to the projects and build side?
anyway, I'll watch

Lol, agreed - I hate wire wheeling, but I didn't have that much to do. So I bit the bullet and got it done. It took longer than I expected, I should of used the old man's blast cabinet... but that is a drive and I'm not going to let him trick me into cleaning his garage work area anymore.

I'm very excited about the build, i have been saving my pennies! How do I move the thread at this point? Sorry if I put it in the wrong area.