"Jimma" Build

[Jimma]

I would like to start off by introducing myself, Jimma is the name givin to my truck because of how redneck and funny it is to my college buddies, yeah thats correct I am a college student that is trying to do a build that many of you take on in your own garage....Well I have a parking lot! Anyways I would like to get you all up to date on what I have done so far.

I bought Jimma from a friend for $1000. It didn't run and sat for a long time. Since when you buy something new you always look at the good, I will list those first. It had a new crate 350 that only needed a distributor, the body was relativly straight, new tires, alot of potential and the back was full of parts which just needed to be put back on and a 12 point cage. Picture below from the day I bought it.



Now the bad which is realized after you own it, the bed, floors and bracing are shot (found out after taking the top off), the T-case is an NP203, the electrical is hacked, and there are alot of hillybilly fixes like hockey pucks for body bushings, rivits, expanding foam and caulking (all of which when removed took away from the soundness of the the truck)

But non the less I had my daily driver!



The first thing I did was put in the cage in. I figured I would like to have something solid on the truck! This was my first attempt at doing something like this?






As my daily driver/project I ran into a little thing called rain! After a trip to the local fabric store and $50 later. I made a bikini top out of waterproof vinal for boat seats and industrial strength velcro. And it still works like a champ through its 2nd season in service!



Then I wanted to get rid of those goofy van seats so I got a couple of racing buckets and 4points and welded up some seat brackets.




So that brings everyone up to date on the truck. Now lately the truck has been vibrating its self apart (damn hockey pucks). So I decided that I needed a parts truck to donate the bed, floors and patch panels. So I bought a 1972 Blazer CST for $500. I will have pictures this weekend! But the Blazer is packed full of rust free fenders, replacement floorboards, and the firewall/windshield rail has no rust. So I think that I scored pretty well! Now I just need to get the two together and make one nice truck!

[Chevyman63]

Welcome from Michigan as well.

Sounds like you got a good deal for this part of the country. Us folks here from the "enchanted mitten" do not have much of a choice of parts without rust, so nice find on your parts truck.

Where in the state are you at and what school do you go to.

Good luck, thanks for the pics and we're here for ya.

[DANTES JIMMY]

welcome from indiana
its gonna look good
tell your buddys to piss off
its yours and its cooler than there camry or taurus

[hotrodhomi]

nice blazer. You might want to add some bracing to that angle iron you bolted your seat to. You would want it to come loose in a roll over or crash.

[Chevyman63]

Originally Posted by DANTES JIMMY

welcome from indiana
its gonna look good
tell your buddys to piss off
its yours and its cooler than there camry or taurus

Well said D.J.

[Jimma]

I go to Kettering University up in Flint.

I am looking to go back to a more stock look with a little bit of a lift. I am not much of a mudbogger and that is the way this truck started out as and what it looks like with the cage. Once I actually get some good metal from my parts truck, I am not going to put the cage back in because I don't want to put the hole through it.

Now that I have two, I can't decide what I should build? I could either do a Blazer CST or the Jimmy. Personally I like the Jimmy front better but the CST is cool because of all the package. I am not too familiar with what all the CST involved but I know that the Blazer I have has AC, badges, nice seats and a heavier top then my black one. Thats another thing, the black one off of the Jimmy is a single wall top and the one off of the Blazer is white and double walled. Which is better? Which color should I go with?

Out of the two what is the rarest? Blazer CST or Jimmy?

[Chevyman63]

Originally Posted by Jimma

I go to Kettering University up in Flint.

I am looking to go back to a more stock look with a little bit of a lift. I am not much of a mudbogger and that is the way this truck started out as and what it looks like with the cage. Once I actually get some good metal from my parts truck, I am not going to put the cage back in because I don't want to put the hole through it.

Now that I have two, I can't decide what I should build? I could either do a Blazer CST or the Jimmy. Personally I like the Jimmy front better but the CST is cool because of all the package. I am not too familiar with what all the CST involved but I know that the Blazer I have has AC, badges, nice seats and a heavier top then my black one. Thats another thing, the black one off of the Jimmy is a single wall top and the one off of the Blazer is white and double walled. Which is better? Which color should I go with?

Out of the two what is the rarest? Blazer CST or Jimmy?

