Question I have been pondering.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-13-2003, 02:26 PM

I have wanted to build a short bed stepside truck as a convertable for some time. I always planned on using the Blazer windshield frame and the blazer half top to incorperate into a pickup cab ao that it would look like something that could have been stock.
Now for the question: Should I encorperate the Blazer Rocker Boxes also? This would be to reinforce the floor while the top is off... Seems like maybe I should if I want the conversion to last and not become flexible. Any thoughts on this? WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

*dtlilly* · 07-13-2003, 04:28 PM

If I'm not mistaken (which I have been many times

) I would think the firewall section is beefier on the Blazer front of cab to withstand the stress of the windshield frame and glass.

I bet GeeEmm would be able to tell the difference, with the parts cut open for his Blazer project.

*Randy70C-10* · 07-13-2003, 05:00 PM

Seems logical, I'd definately figure out some sort of way to reinforce the floor to keep it from folding. Maybe welding some 2X3 square tubing alongside the inner rockers to the floor would do the trick. (just brainstorming)

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-13-2003, 06:26 PM

Makes sence to me, however I have been all over my Blazer and the firewall doesn't look any different than a trucks. But I also know from parting trucks and cutting up cabs, that the door opening gets narrower at the top. Randy70C-10, that idea sounds pretty good.. I will have to think about it some more. Any more ideas? WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

lukecp · 07-13-2003, 06:35 PM

Bracing it as Randy suggested seems like a good idea. If you wanted to run some k9ind of a rollbar or hoop, you could brace it with the bar. I wouldn't want to roll a convertible without some kind or a bar on it....

smokekiki · 07-14-2003, 08:35 AM

I didn't see any difference in the firewall of my blazer when I built it.I built new support boxes out of 3/16. Made them just like the original,only heavier.I had a 4 point rollbar and with the top off i had no problems.Now I have a full cage.I never put the top on.In the cold I have a soft top.

Longhorn Man · 07-14-2003, 04:07 PM

I was thinking about this one today and I feel it is not needed.
The body is long on a blazer. However, look how short the body (cab) is on a pick up. The frame is going to flex a bit no matter what you do to the cab, but even if the frame sags 2 inches, the cab its self won't flex a bit. (well, maybe a little, but not enough to matter)
The shorter the item, the stronger it will be and the more weight it will support with any given thickness.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-14-2003, 04:50 PM

Thank you for the responces..

This is definately something that I will need to put some more thought into. I am getting ready to part out my 68 BB GMC and will be cutting up that cab for scrap. So what I thing k that what I will do is to take some measurements in the door openings and write them down. Then cut the roof off starting at the windshield pillars and see if the pillars move at all. If they do then I may have bracing concerns, and if not I might be alright. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

**StingRay** · 07-14-2003, 04:57 PM

I figure some form of reinforcment would probably be needed as nothing would be connecting the firewall to the cab back up top and door alignment might get real ugly. MotherTruckers might be a good one to ask as they sound like they repair alot of cabs by clipping and replacing the roof sections. So he'd probably know how the cab acts without a roof.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-14-2003, 05:12 PM

Thanks StingRay, I have cut a few tops off myself... LOL And the pillars do tend to move, however I have seen on the web a couple of convertable trucks and just didn't know what they did to keep everything stable. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

07-13-2003, 02:26 PM	#1
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Question I have been pondering.... I have wanted to build a short bed stepside truck as a convertable for some time. I always planned on using the Blazer windshield frame and the blazer half top to incorperate into a pickup cab ao that it would look like something that could have been stock. Now for the question: Should I encorperate the Blazer Rocker Boxes also? This would be to reinforce the floor while the top is off... Seems like maybe I should if I want the conversion to last and not become flexible. Any thoughts on this? WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

07-13-2003, 06:26 PM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Makes sence to me, however I have been all over my Blazer and the firewall doesn't look any different than a trucks. But I also know from parting trucks and cutting up cabs, that the door opening gets narrower at the top. Randy70C-10, that idea sounds pretty good.. I will have to think about it some more. Any more ideas? WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

07-13-2003, 06:35 PM	#5
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Bracing it as Randy suggested seems like a good idea. If you wanted to run some k9ind of a rollbar or hoop, you could brace it with the bar. I wouldn't want to roll a convertible without some kind or a bar on it.... __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-14-2003, 08:35 AM	#6
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	I didn't see any difference in the firewall of my blazer when I built it.I built new support boxes out of 3/16. Made them just like the original,only heavier.I had a 4 point rollbar and with the top off i had no problems.Now I have a full cage.I never put the top on.In the cold I have a soft top. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

07-14-2003, 04:50 PM	#8
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Thank you for the responces.. This is definately something that I will need to put some more thought into. I am getting ready to part out my 68 BB GMC and will be cutting up that cab for scrap. So what I thing k that what I will do is to take some measurements in the door openings and write them down. Then cut the roof off starting at the windshield pillars and see if the pillars move at all. If they do then I may have bracing concerns, and if not I might be alright. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

07-13-2003, 04:28 PM	#2
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	If I'm not mistaken (which I have been many times ) I would think the firewall section is beefier on the Blazer front of cab to withstand the stress of the windshield frame and glass. I bet GeeEmm would be able to tell the difference, with the parts cut open for his Blazer project.

07-13-2003, 05:00 PM	#3
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Seems logical, I'd definately figure out some sort of way to reinforce the floor to keep it from folding. Maybe welding some 2X3 square tubing alongside the inner rockers to the floor would do the trick. (just brainstorming)

07-14-2003, 04:07 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I was thinking about this one today and I feel it is not needed. The body is long on a blazer. However, look how short the body (cab) is on a pick up. The frame is going to flex a bit no matter what you do to the cab, but even if the frame sags 2 inches, the cab its self won't flex a bit. (well, maybe a little, but not enough to matter) The shorter the item, the stronger it will be and the more weight it will support with any given thickness.

07-14-2003, 04:57 PM	#9
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	I figure some form of reinforcment would probably be needed as nothing would be connecting the firewall to the cab back up top and door alignment might get real ugly. MotherTruckers might be a good one to ask as they sound like they repair alot of cabs by clipping and replacing the roof sections. So he'd probably know how the cab acts without a roof. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

07-14-2003, 05:12 PM	#10
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Thanks StingRay, I have cut a few tops off myself... LOL And the pillars do tend to move, however I have seen on the web a couple of convertable trucks and just didn't know what they did to keep everything stable. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys



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