First of all, I'm about 25 miles due west of you. Secondly, the choice is yours. I believe the single will tops are more desirable because of their weight and I would think that the Jimmy would be more rare than the Blazer, but I'm sure there will be more guys chiming in with ore info for you. But ultimately the decision is yours and what you like.

[Big J]

Nice rig and welcome from KY.
If you want the easiest way out. Build whichever is in better shape. Like ya said, your doing the work in a parking lot. Ain't nothin' easy about that. I started my build outside..... If the Jimmy is what ya really want then go that direction. In the end you have to look at it everyday so its up to you. You can't go wrong with either one, both are rare and worth alot. Keep postin' your progress and pics.
How about some more pics on how you mounted up your bikini top. You mentioned velcrow.....

[72BlckButy]

to the board from Mid-MO!!!

Good luck with the build, looks like a great project!

[Jimma]

I could get some pictures but it is really nothing special, I literally took a strip of Velcro and stuck it across the window rail and and the bottom of the top. I did the same thing for the roll bar so I could wrap it around tight. To tighten it up to where it won't collect water I use the tie straps. I never intended on it being a long term solution, just something that would get me back and forth from work without getting wet. But the adhesive on the Velcro has held up from getting soaked and baking in the sun and has never let go of either the rail or top. I even drive it down the highway and all and it still has never come undone. If I have time I would go back and make another one that does a little better job at bridging the gap between the door glass and top.

First of all, I'm about 25 miles due west of you. Secondly, the choice is yours. I believe the single will tops are more desirable because of their weight and I would think that the Jimmy would be more rare than the Blazer, but I'm sure there will be more guys chiming in with ore info for you. But ultimately the decision is yours and what you like.

Where exactly are you located?

I was wonder if anyone that has a straight body could measure the gap between the bed side to the where the door hinges fasten, I just want to get a rough estimate at how bad mine are sagging because the doors are hard to shut.

[Chevyman63]

Originally Posted by Jimma

Where exactly are you located?

I was wonder if anyone that has a straight body could measure the gap between the bed side to the where the door hinges fasten, I just want to get a rough estimate at how bad mine are sagging because the doors are hard to shut.

I'm located in Owosso, straight down M-21/Corunna Rd.

I think a few of the guys actually have the dimensions shown on some posts, but don't remember which ones or who posted them.

[Big J]

I took these measurements from a truck awhile back. Thats about as straight as you can get, lol....

[Jimma]

Big J thanks for the picture that is exactly what I was looking for! I will be heading up to Flint this weekend, so
I came measure the Blazer and see how bad that is, and as for the Jimmy I can do that tonight.

I forgot to mention the timeline for this project. I am looking at maybe 2 1/2....3 weeks which is Kettering Universities summer break, to get this thing done (when I mean done I mean road worthy) ...and since it is summer break everyone of my roomates will be home which will suck. Sounds like a tall order, but I hope things will just fall in place?

Just a couple of questions about these trucks.....

If you have a stock blazer/jimmy with no cage or added supports, can you run with the doors off?

Can you replace the bed with the floors still on the frame?

And can you take the fire wall off with the floor still on the frame?

[Big J]

Just a couple of questions about these trucks.....

If you have a stock blazer/jimmy with no cage or added supports, can you run with the doors off?
I'd say yes if your rocker boxes were solid along with everything else. You'd get wet if it rains though...
Can you replace the bed with the floors still on the frame?
If your refering to the front floor board where the seats sit, yes. You'll have to cut the rockers off to get to some fun places. I figure you'd need a mig, spot weld bits, drill, grinder, help, air hammer, pry bars, bfh, etc. Pain in the butt is what it is....

And can you take the fire wall off with the floor still on the frame
I believe jaros44 or vtblazer has pics of this. Pain in the butt also....

It sounds like what your wanting to do is a huge undertaking for one person in a 2 week period. I guess it'd be doable if you hammer away with the proper tools 24/7. Good luck.

[NTR72GMC]

If the blazer is solid I think you would be better off building that one and if you still want a jimmy all you have to do is swap front ends out.

[Jimma]

Luck is exactly what I need...I don't plan on doing everything all at once, it will really end up being a pretty slow and cheap build. My main goal is just to get a decent truck out of it that will last until I am out of college and I have a place of my own to do a proper build. As for the solo part, I should be able to gather enough people to help lift everything off of the frame.

I measured the Jimmy last night and it ended up being pretty straight! But I took some pictures of the rust so I can show you guys what I am dealing with.

Tomorrow I will be able to take some pictures of the blazer so you guys can see the condition. I would build the Blazer but the frame is bent, do to a front end collision.

[70rs/ss]

Put the Blazer tub on the Jimmy frame, do whatever little stuff is needed to drive the Jimmy and work on the Blazer tub (rust) then when the Blazer tub is done (rust fixed) pull the Jimmy tub and set the Blazer tub in it's place. It is tough to do any repair let alone rust/floors/firewall etc and still keep it a DD. Do the Blazer tub up and you can drive the Jimmy the whole time, then do a big weekend thrash and swap tubs, then you are never on foot for too long.

Good luck, you stole it for a G!

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Big J

Just a couple of questions about these trucks.....

If you have a stock blazer/jimmy with no cage or added supports, can you run with the doors off?
I'd say yes if your rocker boxes were solid along with everything else. You'd get wet if it rains though...
Can you replace the bed with the floors still on the frame?
If your refering to the front floor board where the seats sit, yes. You'll have to cut the rockers off to get to some fun places. I figure you'd need a mig, spot weld bits, drill, grinder, help, air hammer, pry bars, bfh, etc. Pain in the butt is what it is....

And can you take the fire wall off with the floor still on the frame
I believe jaros44 or vtblazer has pics of this. Pain in the butt also....

Yes, buuuutttt.....IIRC the lip of the torsion box wraps around from underneath on the pass. side, making it difficult to separate at the factory seam. Plus there are support rails that will have to be separated(spot welds) could be impossible to get at with the motor in... Whats wrong with you're firewall?

Post up lots of pics, makes it easier to see what you're up to, and we all luv pics
This is possible to a Blazer/Jimmy also, the only tool I used was an angle grinder with 4 1/2" cut off wheel. I don't think you should be doing it in you're parking lot

[Long Roof]

You don't lack ambition! Good luck.

[ClassicJimmy]

I'm partial to the Jimmy. Seems more & more are being converted to Blazers which just makes mine more rare. I like the looks of the Jimmy too. A loaded CST is worth a pretty penny, but I'd build what I personally like over what might be worth more.

Welcome to the board from the Northwest!

[DANTES JIMMY]

its hard to beat four headlights but some people prefer the blazer front end
do what you like the best and what is in the best shape as far as tubs i would start with the one that has the best front floor and torsion boxes because as anybody on this board will tell you the front floor and the torsion boxes are probably the most critical areas as far as structure and ride
they for sure the most difficult to repair there is NO way i would do this in a parking lot of a dorm or apartment
i would go rent a u-store or some kind of local warehouse space to tackle that
but hey you know what i guess now that i think about it i used to do a bunch of wrenching under a carport at my old apartment
good luck bro
you have definitley found the spot for good info on these vehicles
i started mine last year and there isnt a bunch of nicer and more knowledgible people on this earth than right here dont be afraid to ask because somebody on here has done it or had it tore apart at one point in time or another
good luck

[Jimma]

Here are some pictures of the rust that I am dealing with on the Jimmy and a couple of the Blazer that I picked up for $500. Let me know if you think I did good? The front of the truck is in the bed!

The reason I asked about the firewall is ( I am guessing the whole thing has to come out) but the windsheild rail is toast. The one on the Blazer is perfect....

[jaros44sr]

JMHO, but the chevy looks tobe in way better shape. Plus you won't have to deal with the windshield. If the pics. are indicative of the rest of the jimmy it's toast, you did way better on the purchase of the blazer...post up more pics of the blazer bad areas, rocker just looks like a bad install by the PO, torsion boxes are a critical area so look closely at them

Good Luck on your progress, and keep posting up pics of your build

[Long Roof]

Build the blazer and swap the jimmy front clip on is what I'd do.

[Jimma]

I have a whole lot of pictures!!! I haven't been able to see what all was in the back yet due to the blazer is 45 min. away and my dad has been in town all week. It has been killing me knowing that I bought the truck and didn't know what all was piled in the back....but I pulled it all out and found some great stuff!

I also took more pictures of the blazer's bad parts.....I know it is rough but I am hoping that there is a lot of stuff I can resale and make up for what I bought it for?